The lights of Rockefeller Center are about to shine brighter than ever — because Dick Van Dyke, the dazzling dancer, singer, and performer who has defined joy for generations, is returning to NBC’s “Christmas at Rockefeller Center” for what insiders are calling “a breathtaking, once-in-a-lifetime holiday spectacle.”

At 99 years old, the Hollywood legend who once danced across rooftops as Bert in Mary Poppins and charmed millions with The Dick Van Dyke Show is proving once again that magic has no age limit. This year’s broadcast — a mix of nostalgia, innovation, and heart — will celebrate not only Christmas, but the enduring spirit of creativity and kindness that Van Dyke has embodied for over seven decades.

“Having Dick back at Rockefeller Center is like bringing the soul of Christmas home,” says NBC’s executive producer, Laura Whitmore. “He’s not just performing — he’s reminding the world what this season really means: love, laughter, and hope.”

For years, Christmas at Rockefeller Center has marked the unofficial start of the holiday season in America. The annual tree lighting ceremony — watched by more than 25 million viewers nationwide — has featured an all-star lineup of talent. But this year, the anticipation has reached fever pitch.

Not only will Van Dyke take center stage, but the event will also feature a specially choreographed opening number — written and directed by Emmy-winning producer Derek Hough — designed to celebrate the legacy of classic showmanship through modern movement and storytelling.

“Dick Van Dyke is the bridge between old Hollywood and the modern stage,” Hough said in a recent interview. “He doesn’t just perform — he transcends. When he moves, you see history. When he sings, you feel home.”

According to early reports, Dick will open his set with a reimagined version of “O Holy Night,” arranged with a full symphony and children’s choir. But this isn’t just any choir — the group includes students from the Van Dyke Center for the Arts, a youth outreach program the star helped fund earlier this year to support underprivileged kids with musical dreams.

As the first notes swell, the stage will transform into a winter wonderland — snow falling softly, strings shimmering like stars — and Dick will take his place beneath the 80-foot Rockefeller tree. His voice, warm and steady, will rise over the city that never sleeps — a sound that’s equal parts memory and miracle.

Producers say the performance will blend live vocals with a projection montage of Van Dyke’s most iconic Christmas moments — from his 1960s TV specials to his surprise 2020 viral duet with his wife, Arlene Silver. The theme: “The gift of time — and the music that never fades.”

When asked about the emotional power of performing such a sacred song live, Van Dyke smiled softly.
“I’ve sung it a thousand times,” he said, “but this year… it’s different. When I look out and see those faces — the little ones, the parents, the dreamers — I remember what it felt like to believe in magic for the first time. And that’s what Christmas is. Belief. Wonder. Gratitude.”

While his voice may move hearts, it’s Van Dyke’s feet that are stealing the show during rehearsals. Reports from NBC’s soundstage reveal that the legendary entertainer — who turns 100 next year — insisted on choreographing part of his own tap number.

“Everyone tried to get him to rest between takes,” said a crew member, laughing. “But Dick was the first one on the floor and the last one to leave. He said, ‘If I can dance, I can breathe — and if I can breathe, I can live.’”

The performance in question? A new routine set to an upbeat swing medley of “Jingle Bells” and “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” Featuring dancers from Dancing with the Stars and the Radio City Rockettes, the number promises to be an electrifying mix of vintage Hollywood tap, jazz, and Broadway flair — with Van Dyke leading the way.

In one leaked rehearsal clip, he’s seen spinning a cane, twirling in rhythm, and laughing mid-spin as the audience claps in awe. “It’s not about perfection,” he told his team. “It’s about joy — and if I fall, at least I’ll do it with a smile.”

Beyond the lights, choreography, and star power, Dick Van Dyke’s appearance carries a deeper message — one of faith, resilience, and unity.

This year, he’s dedicating his performance to “every soul who’s ever felt alone at Christmas.” The gesture follows his recent charity campaign, “No One Sleeps Cold Tonight,” a partnership with homeless shelters across Los Angeles that provides blankets, meals, and companionship during the holidays.

“You can have all the tinsel and lights in the world,” Van Dyke said, “but if someone out there is cold and forgotten, the season hasn’t truly begun. Christmas isn’t about what you receive — it’s about who you reach.”

NBC confirmed that the network will match all donations made to the campaign during the broadcast, with proceeds going directly to shelters nationwide.

Whitmore added, “That’s the power of Dick. He doesn’t just perform — he moves people to care.”

As rehearsals roll on, one thing is clear: this year’s Christmas at Rockefeller Center won’t be just another TV special — it will be a legacy event.

To younger audiences discovering him for the first time, Van Dyke might seem like a relic from a bygone era — but those who know his story understand that he’s anything but outdated. From the golden days of Hollywood musicals to modern streaming cameos, Dick Van Dyke has remained a living embodiment of joy, perseverance, and artistic integrity.

“He’s proof that art never grows old,” said Derek Hough. “He’s lived nearly a century, and he’s still dancing like he just booked his first gig.”

Rumor has it the show will end with a surprise — a medley duet featuring Van Dyke and a mystery guest, possibly his grandson, Zachary Van Dyke, whose viral TikTok videos of the pair dancing together have already melted hearts online.

The closing number, titled “One More Christmas With You,” reportedly weaves together nostalgia and renewal — a promise that even as time moves on, the music of the heart never fades.

NBC has confirmed that “Christmas at Rockefeller Center” featuring Dick Van Dyke will air live on December 3, with streaming available next day on Peacock. Fans across social media have already begun using the hashtag #VanDykeAtRockefeller — with one viral post declaring, “This isn’t just a show. It’s a Christmas miracle.”

From the first snowfall to the final bow, the night promises everything that makes the holidays unforgettable: laughter, love, nostalgia, and just enough sparkle to make even the most cynical heart believe again.

“I’m not here to prove anything,” Van Dyke said humbly. “I just want to remind people that it’s still okay to dance, to laugh, to dream — even when the world feels heavy. That’s what Christmas does — it makes you light again.”

And as the Rockefeller tree shines over New York City, and Dick Van Dyke’s laughter echoes through the night, one thing will be certain:
This Christmas won’t just be celebrated. It will be remembered.

NBC’s “Christmas at Rockefeller Center” featuring Dick Van Dyke premieres December 3 at 8/7c.
Follow the event with #VanDykeAtRockefeller and #TheMagicReturns.