Barbra Streisand Returns to Rockefeller Center: A Timeless Voice Lights Up the Holidays

Under the glittering glow of the world’s most famous Christmas tree, Barbra Streisand steps back into the heart of New York’s holiday magic, her voice—still pure, still powerful—turning Rockefeller Center into a cathedral of joy, nostalgia, and grace.

A Legendary Return to a Cherished Tradition. December 3, 2025—Barbra Streisand, 83, headlines NBC’s 28th annual Christmas at Rockefeller Center, a two-hour spectacle airing live at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. The EGOT icon, whose A Christmas Album (1967) remains the best-selling holiday record by a female artist (5.3 million U.S. copies), will perform “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “The Christmas Song,” and a medley from her classic LP. Producers call it “the performance event of the year,” with Streisand’s first appearance since 2001’s tree-lighting cameo. “Barbra is Christmas royalty,” said executive producer Brad Lachman. “Her voice doesn’t just sing the season—it defines it.”

The Setlist: A Gift Wrapped in Nostalgia. Streisand’s performance, backed by a 42-piece orchestra and the Radio City Rockettes, opens with a stripped-down “The Christmas Song”—just piano, strings, and that unmistakable mezzo. She’ll segue into “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” with a new arrangement featuring children from the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, symbolizing hope across generations. The medley includes “The Best Gift,” “Sleep in Heavenly Peace,” and a surprise duet with rising star Emily Carter—the Stanford freshman who joined Streisand onstage in Austin last month. “Emily’s my holiday miracle,” Barbra told Variety. “She reminds me why we sing.”

A Stage Steeped in History and Heart. The Rockefeller stage, framed by the 80-foot Norway spruce adorned with 50,000 LED lights and a 900-pound Swarovski star, has hosted legends—Mariah Carey, Tony Bennett, Dolly Parton—but Streisand’s return is personal. Her 1967 album, recorded while pregnant with son Jason Gould, was born from grief after losing her father at 15 months. “Christmas was always bittersweet,” she shared in a pre-taped segment. “But music turned sorrow into solace.” This year, she dedicates the performance to her late mother, Diana, and women’s heart health—donating proceeds to the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center at Cedars-Sinai.

Behind the Magic: A Labor of Love and Legacy. Rehearsals began in October at Streisand’s Malibu barn studio, where she fine-tuned every note with arranger David Foster. Despite recent health concerns—a mild arrhythmia managed since 2024—Barbra insisted on performing live, using a custom earpiece for balance. “I’m not here to lip-sync,” she quipped to crew. Her team, including son Jason Gould (co-producer), ensured every detail reflected her vision: vintage microphones, a white grand piano, and a gown by Donna Karan echoing her 1967 album cover. “This isn’t a comeback,” Jason said. “It’s a thank-you—to fans, to family, to faith.”

The Guests: A Constellation of Holiday Stars. Streisand shares the bill with Kelly Clarkson (“Underneath the Tree”), Pentatonix (a cappella “Hallelujah”), and Norah Jones (“Wintertime”). The tree-lighting moment—when 50,000 lights ignite—will feature Barbra and Emily in a spontaneous “Jingle Bells” reprise, with the Rockettes in formation. Host Savannah Guthrie calls it “the most emotional lighting in years.”

A Global Gift: Reach, Resonance, and Record Viewership. NBC projects 18 million viewers, with Peacock streaming in 4K. Social media buzz—#BarbraAtRockefeller—has already hit 6.2 million posts. Clips from Streisand’s 2001 performance (12 million views) resurged post-announcement. Spotify reports a 42% spike in A Christmas Album streams since October. “She’s the North Star of holiday music,” said SiriusXM’s Jess Cagle.

A Legacy That Outshines the Lights. As the final note fades and the tree blazes, one truth glows: Barbra Streisand’s voice isn’t just a sound—it’s a sanctuary, turning winter’s chill into warmth, and every heart into home. This Christmas, Rockefeller Center doesn’t just shine—it sings.