🎄 HOLIDAY SHOCKWAVES: JAMES HETFIELD & MARIAH CAREY TO STAR IN THE 2025 “CHRISTMAS IN ROCKEFELLER CENTER” SPECIAL 🎶✨

It’s the holiday collaboration no one saw coming — and everyone is already talking about it.

NBC has officially confirmed that James Hetfield, the fierce frontman of Metallica, will join Mariah Carey, the undisputed Queen of Christmas, for the 2025 “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” special — a pairing that’s already being called “the most unexpected gift of the season.”

The announcement came early Tuesday morning, sending social media into a frenzy. Fans of both artists flooded X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and YouTube comment sections with stunned reactions, excitement, and a few jokes about what happens when “metal meets mistletoe.” But for millions around the world, this isn’t just a novelty — it’s the merging of two musical worlds that have defined generations.

A Night for the Ages

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Special has long been a staple of American holiday tradition — a glittering evening of music, lights, and unity broadcast live from New York City’s most iconic plaza. Yet, this year’s event promises something entirely new.

For the first time, the sharp growl of Hetfield’s Gibson Explorer will meet the soaring, crystalline vocals of Carey’s holiday reign. The two are set to perform both separately and together, with NBC insiders hinting at “a powerful, emotional duet” that blends classic holiday warmth with an edge of raw rock energy.

The 71-foot Norway spruce that towers over Rockefeller Plaza will serve as the backdrop — adorned with over 50,000 LED lights and a 900-pound Swarovski star that reflects the spirit of the night.

“Music brings people together, and this show is about exactly that,” said NBC’s Executive Producer Dana Whitfield. “You’ve got Mariah — the timeless voice of Christmas — and James, one of the greatest living symbols of passion and authenticity in music. Together, they represent both heart and grit — a reminder that the holidays are for everyone.”

Hetfield: From the Stage to the Spirit

James Hetfield, best known as the thunderous voice behind Enter Sandman and Nothing Else Matters, is stepping into a new light this December. Though Hetfield has occasionally performed acoustic holiday sets for charity, this marks his first-ever appearance at a major televised Christmas event.

When asked about joining Mariah on stage, Hetfield smiled and said:

“This is going to be one for the books. Mariah’s got the voice of Christmas — she owns that world. I just want to bring a little grit, a little truth to it. Music’s supposed to make you feel something, whether it’s heavy or holy. And this — this is about connection.”

Sources close to the production revealed that Hetfield personally requested to perform a stripped-down acoustic version of “Silent Night” — reimagined through the haunting tones of his 1960s Martin guitar. “It’s the most vulnerable thing he’s done in years,” one insider shared. “He wanted to do it his way — raw, real, and without polish.”

Mariah Carey: The Queen Returns to Her Throne

For Mariah Carey, this event is both a homecoming and a passing of the torch. After years of headlining her own Christmas specials, this collaboration marks her first time sharing the stage with a rock artist of Hetfield’s caliber.

“I’ve always believed in the magic of Rockefeller Center at Christmastime,” Carey said in a statement. “Sharing this moment with James — someone with such intensity and heart — will make this year’s celebration truly unforgettable.”

Rumor has it that Carey and Hetfield will close the night with a brand-new version of “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” infused with soaring guitar solos and a choir-backed finale. Producers reportedly described the arrangement as “explosive yet deeply emotional — a balance of steel and sparkle.”

Behind the Lights and Legends

The Christmas in Rockefeller Center event has long been about more than music. It’s a symbol of unity — one that shines brightest in uncertain times. For Hetfield, who has spoken openly about his struggles and his search for peace, the night represents a full-circle moment.

“This isn’t about fame or flash,” Hetfield shared in a recent interview. “It’s about lighting hearts, not just trees. I’ve played for crowds of a hundred thousand screaming fans, but this — this is different. This is about connection through hope.”

Carey, too, sees this collaboration as a reflection of resilience. “The holidays have always been about love — and love has no genre,” she said.The Countdown Begins

The 2025 Christmas in Rockefeller Center special will air Wednesday, December 3 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and stream simultaneously on Peacock.

In addition to Hetfield and Carey, the lineup will feature surprise guest performers from across genres — from gospel icons to country legends — all united under one starry December night.

Behind the scenes, the Rockefeller tree will illuminate with five miles of lights, powered entirely by renewable energy, symbolizing not just tradition, but transformation.

“Rockefeller Center is a reflection of who we are as a country,” said Whitfield. “And this year, when James Hetfield’s guitar meets Mariah Carey’s voice under that star — it’ll remind everyone that music still has the power to heal, to unite, and to shine through the dark.”

A Christmas to Remember

In a world often divided by sound and style, this unlikely pairing is exactly the kind of harmony the holidays were made for.

As the snow begins to fall and the first notes of “All I Want for Christmas Is You” echo across Fifth Avenue, the message will be clear — rock or pop, steel or sparkle — the magic of Christmas belongs to everyone.

🎬 Don’t miss the live broadcast of “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” — Wednesday, December 3 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.