๐ CHRISTMAS MAGIC REIMAGINED: COURTNEY HADWIN AND MARIAH CAREY TO HEADLINE THE 2025 โCHRISTMAS IN ROCKEFELLER CENTERโ SPECIAL ๐ถโจ
Itโs official โ Christmas 2025 just became a historic moment in music. NBC has confirmed that rock-soul powerhouse Courtney Hadwin and the undisputed Queen of Christmas, Mariah Carey, will headline this yearโs โChristmas in Rockefeller Centerโ special โ an unexpected yet electrifying pairing thatโs already sending waves of excitement across the entertainment world.
For decades, the Rockefeller Center tree lighting has been one of Americaโs most cherished holiday traditions โ a celebration of light, unity, and the magic of music. But this year, NBC is doing something no one saw coming: bringing together two artists from completely different eras and styles, united by one thing โ the ability to move hearts with their voices.

A Collaboration No One Expected โ But Everyone Needed
Courtney Hadwin, the British-born sensation who first stunned audiences as a teenager with her raspy, soulful vocals, has evolved into one of the most dynamic performers of her generation. Known for her fearless stage presence and vintage-rock energy, she represents a new era of authenticity in pop culture โ raw, emotional, and unapologetically real.
Mariah Carey, on the other hand, remains one of the most celebrated vocalists in history. With five Grammy Awards, over 200 million records sold, and the timeless anthem โAll I Want for Christmas Is You,โ Mariahโs name has become synonymous with holiday joy.
When NBC announced that these two vocal titans would share the stage, fans couldnโt believe it. The internet lit up within minutes, with hashtags like #HadwinAndMariah and #RockefellerChristmas trending across platforms.
โThis is the kind of collaboration that brings generations together,โ one fan wrote. โMariah is Christmas royalty, and Courtney brings the raw energy that makes it feel alive again.โ
What to Expect: Heart, Soul, and 50,000 Lights
The 2025 โChristmas in Rockefeller Centerโ special promises to be more than a concert โ itโs being billed as a full-scale emotional experience.
Under the glow of 50,000 shimmering lights and the towering 80-foot Norway spruce, Courtney Hadwin and Mariah Carey will perform a mix of traditional holiday classics, new arrangements, and a few surprises NBC is keeping under wraps.
According to early reports, the two will share the stage for a duet version of โSilent Night,โ blending Mariahโs soaring precision with Courtneyโs soulful grit โ a performance insiders are already calling โa once-in-a-generation moment.โ
Courtney will also reportedly debut a new original holiday song โ one she co-wrote during her summer tour โ capturing what she calls โthe quiet beauty of hope.โ Meanwhile, Mariah is said to be preparing a reimagined version of โAll I Want for Christmas Is You,โ featuring a live gospel choir and orchestral arrangement.
An Emotional Night for Both Artists


When asked about the collaboration, Courtney Hadwin spoke with her trademark humility:
โThis will be a very special night. Mariah and I both love connecting with people through emotion โ and thereโs nothing better than Christmas to make hearts sing together.โ
She went on to describe the honor of sharing the stage with one of her idols, calling Mariah โa legend whose voice defines Christmas for millions.โ
Mariah Carey, too, expressed deep admiration for the young star:
โIโve always believed in the magic of Rockefeller Center at Christmastime. Sharing this moment with Courtney โ someone so fearless, soulful, and full of heart โ will make this yearโs celebration truly unforgettable.โ
The Spirit of Christmas Lives Through Music
Beyond the performances, this yearโs event carries a deeper message. NBC producers say the 2025 edition aims to โbring back the warmth, sincerity, and togethernessโ that the world has missed in recent years.
โThereโs something timeless about hearing live voices under the stars, surrounded by people from every walk of life,โ said the showโs executive producer, Jenna McAllister. โCourtney and Mariah represent two generations, two genres, and one shared truth โ that music heals and unites.โ
The set design, inspired by the theme โLight Returns,โ will feature a blend of traditional holiday motifs and cutting-edge digital projections, turning Rockefeller Plaza into a living canvas of color and sound. From gospel choirs to orchestral crescendos, every element is designed to create a sense of wonder that transcends the stage.

Fans Are Already Calling It โThe Event of the Yearโ
As anticipation builds, tickets for the live audience portion are already being claimed at record speed. Meanwhile, NBC has confirmed that the special will air Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET, streaming simultaneously on Peacock.
Early teasers hint that additional surprise guests may appear โ including several Grammy-winning artists and a โmystery guitaristโ whose identity is being tightly guarded.
Social media has exploded with excitement. One fan posted, โIf Mariah is the queen of Christmas, Courtney is the spirit of it โ full of fire and heart. I canโt wait to see what they create together.โ
A Celebration to Remember
The union of Courtney Hadwin and Mariah Carey at the Rockefeller Center is more than just a concert โ itโs a cultural moment. Itโs a passing of the torch between generations, a meeting of two unmatched voices, and a reminder that the magic of music continues to evolve while staying rooted in emotion and soul.
In a season filled with lights, gifts, and glitter, this special reminds us what Christmas is truly about โ connection, hope, and harmony.
๐ฌ โChristmas in Rockefeller Centerโ airs live on NBC and Peacock on December 3, 2025.