Darci Lynne Returns to Rockefeller Center: A Voice of Wonder Lights Up the Holidays
Under the glittering glow of the world’s most famous Christmas tree, Darci Lynne Farmer steps into the heart of New York’s holiday magic, her voice—still bright, still breathtaking—turning Rockefeller Center into a wonderland of joy, laughter, and grace.
A Magical Return to a Cherished Tradition. December 3, 2025—Darci Lynne, 21, 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 America’s Got Talent Season 12 champion, whose ventriloquism and soprano stunned the nation at age 12, will perform “Silent Night,” “O Holy Night,” and festive favorites with her iconic puppets. Producers call it “the feel-good performance of the year,” with Darci’s first holiday special since 2018’s A Very Darci Christmas. “Darci is Christmas magic,” said executive producer Brad Lachman. “Her voice doesn’t just sing the season—it enchants it.”
The Setlist: A Gift Wrapped in Wonder. Darci’s performance, backed by a 38-piece orchestra and the Radio City Rockettes, opens with a haunting “O Holy Night”—just harp, strings, and that crystal soprano. She’ll segue into “Silent Night” with puppet Petunia the rabbit harmonizing in a childlike alto, symbolizing innocence across generations. The medley includes “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” (with Ivan the skeleton), “Jingle Bell Rock” (with Oscar the mouse), and a surprise duet with rising star Emily Carter—the Stanford freshman who joined Darci onstage in Austin last month. “Emily’s my holiday miracle,” Darci told Variety. “She reminds me why we sing—and laugh.”
A Stage Steeped in Heart and Humor. The Rockefeller stage, framed by the 79-foot Norway spruce adorned with 50,000 LED lights and a 900-pound Swarovski star, has hosted legends—Kelly Clarkson, Pentatonix, Josh Groban—but Darci’s return is personal. Her 2017 AGT win, at age 12, made her the youngest headliner in Vegas history; her 2023 Fresh Out of the Box tour grossed $18 million. “Christmas was always about family and faith,” she shared in a pre-taped segment. “Even when I was on the road, Mom’s cookies and Dad’s prayers kept me home.” This year, she dedicates the performance to foster children—donating proceeds to the Darci Lynne Foundation.
Behind the Magic: A Labor of Love and Laughter. Rehearsals began in October at Darci’s Edmond studio, where she fine-tuned every note and punchline with arranger David Foster. Despite a busy tour schedule, Darci insisted on performing live, using custom in-ears for puppet sync. “I’m not here to fake it,” she quipped to crew. Her team, including parents Misty and Clark (co-producers), ensured every detail reflected her vision: vintage microphones, a sparkling red piano, and a dress by Christian Siriano echoing her AGT finale gown. “This isn’t a comeback,” Misty said. “It’s a thank-you—to fans, to family, to fun.”
The Guests: A Constellation of Holiday Stars. Darci shares the bill with Kelly Clarkson (“Santa, Can’t You Hear Me”), Pentatonix (a cappella “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”), and Norah Jones (“The Christmas Waltz”). The tree-lighting moment—when 50,000 lights ignite—will feature Darci and Emily in a spontaneous “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” reprise with Petunia, with the Rockettes in formation. Host Savannah Guthrie calls it “the most joyful lighting in years.”
A Global Gift: Reach, Resonance, and Record Viewership. NBC projects 16 million viewers, with Peacock streaming in 4K. Social media buzz—#DarciAtRockefeller—has already hit 6.8 million posts. Clips from Darci’s 2018 special (14 million views) resurged post-announcement. Spotify reports a 45% spike in A Very Darci Christmas streams since October. “She’s the North Star of holiday joy,” said SiriusXM’s Jess Cagle.
A Legacy That Outshines the Lights. As the final note fades and the tree blazes, one truth glows: Darci Lynne’s voice isn’t just a sound—it’s a spark, turning winter’s chill into wonder, and every heart into home. This Christmas, Rockefeller Center doesn’t just shine—it sings.
