There are holiday traditions — and then there are moments that define the season. This year, the world is preparing for something truly unforgettable. NBC has officially announced that the legendary Gladys Knight, the Empress of Soul herself, will co-host the 2025 Christmas in Rockefeller Center special — one of America’s most beloved holiday celebrations.

The news sent a warm, shimmering ripple through social media and entertainment circles the moment it broke. Fans, families, and music lovers alike are already calling it “a dream pairing,” “Christmas perfection,” and “the holiday event we didn’t know we needed.”

And they’re right.

Because this year, Christmas at Rockefeller Center won’t just sparkle —

it will soar.

A LEGEND’S VOICE MEETS A TIMELESS TRADITION

For more than eight decades, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting has been a symbol of unity, joy, and hope. Millions gather near the towering evergreens, drenched in color and light, while millions more tune in from living rooms around the world, hot chocolate in hand, hearts open to the beauty of the season.

To have Gladys Knight — a seven-time Grammy winner, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, and one of the most beloved icons in soul music — step into the role of co-host is not just an announcement.

It’s an invitation.

An invitation to nostalgia.

To celebration.

To memories old and new.

NBC executives said that Knight brings “warmth, grace, and a voice built for the holidays,” and audiences couldn’t agree more. Her presence alone elevates the celebration into something intimate, spiritual, and profoundly joyful.

ROCKEFELLER CENTER: WHERE MAGIC MEETS MEMORY

Few places capture the essence of Christmas like Rockefeller Center. With the city dusted in snow, the air filled with laughter and music, and the giant tree towering above the ice rink, it feels almost cinematic — like stepping inside a holiday classic.

This year’s tree, rumored to be the tallest and most beautifully decorated in over a decade, will serve as the glowing heart of the night. Draped in more than 50,000 lights, topped by a breathtaking Swarovski crystal star, it will stand as a beacon of hope during a season when the world needs it most.

Gladys Knight guiding viewers through those moments?

That’s holiday magic on a whole different level.

A NIGHT OF MUSIC — AND MOMENTS

NBC has not yet released the full lineup of performers, but insiders are already teasing star-studded duets, surprise appearances, and emotional tributes that will highlight the power of music to connect us — especially during the holidays.

And with Gladys Knight at the helm, fans can expect not just performances, but moments.

Imagine her voice — rich, velvet, unmistakably hers — gliding through a timeless classic like “Silent Night,” “The Christmas Song,” or even a soulful rendition of “O Holy Night.” Audiences are hoping for a medley. Others are praying for a collaboration. Many are simply grateful at the possibility of hearing her interpret songs that mean so much to so many.

Her ability to infuse every lyric with sincerity and heart makes her the perfect storyteller for this event. As she shares holiday memories, introduces fellow artists, and speaks directly to families tuning in from around the globe, the night will feel less like a broadcast and more like a gathering — warm, heartfelt, and beautifully human.

THE EMPRESS OF SOUL’S HOLIDAY LEGACY

Gladys Knight has performed on some of the biggest stages in the world, but the holidays have always held a special place in her career and her heart. Her Christmas albums, holiday specials, and seasonal performances are beloved for their emotional depth, offering comfort during a season that can be both joyful and challenging.

Her presence also speaks to a larger truth: the holidays are about connection.

About tradition.

About the stories that shape us.

As she steps into the role of co-host, she brings decades of wisdom, experience, and a grounding presence that reflects the very heart of Christmas.

A GLOBAL CELEBRATION OF HOPE

In a world that often feels divided and restless, events like Christmas in Rockefeller Center remind us of the power of shared experiences. For one night, millions will gather — in homes, in restaurants, in airports, in dorm rooms — and watch the same tree light up the same sky.

Gladys Knight’s voice will carry that moment across continents.

Her words will reach families who’ve lost loved ones, children waiting for Santa, parents trying to create magic, and fans who grew up listening to her music. It is a moment where generations come together — united by tradition and illuminated by the glow of holiday lights.

WHY THIS YEAR MATTERS MORE THAN EVER

2025 has been a year of change, challenge, and transformation. That’s precisely why this year’s celebration feels bigger — and more important — than the ones before it.

Music heals.

Tradition comforts.

Community strengthens.

And Gladys Knight, with her enduring grace and unwavering spirit, represents all of those things.

Her presence promises an evening filled not just with entertainment, but with feeling. A reminder of what the holidays are truly about: reflection, gratitude, togetherness, and joy.

THE NIGHT THE WORLD WILL BE WATCHING

As anticipation builds, tickets become impossible to find, and fans around the globe set reminders on their calendars, one thing is abundantly clear:

This will not be just another Christmas special.

This will be the Christmas event of the decade.

With Gladys Knight leading the celebration, the 2025 Christmas in Rockefeller Center special is destined to become a holiday moment etched into history — the kind families will talk about for years, the kind fans will replay each December, the kind viewers will remember long after the tree is taken down.

Because holiday magic isn’t found in the lights or the décor.

It’s found in the voices that carry us home.

And this year, that voice belongs to Gladys Knight.