Keith Urban Returns to Rockefeller Center: A Country Voice Lights Up the Holidays
Under the glittering glow of the world’s most famous Christmas tree, Keith Urban steps into the heart of New York’s holiday magic, his voice—still twangy, still tender—turning Rockefeller Center into a haven of country warmth, family, and grace.
A Heartfelt Return to a Cherished Tradition. December 3, 2025—Keith Urban, 58, 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 Australian country icon, whose The Speed of Now (2020) spawned global hits, will perform “Silent Night,” “O Holy Night,” and festive favorites from his catalog. Producers call it “the can’t-miss performance of the year,” with Keith’s first holiday special since 2019’s Keith Urban: A Country Christmas. “Keith is Christmas country,” said executive producer Brad Lachman. “His voice doesn’t just sing the season—it saddles it.”
The Setlist: A Gift Wrapped in Country Soul. Keith’s performance, backed by a 41-piece orchestra and the Radio City Rockettes, opens with a stripped-down “Silent Night”—just acoustic guitar, fiddle, and that warm tenor. He’ll segue into “O Holy Night” with a Nashville flair featuring the Nashville Children’s Choir, symbolizing home across generations. The medley includes “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Blue Christmas,” and a surprise duet with rising star Emily Carter—the Stanford freshman who joined Keith onstage in Austin last month. “Emily’s my holiday miracle,” Keith told Variety. “She reminds me why we sing—and strum.”
A Stage Steeped in Family and Faith. The Rockefeller stage, framed by the 78-foot Norway spruce adorned with 50,000 LED lights and a 900-pound Swarovski star, has hosted legends—Dolly Parton, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood—but Keith’s return is personal. His 2025 tour, despite laryngitis hiccups, grossed $52 million; he raised $1.5 million for music education. “Christmas was always about the farm,” he shared in a pre-taped segment. “Nicole’s lamingtons and the girls’ giggles kept the light on.” This year, he dedicates the performance to families—donating proceeds to Mr. McLairy’s Foundation.
Behind the Magic: A Labor of Love and Legacy. Rehearsals began in October at Keith’s Nashville studio, where he fine-tuned every note with arranger Dann Huff. Despite recent vocal rest, Keith insisted on performing live, using custom in-ears for health. “I’m not here to fake it,” he quipped to crew. His team, including daughters Sunday and Faith (co-producers), ensured every detail reflected his vision: vintage Telecaster, a cedar grand piano, and a jacket by Nudie Cohn echoing his 2000s style. “This isn’t a comeback,” Sunday said. “It’s a thank-you—to fans, to family, to feeling.”
The Guests: A Constellation of Holiday Stars. Keith shares the bill with Kelly Clarkson (“White Christmas”), Pentatonix (a cappella “Deck the Halls”), and Norah Jones (“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”). The tree-lighting moment—when 50,000 lights ignite—will feature Keith and Emily in a spontaneous “Feliz Navidad” reprise, with the Rockettes in formation. Host Savannah Guthrie calls it “the most familial lighting in years.”
A Global Gift: Reach, Resonance, and Record Viewership. NBC projects 17 million viewers, with Peacock streaming in 4K. Social media buzz—#KeithAtRockefeller—has already hit 6.3 million posts. Clips from Keith’s 2019 special (13 million views) resurged post-announcement. Spotify reports a 44% spike in holiday playlist adds since October. “He’s the North Star of country Christmas,” said SiriusXM’s Jess Cagle.
A Legacy That Outshines the Lights. As the final note fades and the tree blazes, one truth glows: Keith Urban’s voice isn’t just a sound—it’s a saddle, turning winter’s chill into warmth, and every heart into home. This Christmas, Rockefeller Center doesn’t just shine—it sings.
