NEW YORK, NY. (Top40 Charts/ NBC) - NBC heralds the arrival of the holidays on Wednesday, Nov. 28 (8-9 p.m. ET/PT) with a dazzling display of musical talent and the lighting of the world's most famous Christmas tree during the 10th annual "Christmas in
Rockefeller Center " telecast. Co-Hosted by Nick Lachey, Al Roker ("
Today"), and
Ashley Tisdale the star-studded annual tree lighting extravaganza will feature Natasha Bedingfield, Tony Bennett, Celine Dion,
Josh Groban, Sean Kingston, Taylor Swift,
Ashley Tisdale and
Carrie Underwood performing current hits and holiday classics from
Rockefeller Center in New York City.
Broadcast again in high definition, the viewers can expect holiday greetings from many of their favorite NBC stars including Mariska Hargitay (NBC's "Law & Order: SVU"), Howie Mandel (NBC's "Deal or No Deal"), Hayden Pantierre (NBC's "Heroes") Michelle Ryan (NBC's "Bionic Woman") and Donald Trump (NBC's 'The Celebrity Apprentice') along with other surprises as the most famous Christmas tree in the world is lit.
The tradition of the Rockefeller Christmas tree dates back to the Great Depression. First erected in 1933, the tree was decked with 700 lights and placed in front of the then eight-month-old RCA Building , now the GE Building. The Christmas tree gathering was enhanced in 1936 with the opening of the Rockefeller Plaza outdoor ice-skating pond. NBC-TV televised the first tree lighting in 1951 on "The Kate Smith Show" and as part of the nationwide "Howdy Doody" television show from 1953-55.
Prior to the network special, WNBC NBC's New York flagship station will broadcast an additional live hour of the special (7-8 p.m. ET). 'Christmas in Rockefeller Center ' is produced by Universal Media Studios Bob Holmes is the executive producer.
