Kelly Clarkson Lights Up Rockefeller Center Creating a Night to Remember

Kelly Clarkson delighted fans and viewers as she returned to host the 2024 Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in New York City on December 4. The singer not only charmed the crowd with her warm demeanor but also delivered a show-stopping performance of her holiday hit, “You For Christmas.”

This year’s ceremony featured a star-studded lineup, including the Backstreet Boys, Jennifer Hudson, Little Big Town, Coco Jones, Raye, and Dan and Shay, creating a night filled with music and holiday cheer. The event, a staple of New York City since 1933, was broadcasted live across the country, allowing audiences nationwide to join in the festivities.

The reason for the event, a huge 74-foot-tall tree from Massachusetts, towered brightly with over 50,000 lights and a crystal star crowning its tip. As Jen Neal, Executive Vice President of Live Events and Specials at NBCUniversal Entertainment stated: “With Kelly at the helm, we can’t wait to share this wonderful special and celebrate with the entire country.”

Clarkson embraced her role as host, shining in a black coat with dramatic fur accents, elegant hoop earrings, and festive makeup featuring red lipstick and glittery eyeshadow. Reflecting on the event’s emotional impact, she shared, “I don’t know why, but it’s so beautiful when you’re standing there… I was all of a sudden in a Charlie Brown movie, and it was magical.”

Many fans were thrilled to see Clarkson return to this iconic night and tradition. Many expressed their excitement online, with one commenting, “Kelly should host every year,” and another naming her a “Christmas Legend.”

Clarkson, known for her two holiday albums “Wrapped in Red” and “When Christmas Comes Around…,” teased this year’s event, promising “the best music, star-studded surprises, and, of course, the lighting of the world-famous Christmas tree.” While her songs she is set to perform have remained a secret, she leaves fans eager for more.

As Rockefeller Center shimmered in holiday spirit, Clarkson once again showed she was the perfect host for this cherished celebration, leaving audiences both in-person and at home filled with the spirit of the season.