NBC
It’s time to start decking the halls and hanging the stockings and what better way to kick off the holiday season than with the annual Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting. “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” 2022 airs Wednesday, November 30 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.
If you don’t have cable, you can watch a live stream of the show on FuboTV or DirecTV Stream, which both include NBC live in the most markets and come with a free trial.
Those are the two best live stream options if you’re cutting cable, but there are also some other alternatives, so here’s a full guide on the different ways to watch “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” streaming live online:
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FuboTV
You can watch a live stream of NBC (live in most markets) and 100-plus other TV channels on FuboTV, which you can use for free with a seven-day trial right here:
Once signed up for FuboTV, you can watch “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” live on the FuboTV app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the FuboTV website.
If you can’t watch live, FuboTV comes with 250 hours of cloud DVR space, as well as a 72-hour look-back feature, which allows you to watch most new shows on-demand within three days (and sometimes longer) of their conclusion, even if you don’t record them.
DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream has four different channel packages: “Entertainment,” “Choice,” “Ultimate” and “Premier.” NBC (live in most markets) is included in every one, and you can pick any package and any add-on you want with your free five-day trial:
Once signed up for DirecTV Stream, you can watch “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” live on the DirecTV Stream app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Samsung TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the DirecTV Stream website.
If you can’t watch live, DirecTV Stream also comes with 20 hours of Cloud DVR storage (with the ability to upgrade to unlimited hours).
Peacock TV
If you’ve used up all your free trials for other streaming services, the cheapest way to watch a live stream is through Peacock Premium, which is $4.99 per month:
Once signed up for Peacock, you can watch “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” on the Peacock app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, PlayStation 4 or 5, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet.
You can also watch on your computer via the Peacock TV website.
Sling TV
You can watch a live stream of NBC (live in select markets) and 40-plus other TV channels via Sling TV’s “Sling Blue” bundle. This option doesn’t come with a free trial, but it’s the cheapest long-term streaming service with NBC and other live channels, plus you can get your first month half off:
Once signed up for Sling TV, you can watch “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” live on the Sling TV app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), airTV Mini, Oculus, Portal, iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the Sling TV website.
If you can’t watch live, Sling TV comes included with 50 hours of cloud DVR.
‘Christmas in Rockefeller Center’ 2022 Preview
Twenty twenty-two marks the 90th year of the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Rockefeller Center in New York City. Hosted by “Today” anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Craig Melvin plus “Access Hollywood” host Mario Lopez, the live two-hour special features a star-studded lineup for this milestone year.
According to the NBC press release, the performances include:
Viewers will be treated to festive performances by Jimmie Allen, Andrea Bocelli along with Matteo Bocelli and Virginia Bocelli, David Foster and Katharine McPhee, Brett Eldredge, Mickey Guyton, Alicia Keys, The Muppets of Sesame Street, Dan + Shay, Blake Shelton, The Shindellas, Gwen Stefani, Louis York and more.
The evening also includes a performance by the Radio City Rockettes from their iconic “Christmas Spectacular” and a special bit by Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph. Plus, Shelton and Stefani deliver a rare nationally televised duet of their holiday single, “You Make It Feel Like Christmas.”
In order to create a more inclusive experience for blind and visually impaired viewers, NBCUniversal is proud to present the full NBC broadcast with live audio description on the Secondary Audio Program channel (SAP), provided by Descriptive Video Works. The broadcast will be available with additional audio narration, describing the rich visuals of the tree lighting.
In addition to the two-hour special, viewers can also tune into an additional live hour of programming that will be run starting at 7 p.m. Eastern, hosted by Lopez and New York station WNBC anchors Natalie Pasquarella and David Ushery.
“The tree lighting at Rockefeller Center is one of the most beloved holiday traditions for audiences both in New York and around the country,” said Jen Neal, Executive Vice President, Live Events & Specials, NBC Entertainment, in a statement. “We’re delighted to have a star-studded lineup of performers help us celebrate and ring in the season.”
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree dates back to 1931, with the official tree-lighting starting in 1933. In 2022, the tree is an 82-foot tall, 50-foot wide Norway Spruce from Queensbury, New York. It weighs 14 tons and will be festooned with over 50,000 LED lights, with a Swarovski star covered in three million crystals adorning the top. After it stands in Rockefeller Center throughout the holiday season, in keeping with tradition, the tree will be milled into lumber that is donated to Habitat for Humanity for building homes.
NBCUniversal will also be partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation for the 14th year to plant 25,000 trees in areas that have been affected by wildfires and natural disasters. Additionally, during the two-hour broadcast, viewers will have opportunities to donate to Red Nose Day, which works to “ensure children and families have the access they need to healthcare, nutritious food, quality education and a safe place to call home.”
The 2022 “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” celebration airs Wednesday, November 30 at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific times on NBC.