'Christmas in Rockefeller Center': How to Watch the Festive Tradition Online

NBC gets the holidays underway today with the annual lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree in New York City.

The 89th Annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center will be broadcast live on NBC with the promise of celebrity appearances and surprises in store during the two-hour show.

The special ceremony marks the beginning of an especially festive night on NBC as the Kelly Clarkson Presents: When Christmas Comes Around holiday spectacular will follow the show.

How to watch Christmas in Rockefeller Center

For the 89th year in a row, the Rockefeller Center tree will be lit up during a special festive ceremony.

You can watch this year's Christmas in Rockefeller Center on NBC at 8/7c on Wednesday, December 1. The two-hour live broadcast will be simulcast online on the streaming service Peacock.

While the celebrations begin on primetime at 8 p.m. ET, there will be an additional live hour of build-up available to watch on numerous NBC affiliates from coast to coast, starting at 7 p.m. ET. The special hour will be hosted by Mario Lopez alongside NBC 4 New York's Natalie Pasquarella and David Ushery.

Who takes part in the 2021 Christmas in Rockefeller Center?

Once again, the festive tradition will feature live performances from a number of special guests.

NBC News' TODAY co-anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker and Craig Melvin will lead the festivities by hosting the 89th Annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center.

There'll be plenty of Christmas cheer spread by the performers at this year's tree lighting thanks to Alessia Cara, Harry Connick Jr., Mickey Guyton, Norah Jones, Brad Paisley, Rob Thomas, Carrie Underwood and more. Paisley and Thomas are teaming up for a duet while the Radio City Rockettes will once again be making a special appearance.

Christmas on NBC

There's plenty of festive cheers being spread across the NBC channel this December thanks to a number of Christmas specials.

Kelly Clarkson performs songs from her latest Christmas album, When Christmas Comes Around..., right after the Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting.

Annie Live! the musical television special, airs on NBC on December 2 with a star-studded cast playing the classic roles from the musical Annie. Newcomer Celina Smith plays Annie while Harry Connick Jr., Taraji P. Henson, Nicole Scherzinger, Titus Burgess and Megan Hilty all appear too.

Later on in the month, crooner Michael Bublé gets his own special with Michael Bublé's Christmas in the City airing on Monday, December 6.

On December 15, NBC airs three Christmas specials of their current comedies. Dwayne Johnson's sitcom Young Rock, Kenan Thompson's Kenan, and Ted Danson's Mr. Mayor will all air their own holiday specials.

Before all that though, catch the two-hour 89th Annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center on Wednesday December 1, at 8/7c on NBC.