Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting 2018: Where To Watch Live Stream, Performers

The most wonderful time of the year has finally arrived which means it’s time to celebrate in a major way. In New York City, the 2018 holiday season will begin following the Rockefeller Center 86th annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

Hosted by NBC’s “Today” show anchors Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker, and Craig Melvin, the ceremony will take place on Wednesday at Rockefeller Plaza, between West 48th and West 51st Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues.

Luckily, there are several ways to watch the big event. For those of you who want to watch the action unfold up close, admission to the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony is free but operates on a first come, first serve basis. If you don’t arrive early, there’s a big chance you will be watching the celebration at home.

However, Christmas lovers who prefer to view the event from the comfort of their couches can catch the broadcast of the tree lighting from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. EST on NBC. If you’re not interested in watching the entire ceremony, be sure to tune in at 9 p.m. EST when the actual tree lighting takes place.

Viewers can also live stream the event from NBC New York’s website but will use have to use their cable provider log-in information to gain access.

Throughout the celebration artists like John Legend, Tony Bennett, Diana Ross, Kellie Pickler, Martina McBride and more the will hit the stage to perform holiday classics.

Once lit, viewers everywhere will be able to feast their eyes on the 72-foot-tall Norway spruce decorated with 50,000 lights and topped with the new 9-foot-wide Swarovski Star designed by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind.

Following the ceremony, the tree will be available for viewing every day from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. EST through Jan. 6, 2019. On Jan. 7, the tree can be view until 9 p.m. EST, however, on Christmas Day the tree will remain lit for a full 24 hours.