New York City — December 2025
The lights of Manhattan shimmer a little brighter this December — not just from the 80-foot Christmas tree standing proudly in Rockefeller Plaza, but from the arrival of two of America’s most beloved voices. Country legends Alan Jackson and George Strait are set to co-host NBC’s Christmas in Rockefeller Center 2025 Special, marking a first-time collaboration between two icons whose songs have carried the heartbeat of small towns and open roads for over four decades.
This year’s event promises more than just music; it’s a moment that blends tradition, humility, and the quiet grace of two men who’ve never needed spectacle to make people listen.
A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY
For decades, the annual Rockefeller tree lighting has symbolized joy, unity, and hope. But this year, for the first time, Nashville’s spirit joins the New York skyline. When NBC announced the duo as hosts, social media erupted — “It’s about time country music came home for Christmas,” one fan wrote.
Alan Jackson, known for his storytelling honesty and warm Southern timbre, will bring the heart; George Strait, with his steady calm and timeless charm, brings the soul. Together, they represent the purest form of what the season stands for — faith, family, and the kind of music that still smells like pinewood and fresh snow.
“This isn’t about fame,” Alan said during the announcement in Nashville. “It’s about gratitude — for the people who still believe in simple songs and simple kindness.”
Behind him, the crowd applauded — not with frenzy, but with affection. Because when Jackson talks about home, you believe him.
THE KING AND THE GENTLEMAN
George Strait has always carried the title “The King of Country,” though he wears it as lightly as the Stetson on his head. Alan Jackson has been called the “Gentleman of Country,” a songwriter whose voice feels like Sunday mornings and back porch sunsets. The pairing is unexpected yet inevitable — two friends whose careers have run parallel for years, now crossing paths in the glow of one of America’s most beloved traditions.
“This isn’t just a show,” George shared quietly during the press conference. “It’s a reminder that music can still bring us together — no matter where we come from.”
They’ll open the night with a joint rendition of Silent Night, backed by a 50-piece orchestra and a children’s choir from Georgia and Texas — their home states. Later, Alan will perform Let It Be Christmas, while George offers a soulful take on I’ll Be Home for Christmas. The show will conclude with both men leading the crowd in a new arrangement of Joy to the World, written exclusively for the broadcast.
FROM NASHVILLE TO NEW YORK
The setting is pure magic. Cameras will pan across the glittering streets of Fifth Avenue as the Rockefeller tree flickers to life, blanketed by snow. But beneath the spectacle lies something deeper — a rare union between two eras of American storytelling.
While pop icons and chart newcomers have long dominated the network’s holiday stage, this year feels different. The decision to bring Jackson and Strait isn’t about chasing ratings; it’s about restoring something timeless.
Executive producer Karen Michaels said it best:
“We wanted a Christmas that feels like America again — real, heartfelt, unfiltered. These two men embody that.”
Indeed, both artists have become pillars of endurance. Through wars, cultural shifts, and personal loss, they’ve remained steadfast — never chasing trends, never leaving their roots behind. Their presence this December feels like a national homecoming, one wrapped in sincerity instead of glitter.
A GIFT OF MUSIC AND MEANING
The Rockefeller special will also spotlight charities close to both stars’ hearts. Proceeds from the broadcast will support the Angel’s House Foundation in Georgia and Veterans’ Aid Texas, reflecting both men’s lifelong commitment to compassion and community.
For Alan, it’s a way of giving back to the people who made him.
“Christmas isn’t about lights or gifts,” he said. “It’s about grace. And if we can share a little of that through music, then it’s worth every note.”
As rehearsals begin, NBC insiders describe the atmosphere as “spiritually electric.” The chemistry between Alan and George — quiet, respectful, effortlessly natural — has set the tone for what many are calling the most anticipated Christmas event of the decade.
When the night arrives, millions will gather — in living rooms, around fireplaces, in small towns and big cities — to watch two country legends bring warmth to winter’s chill. And when that final chord rings out beneath the glowing tree, it won’t just be a song ending.
It’ll be a reminder of something America still holds dear:
Faith, friendship, and the music that keeps us together.
