New York City’s holiday skyline is about to get a whole lot twangier, and it’s all thanks to a redheaded powerhouse who’s no stranger to stealing spotlights. On October 23, 2025, NBC dropped the festive bombshell: Country music titan Reba McEntire, 70, will take the reins as host for the network’s annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center special, airing live on Wednesday, December 3, at 8 p.m. ET. That’s right— the woman who’s sold over 75 million albums worldwide, snagged three Grammys, and charmed audiences from Broadway stages to The Voice coaching chair is swapping her Oklahoma ranch for the ice-skating frenzy of Rockefeller Plaza. And if whispers from insiders hold water, what she’s got tucked away for the finale—think heartfelt duets, surprise cameos, and a personal yuletide twist—might just turn the chilliest Manhattan night into a collective group hug.

For the uninitiated, Christmas in Rockefeller Center isn’t just another holiday TV fluff piece; it’s a 93-year-old tradition that’s lit up living rooms since 1933, drawing millions for its mix of glitz, garland, and that iconic tree-lighting climax. The 2025 edition, produced by Universal Television in tandem with Jesse Collins Entertainment, promises the usual two-hour extravaganza: celebrity guests mingling amid twinkling lights, performances that span pop, rock, and soul, and the grand reveal of a towering Norway spruce— this year’s behemoth sourced from the wilds of upstate New York, standing 80 feet tall and draped in 50,000 LED bulbs. Past hosts like Kelly Clarkson (who helmed 2023 and 2024) and the Today show’s Al Roker and Savannah Guthrie have kept the energy buoyant, but McEntire’s gig marks a first for the country crossover queen. “I’m really excited to get to go to New York City in December. I’ve never been there in December,” she gushed to People magazine in an exclusive chat, her enthusiasm bubbling over like a fresh pot of mulled cider. “To see all the Christmas decorations and to get to be a part of the tree lighting ceremony… it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do, and I’m honored that they asked me to do it.”

McEntire’s not just emceeing from the sidelines; she’ll be belting out tunes throughout the night, channeling her signature blend of powerhouse vocals and down-home warmth. The full lineup of musical guests remains under wraps as of late October, but given her track record, expect a roster that nods to her genre roots while broadening the appeal—perhaps a collab with fellow Voice alums or a nod to her Broadway stint in Annie Get Your Gun. Her holiday discography alone is a festive force: From the 1987 classic Merry Christmas to You to 2017’s My Kind of Christmas, McEntire has long been the voice of yuletide heartache and joy. “Reba’s the perfect fit— she’s got that timeless sparkle that makes holidays feel like home,” says executive producer Jesse Collins, who’s helmed the special for years. And with the event simulcast on Peacock, streaming fans can join the party without bundling up against the Big Apple’s notorious December bite.

What elevates this announcement from standard seasonal fare to must-see TV? Timing, for one. Just a day prior, on October 22, McEntire spilled a heartwarming nugget on her podcast Living & Learning with Reba McEntire: Her engagement to actor Rex Linn—her Happy’s Place co-star and real-life beau—was sealed not on some sun-kissed beach, but under the glow of Christmas Eve lights last year. “He got down on one knee right there by the tree, with the whole family around,” she recounted, her voice catching with that classic Reba mix of grit and grace. Linn, 68, known for gravelly turns in Young Sheldon and CSI: Miami, proposed with a ring that echoed her flashy stage style— a hefty diamond flanked by sapphires, sourced from her late mother’s collection. The couple, who went Instagram official in 2020 after bonding over shared loves of barbecue and Broadway, have kept things low-key amid her whirlwind schedule. But hosting Rockefeller? It’s like fate wrapped in tinsel. Insiders hint that Linn might make a stealth cameo, perhaps crooning a verse of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” to mark their first holiday as fiancés. “What she has planned under the tree,” teases a production source close to the set, “will melt every heart—it’s personal, it’s Reba, and it’s going to remind everyone why we tune in.”

McEntire’s ascent to this plum perch feels like the culmination of a career that’s as resilient as a steel guitar string. Born Reba Nell McEntire in 1955 on her family’s Oklahoma cattle ranch, she was harmonizing with siblings before she could ride a pony. Her big break came in 1975 when she caught the eye of a record exec at the National Finals Rodeo, leading to a string of hits like “Fancy” and “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia.” By the ’90s, she was conquering TV with Reba, a sitcom that ran for six seasons and cemented her as sitcom royalty. Lately, she’s juggled coaching on The Voice Season 28—where her no-nonsense advice has minted stars like season winner Asher Haun— and starring in Happy’s Place, the NBC comedy rebooting her ’90s sitcom vibes with a bar-owning twist. Season 2 kicks off November 7, overlapping her promo blitz for the special. “Reba’s got more gigs than Santa’s elves,” jokes co-star Belissa Escobedo, who plays her on-screen niece. “But she makes it look easy— and heartfelt.”

Of course, no Rockefeller romp is without its logistical lore. The tree itself, felled from a plot in Lewis County, New York, arrived via flatbed in mid-November, its 12-ton frame hoisted by crane amid Midtown traffic snarls. Adorned with Swarovski crystal stars and energy-efficient LEDs, it’s a monument to holiday excess that’s inspired everything from rom-com meet-cutes to viral TikTok dances. McEntire, ever the pragmatist, is prepping for the polar plunge: “I’m going to triple, quadruple layer,” she quipped, envisioning her sequined gown under thermal armor. Director Glenn Weiss, a 17-time Emmy winner who’s helmed the special since 2005, praises her adaptability: “Reba’s got the chops to wrangle a live crowd like nobody’s business. Expect improv, laughs, and maybe a line dance or two.”

As the countdown ticks toward December 3, McEntire’s hosting debut slots into a packed holiday TV slate. Competitors include Hallmark’s rom-com avalanche and ABC’s The Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade, but Rockefeller’s live-wire energy—complete with ice skaters, carolers, and that electric tree flip—remains unmatched. Fans are already buzzing on X (formerly Twitter), with #RebaRockefeller trending after her announcement video: a cheeky clip of the star lip-syncing Mariah Carey’s “It’s time!” while dangling Christmas lights. “If Reba’s bringing Rex for a duet, I’m proposing on the spot,” one user posted, racking up 15,000 likes. Others reminisce about her CMA Country Christmas specials in 2017 and 2018, where she turned Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena into a hoedown haven.

Yet amid the merriment, McEntire’s story carries deeper notes of triumph. She’s weathered industry sexism, personal losses—including the 1991 plane crash that claimed seven bandmates— and a 1989 breast cancer scare, emerging as a beacon for women in country. Her 2023 memoir Not That Fancy laid bare the grit behind the glamour, and now, at the Rockefeller podium, she’ll embody that unshakeable spirit. “Holidays are about family, forgiveness, and a little foolishness,” she told Billboard, hinting at a segment honoring frontline workers with custom ornaments—each engraved with a message of thanks, to be hung on the tree as a symbol of unity.

As flurries dust the plaza and the scent of roasted chestnuts wafts through the air, McEntire’s takeover promises to infuse the event with authentic Americana—think less Vegas flash, more front-porch fiddle. Whether it’s a surprise serenade for Linn, a star-studded “Fancy” remix, or simply her infectious laugh echoing off the golden Prometheus statue, one thing’s certain: Under that glittering tree, Reba’s got a gift that transcends tinsel. It’s the kind of warmth that turns strangers into sing-alongs, skeptics into believers, and a frosty New York night into the coziest corner of the world. Tune in December 3—because when Reba McEntire says “Merry Christmas,” you feel it in your bones.