Kelly Clarkson and Backstreet Boys perform

The stars — and 50,000 colorful Christmas tree lights — officially ushered in the holiday season by lighting up the Rockefeller Center tree in New York City.

On Wednesday night, Kelly Clarkson pulled double duty as host and performer during NBC’s annual “Christmas in Rockefeller Center,” introducing Grammy winners, Broadway stars and a certain world-famous boy band on the Midtown Manhattan stage.

Throughout the evening, the “Kelly Clarkson Show” host had help from fan-favorite “Today” hosts Craig Melvin, Savannah Guthrie, (soon-to-be-eliminator) Hoda Kotb and Al Roker.

From EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson to country music sensation Little Big Town, here’s a look at the 2024 Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony performances.

The Backstreet Boys

Backstreet is back – and they’re spreading Christmas cheer.

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Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson donned their best winter coats to add festive cheer to their rendition of the Nat King Cole Trio classic “The Christmas Song.”

They later returned to perform “Christmas In New York” from their 2022 Christmas album and the popular Wham! to play. Hit “Last Christmas”.

Coco Jones

Wrapped in a brown fur coat, former Disney Channel star and Grammy winner Coco Jones brought her Christmas favorites to the stage.

First she sang “String of Lights” from her brand new Christmas album “Coco By The Fireplace” and returned to perform the Christmas classic “Do You Hear What I Hear?” with some audience participation.

Jennifer Hudson

The “Dreamgirls” star performed some new releases from her debut holiday album, “The Gift of Love,” which was released in October.

She was beaming from head to toe as she performed “Winter Wonderland,” which included an instrumental break with the saxophonist, and returned for an encore of “Make It To Christmas.”

Thalia

Thalía performed two Spanish songs – and an impressive costume change – during the two-hour event.

The Mexican “Queen of Latin Pop,” who is promoting her debut Christmas album “Navidad Melancólica,” released last month, delivered her rendition of “Feliz Navidad” for the first time. She later returned in a flowing red coat and disco ball-like jumpsuit to perform her song “Nueva Navidad.”

Small big city

Guess who’s also celebrating their debut Christmas album? Small big city.

Before their NBC special “Little Big Town’s Christmas at the Opry” on December 16, the Alabama-based band appeared at Rockefeller Center to perform “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Santa Claus Is Back In Town,” which they had recorded for “The Christmas Record”.

Raye

British singer Raye brought coziness to the evening by putting a new twist on two classics. She performed a jazzy rendition of “O Holy Night” and later returned to sing “White Christmas.”

As 2025 approaches, things are only looking up for the 27-year-old singer, who recently appeared on “Saturday Night Live” and is nominated for Best New Artist at the 2025 Grammy Awards. A few months ago she was the opening act for Taylor Swift on her record-breaking Eras Tour.

Dan + Shay

Grammy-winning country duo Day + Shay brought together a full band for a lively rendition of “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” one of the tracks from their newly released debut holiday album, It’s Officially Christmas: The Double Album.

They later returned to the stage to sing their original song, “Pick Out A Christmas Tree.”

Megan Hilty

Straight from the Broadway production of Death Becomes Her came Tony-nominated actress Megan Hilty.

She remembered Dolly Parton by singing “Hard Candy Christmas” and gave the audience a second dose of Christmas cheer with “The Man With the Bag.”

Kelly Clarkson

To round off the evening, Clarkson recalled her 2013 Christmas album with “Underneath the Tree.”

“Kelly Clarkson! Now Christmas can begin,” Melvin said after the “Today” stars took the stage. They were joined by Mayor Eric Adams and longtime New York news anchor Chuck Scarborough, who is leaving NBC 4 New York after 50 years, as the tree came to life.

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Kelly Clarkson and Backstreet Boys perform

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