SEATTLE – Bellevue native Megan Hilty is already a Broadway, television and film star.

Tomorrow night, she’ll add “Queen of Holiday Cheer” to her resume when she helps light the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree during a live show – “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” on NBC. She looks forward to continuing the long tradition.

“You know, it’s such an iconic event, it’s been around for nine decades. It has such a beautiful heritage,” Hilty said.

Lighting the Rockefeller Center Tree is America’s Christmas tradition, but Hilty has one that’s a little more local.

“Well, what I would do as soon as I get home would be to go straight to Pike Place Market. I don’t even have to buy anything. It’s just walking around that feels like home to me,” she said.

Hilty treated us to a quick round of his holiday favorites:

First question – real or artificial tree?

“I only say artificial tree because I like to leave my trees up for two months. I put my tree up on November 2nd and it will stay up for two months,” Hilty said. She added that an artificial tree would make it easier for her hectic vacation schedule.

Favorite old school Christmas movie?

“Do we count ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’ as old-fashioned? Because that’s my favorite.

Favorite Christmas cookie?

“Here in New York at the Christmas market they make these sugar-coated gingerbread molasses cookies. They are that good. They are probably my favorites.

Hilty may be too busy for that this holiday season, as she’s starring in Death Becomes Her on Broadway and is receiving rave reviews – even from Meryl Streep, who starred in the film and recently sent Hilty perfectly preserved flowers. Fitting, because the musical is about staying young at all costs. Hilty shared the gift on Instagram.

“Isn’t that something – I almost fell to the floor when these flowers arrived in my dressing room!” she said.

This star, who first began to shine here, has a special Christmas message for his fans in the Pacific Northwest.

“I just wanted to wish everyone in the Seattle area a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I miss home so much that I wish I could be there, but I am so happy to be part of a program that brings the holidays to you.”

Watch NBC’s Christmas at Rockefeller Center on December 4th at 8pm on KING 5

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