Muppets, Stewart & More Join Krakowski for NBC's 'Christmas in Rockefeller Center' 12/2

Jo Dee Messina, Rod Stewart, Rob Thomas, Stefania Fernandez (Miss Universe), Stormi Bree Henley (Miss Teen USA), and The Muppets will join NBC's star-studded lineup for the 12th annual "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" special on Wednesday, December 2 (8pm-9pmET). This dazzling display of musical talent and the lighting of the world's most famous Christmas tree during the "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" telecast will be co-hosted by NBC stars Jane Krakowski ("30 Rock") and Zachary Levi ("Chuck") and broadcast in high definition. This holiday tree lighting celebration will also feature Michael Bubl, Aretha Franklin, Jose Feliciano, Alicia Keys, Barry Manilow, The Roots, Shakira, and The Radio City Rockettes performing a mix of current hits and holiday classics from beautifully ornamented stages around Rockefeller Center in New York City.

This year, NBC Universal through its "Green is Universal" initiative, is happy to work with the Arbor Day Foundation to "Text For Your Tree." Every half hour throughout the national broadcast viewers will be prompted to text NBCU to have a tree planted on their behalf. The trees will be planted by the Arbor Day Foundation, and underwritten by their partners. Additionally, the "Text For Your Tree" promotion will be extended online with an interactive site on both arborday.org and greenisuniversal.com sites. This partnership is expected to drive awareness for the environment and the Arbor Day Foundation - and help to get up to 500,000 trees planted.

The tradition of the Rockefeller Christmas tree dates back to the Great Depression. First erected in 1933, the tree was decked with 700 lights and placed in front of the then eight-month-old RCA Building, now the GE Building. The Christmas tree gathering was enhanced in 1936 with the opening of the Rockefeller Plaza outdoor ice-skating rink. NBC-TV televised the first tree lighting in 1951 on "The Kate Smith Show" and as part of the nationwide "Howdy Doody" television show from 1953-55.

Prior to the network special, WNBC, NBC's New York flagship station, and some other NBC stations will broadcast an additional live hour of the special (7-8 p.m. ET). Special appearances by Jose Feliciano and The Roots will be during the local hour only. "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" is produced by Brad Lachman Productions with Lachman serving as executive producer. Bill Bracken is producer.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.