2018 Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting, Photo Credit: @rockcenternyc via Instagram

Last night, NBC kicked off the most wonderful time of the year with the annual lighting of New York City’s famous tree on the “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” holiday special. Every year, thousands of people travel from all over to watch this one of a kind occasion that takes over New York City. This year was no different with the thousands of spectators in Rockefeller Center, enjoying the night watching some of music’s biggest stars perform, while waiting in anticipation for the tree to be lit.

Before the primetime telecast started, there was a one-hour pre-show special to warm up the crowd for the holiday ceremony to come. Country stars Kellie Pickler, Brett Eldredge, and Martina McBride all appeared singing holiday favorites, getting everyone into the Christmas spirit.

Photo Credit: Diane Bondareff/AP Images for Tishman Speyer

Kicking off the pre-show was singer-songwriter, Kellie Pickler, taking the stage in a stunning red dress and black overcoat performing “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” giving the song a country twist. When it came time for the two-hour primetime special, she sang the classic song, “Santa Baby.” Once the tree was lit, she came back on stage with a choir singing “Joy to the World,” as seen and heard in this year’s Hallmark Channel original movie “Christmas at Graceland,” in which Pickler made her acting debut.

Once again platinum-selling artist and country music’s King of Christmas, Brett Eldredge took the stage for the second year in a row to spread the holiday spirit at this year’s 86th annual holiday special. He came back to perform a couple of songs off his deluxe edition of ‘Glow’. First appearing on the pre-show looking dashing in a velvet suit jacket, singing a holiday favorite, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Throughout the night he performed alongside an orchestra, showing off his smooth vocals with his rendition of  “Sleigh Bells”, and his original holiday track, “Glow”.

Photo Credit: Eric Liebowitz/NBC

Last, but not least was 4-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, Martina McBride. She’s back again to celebrate another holiday with us New Yorkers, after recently performing at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade last week. McBride is currently on her “The Joy of Christmas Tour”, but made a special New York stop to perform her renditions from her latest release, ‘It’s The Holiday Season’. She first took the stage during the pre-show appearing in an elegant maroon dress with a black overcoat performing the holiday classic, “Most Wonderful Time of The Year.” As the night went on she continued to sing her renditions of holiday favorites, “Winter Wonderland” and “Happy Holiday/It’s The Holiday” beautifully.

Photo Credit: Virginia Sherwood/NBC

When it comes to the holidays, there’s no one that celebrates them quite like Eldredge. Luckily for New Yorkers, we can catch Brett Eldredge on the Glow Live tour at the historic Beacon Theatre on December 11th. Be sure to follow @NYCountrySwag on Instagram for snaps from the show. For your tickets and more information, visit bretteldredge.com.

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