The Roots, Shakira, Aretha Franklin to Perform @ ‘Christmas In Rockefeller Center’ Special

Will you be having a Merry Christmas? If you get drunk at a Christmas party will you sing on a piano? (I'm raising my hand.) Photo: TVGuide.com

I have the list of (some) who will be at the Rockefeller Christmas Tree when it is lit on December 2nd at 8 p.m. Jane Krakowski (30 Rock) and Zachary Levi (Chuck) will be the lively co-hosts for the one hour special. Because the Rockefeller Christmas Tree is the most famous Christmas Tree in the world, it’s a big deal.

Performers will include: Michael Buble, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Barry Manilow, The Roots, and Shakira.

Guests will include Taylor Schilling (Mercy), James Tupper (Mercy) and Brian Williams (NBC Nightly News).

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 pond. 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.