New York City — Winter hasn’t yet brushed Manhattan with its first snowfall, but the holiday season has already found its brightest star. In a surprise announcement that has electrified both the entertainment world and devoted fans across the globe, NBC has confirmed that rock legend Steven Tyler will headline the 2025 “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” special — and for the first time ever, he will co-host the event with his longtime partner, Aimee Preston.

Producers are already calling it “the most heartfelt Christmas special in decades,” and anticipation for the broadcast has soared to heights unseen since the golden era of holiday television. What awaits viewers this December is more than a concert, more than a celebrity appearance, and more than a televised tree lighting. It is, in the words of one executive, “a night of warmth, humanity, and spirit that America needs now more than ever.”

A Holiday Surprise Few Saw Coming

Steven Tyler is no stranger to iconic stages — but the news that he will return to Rockefeller Center for a full co-hosting role sent shockwaves through social media and late-night news cycles within minutes. Tyler, a performer synonymous with spectacle and soul, has built a five-decade career out of commanding arenas. Yet this time, his presence is infused with something more intimate, more generous, and deeply personal.

Joining him is Aimee Preston — his partner, collaborator, and someone who has become beloved by fans for her grounded presence and quiet strength. Their appearance marks the first time the couple will host a nationally broadcast event together, bringing an unmistakable sincerity that producers say will define the evening.

“They have a natural warmth as a duo,” an NBC insider shared. “The chemistry, the compassion — it’s exactly what the holiday season represents.”

A Broadcast Rooted in Music and Humanity

While the special will certainly feature Tyler’s unmistakable voice and musical flair, NBC revealed that this year’s event is designed to go far beyond performance.

The broadcast will include a series of real stories of hope, resilience, and compassion inspired by Tyler’s and Preston’s involvement with JBJ Soul Kitchen, a nonprofit community restaurant initiative dedicated to feeding those in need through dignity-based service and volunteerism.

Ordinarily associated with Jon Bon Jovi’s philanthropic legacy, the project has expanded in recent years to include broader storytelling and service initiatives. Tyler and Preston have supported the effort, visiting community hubs, lending their voices to fundraising campaigns, and helping highlight families who embody courage through hardship.

Now, those stories are set to take center stage.

Segments will introduce viewers to volunteers who serve meals during the holidays, parents rebuilding their lives after crisis, young people overcoming food insecurity, and communities that have transformed through simple acts of giving and shared humanity.

“This isn’t just holiday TV,” one producer said. “It’s a celebration of what binds us together — kindness, generosity, and the belief that no one should face winter alone.”

The Rockefeller Tree: A Stage of Light and Legacy

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has been a symbol of American hope for more than 90 years — a towering beacon of light that has marked every generation’s December, from the Great Depression to the digital age. This year’s tree, a Norway Spruce measuring more than 85 feet tall, will be adorned with tens of thousands of lights and topped with a radiant crystal star visible from across Midtown.

For Tyler and Preston, hosting beneath this glittering landmark carries a meaning deeper than performance. Friends say the couple sees the tree as a metaphor — a single source of light that radiates warmth across an entire city.

“It’s a reminder,” Tyler has said of past visits to Rockefeller Center, “that no darkness is too big for one light to break.”

This sentiment, NBC executives say, will shape the tone of the entire broadcast: uplifting, restorative, and brimming with the quiet magic of winter nights.

The Music: A Blend of Classic Soul and Holiday Wonder

While the full performer lineup remains confidential, sources close to the production say Tyler is preparing a mix of:

• classic holiday standards

• acoustic renditions of seasonal favorites

• a brand-new duet with Preston

• a soulful, stripped-down version of one of his most iconic hits

The duet — described by insiders as “unexpectedly emotional” — will mark the couple’s first televised musical collaboration. While Preston is not a professional singer, those familiar with rehearsals say her voice blends with Tyler’s in a way that is “gentle but luminous,” bringing a sense of authenticity to the performance.

“This isn’t about perfection,” a producer explained. “It’s about love. About two people sharing a moment of gratitude on stage.”

A Night That Goes Beyond Entertainment

The special’s creative team emphasizes that the event has been designed around connection — not celebrity. In addition to music and storytelling, the program will feature:

• holiday messages from families served by Soul Kitchen

• tributes to volunteers who give their winters to help others

• a moment of remembrance for loved ones lost during the year

• a spotlight on youth music programs that rely on community support

In each segment, Tyler and Preston will appear not as performers, but as hosts guiding viewers through the emotional landscape of the season — celebrating joy while honoring struggle, capturing the tender balance that defines the end-of-year holidays.

Aimee Preston’s Role: The Heart of the Night

Though she is often seen beside Tyler at public events, this will be Aimee Preston’s first time co-hosting a major national broadcast. Insiders say she has been deeply involved in shaping the tone of the special, particularly in its philanthropic focus.

“Her heart is the compass,” one producer noted. “She’s the reason this special has soul.”

Her presence beside Tyler — warm, steady, grounding — is expected to become one of the defining elements of the night.

A Holiday Moment America Won’t Forget

With political tension high, economic uncertainty stretching across the country, and the world in a state of rapid change, many see this Christmas special as a rare opportunity for unity — a moment when millions gather around television screens to share one experience, one evening, one sense of hope.

NBC expects record-breaking viewership, citing overwhelming early interest and Tyler’s multigenerational fanbase.

“This is more than a show,” the network said in a statement. “It’s a gift.”

Broadcast Details

• Date: Wednesday, December 3

• Time: 8 p.m. ET

• Network: NBC and Peacock

The producers promise an evening filled with music, warmth, storytelling, and the magical glow of New York City in December.

And for the first time ever, Steven Tyler will not be shining alone — but alongside the woman who has walked with him through reinvention, recovery, resilience, and renewal.