Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, more stars perform holiday hits during NYC tree lighting

The stars — and 50,000 multi-colored Christmas tree lights — have officially kicked off the holiday season by illuminating the Rockefeller Center tree in New York City.

On Wednesday night, Kelly Clarkson played double duty as host and performer during NBC's annual "Christmas in Rockefeller Center," introducing Grammy winners, Broadway stars, and one particular world-famous boy band to the Midtown Manhattan stage.

Throughout the evening, the "Kelly Clarkson Show" host had some help from fan-favorite "Today" anchors Craig Melvin, Savannah Guthrie, (the soon-to-be departing) Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker.

From EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson to country sensation Little Big Town, here's a look at the 2024 Rockefeller Center tree lighting ceremony performances.

The Backstreet Boys

Backstreet's back — and they're spreading holiday merriness.

Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, and Kevin Richardson donned their best winter-appropriate coats to bring festive cheer to their rendition of the Nat King Cole Trio's classic, "The Christmas Song."

Later, they returned to perform "Christmas In New York" off their 2022 holiday album and the beloved Wham! hit "Last Christmas."

Coco Jones

Bundled up in a brown fur coat, former Disney Channel star-turned-Grammy winner Coco Jones brought Christmastime favorites to the stage.

First, she sang "String of Lights" off her brand-new Christmas album, "Coco By The Fireplace," and came back to perform the holiday classic "Do You Hear What I Hear?" with some audience participation.

Jennifer Hudson

The "Dreamgirls" star played some new releases off her debut Christmas album, "The Gift of Love," which was released in October.

She shimmered from head to toe as she performed "Winter Wonderland," which featured an instrumental break that highlighted the saxophonist, and returned for an encore of "Make It To Christmas."

Thalía

Thalía served up two Spanish songs — and an impressive costume change — during the two-hour event.

The Mexican "queen of Latin pop," who's promoting her first Christmas album that was released last month, "Navidad Melancólica," first delivered her rendition of "Feliz Navidad." Later, she returned in a billowing red coat and disco ball-like jumpsuit to perform her song "Nueva Navidad."

Little Big Town

Guess who's also celebrating their debut Christmas album? Little Big Town.

Ahead of their Dec. 16 NBC special "Little Big Town's Christmas at the Opry," the Alabama-made band appeared at Rockefeller Center to perform "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "Santa Claus Is Back In Town," which they recorded for "The Christmas Record."

Raye

British singer Raye brought a coziness to the evening by giving two classics a spin. She performed a jazzy delivery of "O Holy Night" and later returned to sing "White Christmas."

As 2025 nears, things are only ramping up for the 27-year-old songstress, who recently performed on "Saturday Night Live" and is up for Best New Artist at the 2025 Grammy Awards. Several months ago, she opened for Taylor Swift on her record-breaking Eras Tour.

Dan + Shay

Grammy-winning country duo Day + Shay brought out a full band for a lively rendition of "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree," one of the tracks in their newly released debut holiday album, "It's Officially Christmas: The Double Album."

They later returned to the stage to sing their original song, "Pick Out A Christmas Tree."

Megan Hilty

Straight from the Broadway production of "Death Becomes Her" came Tony-nominated actress Megan Hilty.

She channeled Dolly Parton in singing "Hard Candy Christmas" and gave the crowd a second dose of holiday spirit with "The Man With the Bag."

Kelly Clarkson

To cap off the night, Clarkson harkened back to her 2013 Christmas album by performing "Underneath the Tree."

"Kelly Clarkson! Now Christmas can start," Melvin said after the "Today" stars rocked up to the stage. They were joined by Mayor Eric Adams and longtime New York City news anchor Chuck Scarborough, who's leaving NBC 4 New York after 50 years, as the tree came to life.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rockefeller tree lighting: Kelly Clarkson, Backstreet Boys perform