.
- Hi, everybody.
I'm Savannah Guthrie.
- And I'm Hoda Kotb.
- And it is our great joy
to welcome you
to the "Christmas Spectacular
starring the
Radio City Rockettes"
here on NBC.
For so many New Yorkers
and visitors to the Big Apple,
going to Radio City Music Hall
right here
at Rockefeller Center
to see the legendary Rockettes
is a cherished
annual tradition.
The Rockettes have been part
of the fabric of the holidays
here in New York City
since 1933.
And every year,
over a million people
from all over the world
come to see them
along with Santa
and some special friends
as they dance their way
into the holidays.
- Well, this year is different
in so many ways.
And even the Rockettes, they're
giving their long legs a rest.
So while the holidays may not
be business as usual in 2020,
we're giving folks
across the country
a chance to enjoy
the precision, the beauty,
and the cheer
of this heartwarming show
and the inspiring women
who star in it.
So what do you say
we let the show begin?
Here's a festive number
from a previously-recorded
performance
of the "Christmas Spectacular:
Starring the Radio City
Rockettes."
[joyous holiday music]
♪ ♪
[applause]
[bright holiday music]
♪ ♪
all: ♪ Bring out the bells ♪
♪ Those Christmas bells ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Bring out the bells ♪
♪ Those Christmas bells ♪
♪ Come on, we're going
for a sleigh ride ♪
♪ Christmas time
is here again ♪
♪ Come on ♪
♪ We're going
for a sleigh ride ♪
♪ To spread good cheer again ♪
♪ From the top of the chimney ♪
♪ To the top of the ball ♪
♪ Dash away, dash away,
dash away, all ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells,
jingle all the way ♪
♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride
in a one horse open sleigh ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Jingle bells ♪
♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride
in a one horse open sleigh ♪
♪ Old Saint Nick,
he's gonna take a flight ♪
♪ The moon is shining bright ♪
♪ Bring out the bells ♪
♪ Old Saint Nick will ride
through the sky ♪
♪ You should see
these reindeer fly ♪
♪ ♪
[applause]
♪ Ring the bells and hear
those pretty bells chime ♪
- Ho, ho, ho!
♪ Come on ♪
♪ We're going
for a sleigh ride ♪
♪ Christmas time
is here again ♪
♪ Come on ♪
♪ We're going
for a sleigh ride ♪
♪ To spread the cheer again ♪
all: ♪ Jingle bells,
jingle bells ♪
♪ Jingle all the way ♪
♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride
in a one horse open sleigh ♪
♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells,
jingle all the way ♪
♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride ♪
♪ In a one horse ♪
♪ Open sleigh ♪
Rockettes: ♪ Bring out the
bells, those Christmas bells ♪
[applause]
- It is Christmas time,
and that means Santa's
on his way
accompanied by a group
of incredibly talented women
who have achieved
a lifelong dream
of becoming Rockettes.
- Yeah, these dancers train
with the same intensity
that professional athletes do.
You can see it in their skill
and the joy they bring
to audiences
from around the globe
who come to experience
the "Christmas Spectacular."
Here's more of the Rockettes
in action.
[applause]
[shoes tapping]
[joyous holiday music]
♪ ♪
all: ♪ On the first day
of Christmas ♪
♪ My true love gave to me ♪
[funky music]
- Whoo!
- Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho.
♪ ♪
- Whoo!
[funky holiday music]
♪ ♪
[shoes tapping]
[joyous holiday music]
♪ ♪
[percussion music]
[joyous holiday music]
♪ ♪
[percussion music]
♪ ♪
[whistles blowing]
[shoes tapping]
[joyous holiday music]
♪ ♪
all: ♪ 12 drummers drumming ♪
♪ 11 pipers piping ♪
♪ Ten lords a-leaping ♪
♪ Nine ladies dancing ♪
♪ Eight maids a-milking ♪
♪ Seven swans a-swimming ♪
♪ Six geese a-laying ♪
♪ Five golden rings ♪
♪ Four calling birds
three French hens ♪
♪ Two turtle doves ♪
♪ And a partridge
in a pear tree ♪
[all grunting]
♪ ♪
♪ 12 ♪
♪ 11 ♪
♪ Ten ♪
♪ Nine ♪
♪ Eight ♪
♪ Seven ♪
♪ Six ♪
♪ Five ♪
♪ Four, three, two ♪
♪ And a partridge ♪
♪ In a pear tree ♪
♪ ♪
[applause]
[remixed holiday music]
♪ ♪
[applause]
- A few years ago,
Chrissy and I
started the tradition
of bringing our children to see
the "Christmas Spectacular
starring the Radio City
Rockettes."
Luna is now four.
Miles is now two.
But the truth is
that Chrissy and I
have been coming to see
the "Christmas Spectacular"
since before we had kids.
We absolutely love celebrating
the Christmas season
at Radio City
with the Rockettes
and all the other
wonderful members
of this iconic cast.
Our entire family
loves the dancing,
the music, the holiday spirit.
I'll never forget
the expression on Luna's face
when the confetti cannons
went off.
Mostly because it's posted
on Chrissy's Instagram.
So me and several million
other people
will always treasure that
moment of holiday magic.
While we can't see the
Rockettes in person this year,
we're excited
that all of America
is watching this show
together tonight.
And we'll be keeping
other family traditions alive:
trimming the tree,
filling up the stockings,
singing songs
around the piano,
and opening presents
on Christmas Eve.
Because some people--
I'm not naming names--
can't wait
until Christmas morning.
However and whatever
you celebrate,
we hope you and your loved ones
have a beautiful time together.
Merry Christmas.
And let's help each other
works towards
a safe, happy,
healthy New Year.
[joyous holiday flourish]
.
[joyous holiday music]
- You are watching
the "Christmas Spectacular
starring
the Radio City Rockettes."
And it is a total joy
to share
this special performance
with you and your families.
- Of course.
We all love the razzle dazzle
of the holidays.
We love the sparkling lights,
the Christmas cookies,
the beautiful wrapped presents
that Santa so carefully
selected for us
but the holidays are also
an opportunity to remind us
of the best in ourselves
and all that we can do
for others.
- Yeah, absolutely.
To all of you out there
who are helping out
during the holidays
by donating food,
clothing or toys,
maybe shoveling
a neighbor's driveway or stoop
when it's full of snow,
we just wanna pause
and say thank you.
- Yeah, reaching out
to neighbors,
or friends, or family members
who could use a little
extra love this season,
that's really what the
Christmas spirit is all about.
- It's a time to spread
joy and cheer.
And no one does it better...
- [laughs]
- Than the Radio City
Rockettes.
[bright holiday music]
[applause]
♪ ♪
[applause]
[bright holiday music]
♪ ♪
[applause]
♪ ♪
[applause]
[percussion music]
♪ ♪
[boom]
[laughter]
[applause]
[mysterious music]
♪ ♪
[cheers and applause]
[bright holiday music]
♪ ♪
[applause]
- Ugh, another joyful holiday
number by the Rockettes
from their annual
"Christmas Spectacular."
The wardrobe department
goes through
more than 30,000
red dots each season
to brighten
the Rockettes' cheeks...
- Mm.
- In numbers like
"Parade of the Wooden Soldiers"
and "Rag Dolls."
- Oh, my gosh.
I wish I could get away
with that beauty tip!
[both laugh]
Anyway, going to see
the "Christmas Spectacular"
at Radio City Music Hall
is an iconic New York City
holiday tradition.
Well, so is picking out
gifts for your loved ones.
Okay.
Here's my question for you.
Charley, Vale--
- Yes.
- Did you check off
their list yet?
- Oh.
I'm still working on it.
Thankfully I've got Santa
who's gonna never disappoint.
- Yes.
My kids wake up really early
on Christmas morning.
How about yours?
- We do the same.
Crack of dawn,
waiting around the tree--
waiting for us to get up.
Christmas morning is awesome.
Santa is obviously very busy
this time of year.
And so are
the Radio City Rockettes.
Take a look.
[soft holiday music]
- Ho, ho, ho, ho.
[laughs]
[holiday jazz music]
♪ ♪
[applause]
♪ ♪
all: ♪ I'll see you
when you're sleeping ♪
♪ I know when you're awake ♪
♪ I know if you've been
bad or good ♪
♪ So be good
for goodness sake ♪
[energetic holiday music]
♪ You better be good ♪
♪ ♪
♪ You better be good ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Ho, ho, ho ♪
♪ ♪
[bells ringing]
[holiday jazz music]
[bells ringing]
[holiday jazz music]
[bells ringing]
[holiday jazz music]
[bells ringing]
[holiday jazz music]
♪ ♪
♪ Hey, Santa ♪
♪ Won't you give
those bells a ring? ♪
♪ Go jingle, jingle ♪
♪ Can't you hear
those sleigh bells ring? ♪
♪ Jolly old Kris Kringle ♪
♪ He's the King of Jingling ♪
♪ Jingle, jingle, jing ♪
♪ He's a-ringing ♪
♪ Hear those
sleigh bells ring ♪
♪ Jolly old Kris Kringle ♪
♪ He's the king ♪
♪ Of ♪
♪ Jingling ♪
Rockettes:
♪ Santa's on his way ♪
Santas: ♪ Ho, ho ♪
Rockettes:
♪ Santa's on his way ♪
Santas: ♪ Ho, ho ♪
Rockettes:
♪ Santa's on his way ♪
♪ You better hurry
'cause he's coming tonight ♪
all:
♪ Santa's on his way tonight ♪
♪ Santa's on his way ♪
♪ You better watch out ♪
♪ You better not cry ♪
♪ Let's give a bell to Santa ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
[applause]
- Next year, my daughter and I
will be going back
to Radio City
to watch the Rockettes live
in their
"Christmas Spectacular."
This is a holiday tradition
that she and I
have done for years
here in New York
and really love.
But in the meantime,
we'll be having
a cozy Christmas
right here at home.
We have a lot to do:
baking cookies,
making gingerbread houses,
and decorating the tree.
Whoever you're celebrating
Christmas with this season,
I hope you'll have love
in your heart
for everyone around you.
And remember--
in spite of everything,
there is actually
more that unites us
than divides us.
So please have a great,
safe holiday
with your loved ones.
We'll be making turkey
and all the fixings.
[joyous holiday flourish]
.
[joyous holiday music]
- We have a question.
What says holidays more
than the "Christmas Spectacular
starring the
Radio City Rockettes?"
All of us here
at NBC are delighted
to share this holiday tradition
with you and your families.
And I know--Savannah, what
kind of holiday traditions
do you guys look forward to
in your house?
- Well, we love
decorating the tree.
- Mm-hmm.
- We usually do go
to the Rockettes every year.
- Yeah.
- It's something that the kids
just love so much.
How about you guys?
- We do the same.
Every single year, we've gone
to see the Rockettes.
So we are setting
our calendar for 2021
so we can all head there.
And of course, nothing gets us
into the Christmas spirit
like the Radio City Rockettes.
Here's another way
they make the most
of this wonderful time of year.
[applause]
[joyous holiday music]
♪ ♪
all: ♪ New York at Christmas ♪
♪ What a show ♪
♪ It's a total yuletide high ♪
♪ ♪
♪ From the Seaport
to Washington Heights ♪
♪ Every avenue gets
a string of lights ♪
♪ New York at Christmas ♪
♪ What a time ♪
♪ It's a climate
full of cheer ♪
♪ ♪
♪ With the spirit
and feel on the rise ♪
♪ Even taxi [indistinct]
seem to harmonize ♪
♪ When we see this fine
Big Apple ♪
♪ Shine for all its worth ♪
♪ [indistinct]
inside our hearts ♪
♪ Like no other song on Earth ♪
♪ ♪
♪ New York, New York ♪
♪ Christmas ♪
♪ What a sight ♪
♪ Like the brightest
Christmas tree ♪
♪ There's nothing to match it ♪
♪ You gotta come catch it
and see if you don't agree ♪
♪ It's Christmas time again ♪
♪ We're always happy when ♪
♪ It's Christmas time again ♪
♪ In NYC ♪
♪ ♪
[light holiday music]
♪ ♪
- Over the years,
I've had a lot of fun
cooking with the Rockettes.
Once, I even tried kicking
with the Rockettes.
And let me tell you.
The cooking is definitely
the easier way to go.
See, I'm a Southern girl.
And I grew up cooking
Christmas dinner one way.
My husband's a Midwestern guy.
And his holiday menu
looks a whole lot different
from mine.
But we found
that combining our traditions
makes the holidays
feel even more meaningful
for everyone in our family.
So whether it's cookies,
or turkeys,
or meaningful moments
with those you love,
I hope your holiday
will be full of flavor
and your memories
will be full of joy.
[joyous holiday flourish]
.
[joyous holiday music]
♪ ♪
- I'm Hoda Kotb.
- And I'm Savannah Guthrie.
- And we are so,
so happy to share
a great New York City
holiday tradition
with all of you
across the country.
It is the legendary
"Christmas Spectacular
starring the Radio City
Rockettes."
- Ah, between the Rockettes,
the ice skaters, the singing,
the dancing ensemble,
and of course, Santa himself...
- Uh-huh.
The real Santa,
we're talking about.
- It is the real Santa.
- Uh-huh.
- There are over 150
talented last members
who create holiday magic
in the "Christmas Spectacular."
Let's take a look.
[light holiday music]
♪ ♪
[applause]
♪ ♪
[applause]
[cheers and applause]
♪ ♪
all: ♪ New York at Christmas ♪
♪ In the park ♪
♪ There's a sparkling
touch of snow ♪
♪ East or West side,
wherever you like ♪
♪ There's an energy
that you're gonna like ♪
Whoo!
♪ ♪
♪ Ohhh! ♪
[horn honks]
Check out!
♪ All the crazy billboards ♪
♪ And [indistinct] ♪
♪ In between the lines
they mean ♪
♪ Have a happy holiday ♪
♪ ♪
[holiday jazz music]
♪ ♪
[light holiday music]
♪ ♪
[applause]
♪ ♪
♪ New York at Christmas ♪
♪ What a sight ♪
♪ Like the brightest
Christmas tree ♪
♪ It's Christmas time again ♪
♪ We're always happy when ♪
♪ It's Christmas time again ♪
♪ In NYC ♪
[fireworks whining, exploding]
♪ ♪
[applause]
♪ ♪
- To me, nothing says
holidays quite like
watching the New York City
Rockettes perform
at the "Christmas Spectacular."
As a dancer myself, I know
how much hard work it takes,
how much focus it takes
to perform for millions of fans
around the world
every year at this Spectacular.
My family will be first
in line in 2021.
This year, we welcomed
our baby boy, Callum,
and we will be spending
our very first Christmas
together with him.
So from our tree to yours,
I send you all
the love, peace, and joy
of this holiday season.
And I wish you a beautiful year
with lots of love
and high kicks.
[joyous holiday flourish]
.
[joyous holiday music]
- Welcome back
to the "Christmas Spectacular
starring the Radio City
Rockettes."
All right, the show
is really something to see
at the holidays,
and we hope that next year,
you guys will come to New York,
join us,
and experience it here.
Tickets for next year's
2021 production,
already on sale.
Here's where you can get 'em.
Ready?
Rockettes.com/Christmas.
- I'm gonna write that down.
It's not just the dancing
that takes your breath away.
The costumes are amazing,
over 1,100 of them
in the
"Christmas Spectacular."
Each Rockette changes
costumes eight times...
- Jeez.
- Usually with just a minute
or two between numbers.
- They know how to hustle.
All right.
Here are the Rockettes
in another classic,
holiday performance.
[joyous holiday music]
♪ ♪
[shoes tapping]
[light music]
♪ ♪
[bright holiday music]
♪ ♪
[shoes tapping]
♪ ♪
[applause]
♪ ♪
[applause]
♪ ♪
[cheers and applause]
♪ ♪
- Hey, everybody.
You know what I love?
I love celebrating the holidays
and the traditions that
come with all of them:
singing Christmas carols,
spending time
with family and friends,
making sure that you wear
the ugliest Christmas sweater
you can find.
You know, when I was little,
my mom showed my brother and I
that there is no place
in the world
like New York
during the holidays.
We would run
through FAO Schwartz,
and then look
in Macy's window
to see all the crazy, amazing
things that were happening,
and then we got to tell Santa
what we wanted for Christmas.
But the first stop
we made always--
bar none--
was Radio City Music Hall
to see The Rockettes'
"Christmas Spectacular,"
and boy, was it magical.
And I do the same thing
these days.
I bring my granddaughters
and my great-granddaughter
to the "Christmas Spectacular"
every year.
Now, of course, this year's
gonna be different.
I'm gonna be watching it
with them on television.
So as we start all sorts
of new traditions
with our families,
from my family to your family,
we wish you a Merry Christmas,
a Happy Hanukkah,
Happy holidays, Happy New Year.
Whatever you celebrate,
let's make sure
that we make it happen.
[joyous holiday flourish]
.
[joyous holiday music]
♪ ♪
- As we look back to 2020,
we'll remember
the brightest moments
like New Yorkers ringing out
their admiration
for medical staff
every night at 7:00
or the way that people
left notes and gifts
for postal workers
and folks making deliveries.
Thank you all for your efforts.
- And personal moments too
like connecting with faraway
friends on Zoom calls
to celebrate birthdays
or share a little story,
or hugging our kids
a little bit closer,
especially if they're working
at the desk right next to us.
- [laughing]
- We know that.
The holidays hold special
significance for all of us.
Here's how a friend
of ours likes to think
about this time of year.
- I love Christmas.
I love Christmas music.
I love everything about it.
I like the song,
"I'll Be Home for Christmas,"
but this year,
it's a little too literal
because we're all just
home for Christmas.
We all wish we could be
with our families
and our friends,
and out and about,
sharing the Christmas spirit
with those that we love.
But it's a little bit
different this year.
I also really miss New York
during this time of year.
Also Radio City Music Hall,
a place that I love to play.
It's an institution,
and one that I love
very, very much.
Have a happy Christmas,
a merry Hanukkah,
happy Festivus.
And a healthy, safe,
harmonious new year.
[bright holiday music]
♪ ♪
all: ♪ Hark!
the herald angels sing ♪
♪ Glory to the newborn King ♪
♪ Peace on earth
and mercy mild ♪
♪ God and sinners reconciled ♪
♪ Joyful, all ye nations rise ♪
♪ Join the triumph
of the skies ♪
♪ With the angelic
host proclaim ♪
♪ Christ is born in Bethlehem ♪
♪ Hark!
the herald angels sing ♪
♪ Glory to the newborn King ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Hail the heav'n-born
Prince of Peace ♪
♪ Hail the Son
of Righteousness ♪
♪ Light and life to all
He brings ♪
♪ Ris'n with healing
in His wings ♪
♪ Mild He lays His glory by ♪
♪ Born that man
no more may die ♪
♪ Born to raise
the sons of earth ♪
♪ Born to give them
second birth ♪
♪ Hark!
the herald angels sing ♪
♪ Glory to the newborn King ♪
♪ The newborn King ♪
[applause]
- As we transition into 2021,
we're sending you
and your families
good tidings and wishes
for health and happiness.
And from all of us at NBC,
we say happy holidays
and have a sweet
and joyous new year.
- Happy holidays, everybody.