NBC's annual "Christmas In Rockefeller Center" will air on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 8-9 p.m. followed by the world premiere of "Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love" at 9 p.m. EST.
"Christmas In Rockefeller Center" is a star-studded musical telecast which welcomes the holiday season. Those set to perform include Dolly Parton, Tony Bennett, Neil Diamond, Josh Groban, Tori Kelly, Sarah McLachlan, Jordan Smith, Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood, the Radio City Rockettes and more.
NBC’s "Today" anchors Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker and Hoda Kotb will host the broadcast from New York City’s Rockefeller Center. The event will also celebrate the lighting of the world’s most famous Christmas tree. The 84th annual tree lighting will feature a 94-foot tall, 56-foot wide Norway spruce from Oneonta, N.Y. It is approximately 90 years old, weighs approximately 14 tons, and will be decorated with more than 50,000 multi-colored LED lights.
Prior to the primetime telecast, an additional live hour of the special will be broadcast on select NBC stations (7-8 p.m. EST). Check local listings.
"Christmas In Rockefeller Center" will be followed by the world premiere of "Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love." In this all-new special Dolly’s story continues in a heartwarming tale drawn straight from her inspiring childhood memories and music.
For the eighth consecutive year, "Green Is Universal" — NBCUniversal’s sustainability initiative in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation — will kick off its annual tree-planting campaign during the "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" broadcast. This year viewers can "Share a Tree" to a national forest, by using #ShareATree or visiting GreenIsUniversal.com to create and share an animated holiday story. Each action will contribute to the Arbor Day Foundation’s tree-planting efforts, funded by a $25,000 donation from NBCUniversal.
Dollywood becomes Hollywood on Tuesday, Nov. 22, complete with red carpet arrivals, media interviews and special viewing areas for guests, as Dolly Parton has invited the cast from her new NBC movie, "Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love," to visit the park for the worldwide premiere.
Dollywood adds another operating day to its 2016 calendar to allow park guests the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see behind-the-scenes of a real Hollywood premiere. Dollywood opens from 2-9 p.m. on this special day, providing a sneak peek at the festivities which include red carpet arrivals and more!
The premiere event begins at 5 p.m. with red carpet arrivals following. Dolly and cast of the new film will make their way down the red carpet along Dollywood’s Showstreet as media from across the country cover the action.
The Coca-Cola Refresh Team brings the Coca-Cola Polar Bear to make photos for guests in attendance. Coca-Cola also offers special holiday beverage samplings during the event.
Guests at the premiere also can enjoy Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana, the nine-time award winner for Best Christmas Event. Two new holiday shows and four million dazzling Christmas lights combine with the park’s award-winning rides, delectable holiday dishes and heart-warming Christmas atmosphere for a delightful yuletide experience.
Smoky Mountain Christmas guests can upgrade a paid one-day admission ticket to a regular 2017 season pass for as low as $27 (plus tax when buying four or more).
Visit Dollywood.com or call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD for more information, including operating days and hours, daily show schedule and more helpful tips to help plan a visit.
Coming off a record year which featured the best new attraction of 2016, Lightning Rod, as well as the successful first anniversary of Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort, The Dollywood Company continues to provide more unique experiences at each of its family-friendly properties.
Two new family rides debut this summer at Dollywood providing thrilling new adventures for guests. The first is Drop Line, a 200-foot tall free-fall experience that towers over Timber Canyon and provides an incredible view of the park before its exhilarating finish. The drop tower ride lifts Dollywood guests nearly 20 stories above the Canyon’s pool, before plummeting them back to the ground in a thrilling rush. Also new is Whistle Punk Chaser, a junior coaster which throws exciting twists and turns at Dollywood’s younger loggers, helping prepare them for the day they can join their parents aboard the award-winning Thunderhead wooden coaster. Dolly said,
“As everybody already knows, family is very important to me. These days, there doesn’t seem to be enough time for families to be together, whether you’re a just a couple like me and Carl or you have 12 kids like my family did growing up. That’s why we continue to add all these new rides and shows for families to experience together."
Dolly continued,
“We have something for everyone, but even more important, we have something for you AND your family. We’re adding so much this year; I’m calling 2017 ‘the year of the family!’”
In addition to the new attractions, families have two engaging new events to experience 2017. Just in time for families enjoying spring break, the park will introduce enra, a Tokyo-based dance company featured on "America’s Got Talent" in 2015. The group wowed audiences with their high-energy multi-media dance, light and video fusion show. Interactive video and lights combine with the talented performers to create a unique, cutting-edge experience for guests.
In October, Dollywood’s Harvest Festival adds the spectacular GREAT! Pumpkin LumiNights event. This nighttime event immerses families in fabulous fall pumpkin illumination. Additionally, a new pumpkin trail comes to life after dark with a number of spectacular pumpkin displays glowing with the fire of fall. The festival also includes the Southern Gospel Jubilee which brings in the greatest Southern gospel talent around. Gene Scherrer, Dollywood Vice-President and General Manager said.
“We are really excited about adding the GREAT! Pumpkin LumiNights to our Harvest event. We’ve created a number of impressive displays that will light up the night and allow us to add some new experiences for families to enjoy the fun of fall in a uniquely Dollywood way.”
The company also recently announced the addition of TailSpin Racer, a multi-lane, mat-racer-style slide to Dollywood’s Splash Country for 2017. The parks’ 2017 additions are all part of the $300 million investment in Dollywood which Dolly announced in 2013.
An exclusive download of "Makin' Fun Ain't Funny" is included with the purchase of Dolly's picture book, “Coat of Many Colors” with all-new illustrations by Brooke Boynton Hughes from Grosset & Dunlap, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers.
The handmade, patchwork coat which once kept a little school girl warm has woven its way into the hearts and lives of countless Dolly Parton fans. Now, it has inspired another original song with an equally strong anti-bullying message.
An earlier version of Dolly's book, "Coat of Many Colors" has been used by educators to teach children about bullying in schools. In this new song, Dolly appeals to anyone who may be tempted to hurt others with words or actions encouraging them to make the right choice.
All proceeds from the book's sales will benefit Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. To purchase a copy, use this link - "Coat of Many Colors"
Learn more about illustrator Brooke Boynton Hughes and see original artwork from the new book.
Setting another record, Dolly Parton becomes the first artist in history with top 20 hits on Hot Country Songs Chart in every decade since the 1960s. With the new smash hit, a cappella version of "Jolene" by Pentatonix featuring Dolly Parton, the queen of country music has proven yet again why she reigns supreme.
Dolly's long-time friend and occasional duet partner, Willie Nelson, could tie Dolly's record if he scores a top 20 song in the '10s. He already holds top 20 hits on Hot Country Songs in the '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s and '00s. Dolly's last appearance on the Hot Country Songs Top 20 was her featured spot on Brad Paisley's 2006 No. 1 hit "When I Get Where I'm Going."
Dolly, Willie and Brad along with a host of country music's legendary and current artists are featured on "Forever Country." The song and epic music video is a mashup of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by the late John Denver, “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson and Dolly’s “I Will Always Love You.” The collaboration is a celebration of The 50th Annual CMA Awards at which Dolly will receive the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dolly's first appearance on any Billboard chart was made back in 1967 when "Dumb Blonde" peaked at No. 24. Dolly followed it up with "Something Fishy," which climbed to No. 17 in August of 1967. Back in 1974, Dolly's original version of "Jolene" topped Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart.
