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Philadelphia Hip-Hop band The Roots will be one of many star acts performing at this years Christmas in Rockefeller Center special which will air in NBC this December.

The annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center special will feature performances and appearances by The Roots, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Barry Manilow, Shakira, actor James Tupper and NBC news anchor, Brian Williams.

The Roots, who act as house band on NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, will perform during the 77th annual tree lighting ceremony, which was originally started during The Great Depression, in 1933.

The ceremony also serves as a promotional event for Arbor Day and the Arbor Day Foundation.

Viewers will be asked to text NBCU to have a tree planted on their behalf, to raise awareness for the environment and Arbor Day’s goal to have up to 500,000 new trees planted.

NBC’s Christmas in Rockefeller Center is set to air December 2nd from 8:00 to 9:00pm EST on NBC.

For more details, visit www.nbc.com.