Jon Bon Jovi surprises fans with rare appearance alongside wife at Christmas in Rockefeller Center

Jon Bon Jovi made a rare joint appearance with his wife Dorothea Hurley as they co-hosted NBC’s Christmas in Rockefeller Center on December 3, 2025, surprising viewers with the special moment.

The two-hour live broadcast aired on NBC and Peacock at 8 pm ET beneath the iconic Rockefeller Christmas tree in New York City. The 62-year-old rock legend also performed his emotional track Unbroken during the holiday special.

Bon Jovi and Hurley, who met in high school and married in 1989, have been together for 35 years and share four children. Their joint hosting marked an unusual public moment for the famously private couple.

Beyond their marriage, the pair are also partners in philanthropy through the JBJ Soul Kitchen, a community restaurant initiative that provides meals to people in need.

‘Unbroken’ performance adds emotional weight

Unbroken was originally written for the documentary To Be of Service, which follows war veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder and the service animals that help them recover. Island Records and Bon Jovi have donated all net proceeds from the song to veteran support causes.

The performance beneath the Rockefeller tree became one of the evening’s standout moments.

The broadcast also featured performances from Reba McEntire, Gwen Stefani, Michael Bublé, Marc Anthony and several other artists.

Why the moment resonated

The appearance resonated strongly with viewers not just because of the music, but because of the shared presence of Bon Jovi and Hurley on one of television’s longest-running holiday traditions.

More than four decades into his career, Bon Jovi continues to release new music while using his platform to highlight social causes. For many fans, the December 3 broadcast became a rare blend of legacy, partnership and purpose wrapped in holiday tradition.