The Love & Other Drugs actress, who is set to co-host the 2011 Academy Awards, sparked mayhem when she turned up to see New York’s PS22 Chorus on Thursday.
Kids screamed in delight as she took to the microphone and made the big announcement - they were all invited to sing at February’s glitzy ceremony.
The star told them: 'You guys are incredible. I'm here to officially invite you guys to Hollywood!'
The Christmas surprise was captured on video and is now making the rounds on YouTube.
Hathaway's co-host for the 83rd annual event is James Franco.
The show's producers, Bruce Cohen and Don Mischer said the pair - who are the first people aged under 40 to ever host the top event in showbusiness - 'personify the next generation of Hollywood icons - fresh, exciting and multi-talented.”