Minneapolis — Fans tuning in for the Lions–Vikings showdown at U.S. Bank Stadium expected hard hits and playoff implications. What they didn’t expect was one of the most unexpected and genre-bending Christmas spectacles ever staged during an NFL halftime.
In a bold holiday crossover, Snoop Dogg, Lainey Wilson, HUNTR/X, and Andrea Bocelli transformed the Christmas Day matchup into a full-scale musical celebration, blurring the lines between sport, concert, and seasonal special. The result was a halftime show that felt less like a break in the action and more like a headline event of its own.
Martha Stewart Sets the Stage
The surprise began before a single note was played. Lifestyle icon Martha Stewart opened the segment, cheerfully dubbing the performance “Snoop’s Holiday Halftime Party.” With a playful, Christmas-themed monologue, Stewart set a festive tone that immediately signaled this would be no ordinary halftime show.
Moments later, the stadium erupted as Snoop Dogg took the stage.
Snoop Dogg Brings West Coast Swagger to Christmas Classics
Snoop delivered an energetic, crowd-pleasing performance that fused his unmistakable hip-hop style with holiday flair. Mixing signature hits with seasonal touches, he proved once again that his laid-back charisma translates seamlessly-even to Christmas music.
The show took a surprising pop-culture turn with the arrival of Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, collectively known as HUNTR/X, the voices behind Netflix’s animated hit K-Pop Demon Hunters. Dressed in coordinated all-white outfits, the trio joined Snoop for a playful, reimagined performance of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” adding a modern, global twist to the classic carol.
Lainey Wilson Arrives in a Sleigh – Literally
Country star Lainey Wilson delivered one of the show’s most memorable visuals, entering the field aboard a glowing sleigh. Launching straight into “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” Wilson brought high-energy country charm to the stadium as Snoop danced alongside her, creating an unlikely but crowd-pleasing pairing.
The blend of hip-hop and country underscored the night’s central theme: this was a celebration without genre boundaries.
Andrea and Matteo Bocelli Close With a Snow-Filled Finale
The halftime show reached its emotional peak when Andrea Bocelli stepped onto the stage. In a surprise moment, he was joined by his son, Matteo Bocelli, for a heartfelt rendition of Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas.”
As artificial snow drifted across the field, Snoop Dogg, Lainey Wilson, and HUNTR/X stood alongside the Bocellis, creating a cinematic, wintry tableau that felt more like a holiday film finale than a football broadcast. The powerful vocals and serene visuals brought the stadium to a hush, closing the show on a moving, unifying note.
Netflix Doubles Down on Christmas Day Spectacle
The performance marked the second consecutive year Netflix aired NFL games on Christmas Day, continuing its strategy of pairing football with headline-making musical moments. By transforming halftime into a star-studded holiday event, the streaming giant reinforced its vision of Christmas Day NFL games as must-watch entertainment-not just for sports fans, but for families and music lovers as well.
For viewers at home and fans inside U.S. Bank Stadium, the message was clear: this wasn’t just a game. It was a Christmas celebration wrapped in touchdowns, snowfall, and an unlikely harmony of hip-hop, country, K-pop energy, and classical tradition.
And for one unforgettable halftime, football took a back seat to holiday magic.
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