When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
A Motown Christmas: Everything you need to know About the Star-studded Holiday Special
NBC is set to kick off the holiday season with A Motown Christmas, a star-studded special hosted by Smokey Robinson and Halle Bailey.
This thrilling event will feature timeless Motown classics performed by legendary artists such as Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, and The Temptations. In addition, today’s hottest stars, including Ashanti, Andra Day, BeBe Winans, Halle Bailey, Jamie Foxx, JoJo, October London, and Pentatonix, among others, will join in to deliver exciting performances, bringing new energy to the Motown sound.
The holiday spirit gets a whole new groove in this unique celebration, blending iconic Motown music with festive cheer for a night to remember. With the involvement of both legendary figures and fresh new voices, it promises to be a must-watch holiday special. The event will feature a dazzling array of surprises and unforgettable moments—details we can’t wait to share with you.
We’ll continue to keep you updated with more exciting information as it unfolds. Stay tuned to catch every thrilling development!
Release date & Where to Watch
The two-hour A Motown Christmas special will air on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, at 9 pm ET on NBC. The following day, it will be available to stream on Peacock.
What is A Motown Christmas About?
A Motown Christmas will be a star-studded, musical extravaganza celebrating the legendary Motown sound with both classic holiday favorites and iconic hits. The special will feature over 25 classic tracks performed by Motown legends like Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, and The Temptations, along with today's biggest stars paying tribute to these timeless songs.
Performers such as Ashanti, Andra Day, Halle Bailey, and Jamie Foxx, among others, will take the stage, delivering exclusive medleys and heartfelt tributes, including a special performance honoring the late Marvin Gaye by October London and JoJo.
The lineup also includes a world-exclusive performance from "MJ the Musical" and a rendition of “Last Christmas” by MGK. Andra Day will honor Motown founder Berry Gordy, while Halle Bailey will celebrate Diana Ross and the Supremes. An 11-piece live band, led by Emmy Award-winning musical director Rickey Minor, will back all performances, ensuring an unforgettable night of music and holiday cheer.
This special marks the latest Motown celebration on NBC following previous iconic specials. With nostalgia-filled renditions and festive tributes, “A Motown Christmas” promises to be a musical event that brings families together this holiday season.
Is There a Trailer for A Motown Christmas?
There isn't a trailer available yet, but we'll update this as soon as one is released.
Behind the Scenes
This unique holiday special, A Motown Christmas, is executive produced by six-time Emmy winner Debbie Allen and Suzanne de Passe, the former President of Motown Productions. With her extensive contributions to Motown, including bringing artists like the Jackson 5, and Lionel Richie and the Commodores into the fold, de Passe was recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
She’s joined by LeBron James, Maverick Carter, and the SpringHill team as executive producers, alongside Joe Braswell and Steve Barry from Kelchris, with Courtney Whitaker serving as co-executive producer for SpringHill.
Directed by Leon Knoles, the special promises to blend Motown’s iconic music with holiday cheer, featuring performances from Motown legends and artists. This marks NBC's latest collaboration with Motown, following the success of the 1983 Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever and the 1985 Motown Returns to the Apollo specials, both of which won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Music or Comedy Program.
Related
Most Popular
Most Popular