d+ Lainey Wilson Brings Country to Christmas Day as She Joins Snoop Dogg for NFL Halftime Show in Minneapolis
Christmas Day is usually reserved for family gatherings, holiday meals, and wall-to-wall football. But this year, the NFL is adding an unexpected musical twist — and at the center of it is Lainey Wilson.
It was announced this week that Wilson will perform during the Christmas Day halftime show alongside Snoop Dogg at the Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions game, airing live from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The game — and the halftime spectacle — will stream exclusively on Netflix, marking another major step in the platform’s expanding partnership with live sports and entertainment.
At first glance, the pairing feels unconventional. A chart-topping country star sharing a Christmas Day stage with one of hip-hop’s most iconic figures isn’t exactly standard halftime fare. But that unpredictability is precisely what’s fueling excitement — and curiosity — across the music and sports worlds.
A Halftime Show Built on Contrast and Surprise
According to the official announcement, Snoop Dogg’s “Holiday Halftime Party” will feature appearances from the singing voices behind Netflix’s animated project KPOP Demon Hunters — EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami — along with a special performance from Wilson. Whether all of the artists will share the stage at once or perform in separate segments remains unclear, but Snoop Dogg has promised additional surprise guests.
“You’ll have to wait until Christmas to see who else joins Uncle Snoop,” he teased. “But trust — it’s gonna be a holiday to remember.”
The idea of blending country, hip-hop, K-pop-inspired vocals, and NFL spectacle may sound ambitious, but the league has increasingly leaned into genre-crossing performances designed to appeal to a broad, global audience — especially with Netflix’s worldwide reach.
Lainey Wilson Is No Stranger to Big Halftime Moments
For Wilson, this isn’t her first time commanding a massive holiday audience. In 2024, she headlined the Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Day Halftime Show, delivering crowd-pleasing performances of “Heart Like a Truck” and “Hang Tight Honey.” That set reached an emotional peak when she welcomed Jelly Roll to the stage for their duet “Save Me,” a moment that resonated well beyond the stadium.
While this Christmas Day appearance won’t be a solo headlining slot, Wilson’s ability to hold her own alongside artists from entirely different musical worlds has become one of her defining strengths. No matter the setting, she brings a grounded authenticity that consistently connects with audiences.
Capping Off a Career-Defining Year
The Christmas Day halftime show also serves as a fitting bookend to one of the biggest years of Wilson’s career. In 2025, she not only completed her extensive Whirlwind headlining tour but also took on a major hosting role at the CMA Awards — a night where she emerged as one of the most celebrated artists in the genre.
Wilson walked away with Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year for Whirlwind, and the coveted Entertainer of the Year award. The wins cemented her status as one of country music’s most influential voices, not just in sound, but in presence and storytelling.
On the radio charts, she continued her momentum by earning her ninth career No. 1 single with “Somewhere Over Laredo,” a track featured on the deluxe edition of Whirlwind. The song, co-written with Trannie Anderson and Dallas Wilson, also credits Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg due to its interpolation of “Over the Rainbow,” famously performed by Judy Garland in the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz.
Looking Ahead While Still Showing Up
Beyond music, 2025 also brought major personal milestones for Wilson, including her engagement to former NFL quarterback Duck Hodges. With wedding plans on the horizon and strong hints of new music expected in 2026, the next chapter of her career already feels loaded with promise.
Yet true to form, Wilson isn’t slowing down. In addition to the Christmas Day halftime performance, she’s set to appear on New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash, ensuring she closes out the year the same way she spent it — on stage, in the spotlight, and fully committed to her craft.
As millions tune in on Christmas afternoon, one thing is certain: whether fans come for football, for Snoop Dogg, or for Lainey Wilson, they’ll be witnessing a halftime show built on bold choices, unexpected chemistry, and a reminder that the holidays — much like great music — are better when they surprise you.
