On Christmas Day 2025, Snoop Dogg did far more than simply perform at an NFL halftime show — he owned the moment.
Turning the break in play between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings into a full‑blown holiday spectacle that instantly became one of the most talked‑about entertainment events of the year.
Headlining Netflix’s NFL Christmas Gameday Halftime Show, Snoop transformed what is normally a brief intermission into a cultural milestone — a festive, genre‑spanning celebration that blended hip‑hop legend energy with holiday enchantment, surprising collaborations, and a live‑broadcast atmosphere tailor‑made for the streaming age.
Titled “Snoop’s Holiday Halftime Party,” the performance aired live on Netflix as part of the streamer’s second annual Christmas Day NFL coverage, following last year’s critically lauded halftime show headlined by Beyoncé.
But while 2024’s event leaned into contemporary pop production, Snoop’s show was a cross‑genre mashup that reflected his career, his influences, and the broad, inclusive spirit of the holidays — from rap classics to country twang to classical opera.
A Festive Opening: Funk, Tradition, and Literary Holiday Cheer
The festivities kicked off with a playful flourish. George Clinton, the legendary funk pioneer whose influence on American music spans decades, took the stage first, delivering an electrifying set that set the tone for the evening — one that celebrated musical history and invited everyone in the stadium and at home to let go of holiday stress and simply enjoy.
Soon after, household personality Martha Stewart appeared, lending her unmistakable voice to a playful, halftime‑themed reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Her playful twist on the classic poem — peppered with halftime imagery — immediately put the audience in a festive mood, highlighting that this halftime was not just about sports or music, but about a shared cultural celebration.
Clinton and Stewart’s presence was more than just an opener. It underscored Snoop’s ability to blend diverse influences and personalities in ways that feel organic rather than forced — bringing together funk, lifestyle icons, and holiday tradition as naturally as he would his own West Coast swagger.
Snoop Takes Center Stage: Hits, Holiday Vibes, and Crowd Favorites
When Snoop Dogg finally took center stage, the atmosphere shifted into high gear. Wearing a bright red suit with a long coat trimmed in festive fur, he owned the U.S. Bank Stadium gridiron with commanding presence, walking onto the field with the confidence of an artist who has long since transcended traditional performance boundaries.
From the first beats, Snoop delivered a seamless procession of his most iconic songs. He opened with an energetic rendition of classics like “Gin and Juice,” “Who Am I (What’s My Name?),” and “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” reminding audiences why he remains one of hip‑hop’s most enduring stars.
But this wasn’t a simple greatest‑hits play — Snoop wove in holiday flavor, slipping into festive arrangements, remixing familiar melodies, and inviting the audience to experience both nostalgia and novelty at once.
Backed by a live orchestra and expressive dancers whose costumes echoed holiday themes, the mix of hip‑hop sounds with seasonal cheer made the halftime show feel like an event instead of an intermission.
A Global and Genre‑Bending Lineup
Midway through the performance, the energy took a distinct creative turn. Snoop welcomed HUNTR/X — the fictional K‑Pop girl group from Netflix’s hit animated property KPOP Demon Hunters, voiced by Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami — for a spirited rendition of “The 12 Days of Christmas.”
Their polished, pop‑infused take on the holiday classic bridged cultural worlds, showcasing how global entertainment — even animated music projects — can intersect with live sports and holiday programming.
This genre‑blending spirit carried on with country superstar Lainey Wilson, who arrived via a playful “Snoopmobile” sleigh for her turn at “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town.”
Wilson’s country twang added another musical dimension to the show, reminding viewers that this halftime was built around diversity in sound and style, not just pure spectacle.
And just when it seemed the show had reached its pinnacle, Snoop surprised viewers with an unexpected and deeply evocative finale: the legendary Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, joined by his son Matteo Bocelli, appeared to close the set with a powerful performance of “White Christmas.”
Their classical crossover vocals, rich and resonant, brought a sense of elegant closure to a performance that had already traversed many musical landscapes — from hip‑hop to K‑Pop pop, from country charm to opera sophistication.
This blending of distinct musical worlds highlighted not only Snoop’s prodigious range as an entertainer but also the broader creative ambition behind Netflix and the NFL’s Christmas programming.
The performance didn’t just draw from one genre; it celebrated the idea that holiday entertainment can be as diverse as the audience itself.
Reception: Praise, Comparisons, and Cultural Impact
Public reaction to the halftime show was immediate and widespread. On social media, many fans hailed Snoop’s performance as one of the most memorable in recent history, with some even comparing it favorably to Super Bowl halftime shows, which have traditionally defined peak live performance moments in American pop culture.
NFL icon James Harrison and political commentator Meghan McCain were among those on social platforms suggesting that Snoop’s lineup “outshined many past halftime spectacles,” a testament to its broad appeal and creative execution.
Critics noted that the show’s cross‑genre inclusivity — from hip‑hop legends to classical tenors — spoke to a new era of halftime entertainment.
By moving beyond the typical playbook of single‑style concerts, Snoop’s performance demonstrated how live events can bridge cultural forms and bring fans of various backgrounds together during a shared broadcast moment.
Of course, not all reactions were entirely celebratory. Some viewers on discussion forums pointed out that the game broadcast itself received criticism for technical issues, commentary interruptions, and audio challenges — yet even among those critiques, Snoop’s halftime set remained a widely praised highlight of the day’s festivities.
White Christmas, suggesting that the musical performance succeeded even when the sporting broadcast experience was uneven.
A Standalone Netflix Special
Reflecting the cultural weight of the moment, Netflix announced that the halftime show would debut as a standalone special on its streaming platform on December 26, 2025 — giving viewers another chance to watch every surprise appearance, musical twist, and creative moment in full.
This move underscores how the show has transcended its original context, inviting audiences to revisit it outside of the live sports broadcast and helping solidify Snoop’s performance as a defining entertainment moment of the holiday season.
What This Means for NFL and Holiday Entertainment
Snoop Dogg’s Christmas Day halftime performance marks more than just a successful show — it represents a shift in how holiday entertainment is conceived for modern audiences.
By blending live sports, streaming platforms, and multi‑genre musical acts, Netflix and the NFL have crafted an event that feels less like a commercial pause and more like a cultural celebration.
Following Beyoncé’s groundbreaking performance in 2024 and now Snoop’s boundary‑pushing set in 2025, the format is rapidly evolving into a must‑watch holiday tradition — one that marries athletic spectacle with artistic creativity in ways that mainstream audiences increasingly expect.
Snoop Dogg, in particular, demonstrated that he is not only a veteran performer but a curator of moments.
By inviting collaborators as varied as Lainey Wilson and Andrea Bocelli, he turned halftime into a holiday concert, a pop‑culture event, and a showcase of cross‑cultural respect — all while staying true to his roots and signature style.
A Holiday Performance to Remember
One thing is certain: Snoop Dogg didn’t just appear at this halftime show — he transformed it.
Through daring creative choices, seamless musical transitions, and an uncanny ability to bring together artists from seemingly disparate worlds, he delivered a performance that will be discussed long after the Christmas decorations are packed away.
Whether audiences tune in for the hip‑hop anthems, the country charm, the animated pop vocals, or the operatic finale, there was something in “Snoop’s Holiday Halftime Party” for everyone — and that inclusive spirit may be its most lasting legacy.
In a world where live entertainment is constantly seeking the next big moment, Snoop Dogg reminded us on Christmas Day 2025 that sometimes the biggest moments come not from spectacle alone but from bringing people together — across genres, generations, and traditions — for a celebration that feels as joyful as the holiday itself.
