Holiday Specials: Kelly Clarkson, Jordan Smith and Tori Kelly

This season, reality-show alumni and chart-topping vocalists are front and center in a slate of holiday television specials. In addition to NBC’s Pentatonix Christmas special — which features guest star Kelly Clarkson — ABC is presenting three Disney-themed holiday programs that include performances by Clarkson and hosting duties from Dancing with the Stars favorites Julianne and Derek Hough. NBC’s annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center will also showcase artists such as Jordan Smith and Tori Kelly.

Below is a clear summary of the Disney holiday lineup and NBC’s Rockefeller Center broadcast, including confirmed performances and schedule highlights.

ABC Holiday Specials — Hosts and Highlights

Julianne Hough and Derek Hough will host two ABC specials: The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration on Thanksgiving night and The Disney Parks’ Magical Christmas Celebration on Christmas morning. Julianne Hough also serves as an executive producer on both ABC specials.

Multi–Grammy Award–winner Kelly Clarkson is set to perform on all three Disney holiday broadcasts. From locations across the Walt Disney World Resort, she will sing selections from her 2013 holiday album Wrapped in Red as well as a popular hit from her catalog. The Disney|ABC Television Group and IMG are producing these events.

Multi-platform airing notes:

THANKSGIVING — THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24 (8:00–10:00 p.m. EST)
The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration premieres on ABC and the ABC app. Hosts Julianne and Derek Hough will welcome special guests and musical moments from the Walt Disney World Resort.

Confirmed musical performances include:

• Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks — solo and duet performances from their album Christmas Together.
• Kelly Clarkson — performing “Underneath the Tree” and “Stronger.”

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25
Disney Parks Presents: A Descendants Magical Holiday Celebration airs on Disney Channel (8:00–9:00 p.m. EST) and on Disney Channel digital platforms, with on-demand and encore presentations through December 20.

Confirmed musical performances include:

• “Jolly to the Core,” performed by Dove Cameron, Cameron Boyce, Sofia Carson and Booboo Stewart.
• China Anne McClain — performing “This Christmas.”
• Sofia Carson — performing “Silent Night.”
• Forever In Your Mind — performing “Celebrate.”
• Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks — holiday duet from Christmas Together.
• Kelly Clarkson — performing an additional song for this special.

CHRISTMAS — SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25 (10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. EST)
The Disney Parks’ Magical Christmas Celebration will air on ABC and on ABC and Disney Channel apps. Julianne and Derek Hough host another festive event featuring the Christmas Day parade, musical performances, surprise celebrity guests and family stories filmed across Disney Parks.

Confirmed musical performances include:

• Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks — solo and duet performances from Christmas Together.
• Kelly Clarkson — performing “Underneath the Tree.”
• Sofia Carson — performing “Silent Night” with an alternate arrangement and contributing backstage hosting.
• Jordan Fisher — performing “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire).”

Additional performers and segments are expected to be announced in the weeks leading up to each broadcast.

NBC — Christmas in Rockefeller Center

NBC’s Christmas in Rockefeller Center celebrates the annual tree lighting with a primetime special. The program is hosted by Today show anchors and features an array of well-known performers, including Tony Bennett, Neil Diamond, Josh Groban, Tori Kelly, Sarah McLachlan, Dolly Parton, Jordan Smith, and Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood, along with the Radio City Rockettes. A separate live hour may air in selected markets prior to the primetime telecast; check local listings for details.

Jordan Smith, the Season 9 winner of The Voice, is listed among the performers and is promoting a seasonal release, while Tori Kelly — who rose to prominence on American Idol and subsequent recordings — will also appear. The special highlights the iconic Rockefeller Center tree, which this year is a Norway spruce decorated with tens of thousands of LED lights.

Across networks, these holiday specials combine parade footage, park festivities, and curated musical sets to create family-friendly programming aimed at celebrating the season. With repeat appearances by major artists such as Kelly Clarkson and high-profile hosts like Julianne and Derek Hough, the broadcasts offer a blend of live performance, nostalgic moments, and contemporary holiday music.

Stay tuned for final lineups and any additional guest announcements as the holiday broadcasts approach. Each event will air on its respective network and be available across participating apps and on-demand platforms where noted.