While the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings battled on the gridiron this Christmas Day, it was the halftime entertainment that truly turned the NFL game into a holiday party. Rap icon Snoop Dogg headlined a spectacular and diverse musical showcase, marking the league's second annual Christmas halftime special streamed on Netflix.
A Festive and Fashionable Entrance
The performance began with a unique holiday introduction from Snoop Dogg's longtime friend and business partner, Martha Stewart. She welcomed viewers with a personalized twist on the classic poem "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." Snoop then took center stage at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, decked out in a lavish long red fur-lined coat with a matching red suit underneath.
He immediately engaged the crowd, announcing they were about to perform some of his favourite Christmas songs, before launching into a surprising rendition of "My Favourite Things" from The Sound of Music. The show quickly pivoted to his legendary hip-hop catalogue, treating fans to a medley of his greatest hits including "The Next Episode," "Nuthin' but a G Thang," "Who Am I (What's My Name)?" and "Drop it Like it's Hot."
A Genre-Blending Musical Celebration
True to the show's star-studded billing, Snoop was joined by an eclectic mix of special guests. The voices of Netflix's animated hit KPop Demon Hunters, the group HUNTR/X (Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami), delivered a vibrant performance of "The 12 Days of Christmas." The segment highlighted the vocal talent that earned their song "Golden" a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year.
Country music sensation Lainey Wilson made a memorable entrance, riding onto the field in a sleigh while wearing a white jumpsuit and cowboy hat. She wowed the audience with her powerful version of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." The halftime extravaganza concluded on a serene note with the legendary Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo performing a beautiful "White Christmas." They were joined on stage by Snoop and all the other performers for a final, unifying moment.
Netflix's Growing NFL Entertainment Partnership
The event on December 25, 2025, represented the second consecutive year the NFL has produced a special Christmas halftime show for Netflix. The first, dubbed the "Beyonce Bowl" in 2024 and headlined by Beyoncé with Post Malone and Shaboozey, was even nominated for an Emmy Award.
For Snoop Dogg, the performance added to his impressive resume of major sporting event shows. He previously took the stage at Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles in 2022, performing alongside Dr. Dre, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar in a celebrated hip-hop homage. The Christmas special successfully blended hip-hop, country, classical, and K-pop, offering a festive musical feast that extended far beyond the football field.
