CMA Country Christmas 2023: How To Watch And Who’s Performing

Get ready to ring in the holiday season with the 14th annual holiday television special, CMA Country Christmas. In anticipation of the festive evening airing on Thursday, Dec. 14, the Country Music Association has announced this year’s star-studded lineup of performers. 

Who Is Hosting CMA Country Christmas 2023?

Hosted by Country Music stars Amy Grant and Trisha Yearwood, CMA Country Christmas features “one-of-a-kind” musical performances that will showcase a mix of holiday favorites and original Christmas songs. 

Alongside their hosting duties, Grant and Yearwood will take the stage for several performances throughout the evening including their joint delivery of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” alongside famous violinist, songwriter, and dancer, Lindsey Stirling for “Joy to the World.” Later on, Grant will return to the stage to sing her 1992 rendition of “Grown Up Christmas List” and Yearwood will partner with Stirling to sing the classic, “O Holy Night.”

“We’re so excited to be co-hosting the CMA Country Christmas this year. I’m such a fan,” Yearwood said in a recent interview with CMA. 

The “She’s In Love With the Boy” singer went on to admit that she is “most looking forward” to sharing the stage with her fellow co-host. “We’ve known each other, we see each other at events and we get to hang out a little bit, but to really get to spend some time together has been really nice, and to sing together…I’m just so excited.”

“You feel so familiar to me and that’s been my biggest excitement about this and sharing music,” Amy revealed wholeheartedly before Yearwood added, “This definitely is a friendship that will be beyond the Christmas season.”

Who Is Performing On CMA Country Christmas?

The remainder of the performance lineup includes Jordan Davis (“O Come All Ye Faithful”), Lady A (“What Christmas Means to Me”), Ashley McBryde with Stirling (“You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”), Jon Pardi (“Beer for Santa”), The War And Treaty (“Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)”), and Zach Williams with Lainey Wilson(“Go Tell It On The Mountain”). 

For several of the artists like McBryde and Davis, this will mark their very first time getting to take part in the festive evening.

“Christmas is my favorite time of year. For me, we always kind of stop touring right at the beginning of December just because it means a lot to me to be at home, to be with the family. So this being my first year to get to do CMA Country Christmas is really special, so I’m excited,” said Davis.

“This is my first time to perform on CMA Country Christmas and when I found out who I was performing with, I went down the rabbit hole. So I’m most excited to perform with Lindsey,” McBryde admitted of Stirling who she will join on stage for a rendition of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” 

“She is a hoot,” Stirling said of McBryde, while discussing their recent rehearsal. “I absolutely fell in love with her, not only as a musician, which I knew she was amazing, but just as a person, she’s so fun.”

What Makes The Show So Special?

As for seven-time CMA Country Christmas veterans Lady A, they revealed what it is about this show that makes it such a special event for both them and viewers at home.

“I think what makes CMA Country Christmas so special is it’s just something that the whole family can watch. It’s hard for us to find shows that the kids can watch and that we can enjoy at the same time. And [it] just gets you in the spirit, gets you excited. It really is kind of a part of our tradition now,” said Lady A band member, Charles Kelley.

These artists will bring holiday classics to life in front of a live audience in Nashville, TN, just as country stars have done since 2010 when CMA Country Christmas began. 

Produced by the Country Music Association, CMA Country Christmas is directed by Milton Sneed, written by Jon Macks and executively produced by Robert Deaton. CMA also once again partnered with Balsam Hill to bring a stunning array of realistic artificial Christmas trees and other holiday décor to the set of CMA Country Christmas. For more information regarding the decorations you will see on stage, visit balsamhill.com/c/cma. 

Where Can I Watch CMA Country Christmas?

CMA Country Christmas will air Thursday, Dec. 14 (8:00-9:02 PM/EST) on ABC and next day on Hulu and Disney+ so that country music fans all over the country can snuggle up in front of the fire, grab a warm drink and experience the magic alongside their families from the comfort of their home.