The holiday season is officially here, and country music’s coziest TV tradition is back. CMA Country Christmas premieres tonight, December 2nd at 9/8c on ABC, bringing a full night of big voices, classic carols, and once-a-year collaborations that feel like musical warm cocoa.

Here’s everything you need to know before you tune in.

What is CMA Country Christmas?

Since 2010, “CMA Country Christmas” has been the Country Music Association’s annual holiday special, filmed in Nashville and built around festive performances from some of country’s biggest stars (plus a few friends from outside the genre). It’s a celebration of the season through music, think timeless Christmas standards, fresh originals, and unexpected pairings that only happen on this stage.

This year marks the 16th season, continuing the show’s tradition of turning country’s biggest names into your holiday soundtrack for the night.

Your Guide to Watching Tonight

“CMA Country Christmas” premieres tonight, Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 9/8c on ABC, kicking off the season with a full night of holiday performances. If you can’t catch it live, the special will be available to stream afterward on Hulu and Disney+, making it easy to rewatch your favorite moments whenever you’re ready for a little extra Christmas cheer.

Meet Tonight’s Hosts

For the first time, Lauren Daigle and Jordan Davis are co-hosting. It’s a new hosting duo with totally complementary energy: Daigle’s powerhouse warmth and Davis’ laid-back charm make them a natural fit for guiding the night, and they’ll each step into performance mode, too.

Who’s Taking the Stage?

The lineup balances chart-toppers, harmony-heavy favorites, and soulful holiday standouts. Expect performances from:

Lauren Daigle, Jordan Davis, Lady A, Riley Green, Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney, Little Big Town, BeBe Winans, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Susan Tedeschi, and Derek Trucks (with Winans).

In other words: big voices, big feelings, and a lot of “wait, this combo rules actually” moments.

Tonight’s Must-See Musical Moments

This year’s setlist blends beloved classics with fresh country holiday favorites and a few can’t-miss collaborations. Lauren Daigle joins the Preservation Hall Jazz Band for a joyful medley of “Jingle Bells,” “What Child Is This,” and “Winter Wonderland,” while Jordan Davis teams up with Little Big Town for a heartfelt “Go Tell It On The Mountain.” Along the way, Lady A delivers “Angels (Glory to God)” and “Wouldn’t Be Christmas,” Riley Green performs “Christmas To Me,” Parker McCollum takes on “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” and Megan Moroney brings her seasonal original “All I Want for Christmas Is a Cowboy.” Little Big Town also performs “If We Make It Through December,” BeBe Winans shares “We Are the Reason,” and Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, and BeBe Winans join forces for “Children, Go Where I Send Thee,” rounding out a night designed for both cozy nostalgia and big-show vocal moments.

Where the Holiday Magic Happened

The show was filmed in Nashville at the Belmont Fisher Center inside Belmont University, in front of a live audience—so expect a real concert feel, not a sterile soundstage. That live-room energy is part of why this special hits every year.

What Makes This Special a Tradition

There are a million holiday specials in December, but “CMA Country Christmas” stays in heavy rotation because it knows its lane: music first, sentiment second, spectacle third. It’s a straightforward, warm, performance-driven night that feels like a seasonal tradition instead of just another TV event.

So whether you’re here for the harmonies, the classics, or just an excuse to light a candle and be soft for two hours—this is your sign to tune in.

Happy CMA Christmas, y’all.

Photo Credit: ABC/CMA