Honestly, the holidays can get a little repetitive. You’ve got the same three claymation movies on a loop, the same Michael Bublé tracks in every grocery store, and enough Hallmark movies to power a small city. But then there’s The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show.
It’s weird. It’s pink. It is aggressively kitschy.
When it first dropped on Amazon Prime Video back in 2019, people weren’t entirely sure what to make of it. Was it a parody? A sincere tribute to those old-school Judy Garland specials? A fever dream fueled by Nashville glitter and some really high-end set design? The answer is basically "all of the above." If you haven't seen it yet—or if you've only heard the soundtrack on Spotify—you're missing out on one of the most polarizing and fascinating holiday productions of the last decade.
What is The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show actually about?
Most holiday specials have a "plot," and I use that term loosely here. In this one, Kacey is preparing for a big Christmas party while her house is in a state of chaotic, Wes Anderson-esque perfection. The main conflict? She can't find her Nana’s Christmas tree star.
That’s it. That is the whole tension of the 45-minute special.
Dan Levy (of Schitt’s Creek fame) serves as the narrator, and he’s basically playing a version of David Rose if David were a cynical, slightly overwhelmed holiday elf. He spends most of the special delivering dry one-liners and helping Kacey navigate a series of increasingly absurd celebrity arrivals.
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What makes it work is the aesthetic. Every frame looks like a vintage postcard that’s been dipped in neon sugar. It doesn't look like "real" life, and it isn't trying to. The show embraces the "camp" factor with open arms—we’re talking about a laugh track that feels intentionally clunky and sets that look like they were built inside a jewelry box.
The guest list is low-key insane
You don't usually see this many disparate famous people in one room unless it's the Met Gala or a very specific type of award show. Kacey managed to pull in a roster that spans from indie darlings to actual reality TV royalty.
- Lana Del Rey: She shows up to perform "I’ll Be Home for Christmas," and it is exactly as moody and atmospheric as you’d want it to be.
- Troye Sivan: He joins Kacey for the original track "Glittery." Their chemistry is great, and the whole segment is bathed in this soft, shimmering light that makes you want to go buy a disco ball for your living room immediately.
- Camila Cabello: She brings a ton of energy to "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," though some critics at the time wished they’d given the song more of a Latin-pop twist to match her style.
- Leon Bridges: His duet of "Present Without a Bow" is arguably the musical highlight. It’s soulful, smooth, and feels like an instant classic.
- Kendall Jenner: This is the one that always catches people off guard. She doesn't sing. Instead, she recreates the famous Love Actually cue card scene, trying to convince Kacey to swap lives for the holidays because they "both have brown hair." It’s bizarre, but in a way that fits the show's "why not?" energy.
Why critics (and fans) can't agree on it
If you look at the reviews from when it launched, you'll see a pretty wide split. On one hand, you have people who absolutely adore the Wes Anderson-inspired visuals and the "classic Kacey" kitsch. They see the cheesy skits and the repetitive jokes (like the windows blowing open during "Let It Snow" with James Corden) as a clever wink to the audience.
On the other hand, some viewers found it cringeworthy.
There's a segment with Fred Armisen during "Silent Night" where he plays a handyman who won't stop making noise while Kacey tries to sing. For some, it’s a funny bit about the frustrations of the holidays. For others, it’s a "bit" that goes on about thirty seconds too long.
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But here’s the thing: holiday music is inherently a little bit tacky. Kacey knows this. She leaned into the saccharine nature of the season while keeping that sharp, "Mind Your Own Biscuits" edge that made her a star in the first place.
The "Christmas Makes Me Cry" moment
In the middle of all the glitter and the Rockettes (yes, the actual Radio City Rockettes show up for the finale), there is a moment of genuine vulnerability. Kacey performs "Christmas Makes Me Cry," a song from her 2016 album A Very Kacey Christmas.
It’s a stark contrast to the rest of the show.
While the rest of the special is about the performance of joy, this song acknowledges that the holidays can be lonely and overwhelming. It’s probably the most "human" moment in the whole 45 minutes. It reminds you that underneath the suede jumpsuits and the celebrity cameos, Kacey is a songwriter who knows how to twist a knife in your heart just as well as she can make you dance.
Is it still worth watching in 2026?
Absolutely.
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Even if you aren't a die-hard country fan, the production value alone makes it worth a stream on Prime Video. It’s short—only about 45 minutes—which is the perfect length for something this stylized. You don't have to commit to a three-hour epic; you can just soak in the aesthetics and the duets.
Honestly, it has aged surprisingly well because it was never trying to be "trendy." By aiming for a retro, 1960s variety show vibe, it bypassed the trap of looking dated a few years later. It still feels like a weird, glittery capsule of time.
How to get the most out of your watch
If you're planning to sit down with this, don't expect a gritty documentary or a high-stakes drama. Go in expecting a celebration of artifice.
- Watch for the costumes: Kacey changes her look for nearly every song. The styling is impeccable—sparkly bows, silver dresses, and jumpsuits that would make Elvis jealous.
- Listen to the original songs: While the covers are fine, Kacey’s original holiday tracks like "Glittery" and "Ribbons and Bows" are where she really shines.
- Appreciate the set design: The use of color is masterclass stuff. The way the turquoise walls in the Leon Bridges segment interact with Kacey's dress is the kind of detail that makes the special feel like a high-fashion editorial.
Next Steps for Your Holiday Watchlist
To truly appreciate the evolution of Kacey's holiday brand, you should start by listening to her 2016 album A Very Kacey Christmas before watching the special. It gives you the foundation for her "classic country with a twist" approach. After that, head over to Amazon Prime Video to stream the special. If you're a fan of the soundtrack, the "Glittery" duet with Troye Sivan is available as a standalone single on most platforms, which is perfect for adding some sparkle to your permanent holiday rotation.