Let's be real for a second. Most holiday specials are boring. They’re safe, they’re shiny, and they usually involve a singer in a sequins gown standing in front of a fake fireplace pretending they don't have a massive touring budget. But back in 2019, Kacey Musgraves decided to do something a little bit stranger. The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show isn't just a collection of songs; it’s a Wes Anderson-inspired, neon-soaked, slightly melancholic fever dream that somehow feels more "Christmas" than the stuffy classics we grew up with.
It's weird. It’s colorful. It features a giant, sentient pile of trash voiced by James Corden. Honestly, if you haven’t revisited it lately on Amazon Prime Video, you’re missing out on the exact moment Kacey transitioned from "country star" to "intergalactic aesthetic icon."
What actually happens in the Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show?
If you're expecting a linear plot, you're looking in the wrong place. The show is basically a series of vignettes tied together by Kacey’s "home," which looks like a 1960s dollhouse designed by someone who really loves pastels and mid-century modern furniture. The premise is simple: Kacey is trying to get ready for the holidays, but her Grandma is late, the decorations are a mess, and famous people keep dropping by her living room.
Dan Levy—at the height of his Schitt’s Creek fame—acts as the narrator and comedic foil. His timing is perfect. He brings that frantic energy that anyone who has ever hosted a family dinner will immediately recognize. One minute he's obsessing over the staging, and the next, Kacey is sliding into a duet with Camila Cabello.
The musical guests are a massive part of why this worked. You’ve got Leon Bridges bringing a smooth, retro soul vibe to "Present Without a Bow," and Troye Sivan popping up for "Glittery," which is arguably the best original song on the soundtrack. It doesn't feel like a variety show where guests are forced into awkward banter. It feels like a party where everyone is just a little bit high on tinsel.
The "Nana" factor and real nostalgia
The heart of the show isn't the celebrity cameos, though. It’s the actual appearance of Kacey’s grandmother, Barbara (Nana) Musgraves.
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Kacey has always been vocal about her Texas roots. She doesn't fake the small-town connection. When Nana finally shows up toward the end of the special, it grounds the whole high-concept production. It reminds you that underneath the Gucci outfits and the stylized sets, this is a show about the anxiety and the warmth of going home. It’s that specific brand of "Golden Hour" sentimentality that Kacey does better than almost anyone else in the industry right now.
Why the aesthetic changed everything for holiday TV
For decades, the "Christmas Special" followed a rigid template set by Bing Crosby and Andy Williams. You had the sweaters. You had the fake snow. You had the choir.
The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show threw that out the window.
Instead of traditional red and green, the palette is heavy on pink, mustard yellow, and turquoise. The lighting is moody. It looks like a film. This wasn't an accident. Kacey worked with director Chris Casanova and production designers to create a world that felt "Kacey-core." It influenced how other artists approached streaming specials during the pandemic years that followed. It proved that you could be festive without being cheesy.
The setlist: Old favorites vs. new classics
Musically, the special pulls mostly from her 2016 album A Very Kacey Christmas, but the live arrangements here are superior.
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"Mele Kalikimaka" with the Queerties is a highlight purely for the visuals. Then you have the more somber moments. "Christmas Makes Me Cry" is a gut-punch. It’s the song for people who find the holidays lonely or overwhelming. Kacey performs it with such vulnerability that it cuts right through the kitsch of the rest of the show.
- "Glittery" (feat. Troye Sivan): The breakout hit. It’s sparkly, it’s pop, and it’s catchy as hell.
- "I’ll Be Home for Christmas" (feat. Lana Del Rey): This was a huge deal when it dropped. Lana’s vintage, sultry vocals paired with Kacey’s crystal-clear tone is a match made in retro heaven.
- "Ribbons and Bows": The high-energy opener that sets the "sugar-rush" tone for the first half.
Is it still worth a watch years later?
Absolutely. In fact, it’s aged better than most "topical" specials because it leans so hard into its own timeless aesthetic. It doesn't rely on 2019 memes or fleeting trends. It relies on good songwriting and a very specific visual language.
If you’re tired of the same three movies playing on a loop every December, this is the antidote. It’s short—running just under an hour—which makes it the perfect thing to put on while you're actually wrapping gifts or decorating your own tree.
How to get the most out of the experience
Don't just watch it on your phone. This is a production that deserves a big screen. The colors are incredibly saturated, and the costume changes alone—designed by Erica Cloud—are worth the price of admission. Kacey goes from a fringe-heavy cowgirl look to a sophisticated 1940s-style gown in a way that feels seamless.
Also, pay attention to the James Corden segment. I know, Corden is a polarizing figure for some, but his performance as the "Christmas Tree" (literally a pile of discarded holiday junk) is actually pretty funny. It adds a layer of absurdist humor that prevents the show from becoming too precious or self-serious.
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Actionable ways to bring the Kacey vibe to your holiday
If you want to replicate that Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show energy in your own life, you don't need a massive budget or a line-up of famous friends.
First, ditch the standard lighting. Go for warm, indirect lamps or even colored LED bulbs to create that "moody living room" look. Second, mix your eras. The special works because it blends 1950s kitsch with 1970s disco and modern pop sensibilities. Don't be afraid to put a disco ball next to a traditional nutcracker.
Finally, embrace the "Blue Christmas" of it all. Kacey’s whole brand is about acknowledging that life isn't always perfect, even when things are "Glittery." It’s okay if your holiday feels a little bit sad or a little bit weird. That’s actually the most authentic way to experience it.
- Stream the special: It remains an Amazon Prime Video exclusive. If you have a membership, it's sitting there waiting for you.
- Listen to the soundtrack separately: The audio-only album is available on Spotify and Apple Music. It’s a great way to hear the nuances in the Lana Del Rey and Leon Bridges collaborations.
- Check out the "making of" clips: There are several behind-the-scenes videos on YouTube that show how they built the dollhouse sets. For anyone interested in production design, it’s a masterclass in stylized filming.
- Follow the stylists: If you loved the clothes, look up Erica Cloud’s work. She often posts breakdowns of the specific vintage pieces Kacey wore during the filming.
There isn't a "sequel" yet, and honestly, there probably shouldn't be. This was a lightning-in-a-bottle moment for Kacey Musgraves. It captured her at the peak of her Golden Hour fame, right before she shifted into the more experimental sounds of Star-Crossed and Deeper Well. It’s a time capsule of a specific era in country-pop crossover history. It’s bright, it’s heartfelt, and it’s just the right amount of strange.