An Elvis Presley-themed holiday TV special makes sense for a couple of reasons. One, his Graceland mansion in Memphis turns into a winter wonderland this time of year. The Holiday Lighting Ceremony took place on Nov. 16, during which a switch got flipped and blue Christmas lights and other decorations turned on. Special holiday tours held in 2023 from Nov. 16- Dec. 23 offer a glimpse at the grounds and the mansion itself while Presley's Christmas decor is on full display. If you can't make it through December, the lights won't be put away until after Jan. 8, which is Presley's birthday.
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Two, Presley's "Blue Christmas" has been in heavy holiday rotation ever since its 1957 release. Presley's lovesick delivery and the Jordanaire's harmony vocals make the song no less synonymous with Christmas than Gene Autry's "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You" and other pop culture staples. Country star Kane Brown's voice joins that of Presley this year for a "Blue Christmas" mashup that gives Elvis just as many new singles as The Beatles.
Thus, Graceland is the ideal place and Presley is a worthy focal point of Christmas at Graceland, which airs live from Memphis on NBC. It goes live a little late by primetime special standards (10 p.m. ET and PT), but since it'll be the first event of its kind emanating from the King's castle, it should be well worth it for Presley fans to watch the special as it happens.
Read on for all the details about the first-time event.
How to Watch
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NBC will air the special, which will be simulcast on the network's streaming service, Peacock.
As mentioned above, it'll air at 10 p.m. ET/PT. It's starting a little late because it's part of a live double-header with the annual two-hour (8 p.m.- 10 p.m. ET/PT) Christmas at Rockefeller Center special. Kelly Clarkson, whose talk show is now filmed at Rockefeller Center, will host the tree lighting and musical festivities as well as perform holiday tunes.
"I'm so excited to consider this city and Rockefeller Center my new home, and I can't imagine a better way to kick off Christmas this year than to be a part of this beautiful New York tradition with the lighting of the tree!," Clarkson shared in a press release.
The massive Rockefeller Christmas tree has been a New York City tradition since 1931— four years before Presley's birth.
Who's Performing
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Brown will be there, and though this isn't advertised, him singing "Blue Christmas" feels like a given. He's not the only country star scheduled, with Lainey Wilson, The War and Treaty and Christmas special veteran Kacey Musgraves also on the bill. The cross-genre event will also feature performances by Alanis Morissette, John Legend, Lana Del Rey and country moonlighter Post Malone.
Will Riley Keough Be There?
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Yes, Presley's granddaughter, Emmy Award-nominated actor Riley Keough, is slated for an appearance. In addition, she's an executive producer of the special under her Felix Culpa banner with Gina Gammell.
Done + Dusted, Authentic Studios and Felix Culpa will executive produce the special along with Graceland's Joel Weinshanker.
The first Felix Culpa project was War Pony, which is also the first film co-directed by Keough, who shared that credit with Gammell.
Will There Be Surprise Gifts For Elvis Fans?
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Per the Graceland website, the special will include never-before broadcast holiday footage from the Presley vault. Plus, we're sure to get a different look at Graceland through the broadcast, even if you've visited the grounds and consider yourself an independent Presley scholar.
