In a stunning display of holiday spirit and superstar talent, Beyoncé transformed the NFL Christmas Halftime Show into an unforgettable “Cowboy Carter” celebration during the Texans-Ravens game in her hometown of Houston, Texas, on December 25, 2024. This marked the first live performance of songs from her hit 2024 album “Cowboy Carter,” and fans couldn’t have asked for a more dazzling gift.

Riding onto the stage on horseback, Beyoncé opened with the captivating track “16 Carriages.” As she gracefully dismounted, classic cars formed a striking backdrop for her rendition of The Beatles’ timeless piece, “Blackbird.” The performance was elevated further by the incredible vocals of Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, and Reyna Roberts, who joined her for the special track.

The excitement reached new heights when Post Malone made a surprise entrance to perform their collaboration, “Levii’s Jeans,” immediately following an energetic duet with the country star Shaboozey. The synergy between the artists created an electric atmosphere that had fans on their feet.

Beyoncé didn’t stop there! Accompanied by a full marching band, she belted out “Ya Ya” and shared a heartwarming moment as her daughter, Blue Ivy, danced alongside her during the upbeat song “Texas Hold ‘Em.” Rounding off her magnificent performance, Beyoncé expressed her holiday cheer, saying, “Merry Christmas, god bless y’all,” as she was elevated above the field on a stunning white platform.

This performance is just another feather in the cap for Beyoncé, who has a rich history with NFL events. She headlined the 2013 Super Bowl Halftime Show and graced the stage alongside Coldplay and Bruno Mars during the 2016 Super Bowl. Just this past February, she teased fans about “Cowboy Carter” in an ad during the Super Bowl, building anticipation for the album that has since garnered an impressive 11 Grammy nominations.

Beyoncé created buzz leading up to her performance with a humorous video showcasing her agility—stopping a rolling football in high heels while plucking a banjo to “Texas Hold ‘Em.” The clever short even included a cheeky nod to common streaming issues, playfully imitating a buffering error.

Netflix, which streamed both the Chiefs-Steelers and Texans-Ravens games, promised improvements to their services to ensure a smooth viewing experience for fans, especially given the large audiences expected for holiday sports events.

In addition to Bey’s stellar performance, Mariah Carey, known as the Queen of Christmas, also made a notable appearance during the NFL festivities. She delighted audiences with a pre-recorded rendition of her iconic song “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the beloved hit. Filmed on a rooftop in Los Angeles, Carey’s performance encapsulated the joy of the season, featuring festive dancers and children amidst a stunning artificial snowfall.

With both Beyoncé and Mariah Carey gracing the holiday stage, this year’s NFL Christmas Halftime Show was nothing short of legendary. Fans are still buzzing about the star-studded celebration that perfectly kicked off the festive season!