Re-Live “Christmas At Graceland” With All 8 Performances
on Dec 05, 2023
On November 29, 2023, the first-ever Christmas at Graceland special aired in NBC.
Elvis Presley’s beloved home Graceland is turned into a winter wonderland every year, so it made sense to finally have a televised holiday special filmed there! Christmas at Graceland was executive produced by Riley Keough, who is the eldest daughter of the late Lisa Marie Presley.
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“My family and I are elated to open the doors to Graceland in this first-of-its-kind special,” Keough said in a statement. “With intimate musical performances drawing inspiration from my grandfather Elvis’s cherished Christmases in Memphis, viewers will be invited to experience firsthand the magic that is Christmas at Graceland.”
How many people watched Christmas at Graceland?
Christmas at Graceland pulled in 5.2 million viewers and was the most-watched program in its 10pm time slot. If you missed Christmas at Graceland, don’t worry! We will recap every minute for you.
Lainey Wilson opened the show by driving past the Graceland gates.
She sang “Santa Claus Is Back In Town” in front of Graceland Mansion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG2WUneTxlE
Following Wilson’s performance Keough opened the Graceland Mansion door and said, “Welcome to Graceland.” She then walked us to the iconic Jungle Room while introducing Lana Del Rey, who performed “Unchained Melody.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrkrVy76suA
Dolly Parton appeared on screen to speak about the significance that Presley had on her life, and her best memory of him when she was 10 years old and he was on The Ed Sullivan Show.
After a few old family videos graced the screen, we were taken to the Graceland Stable, where Kane Brown performed a duet version of “Blue Christmas” with Elvis himself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT65Gmpl8N4
Keough and Del Rey sat down at the dinner table and talked about the singer’s Christmas traditions and were gabbing like old friends.
Keough explained that she and her family watched The Grinch every Christmas Eve for her entire life. Next, Jennifer Hudson was shown speaking about the significance Presley had on her life.
The special then took us over to Presley’s legendary plane that he named after his daughter, Lisa Marie, where Alanis Morrissette sang “Last Christmas.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rd8Q2i1_Vw
Jon Bon Jovi told a story about how Presley influenced him with his music, movies, loyalty to his crew, and especially his motto of “Takin’ Care Of Business,” and the necklace Presley had. This clip was followed by some incredible home videos of how the Presleys celebrated Christmas over the years.
Post Malone went full rockstar.
Keough showed up at the trailers to drive Post Malone to the Graceland pool, where he performed “Devil In Disguise,” before jumping in the pool!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVYXDodeLYY
Husband and wife duo The War and Treaty recreated Presley’s closing song to his ‘68 Comeback Special.
They gave new life to the song “If I Can Dream,” and performed in Graceland’s soundstage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpboikuKQu4
Keough made another appearance to light a candle in Graceland’s Chapel in the Woods with John Legend
The, he performed “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).” Another special fact about Legend’s performance is that the piano he played was actually Presley’s piano he played nearly every day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JclKLYUEzhY
Finally, we were taken back to the Graceland Mansion, where Kacey Musgraves was standing in the foyer.
She signed a holiday card that read, “It would be a Blue Christmas without you,” and signed it, “Love, Kacey.” She walked out to the front steps, where an all-white piano was playing the musical introduction to “Can’t Help Falling In Love.” She joined in, delivering angelic vocals to the song she recorded for the biopic Elvis in 2022.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiypVETI_50
At the end of her performance, she got in Presley’s iconic pink 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special and drove away. The end credits began rolling, signifying the end of the incredible TV special. The one complaint from most fans was that it wasn’t long enough.
If you want to see the little tidbits in between each performance, you can stream it on Peacock.
