Mariah Carey's Christmas Time was the seventeenth concert tour by Mariah Carey. The tour began on November 6, 2024, at Yaamava' Theater in Highland, and concluded on December 17, 2023, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Background[]
Carey announced the tour on August 2, 2024 via social media. The Verizon Access and VIP Packages pre-sales went on sale on August 6, 2024, while the Ticketmaster and Live Nation pre-sales went on sale on August 7, 2024 and the venue pre-sales on August 8, 2024, all at 10 a.m. PDT. Tickets went on sale for the general public on Friday, August 9, 2024 at the same time.
A press release was released by Live Nation following Carey's announcement, where it was stated that "[the tour] is the first of many surprises [Carey] has in store to celebrate the 30th anniversary of her legendary album Merry Christmas and its record-shattering single "All I Want for Christmas Is You.'""[1]
On October 1, 2024, a show at the Thunder Valley Casino Resort outside of Lincoln, CA was added, scheduled to take place on November 10, 2024.[2]
Carey had to cancel three shows of the tour due to being sick with the flu: on December 11, 2024, the show in Pittsburgh was canceled, while on December 13, 2024, the shows in Newark and Belmont Park were canceled.
Promotion[]
On July 29, 2024, Carey taped several interviews, including one for E! News discussing the tour, broadcast on August 5, 2024.[3]
Carey recorded a radio interview for iHeartRadio and an appearance on the podcast Las Culturistas, where she also teased her upcoming holiday decor line in collaboration with Amazon, on September 26, 2024. Fragments of the interview started being posted on iHeartRadio's social media on October 6, 2024,[4] while Carey's Las Culturistas episode was released on October 16, 2024.[5]
Following her performance at the American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special on October 3, 2024, Carey taped more interviews where she discussed the tour. Segments with the Associated Press, Access Hollywood and E! News aired the same day,[6][7][8] while interviews with USA Today and Entertainment Tonight were released on October 4, 2024[9][10] and with The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard on October 6, 2024.[11][12]
On October 30, 2024, Carey joined Melissa Forman on Chicago's 93.9 Lite FM to discuss the tour, as well as the new upcoming 30th anniversary edition of Merry Christmas, her holiday decor line and to announce that the station would start playing Christmas music on November 1, 2024.[13] That same day, an interview where Carey discussed the tour with the Los Angeles Times was published.[14] The next day, Carey appeared on The Drew Barrymore Show and launched her holiday decor line, "Christmas Time by Mariah Carey," as well as tour merch.[15] Carey sat down with The New York Times on November 1st and discussed Christmas, the tour and new music.[16]
Production[]
Fashion[]
Following the tour's opening night at the Yaamava' Theater in Highland, California, Just Jared reported that Carey had four costume changes throughout the show, opening with a white sparkling custom-made gown by House of Gilles with a puff sleeve, followed by a short red dress from Valdrin Sahiti, and a silver beaded floor length custom couture ensemble with a matching cape by Roberto Cavalli's Fausto Puglisi. For the encore, Carey wore a red Santa Claus bodysuit, reminiscent of the one worn on the Merry Christmas album cover.[17] Starting with the show in Los Angeles, the Valdrin Sahiti red dress was replaced by a red sparkling number by Julian Mendez Couture, while the Santa suit was replaced by a Nutcracker-themed leotard from the Palm Springs show onwards.
Concert synopsis[]
The concert begins with a music box-esque instrumental introduction of "All I Want for Christmas Is You" over a pre-recorded excerpt from The Christmas Princess, read by Monroe Cannon:
“ | Little Mariah hummed "Deck the Halls" as she strung popcorn and cranberries and taped paper snowflakes on the wobbly walls. "Fa la la la la la la la la" her mother joyfully chimed in, and at Christmas Time, singing instead of talking wasn't weird at all! As a matter of fact, Mother La Diva got quite festive, putting hot cocoa in holiday mugs with marshmallows on top. Underneath the stars, little Mariah looked at the dark sky. As the snow fell on her face and lashes, she blinked her eyes. The stars turned into snowflakes that looked like fairies, that looked like Butterflies! Little Mariah broke into a high-pitched song at the very sight! The Snowflake Butterfly Fairies were luminous! Glorious! And the magnificent Butterfly Fairy Queen emerged from the sparkling gust... | ” |
Set list[]
The official set list was revealed on October 23, 2024 as an Apple Music playlist shared by Carey on X.[18]
- "The Christmas Princess" (Intro, with elements from "All I Want for Christmas Is You")
- "Sugar Plum Fairy" (Magical Christmas Mix)
- "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing / Gloria (In Excelsis Deo)"
- "Joy to the World" (With elements from the "Celebration Mix")
- "Silent Night"
- "O Holy Night"
- "Christmas Time Is in the Air Again"
- "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"
- "Christmas Wrapping" (Performed by Moroccan and Monroe Cannon)
- "Deck the Halls / Let It Snow" (Mashup, performed by Moroccan and Monroe Cannon)
- "Oh Santa!" (With "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" intro)
- "Sleigh Ride"
- "Charlie Brown Christmas"
- "Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)" (Snippet)
- "When Christmas Comes"
- "Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) / House Top Celebration" (With Moroccan Cannon, with elements from "Give It to Me Baby" by Rick James)
- "Fall in Love at Christmas" (Interlude)
- "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" (A cappella interlude)
- "My All" (Gospel remix with new Christmas lyrics, performed by the choir and background singers)
- "Emotions"
- "Hero" (Followed by "Hero Reprise")
- "Fantasy" (Bad Boy Fantasy)
- "Always Be My Baby"
- "We Belong Together" (With elements from "Mimi's Late Night Valentine's Mix," followed by "WBT Reprise")
- "Carol of the Bells" (Choir interlude, with elements from "Sing We Now of Christmas")
- "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town / Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (Choir interlude)
- "All I Want for Christmas Is You"
- "All I Want for Christmas Is You Reprise" (Outro)
Notes[]
- "Christmas Wrapping" was performed by the band only in Highland.
- The "Deck the Halls / Let It Snow" mashup was replaced by a performance of "Jesus Oh What a Wonderful Child" by Trey Lorenz in Highland.
- Moroccan Cannon's rap verse in "Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) / House Top Celebration" was replaced by Snoop Dogg's verse from the 2020 re-recording in Highland.
- "The Mop Song" was performed in Los Angeles, between "When Christmas Comes" and "Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) / House Top Celebration."
- Starting with the show in Palm Desert, an "All I Want for Christmas Is You" sing along moment with the crowd took place between "Sleigh Ride" and "Charlie Brown Christmas."
Gallery[]
"Paint pretty pictures of what I'd do if you were mine" To view the Mariah Carey's Christmas Time gallery, click here.
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Shows[]
Date | City | Country | Venue | Opening Act | Attendance | Revenue |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
North America | ||||||
November 6, 2024 | Highland | United States | Yaamava' Theater | DJ Suss One | - | - |
November 8, 2024 | Los Angeles | Hollywood Bowl | ||||
November 10, 2024 | Lincoln | Thunder Valley Casino Resort | ||||
November 13, 2024 | Palm Desert | Acrisure Arena | ||||
November 15, 2024 | Phoenix | Footprint Center | ||||
November 17, 2024 | Austin | Moody Center | ||||
November 19, 2024 | Houston | Toyota Center | ||||
November 21, 2024 | Dallas | American Airlines Center | ||||
November 23, 2024 | Atlanta | State Farm Arena | ||||
November 25, 2024 | Nashville | Bridgestone Arena | ||||
November 27, 2024 | Rosemont | Allstate Arena | ||||
November 29, 2024 | Saint Louis | Enterprise Center | ||||
December 1, 2024 | Washington, D.C. | Capital One Arena | ||||
December 3, 2024 | Philadelphia | Wells Fargo Center | ||||
December 5, 2024 | Boston | TD Garden | ||||
December 7, 2024 | Baltimore | CFG Bank Arena | ||||
December 9, 2024 | Raleigh | PNC Arena | ||||
December 17, 2024 | Brooklyn | Barclays Center | ||||
Total | - | - |
Canceled shows[]
Date | City | Country | Venue | Reason |
---|---|---|---|---|
December 11, 2024 | Pittsburgh | United States | PPG Paints Arena | Flu |
December 13, 2024 | Newark | Prudential Center | ||
December 15, 2024 | Belmont Park | UBS Arena |
Personnel[]
Band[]
- Background vocals — Maryann Tatum (Highland and Los Angeles only), Sherry McGhee (Lincoln onwards), Takeytha Johnson, Trey Lorenz
- Bass — Lance Tolbert
- Drums — Joshua Foster
- Keyboards — Derrieux Edgecombe
- Musical director, piano — Daniel Moore II
Dancers[]
- Dean Wellington
- Jada Malone
- Jean-Victor Mackie
- Layla Robinson
- Michael Trey
- Sherrod Tate
- Tommy Green
- @cynsearr
Trivia[]
- The tour poster uses a modified version of the Welcome Christmas typeface, designed by Dani.
- The tour marked the first time Carey performed "Charlie Brown Christmas" since the 2019 Christmas shows. Carey also lowered the key of the song by two semitones.
- Despite appearing on Carey's Apple Music playlist, "It's Like That" was not included in the show's final set list. Additionally, "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" was performed after "Christmas Time Is in the Air Again," while "Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) / Housetop Celebration" was performed after "When Christmas Comes."
References[]
- ↑ Live Nation Entertainment. (2024, August 2). Mariah Carey Announces 2024 Christmas Tour [Press release]. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ↑ Thunder Valley Casino Resort [@Thunder_Valley]. (2024, October 1). These new shows will rock your world! @mariahcarey 11/10: https://brnw.ch/21wNmk2 @fluffyguy 2/7: https://brnw.ch/21wNmk3 Valentine's Super Jam '25 2/8: https://brnw.ch/21wNmk1 [Image attached]. X. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
- ↑ Forde, Kisha. (2024, August 2). Mariah Carey’s Rare Update on Her Twins Monroe and Moroccan Is Sweet Like Honey [Video]. E! News. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ↑ iHeartRadio [@iheartradio]. (2024, October 6). When will the holiday szn kick off? Only @mariahcarey can tell us. 👀🎄❤️ Ps- tickets for Mariah’s Christmas Time Tour are [Video]. Instagram. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ↑ iHeartRadio. (2024, October 16). It's Time! (w/ Mariah Carey) | Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
- ↑ Fauria, Krysta. (2024, October 4). Q&A: Mariah Carey wasn’t always sure about making a Christmas album. Associated Press. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ↑ Access. (2024, October 3). Mariah Carey On Celebrating ‘Emancipation Of Mimi’s’ 20th Anniversary With AMAs Performance Special. [Video]. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ↑ E! Online. (2024, October 3). Mariah Carey Previews the AMAs 50th Anniversary Special and New Christmas Tour! (Exclusive). [Video]. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ↑ USA Today. (2024, October 4). Mariah Carey wants to bring joy and 'be there as a friend' this Christmas. Here's why.. [Video]. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ↑ Entertainment Tonight. (2024, October 3). Mariah Carey Reflects on ‘The Emancipation of Mimi’ Album Ahead of the AMAs 50th Anniversary Special [Video]. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ↑ Hollywood Reporter [@hollywoodreporter]. (2024, October 6). Ahead of the American Music Awards’ 50th Anniversary Special tonight, #AMAs50, #MariahCarey talked to THR about what fans can expect [Video]. Instagram. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ↑ Billboard. (2024, October 6). Mariah Carey On Celebrating ‘The Emancipation of Mimi’ Album, Being the Queen of Christmas & More | AMAs 50th Anniversary Special. [Video]. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ↑ Melissa Forman On Demand. (2024, October 30). Christmas Flip Announcement with Mariah Carey. iHeart. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
- ↑ Wood, Mikael. (2024, October 30). Mariah Carey is (almost) ready to bring Christmas to you. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
- ↑ The Drew Barrymore Show. (2024, October 31). Mariah Carey Reflects on "Merry Christmas" Album 30 Years Later | The Drew Barrymore Show [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
- ↑ Delkic, Melina. (2024, November 1). ‘It’s Time!’ Mariah Carey Reflects on 30 Years as Queen of Christmas. The New York Times. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
- ↑ Just Jared. (2024, November 7). Mariah Carey's 'Christmas Time Tour 2024' Setlist Revealed After Opening Night: See the Photos!. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
- ↑ Mariah Carey [@MariahCarey]. (2024, October 23). Take a peek at my Christmas Time Tour by listening to my exclusive set list playlist, only on Apple Music [Image]. X. Retrieved October 24, 2024.