🎄
Cher Returns to SNL and Proves Christmas Belongs to the Icons
Let’s get something straight right now: Christmas music isn’t the problem. Weak Christmas music is.
And Cher? Cher is never the problem.
The living legend returned to Saturday Night Live on December 20 as the musical guest for the first time in 38 years, closing out the final episode of 2025 with the kind of festive confidence that says, “Yes, I’ve been doing this longer than you’ve been alive — and yes, I still look incredible.”
Hosted by Ariana Grande, the episode featured Cher tearing through two holiday numbers:
- “DJ Play a Christmas Song”
- A rock-and-roll-charged cover of Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolph Run”
And honestly? It ruled.
Christmas, But Make It Cher
Both tracks come from Cher’s 2023 holiday album Christmas, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Holiday Albums chart — because of course it did. This is Cher’s 27th studio album, and somehow she’s still finding ways to sound fresh while everyone else is just reheating the same chestnuts.
The album mixes originals with classics and features a guest list that reads like a holiday fever dream: Michael Bublé, Cyndi Lauper, Darlene Love, Tyga, and Stevie Wonder. Somehow it works. Somehow it always does.
Cher summed it up best herself back in 2023:
“They’re not ‘Christmas Christmas’ songs. They’re just great songs.”
Exactly. That’s the secret sauce.
A Full-Circle SNL Moment
Cher’s last official SNL musical guest appearance was in 1987, back when shoulder pads were a lifestyle choice. Since then, she’s popped in for cameos, anniversary specials, Oscar wins (Moonstruck, hello), and general cultural dominance.
This time around, she also shared a surprisingly tender moment with Bowen Yang in his final sketch on the show, joining Ariana Grande for a stripped-down performance of “Please Come Home for Christmas.” It was sincere, weirdly emotional, and the kind of moment SNL occasionally nails when it stops trying so hard.
Still Running the Holiday Season
Cher recently dropped another holiday single, “Christmas Is Here,” because if you’re going to own Christmas, you might as well lean all the way in. At 79, she’s not chasing relevance — relevance keeps chasing her and pulling a hamstring.
Meanwhile, Saturday Night Live will return in 2026 with Finn Wolfhard hosting and A$AP Rocky as musical guest on January 17. But let’s be honest: Cher already won the season.
Static Live Take
Look — some people are “over” Christmas music.
Some of us are sipping coffee and horchata in bed, watching Elf for the 358th time, and absolutely refusing to apologize for it.
Cher gets it. She always has.
And if you’re looking to balance all that couch-based holiday energy with actual live music when you finally put pants back on, the Static Live Music Calendar App has you covered across Florida’s east coast — from Daytona Beach to New Smyrna, Flagler, Ormond Beach, and beyond. New cities coming soon. Pajamas optional.
🔗 Where to Watch
You can stream Cher’s full SNL performances and the episode now on NBC and Peacock.
