Ariana Grande brought festive laughs and playful music to Saturday Night Live with a clever holiday parody that instantly connected with viewers. In her opening monologue, the singer and actress delivered a lighthearted spoof of a Christmas classic, proving once again that her comedic timing is just as sharp as her vocals.
A Festive Twist on a Holiday Classic
During the Dec. 20 episode — the show’s final broadcast of 2025 — Ariana Grande kicked things off by poking fun at the viral success of her earlier “Domingo” sketch. She then transitioned into a humorous take on seasonal chaos with a parody inspired by Mariah Carey’s iconic 1994 hit, “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”
Through witty lyrics and exaggerated holiday anxiety, Grande transformed the song into a relatable anthem about last-minute gift shopping. Singing about the struggle of buying presents for barely-known relatives, she joked about not knowing what to get “my cousin’s boyfriend Steve,” drawing laughter from the studio audience.
The moment perfectly captured the spirit of Ariana Grande Brings Holiday Humor to ‘SNL’ With a Spoof of Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ — Watch, blending nostalgia with modern-day holiday stress.
Jokes Inspired by the Wicked Press Tour
Grande didn’t stop at gift-giving humor. She also used the monologue to poke fun at her packed schedule, referencing the intense press run for Wicked. In one of the night’s most talked-about lines, she joked that director Jon M. Chu kept her so busy that she barely had time for basic breaks.
The playful exaggeration resonated with fans who have closely followed her whirlwind promotional tour, turning behind-the-scenes exhaustion into comedy gold.
Surprise Appearances Add to the Fun
As the song continued, Grande was joined onstage by her Wicked co-star Bowen Yang, along with several SNL cast members including Kenan Thompson, Sarah Sherman, Chloe Fineman, Veronika Slowikowska, Marcello Hernandez, and Ashley Padilla. Their collective energy elevated the sketch, making it feel like a full holiday ensemble performance rather than a solo monologue.
A Holiday Hit That Keeps Making History
The parody also arrived at a time when Carey’s original song is still dominating the charts. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” recently extended its record-breaking run atop the Billboard Hot 100, marking its 20th week at No. 1 — the longest reign in the chart’s history. Grande’s spoof served as a timely and affectionate nod to a song that has become synonymous with Christmas itself.
A Star-Studded Night on SNL
The episode marked Grande’s third time hosting Saturday Night Live, further cementing her status as one of the show’s most versatile hosts. The night was made even more special by musical guest Cher, who returned to the SNL stage for the first time since 1987.
Cher delivered festive performances of “DJ Play a Christmas Song” and a spirited cover of Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolph Run,” both from her 2023 holiday album Christmas.
Holiday Humor Done Right
With music, self-aware jokes, and a touch of seasonal chaos, Grande’s monologue struck the perfect balance between parody and celebration. By turning holiday pressure into laughter, she reminded audiences why her SNL appearances are always must-watch moments — especially during the most wonderful (and stressful) time of the year.
Watch Grande’s SNL monologue below, and find all the ways to stream the full episode here.
