Holiday Icons Collide: Ariana Grande and Cher Deliver a Christmas Spectacular on SNL

The festive season officially took over Studio 8H this weekend as Ariana Grande returned to host Saturday Night Live for the second time in two years. In a night filled with high-note vocals and emotional goodbyes, Grande shared the stage with the legendary Cher, making for an unforgettable holiday episode.

Ariana’s Mariah Carey Parody Goes Viral

Grande kicked off the evening with a show-stopping monologue that put a comedic twist on Mariah Carey’s "All I Want for Christmas Is You". The parody, featuring departing cast member Bowen Yang, focused on the relatable stress of finding the perfect gift. Fans on social media immediately hailed the performance, with many calling it the highlight of Season 51 so far.

Cher’s Legendary Musical Return

Marking her first SNL performance since 2011, Cher brought the house down with two tracks from her Christmas album. Flanked by dancers, the 79-year-old icon performed "DJ Play a Christmas Song" and a rockin' cover of Chuck Berry’s "Run Rudolph Run". Despite some playful online debate about lip-syncing, the audience response was overwhelmingly positive, celebrating the sheer presence of the "Goddess of Pop".

Watch Cher's festive performance of "DJ Play a Christmas Song" below:

A Tearful Goodbye to Bowen Yang

The episode also marked the end of an era as Bowen Yang confirmed his departure after eight seasons. In a touching final sketch titled "Delta Lounge," Yang appeared alongside both Grande and Cher, delivering a heartfelt message to the fans: "This place will always be home, but it's time to go".

SNL will return in 2026 with Finn Wolfhard and musical guest A$AP Rocky on January 17.