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ABC to Air 17th CMA Country Christmas Special

The annual holiday musical program returns to television screens on December 1, 2026.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Country

Screen-print poster illustration of a vintage acoustic guitar with holiday greenery, evoking the warm tradition of country music holiday broadcasts.
ABC will broadcast the 17th annual CMA Country Christmas holiday special on December 1, 2026, featuring performances from Belmont University. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The 17th annual CMA Country Christmas broadcast is scheduled to air on ABC on December 1, 2026. The special will be available for streaming on Disney+ and Hulu beginning December 2, 2026.

Why it matters

The program has served as a holiday staple since its inception in 2010. By continuing the tradition, the CMA offers a cross-genre musical experience that highlights country and gospel performances for a national audience.

This marks the 17th edition of the program, which first debuted in 2010. Production for this year's special was completed on October 14, 2026, at the Fisher Center in Nashville.

The players

ABC

This American commercial broadcast television network is responsible for the annual airing of the holiday special.

Fisher Center

Located at Belmont University in Nashville, this facility served as the taping location for the 2026 special.

Disney+

This subscription video-on-demand service provides digital access to the program following its initial broadcast.

The details

Filmed before a live audience at Belmont University's Fisher Center, the special features a mix of country, gospel, and instrumental music. While previous years featured hosts like Amy Grant, Trisha Yearwood, Lauren Daigle, and Jordan Davis, it is possible the show returns to a two-host format.

Timeline

  1. The CMA Country Christmas program originally debuted in 2010.

  2. The special was taped at the Fisher Center on October 14, 2026.

  3. The broadcast premiere is scheduled for December 1, 2026, on ABC.

  4. The program will be available on Disney+ and Hulu on December 2, 2026.

Industry Dynamics

This program continues the annual production cycle established by the 2010 debut of CMA Country Christmas. It highlights the continued strategy of television networks to leverage holiday-themed musical specials to drive viewership during the year-end season.

Viewers can watch the premiere live on ABC or wait one day to access the show on-demand via streaming platforms. The show offers a curated musical experience accessible to both cable subscribers and digital platform users.

The takeaway

Holiday specials like this provide a reliable way for viewers to access seasonal performances from their favorite musicians. Audiences should look for potential announcements regarding the final list of performers as the December air date approaches.

Further reading

For more on upcoming events, visit the Country section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by 995qyk.

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Do you plan to watch traditional holiday TV specials with your family this year?