Grammy Award winner Wynonna Judd is confirmed as host of Christmas at the Opry, a two-hour Country music special airing on December 7, 2023 on NBC. (Streaming December 8th on Peacock.) The holiday special will feature classic tunes as well as Christmas favorites performed in front of a live audience at the Opry on October 3rd.
The lineup of artists participating in the holiday event hasn’t been announced.
In August, Judd announced her 15-city tour “Back to Wy” which kicks off on October 26th in Indianapolis and finishes up on December 1st in Knoxville. Commenting on the upcoming tour, Judd said, “Getting to share this tour with the fans who have been with me for 40 years means the world to me. Deep diving into my first two solo albums, Wynonna and Tell Me Why, track by track, will be a trip down memory lane. As I sit and listen to these two records, I’m flooded with the memories that surrounded that time in my life.”
Wynonna Judd will also be honored with the Country Champion Award at the first-ever People’s Choice Country Awards on September 28th. The new awards show will air live on both NBC and Peacock at 8pm ET/PT (tape-delayed on the West Coast.)
“Wynonna is one of the most recognized and lauded performers in country music,” stated Cassandra Tryon, Senior Vice President, Live Events, NBCUniversal Entertainment. “Not only is she incredibly talented, her selflessness, and passion for putting the needs of others in the spotlight is unmatched. We can’t think of a better person to honor as our inaugural ‘Country Champion’ and to celebrate the holidays with across these two major country music events.”
Judd was chosen to receive the Country Champion Award in recognition of her lengthy career and “heroic efforts around philanthropy and activism. She has consistently used her public platform to create meaningful change and advocate for children, military veterans and their families, disaster relief and more through her work with numerous organizations including the Wounded Warrior Project and Habitat for Humanity.”
RAC Clark and Den of Thieves’ Jesse Ignjatovic, Evan Prager and Barb Bialkowski are executive producing both specials. RAC Clark is the People’s Choice Country Awards showrunner. Jen Jones is on board as a Christmas at the Opry executive producer.
