5 Reasons The Ariana Grande & Cher SNL Christmas Finale Will Be The Most Iconic Episode Of Season 51

The anticipation is reaching a fever pitch for the final episode of 2025, which promises to be one of the most memorable installments in Saturday Night Live history. This week’s show, airing on Saturday, December 20, 2025, is the highly-anticipated Christmas episode, closing out the fall run of Season 51 with a blockbuster pairing: pop superstar Ariana Grande as host and the legendary icon Cher as the musical guest. The convergence of two generations of divas, combined with the festive atmosphere, guarantees a show packed with star power, holiday-themed sketches, and potentially career-defining moments for the current cast. This is the ultimate guide to everything you need to know about the final SNL of the year.

The December 20th episode is not just another show; it’s the annual Christmas special, traditionally one of the most-watched and highest-budget episodes of the season. With Ariana Grande stepping into the hosting role for the second time (and her third overall appearance on the show) and Cher making a rare return to the Studio 8H stage for the first time since 1987, executive producer Lorne Michaels has assembled an unstoppable lineup designed to dominate the holiday weekend conversation and provide a perfect capstone to the first half of Season 51. The episode is scheduled for the usual 11:30 PM ET/PT time slot on NBC and streaming live on Peacock.

The Star-Powered Lineup: Host Ariana Grande and Musical Guest Cher

The combination of Ariana Grande and Cher for the Season 51 Christmas finale is a masterstroke of casting, offering a blend of contemporary relevance and timeless star power that appeals across demographics. This is the ultimate "diva-sized" episode.

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Ariana Grande: From Pop Star to Christmas Host

Ariana Grande, the Grammy-winning singer and actress, returns to the SNL stage, this time as the sole host. Her previous appearances have been critically acclaimed, particularly for her incredible vocal impressions of other celebrities, including Britney Spears, Rihanna, and Celine Dion, which became viral sensations.

• The Wicked Connection: Grande's hosting gig is perfectly timed with the massive buzz surrounding the upcoming two-part film adaptation of the musical Wicked, where she stars as Glinda the Good Witch. Expect at least one major sketch or monologue reference to the film, potentially featuring a surprise cameo from her co-star, Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba). This offers a huge promotional opportunity for the film and a chance for Grande to flex her comedic acting muscles.
• A Christmas Veteran: Grande is no stranger to holiday music, having released two Christmas-themed EPs. This background makes her the ideal host for the festive episode, suggesting we might see an original Christmas jingle or a parody of a classic holiday movie.
• Sketch Potential: Given her history of impressions, fans are eager to see if she'll bring back her flawless celebrity impersonations or debut new ones. The dynamic with the current cast, especially impressionists like Chloe Fineman, could lead to a hilarious "diva-off" sketch.

Cher: A Legendary Return After Decades

The announcement of Cher as the musical guest sent shockwaves through the entertainment world. The Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy Award winner is performing on the SNL stage for the first time since 1987, making this a truly historic television event.

• A Rare Performance: Cher's appearances are infrequent and always highly anticipated. Her return after nearly four decades underscores the importance of this final episode of the year.
• What to Expect: While her setlist is a closely guarded secret, Cher is known for her elaborate costumes and powerful stage presence. She may perform a classic hit like "Believe" or a new track, but the real excitement lies in the potential for her to appear in a sketch alongside Grande. The comedic possibilities of a multi-generational diva collaboration are endless.
• Entity Synergy: The sheer power of the "Cher and Ariana Grande" entity pairing provides an undeniable boost to the show's topical authority and media coverage, ensuring massive viewership.

Must-See Moments and Sketch Predictions for the Christmas Finale

The Christmas episode is often where SNL pulls out its biggest, most ambitious sketches and brings back beloved recurring characters. With Grande and Cher in the building, the writers are undoubtedly aiming for maximum impact.

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1. The WICKED Parody Cold Open

The most likely Cold Open scenario involves a parody of the *Wicked* movie trailer or a behind-the-scenes look at the film's set. Ariana Grande could play a heightened version of herself, perhaps struggling with the green screen or dealing with the pressures of playing Glinda. The cast member who plays Elphaba will be a point of interest, potentially Chloe Fineman or Heidi Gardner, offering a fantastic comedic contrast to Grande’s pop star persona.

2. A Star-Studded Christmas Carol Sketch

The holiday season demands a classic Christmas sketch, and a parody of *A Christmas Carol* with celebrity cameos is a perennial favorite. Imagine Grande as a modern-day Scrooge, visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, played by the likes of Bowen Yang (as a fashion-forward Ghost) or Kenan Thompson (as a weary, overworked Ghost). The integration of Cher into a musical number within the sketch would be a showstopper.

3. The Diva Duet: Grande & Cher

The single biggest prediction is a surprise musical collaboration. While Cher is the official musical guest, the show's history is peppered with hosts and musical guests joining forces. A duet between Grande and Cher, perhaps a mashup of "Believe" and one of Grande's hits, or a classic Christmas song, would be instantly viral and become the episode's defining moment. This is a high-value entity interaction that the writers cannot ignore.

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Season 51 Cast & New Faces That Are Stealing the Show

Beyond the star guests, the strength of Saturday Night Live lies in its repertory players. Season 51 has seen a significant infusion of new talent, who are now hitting their stride just in time for the finale. This new blood has been instrumental in keeping the show fresh and topical.

The Rising Stars of Season 51

The five new featured players—Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska—have been given more airtime in the latter part of the fall season. Keep an eye on their contributions in the finale. Their unique comedic voices are essential to the show's future.

• Tommy Brennan & Jeremy Culhane: Known for their sharp, observational humor, they often appear in pre-taped segments.
• Ben Marshall: A stand-up comedian whose dry wit is perfect for Weekend Update segments or straight-man roles.
• Kam Patterson: Has quickly become a fan favorite for his unique character work and energy, often paired with Kenan Thompson.
• Veronika Slowikowska: A strong presence in ensemble sketches, she has a knack for playing quirky, high-energy characters.

The Returning Staples

The veteran cast members will be critical in supporting the high-profile host. Expect to see the usual excellence from the mainstays:

• Weekend Update: Colin Jost and Michael Che will deliver their final, blisteringly topical jokes of the year, likely focusing on holiday news, political gaffes, and the year’s strangest moments.
• Bowen Yang & Chloe Fineman: These two are the current impression and character kings. Yang’s eccentric characters and Fineman’s spot-on celebrity takes (including a potential Grande impression) are a guaranteed highlight.
• Mikey Day & Heidi Gardner: Reliable performers who anchor many of the show's recurring sketches and provide the necessary support for the guest host.

How to Watch and What’s Next for SNL

The Ariana Grande and Cher episode marks the last new Saturday Night Live broadcast of 2025. The show will then go on its traditional winter hiatus, returning with new episodes in the new year.

You can catch the episode live on NBC at 11:30 PM ET/PT. For those who prefer to stream, the episode will be available live on Peacock, which is the platform for all new and archived SNL content. If you miss the live broadcast, you can stream the episode on demand the next day on Peacock and watch clips of the best sketches on YouTube. Searching for "SNL full episodes" or "SNL streaming" will guide you to the correct viewing options.

The Season 51 return date in January 2026 is yet to be officially announced, but fans can expect the show to pick up with a fresh slate of hosts and musical guests, continuing the momentum built by this unforgettable fall season. The finale is a must-watch event, a perfect Christmas gift to comedy fans, blending the star power of Ariana Grande and the legendary status of Cher for a night of television that will be discussed for years to come.