Pack away the Halloween decorations and dust off your Christmas tree! Mariah Carey has officially declared the 2026 festive season open.
Global (01 November 2026) – There are a few things we can count on every year. The sun will rise, December will arrive far quicker than expected and Mariah Carey will “defrost” on the 1st of November to remind the entire planet that Christmas is here!
Yup, she has done it again! The Queen of Christmas has released her annual “IT’S TIME!” video, and just like that, the festive season has begun. Forget what the calendar says. Mariah has spoken… and apparently, we’re all putting up our Christmas trees now.
This year’s announcement starts a little differently. Instead of immediately appearing in her usual Christmas glamour, Mariah embraces her rock-star alter ego. But the rock-and-roll doesn’t last long before the scene transforms into a spectacular Christmas wonderland, complete with Mariah appearing as the glittering topper of a Christmas tree. And then she says the thing she says every year. The thing we all wait for.
Over the years, Mariah has turned welcoming November into an elaborate celebration that millions look forward to. In 2023, she famously emerged from a giant block of ice, inspiring endless jokes about being defrosted for Christmas. Each year, the videos get bigger and the jokes get better. And every year, millions across the globe wait for the same silly little announcement. They share the video, laugh at the jokes, tag their friends and suddenly start feeling that familiar festive excitement. And while South Africa might be heading into summer rather than a snowy winter wonderland, our Christmas spirit is exactly the same… it’s about spending time with the people we love and finding reasons to celebrate.
So whether you’re already putting up your Christmas decorations or refusing to acknowledge the festive season until December, there’s no denying that Mariah Carey has created something rather special. A little annual tradition that brings millions of people together through shared happiness.
And I think we could all do with a little more of that.
Christmas 2026 is officially on its way, South Africa. And Mariah Carey has just given us permission to get excited!
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