It's official – Christmas 2026 has begun! 🎄 But is this year’s video as good as the past years?
Written 1st November 2026 | Subscribe to our Christmas newsletter
Mariah Carey has once again given the world permission to get festive, releasing her highly anticipated annual “It's Time” video on 1 November.
Every year, the Queen of Christmas marks the end of Halloween and the beginning of the festive season with an increasingly elaborate reveal, before her iconic hit All I Want for Christmas Is You kicks in.
And while we're absolutely delighted that Christmas season is finally here, we have to admit something… we're not entirely convinced this year's video lives up to the previous ones!
Watch now:
A Different Kind of Christmas Reveal
This year's video takes a slightly different approach, opening with Mariah embracing her rock-star side before making the all-important transition into Christmas mode.
It's certainly a fun concept, and a clever nod to her lesser-known rock music history, but it feels quite different from the magical, over-the-top festive reveals we've come to love.
Who could forget Mariah dramatically breaking free from a block of ice? Or her brilliantly theatrical, Halloween-inspired transformations?
Those videos felt like mini Christmas movies, with dramatic build-ups, clever storytelling and that magical moment when Christmas finally arrived.
This year's offering? It's entertaining, but we're not sure it delivers quite the same excitement.
Has Mariah Set the Bar Too High?
Perhaps that's the problem. Over the past few years, Mariah has made her annual Christmas announcement such a big event that expectations are now sky-high.
We don't just want to hear those famous opening notes anymore. We want the spectacle, the surprise and the Christmas magic that comes with them!
And while the 2026 video certainly has its own personality, we can't help feeling that previous years had a little more festive sparkle.
That said, we're still delighted to hear those four magical words…
“IT'S TIIIIIME!” 🎅
Christmas has officially arrived, and that's definitely worth celebrating.
What Do You Think?
Are we being too harsh, or do you agree that Mariah Carey's previous Christmas reveals were better?
Perhaps you absolutely love this year's rock-inspired twist!
Either way, we'd love to know: Is Mariah's 2026 “It's Time” video one of her best, or have previous years set the bar too high?
