Miranda Lambert Joins Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Tradition With Special Performance

Miranda Lambert will headline the Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Day halftime show at AT&T Stadium© X/@mirandalambert

Miranda Lambert will trade the concert stage for one of the NFL's biggest holiday traditions this Thanksgiving, bringing her country music hits to a stadium filled with football fans. The three-time Grammy Award winner will headline the Dallas Cowboys' Thanksgiving Day halftime show against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 26 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. For the Texas native, the performance carries a personal connection, but its not only about the entertainment. It will be the 30th annual Salvation Army Red Kettle Kickoff, a tradition built around helping families in need.

Dallas Cowboys reveal Thanksgiving halftime performer

The announcement came on October 25, with the Cowboys confirming Lambert as the star of their nationally televised holiday show. Her appearance will launch the Salvation Army's 136th Red Kettle Campaign, which raises money to support people facing hardship throughout the year. Lambert welcomed the opportunity to return to her home state for a performance tied to a cause she values.

“There's something special about how music brings people together, especially when it's to spread joy and hope to families who need it most,” she said in the announcement. “The Salvation Army and the Dallas Cowboys have built an incredible tradition with the Red Kettle Kickoff, and I can't wait to be back home in Texas this Thanksgiving to help carry it forward.”

The partnership has raised more than $3.4 billion for the Red Kettle Campaign over the past three decades. The annual show uses the Cowboys' Thanksgiving audience to draw attention to the charity's work and encourage donations during the holiday season.

Miranda Lambert joins a long line of Thanksgiving stars

Lambert will become the latest major artist to take the Cowboys' Thanksgiving halftime stage. Reba McEntire headlined the first Red Kettle Kickoff in 1997 at Texas Stadium, beginning a tradition that has continued through generations of music stars.

Destiny's Child, Carrie Underwood, the Jonas Brothers, Selena Gomez, Sheryl Crow, Kelly Clarkson, Dolly Parton and Lainey Wilson have all performed at the event. Post Malone headlined last year's show, which included a tribute to late Cowboys player Marshawn Kneeland.

Charlotte Jones, the Cowboys' chief brand officer and co-owner, helped establish the partnership after her father, team owner Jerry Jones, challenged her to find ways to connect the franchise with charitable work. She proposed using the nationally televised halftime show to launch the Salvation Army's annual campaign and has continued to support the tradition.

The team has already offered a preview of Lambert's appearance through a promotional video. In the clip, the singer rides toward AT&T Stadium on a Texas Longhorn carrying a Salvation Army bell.

“It's the 30th anniversary. You got to take the bull by the horns,” Lambert says in the video. The Cowboys and Eagles will meet at AT&T Stadium on Thanksgiving Day, with the game scheduled to air on Fox at 3:30 p.m. Central Time.