UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — Smokey Robinson and Halle Bailey are set to bring together the classic and contemporary sounds of Motown in a special holiday presentation dubbed “A Motown Christmas.” This event aims to honor the iconic record label that has had a lasting impact on the landscape of American music and culture.

The holiday special will feature a remarkable roster of artists, including Robinson, Bailey, Gladys Knight, Andra Day, The Temptations, Jamie Foxx, and Ashanti. Additional performers like BeBe Winans, JoJo, Martha Reeves and The Vandellas, Jordin Sparks, Machine Gun Kelly, October London, and Pentatonix will also grace the stage with their talents.

Scheduled for airing on NBC this Wednesday night and available for streaming on Peacock the following day, the show will highlight a blend of solo acts, duets, and lively group medleys.

Smokey Robinson, reflecting on holiday traditions, recounted how he and Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, used to exchange extravagant Christmas gifts. However, they have since decided to replace those elaborate gestures with a more meaningful tradition of connecting, whether through phone calls or informal gatherings. Robinson noted, “That’s what we did a long time ago.”

For Halle Bailey, her fond memories of Christmas often include Motown music, especially when visiting her grandfather in South Carolina. One cherished memory is of listening to “The Tracks of My Tears,” a classic from 1965 written by Robinson and The Miracles. She also reminisces about performing “Baby Love” by The Supremes with her sister at a talent show, donning sparkling black dresses and attempting to replicate the legendary group’s dance moves.

“That’s how I first started listening to it,” Bailey expressed, recalling the warmth of the season paired with Motown melodies as beautiful background music during gift exchanges. “It’s just amazing.”

The special will showcase over 25 beloved Motown tracks, featuring timeless hits like “ABC,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Dancing in the Streets,” and “Superstition.” Robinson will perform classics such as “Tears of a Clown,” “Being With You,” and “Tracks of My Tears.” In a celebratory medley, Bailey will pay homage to Diana Ross and The Supremes with renditions of “Stop (In the Name of Love),” “Baby Love,” and “You Keep Me Hanging On.”

Bailey conveyed her connection to the music, stating, “When you grow up listening to this music, it lives inside of you forever.” She added that it was a great privilege to perform songs that held significance in her heart since childhood.

The live band for “A Motown Christmas” will feature 11 members, under the direction of Emmy Award-winning musical director Rickey Minor.

Motown has a rich history of fostering Black talent during an era when mainstream radio often overlooked them. The label played a critical role in launching the careers of numerous legendary artists, including Marvin Gaye and Lionel Richie. The legacy of Motown is preserved at the Motown Museum in Detroit, where many famous hits were recorded before the label moved its base to California in 1972.

Robinson, now 84, acknowledged the continued influence of Motown through Bailey, who is 24 and embodies the timeless essence of the genre. He remarked, “This lady right here, she’s living proof of the importance of Motown,” highlighting her connection to music that precedes her generation. Robinson expressed confidence that young people, including Bailey’s future children, would carry on the legacy of Motown music.

Bailey described Motown’s music as “universal,” citing its enduring relevance and emotional storytelling. “Each song speaks to your heart. They stay with you,” she concluded, emphasizing the deep connection people forge with Motown’s timeless melodies.