Hunter Hayes is stepping into the 2025 holiday season in a major way. The Grammy-nominated, multi-instrumentalist and Platinum-selling artist has spent the past year in his Evergreen era – marked by genre-bending production, soulful storytelling, and a mission to celebrate growth. This December, Hayes will serve as the Grand Marshal for the 50th Anniversary of the Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade, which is set for December 5th in Tennessee. Before he waves to tens of thousands of fans along the Smoky Mountain parade route, Hayes is gifting fans an early present today (November 7th), with the arrival of his Evergreen Christmas Sessions EP.
The four-song project features Hayes’ signature blend of intricate musicianship and heartfelt takes through timeless holiday favorites. Opening with a glistening, jazz-inflected rendition of “Winter Wonderland,” the track flows seamlessly into a tender version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Hayes then delivers a hushed, soulful “Silent Night” before cutting loose with a bluesy, good-time spin on the holiday classic “Run Run Rudolph.”
“There’s a calm and peaceful Christmas vibe to the EP, which was intentional,” Hayes tells Spin. “For me, Christmas music has always been about spending time with family and friends – the people you love. And I hope this project becomes part of those yearly traditions.”
Recorded in Los Angeles with his band during a few days off from tour last July, Evergreen Christmas Sessions serves as a companion to Hayes’ larger Evergreen vision – a side chapter inspired by the same themes of growth, gratitude and connection, reimagined through holiday classics. The project follows the Evergreen songs released earlier this year: “Around the Sun,” “Wait, “Fragile,” and “Every Piece.” Known for his electrifying live shows and his ability to make even the quietest moments feel intimate, Hayes approached the sessions with the same spirit he brings to the stage. “This project felt like a jam session with family,” Hayes says.
When the award-winning Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade commemorates its 50th year next month, 80,000 attendees will line the streets of Gatlinburg to witness Hayes lead the celebration. The Smoky Mountain fete is recognized as one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast and will feature 70 to 90 lighted floats, plus marching bands, giant balloons, and of course, Santa Claus himself. The annual festivity will also broadcast nationwide on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day on local television stations in over 40 markets throughout the U.S. and available to stream to over 100 million viewers through a collaborative partnership with Nexstar.
As for his Grand Marshal honor, Hayes – a Louisiana native – says, “I have a deep love and appreciation for that whole part of Tennessee. Gatlinburg seems to call to all of us around Christmas, and I have incredibly fond memories of being there during the holidays with my family as a young performer. When I was asked to participate, it felt like the perfect way to celebrate the Evergreen Christmas Sessions release.”
Now in its 50th year, the Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade has grown to become one of the nation’s most enchanting holiday traditions. The 2025 Grand Marshal sponsor is Ole Smoky Distillery, a longtime Gatlinburg institution known for its craft moonshine and whiskey.
With Hayes front and center, this year’s celebration promises to be truly unforgettable. The Evergreen Christmas Sessions EP, meanwhile, makes for the perfect soundtrack to a December night spent by the fire, with the Christmas tree glowing and the season in full swing.