Mariah Carey's final Christmas tour show dazzles with holiday hits, family festivities, Busta Rhymes

NEW YORK — The Queen of Christmas is all about creating a moment, and Mariah Carey did just that with the festive finale to her Merry Christmas One and All! Tour on Sunday night.

The New York native wrapped up her tour to a sold-out Madison Square Garden, her second show of the tour at the famed venue and the last of 16 Christmas concerts.

"You bring me so much joy, and the world needs this joy," Carey, 54, said onstage. "There's no greater joy than Christmas."

The holiday hitmaker put on a 90-minute extravaganza of seasonal songs and medleys of her chart-topping music, including classics like "All I Want for Christmas Is You" and her "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" rendition, plus newer Christmas earworms like "Oh Santa!" featuring Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson and "Fall in Love at Christmas" featuring Khalid and Kirk Franklin.

Decked out in glittering garb and ugly Christmas sweaters alike, Carey's "Lambily" of fans were treated to a surprise Busta Rhymes cameo for "I Know What You Want" as well as a mix of "Honey"/"Heartbreaker (Remix)" — and none other than Carey's twins taking the stage.

Carey's daughter Monroe joined her superstar mom for a touching duet of "Jesus Born On This Day." Earlier in the show, the 12-year-old performed a "Christmas Wrapping" cover, singing and playing guitar to the '80s hit. Twin brother Moroccan channeled dad Nick Cannon as he rapped a verse during "Here Comes Santa Claus."

"My children make such a big difference in my life," Carey said. "I love you so much and I learn from you every day."

Carey leaned into the stage persona her fans know and love, decked out in her diva finest while she decked the halls with high notes, infused the show with campy laughs and supported the next generation of performers with young dancers pumping up the crowd.

One of the comedic moments was her "glam squad song," which played as her makeup and hair team rushed to the stage to give her an impromptu touchup.

"I need some glam squad love, you'll hear the song," she said. "Most people do this behind the stage but we're here with you guys so we figured make it an experience, make it mesmerizing."

For anyone who might not have been tapped into the holiday spirit just yet, Sunday's show wrapped up the feeling with a large, fabulous bow.

"Merry Christmas," Carey said and she left the stage in a sleigh, as only she could. "We're going to miss you, love you!"

Mariah Carey Christmas tour setlist:

• "Hark the Herald Angels Sing"

• "Oh Santa!"

• "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" (with a "Deck the Halls" interlude)

• "When Christmas Comes"

• "Sleigh Ride"

• "Here Comes Santa Claus"

• "Christmas Wrapping"

• "Fall in Love at Christmas"

• "Silent Night"

• "Jesus Born On This Day"

• "One Child"

• "Joy to the World"

• "Christmas Time Is in the Air Again"

• "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen" (piano interlude)

• "My All" (church choir version)

• "I Know What You Want"

• "Always Be My Baby"

• "Dreamlover"

• "Honey/Heartbreaker (Remix)"

• "A No No"

• "It's a Wrap"

• "Emotions"

• "Make It Happen"

• "Fly Like a Bird"

• "We Belong Together"

• "Hero"

• "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" (dance interlude)

• "All I Want for Christmas Is You"

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mariah Carey MSG 2023 Christmas tour sparkles for final show