The NFL is bringing the big guns to its 2025 Thanksgiving Day games, turning the holiday into a celebration of football, music, and philanthropy. This year’s halftime shows promise to be a feast for fans, with Jack White, Post Malone, and Lil Jon taking center stage across the league’s three Thanksgiving matchups.
Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers – Jack White Rocks Ford Field
Detroit native Jack White, recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with The White Stripes, will headline the halftime show at Ford Field. Adding to the excitement, Eminem and his long-time manager Paul Rosenberg are serving as executive producers, ensuring the performance blends hometown pride with superstar energy. Fans can expect a high-voltage rock spectacle, marking a highlight of the Thanksgiving tradition.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Kansas City Chiefs – Post Malone Kicks Off Charity Campaign
At AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Post Malone will deliver a memorable performance. A lifelong Cowboys fan, Malone will also help launch The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign, one of the country’s largest and longest-running charitable initiatives. His participation underscores how NFL halftime shows have evolved beyond entertainment to become platforms for social impact.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens – Lil Jon Brings the Nightcap Energy
Closing out the day at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Lil Jon will energize fans with his signature high-octane performance. As the final halftime show of the day, Lil Jon’s set promises to be a party-filled conclusion to a day of football and festivity.
Thanksgiving vs Super Bowl Halftime Shows
While both Thanksgiving and Super Bowl halftime shows showcase top musical talent, there are key differences:
Thanksgiving Halftime Shows are part of a long-standing tradition during the NFL’s holiday games. They usually feature one performer per game, often with a hometown connection or charitable component, and are designed to entertain fans at the stadium and at home during regular-season football.
Super Bowl Halftime Shows, by contrast, are global spectacles, broadcast to hundreds of millions worldwide. They often involve multiple artists, elaborate staging, and commercial tie-ins, making it the most-watched musical performance of the year.
This year, while Jack White, Post Malone, and Lil Jon headline Thanksgiving, Bad Bunny is set to take the stage at the Super Bowl halftime show on February 8, promising a completely different level of production and global attention.
Thanksgiving football has long been an American tradition, with halftime shows drawing millions of viewers annually. The 2025 lineup not only showcases musical diversity — from rock to rap — but also highlights the intersection of sports, culture, and community through initiatives like the Red Kettle Campaign. Fans can look forward to a holiday celebration that’s louder, bolder, and more philanthropic than ever before.
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