Pentatonix: Around the World for the Holidays (2022) Movie Script
[manager narrating] All around the world,
holidays are a time for celebration.
From feasts to festivals,
ceremonies and spectacles,
parades to parties,
it's always about community and tradition.
In Los Angeles,
for a cappella group Pentatonix--
yep, these folks--
their favorite tradition is
making Christmas music for their fans,
year, after year, after year.
But, this year,
they might have played it a bit too cool.
The holidays were on the way.
They were running out of time.
They were gonna need a miracle
or at least a little holiday magic.
[Mitch] Right.
[Kirstin clears throat, trills]
Let's try this thing. Check, check, check.
Do y'all just wanna run it once
to kind of get the vibe?
-Should we get started?
-Should we try it once?
-Yeah. Try it.
-Let's do it.
I'm down.
A one, a two, a one, two, three, four
Candles burnin' low
[beatboxing]
Lots of mistletoe
Lots of snow and ice
-Everywhere we go
-Everywhere you go
-Choirs singin' carols
-Ooh
-Right outside my door
-Right outside my door
[Scott] All these things and more
All these things and more
That's what Christmas means to me
My love
That's what Christmas means to me
My love
We still got it.
-Yeah. We sound good.
-Come on now.
-But we need new music.
-Yeah, we do.
It's been almost a whole year
since we've put out a Christmas album.
-Yeah.
-So this one's gotta be good.
[sighs]
Done it. Done it. Done it.
We might be in trouble.
We've done every Christmas song
that exists.
Done it. Done it, done it, done it.
-[groans]
-[piano clangs]
Guys, I have an idea.
Don't say "guitar."
What if we use guitars?
-Oh, my God.
-Like on Evergreen?
-Yeah, but how about an electric guitar?
-[guitar riff plays]
Matt, we've been over this.
-[sighs] But guitars are so cool.
-We're voices only, okay?
Yeah, Mom.
You really should get that checked out.
Yeah, that's not a natural color.
Okay, I gotta go. I gotta go. I'm at work.
-I'm sorry. Who are you?
-I think you have the wrong--
Guys, I'm me--
I'm your manager to the rescue.
[Scott] He's not our manager.
Yeah, well, manager by default because
Janet's on vacay posting great pics.
-[Matt] How does he know Janet?
-Typical Janet.
You guys look really nervous.
-Is that what I'm sensing here?
-Um
You know what? I don't blame you.
Really, I don't blame you.
The label is demanding
this global release,
so you need to make sure
that this music appeals
to every single person on the planet.
Okay, speaking of which,
they're asking where the music is,
so I'm just gonna text them
a real quick update.
-Well, I probably wouldn't--
-Don't tell them anything.
They have nothing.
-[Pentatonix grumbles]
-Literally nothing.
Okay, you guys, look sad.
Look sad. Look sad.
-Wait.
-Okay. Send!
-Don't you send that--
-Yay.
-[groans]
-Oh, wow. That was fast.
-[phone chiming]
-Oh.
[chuckling] They're really freaking out.
Oh, my gosh!
-Hold on there, Mr. Manager. Hold on.
-[Matt, Kevin groan]
I think we have this under control.
We just need a second to think, okay?
Good idea. Good idea.
Let's take a-- take a minute and regroup.
[chuckling] Because I am realizing
I never booked an engineer.
[sighs]
And these mikes aren't really
connected to anything, so
Yeah, I was wondering about that.
-[manager] Sorry. Um
-Yeah.
Okay! You know what? Uh Oh!
Break room. Right.
Uh, why don't we all take five?
Take five and get in the break room.
-[Kirstin] Yeah.
-I think I like that.
-Let's go to the break room.
-Yeah. I'm gonna watch this video
about recording, mastering, and mixing
[imitates record scratch] an album, okay?
-Okay. All right.
-[Matt] What's he talking about?
-He's deejaying.
-[Mitch] Good luck.
-[Kirstin] All right.
-[manager] Yes, thank you. I got this!
-[Scott] Okay.
-Manager's here!
-[Matt] Oh! [gasps]
-[Mitch gasps]
[whispering] Oh, my God.
[Mitch gasps]
[Kevin] What? [stammers]
Are we all seeing this?
This is insane.
What is this place?
[Scott] Why would a studio have
such a huge mail room?
Something about this
doesn't feel believable.
You know what's unbelievable?
That Mitch matches this room.
Oh! Well, thank you. [chuckles]
I call it "Candy Cane Chic."
[chuckles]
Y'all, the door. It's gone.
[Mitch] Uh-oh. That's not good.
Um. Don't worry! Uh
Don't worry! I-- I got this.
I got it all memorized.
I got the code right here.
It's the notes to my favorite song.
Just gotta remember which favorite.
-Please tell me we're not stuck in here.
-Okay, we're not stuck in here.
But we are.
-I'm a Barbie--
-[keypad beeps]
Oh, no. Not that one. [chuckles]
And there is no service.
What are we even supposed to do in here?
I guess we could read all these letters?
That's a federal offense.
But they're all addressed to us.
[Kevin] Wow. [stammers]
These letters are from all over the world.
We got Australia. We got France.
This one's from Arendelle.
How has it not melted yet?
Huh!
Iowa. I've never gotten a letter
from Iowa before.
There's a ton of fan mail.
And this one's from Scott's mom.
And this one. And this one.
-She's a fan.
-[Kevin] Hold on.
I don't wanna panic,
but we still have an album to do, and
I'm starting to freak out just a little.
Kevin, that's panicking.
-Mary had a--
-[keypad beeping]
[screams]
[sighs]
[chuckling] Honestly?
Of course the mail in here can fly.
This one's from Japan.
Aw.
"Dear Pentatonix.
I wanna send you a huge Christmas greeting
and wish you a happy New Year."
[Masahiro] My name is Masahiro.
And I am from Tokyo.
A few years ago, a teacher of mine
played your music for me.
It inspired me to chase my dream
to become a singer.
To sing
That's why, next year,
I'll be going to music school overseas.
I have to be honest.
I'm nervous to leave Tokyo.
But I know that, wherever I go,
I always take memories of my home with me,
and, especially,
the memories at Christmastime,
from the Tokyo Skytree to seeing
all the decorations around Tokyo Station.
Of course, some of
my favorite memories are of my family.
[family speaking Japanese]
[Masahiro, in English] We always make
the time for the best Christmas dinner.
-[all speaking Japanese]
-[Masahiro, in English] Here in Japan,
we eat lots of different food
for Christmas.
[in Japanese]
[in English] Chicken, macaroni salad.
[in Japanese]
[Masahiro's parent]
[Masahiro, in English]
My mom is always surprising us.
[in Japanese]
[in English] I don't know about you,
but I think Christmas is the perfect time
of year for making memories.
I'm going to make sure
I enjoy every moment this year.
Christmas is also Yuya's birthday.
We've been friends since we were born.
[both speaking Japanese]
[Masahiro, in English]
This year, we are both heading off
to chase our dreams.
Yuya is studying to become a monk.
[in Japanese]
[Masahiro, in English]
They call it "going to the mountain."
So, I won't be seeing him for a few years.
I hope he doesn't forget me.
Thank you, Pentatonix,
for inspiring me to chase my dreams.
I know that this is the beginning
of an adventure,
and I'm so glad to know my friends
and family will be rooting for me.
I take a piece of my home
with me wherever I go.
I hope you also have beautiful memories
that you carry with you.
Masahiro.
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day
You gave it away
-This year, to save me from tears
-[Pentatonix harmonizing]
I'll give it to someone special
-Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
-[harmonizing continues]
But the very next day
You gave it away
[Pentatonix] Oh, you gave it away
-This year, to save me from tears
-[Pentatonix harmonizing]
I'll give it to someone special
-[Matt vocalizing]
-[Kevin beatboxing]
[Kirstin, Mitch]
La da da da da da da da
[Kirstin, Mitch] La da da da da
[Kirstin, Mitch] La da da da da
[vocalizes]
-Once bitten and twice shy
-[Kirstin, Mitch] Twice shy
I keep my distance
But you still catch my eye
Tell me, baby, do you recognize me?
Well, it's been a year
That doesn't surprise me, yeah
Merry Christmas
I wrapped it up and sent it
With a note saying, "I love you"
I meant it
Now I know what a fool I've been
But if you kissed me now
I bet you'd fool me again
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day
You gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day
You gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone
Give it to someone special
"I hope you also have beautiful memories
that you carry with you.
Masahiro."
That really is so beautiful,
and he's so right too.
Christmas is all about memories.
And so, I think that if we enjoy
every moment of making this album,
then we're gonna make music that
brings people joy and lasts forever.
It's such a beautiful thing,
and I'm so happy for Masahiro
that he's chasing his dreams.
Maybe we'll tour together one day.
-Yeah.
-Maybe, yeah.
-We have to go back to Japan.
-Yes.
[Matt] Oh!
This one's from Italy.
Let's see what it says.
"Dear Pentatonix.
Did you know that in Italy
there are bagpipe-playing shepherds?"
Well, did you know, in Ethiopia,
they actually celebrate Christmas
on January 7th?
This one's fun.
When Santa gets to Australia,
he gives his reindeer a break
and uses kangaroos instead.
-[Kirstin] Cute.
-[Kevin] That's so funny.
-Apropos.
-[Scott] I know.
I love that.
As much as I love fan mail,
I've got to get out of this room.
Yes.
[grunting]
Can anyone hear me? Anybody?
Okay, no, no, no.
It's fine. It's fine. I got this.
I'm gonna make a few calls.
I'm gonna get you guys out in a jiffy,
okay?
All right. All right.
-I just need to calm down.
-[Kirstin] Yeah, yeah.
-We're good.
-[Kirstin] Just sit down. It's okay.
I mean, hey, it was worth a shot.
[chuckles]
Whoa. Wait!
-[chuckling]
-[Kevin] What in the world?
Oh, wait. This--
This one is from Grenada.
That's crazy. That's where my mom's from.
[chuckling]
[Kevin] "Happy holidays, Pentatonix.
I hope you're enjoying
this wonderful time of the year.
I'm writing to you
from the beautiful island of Grenada."
[Sabrina] Grenada.
Grenada is a very small island in the
Caribbean, and I love it very, very much.
I know you're working on
a new holiday album,
and I'm wondering if you plan
to dedicate it to anyone special.
I am Sabrina.
I lost my grandmother a few years ago,
and I always miss her
during this time of year
because the holidays are the time that
connects us to our family and friends.
-Morning, Emma.
-Good morning.
[Emma]
You have coconuts?
-Absolutely.
-Nice.
This is for you.
-[Sabrina] Thanks, Emma.
-[Emma] All right.
Y'all remember
the first cook-off you ever had?
-Of course not.
-[laughs]
The first one I remember is
with my grandmother.
Yeah.
And I wanna do this cook-off
because it's the holidays.
And her spirit is always very present
around this time.
So, all y'all coming?
Of course. [chuckles]
[Sabrina]
Many Grenadians live all around the world.
Our island is the thing
that keeps us connected to each other.
The nature, the people and,
of course, the food.
Hey, y'all!
-[guest 1] Yeah.
-[guest 2] Merry Christmas.
[Sabrina] Every year at Christmas,
my family and I head down to the river,
and we put our big pot down.
-We have fun.
-[laughing]
My grandmother was a great cook.
We make Oil Down
from one of her old recipes.
-[guest 1] Merry Christmas.
-[guest 2] Yeah.
I feel like this is the perfect way
to celebrate a Grenadian Christmas.
[Sabrina] It's packed with breadfruit,
dumplings, calalu, coconut milk.
The colors represent the Grenadian flag.
No one will ever cook
as well as my grandmother did,
-but it's still delicious.
-[chattering, cheering]
[Sabrina] Let's have a drink
Let's have a drink
Let's have a drink
Let's have a drink
And have fun
Glory hallelujah
Glory hallelujah
[Sabrina] I feel so lucky that
my grandmother passed on these traditions
and her love for Grenada to me.
[singers] Let's join together
[cheering]
-[singer 1] All right.
-[singer 2] Yes!
[clapping rhythmically]
[people singing Grenadian song]
[Sabrina] There is nothing
that brings the community together
more than paranging in the streets.
It's our version of Christmas caroling.
You get on the back of a truck
and start making noise.
It's a party.
[singing continues]
[song ends]
[Sabrina] Merry Christmas from Grenada.
Love, Sabrina.
Joy to the world
The Lord is come
Let Earth receive the king
Let every heart
Prepare him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven
And heaven
And nature sing
[Pentatonix] Joy to the world
Joy to the world
Joy to the world
The savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods
Rocks, hills and plains
-Repeat the sounding joy
-Repeat the sounding joy
-Repeat the sounding joy
-Repeat the sounding joy
-Repeat, repeat the sounding joy
-Repeat the sounding joy
Come on
Joy to the world
And we sing
Let the Earth receive her king
Joy to the world
And we sing
-Let the angel voices ring
-Oh, no, no
Joy to the world
And we sing
-Let the men their songs employ
-Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah
Joy to the world
And we sing
-Repeat the sounding joy
-Repeat the sounding joy
[harmonizing]
He rules the world
With truth and grace
-And makes the nations prove
-Oh, yeah, oh, yeah
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness
And wonders of his love
-And wonders of his love
-Wonders of his love
-And wonders of his love
-Wonders of his love
-And wonders, wonders of his love
-Wonders of his love
And wonders
Wonders of his love
Joy to the world
And we sing
Let the Earth receive her king
Joy to the world
And we sing
Let the angel voices ring
"PS, just in case you're looking
for someone to dedicate your album to,
maybe you should dedicate it
to my grandmother.
Merry Christmas from Grenada."
[Scott] Aw, we should.
Maybe we should dedicate it
to her grandmother.
Gosh, that--
That letter brought back so many memories.
You guys remember
when you were at my wedding.
We had sorrel. We had black cake.
My mom wanted to represent
that Grenadian culture.
And I remember [chuckles]
growing up, on Sunday mornings,
my mom would make
this huge Grenadian breakfast
with spiced hot chocolate,
with salt fish, with johnny bake.
'Cause she really wanted her food
to bring us all together.
So did you have a bunch of those
cook-outs like Sabrina did on the island
when you were growing up? Or
No, 'cause you literally need a full week
to prepare for those.
-Yeah, and it's just mama in the kitchen.
-[Kevin] Yeah, exactly.
And we didn't have any Caribbean people
around us in Kentucky.
But my mom still keeps in touch
with a lot of people from Grenada.
-Nice. That's awesome.
-[Mitch] Oh, cool.
Wow, yeah. Sabrina and her grandparents
You know, it makes me think of
my great-grandmother and my grandmother.
They would come over on Christmas Eve,
and they would cook dinner for us.
And so they would make Christmas-Day
dinner all through the night,
-and it would literally rock us to sleep.
-[Kevin, Scott] Aw.
The smell and the aura
of the mac and cheese--
-It was so good. All the things.
-[Kirstin] Yum.
I'm coming over. That's crazy.
Yeah, I know.
You need to have some for real.
But those traditions are so important,
and, you know, for
[stammers] Mitch?
Mitch.
Mitch! [stammers]
Are you good? What's going on?
Oh, I'm just not getting any signal still
at all, no bars.
The walls made of lead in here?
-Oh! [chuckles]
-Whoa.
Is that snow?
There's something in there.
[gasps] Guys, this letter is from Iceland.
-Oh! I love Iceland.
-[Kirstin gasps]
It's the most beautiful place
I've ever been.
[Eva] Dear Pentatonix.
My name is Eva. I live in Iceland.
I'm sure it's the same where you are,
but here,
Christmas is a very magical time of year.
It's the time of year
when anything is possible.
It's only light
for a few hours a day here.
Maybe that's why we have so many stories
about the magical creatures
that sneak about in the dark.
On the nights leading up to Christmas, the
Yule Lads come down from the mountains.
If we put a shoe by the window,
they will secretly appear
and leave a gift if we've been good.
But if we have been bad,
they'll leave rotten potatoes.
The Yule Lads are often troublemakers.
They lick pots, steal sausages,
slam doors, sniff around for food.
Strange things happen all over your house
because of the magic of the Yule Lads.
Our parents tell us that
if we don't behave,
we could get eaten by
the Yule Lads' mother, Grla.
She's a magical troll
who lives in a mountain.
And if you think that's bad,
Grla's cat is even scarier.
He'll eat kids who don't get
any new clothes for Christmas.
[Eva's parent singing, in Icelandic]
[all singing]
[Eva, in English] My parents,
they're musicians and music teachers.
[both continue singing in Icelandic]
[Eva, in English]
I play the violin, the piano.
I sing in a choir.
My brother, he's nine years old.
His name is Leo.
And he sings really well.
He wants to be a rapper.
It's really fun
having such a musical family.
[Eva's parent]
Eva, you're up to something good.
[Eva] All the stories about
magical creatures are fun.
But what I love at Christmastime is
the magic that brings light and joy.
It's always practically dark at winter.
Almost everybody puts up Christmas lights,
and the whole town is so beautiful.
Remember to follow the lights.
[in Icelandic]
[Eva, in English]
Everyone is laughing and smiling,
and the world feels like
such a happy place.
Singing,
it's a really big part of my life.
When I go to the forest
to sing with my friends,
it really makes me feel really happy.
-Hi.
-[choir] Hi. Merry Christmas.
I really hope it snows for Christmas.
-Yeah.
-Yeah.
[Eva] If I had to choose what I love most
about the magic of Christmas,
there's nothing more magical than
what happens when people sing,
especially when they sing together,
just like you do.
Silent night
Thank you for sharing your music
and your magic with the world.
Holy night
All is calm
It might be dark in Iceland,
but the light comes from all of us
being together and singing.
-All is bright
-[choir harmonizes]
Round yon virgin
Mother and child
[in Icelandic]
Holy infant
So tender and mild
-Sleep in heavenly peace
-[choir] Peace
-[Eva] Sleep in heavenly peace
-[choir] Sleep in heavenly peace
[Pentatonix] Silent night
Holy night
All is calm
All is bright
Round yon virgin
Mother and child
Holy infant
So tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep
Sleep
Sleep
Sleep
Sleep
-Sleep
-Sleep
Sleep
-Sleep in heavenly
-Sleep
-Sleep
-Sleep
Sleep
Sleep
Sleep in heavenly
-Sleep
-Sleep
-Sleep
-Sleep
Sleep in heavenly
Silent night
Holy night
Silent night
Holy night
Silent night
Holy night
I love when Eva was talking
about the power of singing together.
I mean, do you guys remember
the first time we actually sang together?
-[Scott] Oh, my gosh. Yes.
-Yes.
[Scott] That was the craziest feeling
in the world.
I remember it like it was yesterday.
We were at my old
a cappella group's house.
Right! Yeah.
You were staying with us,
and we all had just met,
and we sang for the first time.
Yeah, and I think, like, the magic of
that instant connection was so beautiful,
but it's gotten even more magical
over the years
as we've all gotten to know each other,
watched each other grow up
for the last ten years so much.
Just feels so much more
meaningful and special.
-I agree with you.
-I love that.
I think Eva's right.
It is magical when
we get to sing together.
And we get to do it all the time.
Did you hear what you just said?
It's magical when we sing together.
That's how we get out!
[Pentatonix harmonizes]
Mary had a little--
Oops. No.
Mary had a li--
[clears throat]
[Matt sighs] I thought that would work.
It's sad.
And we sounded so good too.
We did.
[beatboxing]
[camera shutter clicks]
[Matt whoops]
[camera shutter clicks]
Hey, look. Airmail.
[Matt grunts, chuckles]
Is it another letter from Scott's mom?
My mom loves PTX, okay?
All right. Go on.
"Dear Pentatonix.
Happy holidays to all of you.
I am writing to you from Ghana
in western Africa."
[Kwame] My name is Kwame,
and I'm 13 years old.
And, like you, I love music.
It's a way for me to connect
with the traditions and culture
that make me who I am.
And I love the holiday season
because where I live,
music is everywhere this time of year.
Everything is just really festive
around this time.
-Oh, hello. What are you guys making?
-Hey.
-Salad.
-Help your daddy.
[Kwame] Food is also one
of the most important things
about holidays in our country.
[Kwame's mother] Make kelewele.
This is very, very Ghanaian.
Hey, hey, hey. Not yet.
Thank you for this food.
Those who don't have food,
let them get food and be nourished.
Ghana jollof. Cheers.
Cheers.
Except the fact I don't have jollof.
[Kwame's mother laughs]
I think I want to go to the market today.
Like, walk through and then,
eventually, get to the beach.
[Kwame's father] You are going to wear
the ahenema with the kente?
Are you sure you have the arms for it?
I probably don't,
but it will be a fun experience.
We will see.
[family chuckles]
Okay. You guys go get dressed.
[Kwame's father] Okay, let's go.
[Kwame]
The kente, it's really colorful cloth.
It's from our home region.
It's called Ashanti Region.
When you wear it, you feel really regal.
It's the dress of kings and queens.
-[people chattering]
-[horns honking]
-Hello, hello, hello.
-[patron] Chief.
[speaking Pidgin Twi]
[Kwame] My father is a rapper,
and he's my inspiration.
-Thank you.
-You're welcome.
Yeah, that's it. [chuckles]
[Kwame] He's taught me the beauty
of making modern music
that reflects our history
and our modern culture.
[Kwame, father speaking Twi]
[Kwame, in English]
And he's taught me, in Ghana,
festivals are a way for people
to express themselves.
[Kwame, merchant speaking Twi]
[Kwame, in English] This is the time
of year that I love the most.
It's when I feel everything
that's important coming together.
Where I come from, but also who I am now.
I love how music changes over time.
But I love how our music here in Ghana
draws from our traditions.
[Ghanaian singers singing, in Ewe]
[Kwame's father, in English]
This is the festive season,
and let me show you our heritage.
Dad, let's go.
[singing in Ewe continues]
[Kwame, in English] Wherever you go,
people from many generations
come together to celebrate,
and they all love music.
My dad says it was the same
when he was young.
It's something he passed down to me,
and I will carry this on in my life.
[singing in Ewe continues]
[Kwame, in English]
This is the time of who I am.
I hope one day I can share all of this
with the next generation.
[Ghanaian singers cheering]
And it's the most wonderful time
Of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you
"Be of good cheer"
It's the most wonderful time
Of the year
[Kirstin, Mitch, Scott harmonizing]
It's the hap-happiest season of all
[beatboxing]
With those holiday greetings
And gay happy meetings
When friends come to call
It's the hap-happiest season of all
Season of all
There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories
Of Christmases long, long ago
It's the most wonderful time
Of the year
There'll be much mistletoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When loved ones are near
Yeah, it's the most wonderful time
-Of the year
-Whoa oh
The most wonderful time of the year
-Whoa oh
-Yeah
The most wonderful time of the year
Whoa oh
The most wonderful time of the year
Listen
It's the most wonderful time
Of the year
The kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you
"Be of good cheer"
It's the most wonderful time
Yes, the most wonderful time
Oh, the most wonderful time
-Of the year
-Whoa oh
The most wonderful time of the year
You know, he's right.
That's exactly what I love
about Christmas songs.
You know, you can pass 'em down
from generation to generation,
but you can, like, update them
and make them your own.
I know we all grew up with music,
but where did you all first fall
in love with it?
I was always watching TV
and listening to songs with my mom
and being like, "I wanna do that."
So finally, when I was eight years old,
she signed me up for voice lessons.
And that was also when I was
in my first musical theater production.
And that's where I feel like I really,
really fell in love with music.
And I feel like that's something that
I'm able to then now pass down as well.
I love that so much.
I remember I was about eight years
old, too, and I really wanted to sing.
I was singing all the time, so my mom
signed me up for a country music revue.
-Oh, cool.
-Cute.
And so, I dressed the part.
-I put on a big belt buckle, a cowboy hat
-Oh, wow. Wow.
and I sang a George Strait classic
called "Ace in The Hole."
[laughs]
It was so cool to sing
and put smiles on people's faces.
And so, I just fell in love with it
and wanted to do it my whole life.
Yeah, same.
I think I was, like, four or five,
and, you guys know,
but my dad's a music pastor,
and he plays piano and sings.
So I remember, one day, we were at church,
and he was like,
"Let's sing like we do at home."
And then I got a microphone,
and I started singing,
and everybody just started going crazy.
-Wow.
-[laughs]
I'm picturing
four-year-old Matt being like
-[vocalizes]
-[others laughing]
It's so cool to hear those stories
'cause what it makes you realize is
that we're not just making an album.
We're passing on our stories
and our traditions through music.
-It's so beautiful.
-Yeah.
It's really cool knowing
how our music has touched
so many different people around the world.
[Scott] Yeah. It is really, really cool.
I'm almost happy we got locked in here.
Hey, girl. What's up?
Yeah, I totes got time.
It's just some work thing.
Oh! We should start planning
our next holiday party.
Yeah, I'm thinking of going as, like,
flirty reindeer.
Mm-hmm.
Okay. Mmm, what about flirty ornaments?
-[chuckles]
-Whoa.
-Kirstin, this one's addressed to you.
-[Scott] What--
Oh, my gosh. Wow. [chuckles]
-Check this out.
-[gasps] Thank you.
[gasps] It's a piata.
These are really, really special
during Christmastime in Mexico.
I wonder what's in here.
[Natalia] Dear Kirstin.
My name is Natalia, and I live in Mexico.
If you're wondering why
I sent you a piata,
it's because I heard that you
also have family from Mexico.
And I was wondering whether
you share my love
for our Mexican heritage and traditions.
[Natalia's parent] Natalia.
[in Spanish]
-[in English] What are we doing?
-Some tamales.
-Mmm.
-You like it?
Yeah.
And a little bit of salsa.
Always good.
Here in Mexico,
the holidays are a special time.
Not just because they are so colorful
and vibrant,
but because they're at a time of the year
that reminds me
of what a wonderful family I have.
Who else is coming?
My brother.
All right. Eugenia.
And your grandpa too.
Oh, Tito!
Yes. Just Juan Carlos is not coming.
[Natalia] I miss him so much.
Although our whole family
gathers on Christmas,
for three years now,
my brother has missed our celebration,
because he is studying abroad.
Christmas is the time I miss him the most.
This present needs to be perfect
because this one's for my brother.
I wish I could see his face when he opens.
[people chattering]
[in Spanish]
-[merchant]
-[Natalia]
[merchant speaking Spanish]
[Natalia, in English]
Every year, during the holidays,
we take part in Posadas,
which we celebrate
leading up to Christmas Eve.
-Hey! Merry Christmas.
-[Natalia] Hi! Welcome!
[Natalia's parent] Hi! Welcome!
-[speaks Spanish]
-[in English] It's so good to see you.
-[Natalia's parent, in Spanish]
-[Gustavo]
[in English] Wow!
[chuckling]
[Natalia] I have some buuelos.
We sing our favorite song, "Las Posadas."
Do you know what Posadas is?
No.
Well, Posadas is the representation
of Maria and Jos
when they came to Nazareth
to give birth to baby Jesus.
[singing in Spanish]
[Natalia, in English] It's a celebration
of love, shelter and family.
Juan Carlos and I love piatas.
We laugh so much when
they blindfolded me and spun me around.
He always let me go first,
which meant he usually didn't even
get a chance to try it himself.
Piatas represent the star of Bethlehem,
the guiding light that brings us all home.
[family singing in Spanish]
-[speaking Spanish]
-[gasps]
[speaking Spanish, cries]
[Natalia, in English] The piata guiding
my brother home is the best Christmas gift
I could ever hope for.
If your family comes from Mexico,
then I hope the piata
I have sent to you guides you home
to celebrate the holiday with us.
And if you can't get to Mexico,
I hope you will get to spend the holidays
with your family and loved ones.
Because being together with family is
the true gift of Christmas for me.
[speaking Spanish]
[Natalia singing "Feliz Navidad"]
[in English]
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart
-[Kirstin singing in Spanish]
-[others harmonizing, beatboxing]
-[continues singing in Spanish]
-[others continue harmonizing, beatboxing]
[in English]
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
-I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
-I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart
-[imitating saxophone solo]
-[others harmonizing]
[saxophone imitation ends with flourish]
[singing in Spanish]
[in English]
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart
Break it down now
[singing in Spanish]
[in English]
Merry Christmas
[singing in Spanish]
-[vocalizes]
-[song ends]
[chuckles]
That was so beautiful.
I'm gonna keep this.
I think sometimes we need a little help
finding our way home.
You know, spending time
with family and traditions are
so important during Christmastime.
And I feel like a huge way
that my family does that is
cooking and baking together.
We, unfortunately, lost my pa,
who was a really crucial member
to our family.
We were just talking about what we could--
how we could keep his spirit alive,
and I think a lot of that is
through the stories that we tell
-Yeah.
-and the traditions that we continue.
And so whether that's now making
tamales in the kitchen with buuelos
-and having that true family time.
-[Scott] Yeah.
And so I think it's really special
on Christmas to stick with family.
Especially now that our families
are evolving, right?
-So, as you guys know, I got married.
-[chuckles]
And so, spending Christmas with Sarah,
my wife's family, was just so special
because I got to see how she grew up
and how she'd celebrated Christmas.
[Kevin] It is so beautiful hearing that.
I have a daughter, Kaia,
and I'm excited to do
the same thing with her,
where she now gets to have
her own memories about Christmas.
And my wife, Leigh, and I,
we get to usher her into
what is gonna be new family traditions.
We may not be with
our actual families right now,
but you are all family to me.
-My chosen family.
-[others] Aw.
I feel the same way.
I love you guys so much.
I mean, I'm obsessed
with reading every single letter.
And I'm realizing all of them
have been gifts to us.
They show us what the holidays
are actually about.
Oh, yeah.
And I like that this one is sparkly.
-Oh, Mitch. You should read it.
-[Mitch] Yeah, I guess you're right.
[Matt chuckles]
Oh, it's from DCappella,
an a cappella group that loves
the holidays as much as we do.
"Happy holidays, Pentatonix.
We've always felt like music has the power
to bring people together,
especially during the holidays.
And that's why we love
your holiday albums.
Can't wait to hear more. Love, DCappella."
-Cute.
-[Scott] Aw.
They're right.
I mean, look at all these letters
from all over the world.
You know, we really get the chance
to bring people together.
Yeah, it just shows that we all
have so much in common,
no matter where we are in the world.
I mean, look at us. [chuckles]
We all come from different backgrounds
and different holiday traditions,
but we can come together
and make perfect harmony.
And that's the real magic.
I have a feeling
that we're all thinking the same thing.
-It's a small world.
-We've got to get out of this room.
I mean, it's a small world.
[all laughing]
-Oh, don't let it happen again.
-Silly.
[Mitch] It's a world of laughter
A world of tears
It's a world of hope
And a world of fears
There's so much that we share
That it's time we're aware
It's a small world after all
-It's a small world after all
-After all
-It's a small world after all
-After all
It's a small world after all
-It's a small, small world
-Small, small world
There is just one moon
And one golden sun
And a smile means
Friendship to everyone
Though the mountains divide
And the oceans are wide
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small, small world
It's a small, small world
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small, small world
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small, small world
There's so much that we share
That it's time we're aware
It's a small world after all
[splutters] It's a small world!
Doy! [chuckles]
I can't believe I missed that.
I've ridden that ride a million times.
All right.
It's a small world
[laughs]
-Oh, my gosh! Yay!
-[Matt] No way! We are free!
-Let's go. Let's go, guys!
-[Kirstin] Yay, let's go!
Ah! [laughs]
Oh. [groans]
-Oh, my God. We're free.
-Yay!
We're free.
-Oh, my God. Yes!
-We're free.
[all cheering]
Wow.
-Yes!
-You're welcome.
I never thought
I'd be so happy to see you again.
-I get that a lot.
-Oh, yeah.
-Yay, guys. We did it.
-Yay.
I'm gonna need you to sign a waiver
saying I didn't endanger you.
Cool? Okay! Yay!
-Okay.
-Sure. I don't care at this point.
-[Kirstin] Thank you.
-[Mitch] Bye.
-No, no, no, it's cool. I'll
-[Mitch] Thanks.
[stammering] I'm just gonna
close up shop here. Close it up.
And, uh, yeah, I'll be there in two secs.
Sure, maybe I locked them in.
But I also created the perfect scenario
for one of the best bands in the world
to find their holiday magic.
All it took was locking them in a room
with millions of fan letters
and minimal oxygen.
And having a great engineer helps too.
And that is how you make
the greatest holiday album of all time.
Excuse me. What are you still doing here?
And are you doing an interview
with yourself?
[scoffs] No, I'm not. [clears throat]
You're trying to take credit
for all of this, aren't you? Unbelievable.
-It's--
-You know what?
Let's just give him this.
If we didn't get locked in that room, we
wouldn't have been able to make the album.
So, thanks.
And
Happy holidays
It's a little pitchy, but it's good.
-[Kevin] Ooh!
-[others chuckling]
Is it bad to say I've been eating
Oil Down this whole time?
I wanna try some.
[stammers]
Ooh, do you think Olivia Rodrigo
has a magic mail room?
Mmm.
'Cause I've written her a lot of letters.
Did anyone get, like,
a bunch of paper cuts?
Matt said he wanted a guitar,
but I got a cello.
Do those trips count
for my frequent flyer miles?
Okay, does no one understand
the meaning of the word "a cappella"?
[sighs] This outfit was totally wasted
in that mail room.
#CandyCaneChic. It's already trending.
Wow.
[chuckles] My mom texted.
"Did you get all my letters?"
[chuckles]
Yeah, all 42 of them.
The letters were cool,
but next time just email us.
I'll be right there! I just gotta
get something out of the thing.
It's just
No! [groans]
-[door handle rattles]
-Hello? Is anyone out there?
holidays are a time for celebration.
From feasts to festivals,
ceremonies and spectacles,
parades to parties,
it's always about community and tradition.
In Los Angeles,
for a cappella group Pentatonix--
yep, these folks--
their favorite tradition is
making Christmas music for their fans,
year, after year, after year.
But, this year,
they might have played it a bit too cool.
The holidays were on the way.
They were running out of time.
They were gonna need a miracle
or at least a little holiday magic.
[Mitch] Right.
[Kirstin clears throat, trills]
Let's try this thing. Check, check, check.
Do y'all just wanna run it once
to kind of get the vibe?
-Should we get started?
-Should we try it once?
-Yeah. Try it.
-Let's do it.
I'm down.
A one, a two, a one, two, three, four
Candles burnin' low
[beatboxing]
Lots of mistletoe
Lots of snow and ice
-Everywhere we go
-Everywhere you go
-Choirs singin' carols
-Ooh
-Right outside my door
-Right outside my door
[Scott] All these things and more
All these things and more
That's what Christmas means to me
My love
That's what Christmas means to me
My love
We still got it.
-Yeah. We sound good.
-Come on now.
-But we need new music.
-Yeah, we do.
It's been almost a whole year
since we've put out a Christmas album.
-Yeah.
-So this one's gotta be good.
[sighs]
Done it. Done it. Done it.
We might be in trouble.
We've done every Christmas song
that exists.
Done it. Done it, done it, done it.
-[groans]
-[piano clangs]
Guys, I have an idea.
Don't say "guitar."
What if we use guitars?
-Oh, my God.
-Like on Evergreen?
-Yeah, but how about an electric guitar?
-[guitar riff plays]
Matt, we've been over this.
-[sighs] But guitars are so cool.
-We're voices only, okay?
Yeah, Mom.
You really should get that checked out.
Yeah, that's not a natural color.
Okay, I gotta go. I gotta go. I'm at work.
-I'm sorry. Who are you?
-I think you have the wrong--
Guys, I'm me--
I'm your manager to the rescue.
[Scott] He's not our manager.
Yeah, well, manager by default because
Janet's on vacay posting great pics.
-[Matt] How does he know Janet?
-Typical Janet.
You guys look really nervous.
-Is that what I'm sensing here?
-Um
You know what? I don't blame you.
Really, I don't blame you.
The label is demanding
this global release,
so you need to make sure
that this music appeals
to every single person on the planet.
Okay, speaking of which,
they're asking where the music is,
so I'm just gonna text them
a real quick update.
-Well, I probably wouldn't--
-Don't tell them anything.
They have nothing.
-[Pentatonix grumbles]
-Literally nothing.
Okay, you guys, look sad.
Look sad. Look sad.
-Wait.
-Okay. Send!
-Don't you send that--
-Yay.
-[groans]
-Oh, wow. That was fast.
-[phone chiming]
-Oh.
[chuckling] They're really freaking out.
Oh, my gosh!
-Hold on there, Mr. Manager. Hold on.
-[Matt, Kevin groan]
I think we have this under control.
We just need a second to think, okay?
Good idea. Good idea.
Let's take a-- take a minute and regroup.
[chuckling] Because I am realizing
I never booked an engineer.
[sighs]
And these mikes aren't really
connected to anything, so
Yeah, I was wondering about that.
-[manager] Sorry. Um
-Yeah.
Okay! You know what? Uh Oh!
Break room. Right.
Uh, why don't we all take five?
Take five and get in the break room.
-[Kirstin] Yeah.
-I think I like that.
-Let's go to the break room.
-Yeah. I'm gonna watch this video
about recording, mastering, and mixing
[imitates record scratch] an album, okay?
-Okay. All right.
-[Matt] What's he talking about?
-He's deejaying.
-[Mitch] Good luck.
-[Kirstin] All right.
-[manager] Yes, thank you. I got this!
-[Scott] Okay.
-Manager's here!
-[Matt] Oh! [gasps]
-[Mitch gasps]
[whispering] Oh, my God.
[Mitch gasps]
[Kevin] What? [stammers]
Are we all seeing this?
This is insane.
What is this place?
[Scott] Why would a studio have
such a huge mail room?
Something about this
doesn't feel believable.
You know what's unbelievable?
That Mitch matches this room.
Oh! Well, thank you. [chuckles]
I call it "Candy Cane Chic."
[chuckles]
Y'all, the door. It's gone.
[Mitch] Uh-oh. That's not good.
Um. Don't worry! Uh
Don't worry! I-- I got this.
I got it all memorized.
I got the code right here.
It's the notes to my favorite song.
Just gotta remember which favorite.
-Please tell me we're not stuck in here.
-Okay, we're not stuck in here.
But we are.
-I'm a Barbie--
-[keypad beeps]
Oh, no. Not that one. [chuckles]
And there is no service.
What are we even supposed to do in here?
I guess we could read all these letters?
That's a federal offense.
But they're all addressed to us.
[Kevin] Wow. [stammers]
These letters are from all over the world.
We got Australia. We got France.
This one's from Arendelle.
How has it not melted yet?
Huh!
Iowa. I've never gotten a letter
from Iowa before.
There's a ton of fan mail.
And this one's from Scott's mom.
And this one. And this one.
-She's a fan.
-[Kevin] Hold on.
I don't wanna panic,
but we still have an album to do, and
I'm starting to freak out just a little.
Kevin, that's panicking.
-Mary had a--
-[keypad beeping]
[screams]
[sighs]
[chuckling] Honestly?
Of course the mail in here can fly.
This one's from Japan.
Aw.
"Dear Pentatonix.
I wanna send you a huge Christmas greeting
and wish you a happy New Year."
[Masahiro] My name is Masahiro.
And I am from Tokyo.
A few years ago, a teacher of mine
played your music for me.
It inspired me to chase my dream
to become a singer.
To sing
That's why, next year,
I'll be going to music school overseas.
I have to be honest.
I'm nervous to leave Tokyo.
But I know that, wherever I go,
I always take memories of my home with me,
and, especially,
the memories at Christmastime,
from the Tokyo Skytree to seeing
all the decorations around Tokyo Station.
Of course, some of
my favorite memories are of my family.
[family speaking Japanese]
[Masahiro, in English] We always make
the time for the best Christmas dinner.
-[all speaking Japanese]
-[Masahiro, in English] Here in Japan,
we eat lots of different food
for Christmas.
[in Japanese]
[in English] Chicken, macaroni salad.
[in Japanese]
[Masahiro's parent]
[Masahiro, in English]
My mom is always surprising us.
[in Japanese]
[in English] I don't know about you,
but I think Christmas is the perfect time
of year for making memories.
I'm going to make sure
I enjoy every moment this year.
Christmas is also Yuya's birthday.
We've been friends since we were born.
[both speaking Japanese]
[Masahiro, in English]
This year, we are both heading off
to chase our dreams.
Yuya is studying to become a monk.
[in Japanese]
[Masahiro, in English]
They call it "going to the mountain."
So, I won't be seeing him for a few years.
I hope he doesn't forget me.
Thank you, Pentatonix,
for inspiring me to chase my dreams.
I know that this is the beginning
of an adventure,
and I'm so glad to know my friends
and family will be rooting for me.
I take a piece of my home
with me wherever I go.
I hope you also have beautiful memories
that you carry with you.
Masahiro.
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day
You gave it away
-This year, to save me from tears
-[Pentatonix harmonizing]
I'll give it to someone special
-Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
-[harmonizing continues]
But the very next day
You gave it away
[Pentatonix] Oh, you gave it away
-This year, to save me from tears
-[Pentatonix harmonizing]
I'll give it to someone special
-[Matt vocalizing]
-[Kevin beatboxing]
[Kirstin, Mitch]
La da da da da da da da
[Kirstin, Mitch] La da da da da
[Kirstin, Mitch] La da da da da
[vocalizes]
-Once bitten and twice shy
-[Kirstin, Mitch] Twice shy
I keep my distance
But you still catch my eye
Tell me, baby, do you recognize me?
Well, it's been a year
That doesn't surprise me, yeah
Merry Christmas
I wrapped it up and sent it
With a note saying, "I love you"
I meant it
Now I know what a fool I've been
But if you kissed me now
I bet you'd fool me again
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day
You gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day
You gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone
Give it to someone special
"I hope you also have beautiful memories
that you carry with you.
Masahiro."
That really is so beautiful,
and he's so right too.
Christmas is all about memories.
And so, I think that if we enjoy
every moment of making this album,
then we're gonna make music that
brings people joy and lasts forever.
It's such a beautiful thing,
and I'm so happy for Masahiro
that he's chasing his dreams.
Maybe we'll tour together one day.
-Yeah.
-Maybe, yeah.
-We have to go back to Japan.
-Yes.
[Matt] Oh!
This one's from Italy.
Let's see what it says.
"Dear Pentatonix.
Did you know that in Italy
there are bagpipe-playing shepherds?"
Well, did you know, in Ethiopia,
they actually celebrate Christmas
on January 7th?
This one's fun.
When Santa gets to Australia,
he gives his reindeer a break
and uses kangaroos instead.
-[Kirstin] Cute.
-[Kevin] That's so funny.
-Apropos.
-[Scott] I know.
I love that.
As much as I love fan mail,
I've got to get out of this room.
Yes.
[grunting]
Can anyone hear me? Anybody?
Okay, no, no, no.
It's fine. It's fine. I got this.
I'm gonna make a few calls.
I'm gonna get you guys out in a jiffy,
okay?
All right. All right.
-I just need to calm down.
-[Kirstin] Yeah, yeah.
-We're good.
-[Kirstin] Just sit down. It's okay.
I mean, hey, it was worth a shot.
[chuckles]
Whoa. Wait!
-[chuckling]
-[Kevin] What in the world?
Oh, wait. This--
This one is from Grenada.
That's crazy. That's where my mom's from.
[chuckling]
[Kevin] "Happy holidays, Pentatonix.
I hope you're enjoying
this wonderful time of the year.
I'm writing to you
from the beautiful island of Grenada."
[Sabrina] Grenada.
Grenada is a very small island in the
Caribbean, and I love it very, very much.
I know you're working on
a new holiday album,
and I'm wondering if you plan
to dedicate it to anyone special.
I am Sabrina.
I lost my grandmother a few years ago,
and I always miss her
during this time of year
because the holidays are the time that
connects us to our family and friends.
-Morning, Emma.
-Good morning.
[Emma]
You have coconuts?
-Absolutely.
-Nice.
This is for you.
-[Sabrina] Thanks, Emma.
-[Emma] All right.
Y'all remember
the first cook-off you ever had?
-Of course not.
-[laughs]
The first one I remember is
with my grandmother.
Yeah.
And I wanna do this cook-off
because it's the holidays.
And her spirit is always very present
around this time.
So, all y'all coming?
Of course. [chuckles]
[Sabrina]
Many Grenadians live all around the world.
Our island is the thing
that keeps us connected to each other.
The nature, the people and,
of course, the food.
Hey, y'all!
-[guest 1] Yeah.
-[guest 2] Merry Christmas.
[Sabrina] Every year at Christmas,
my family and I head down to the river,
and we put our big pot down.
-We have fun.
-[laughing]
My grandmother was a great cook.
We make Oil Down
from one of her old recipes.
-[guest 1] Merry Christmas.
-[guest 2] Yeah.
I feel like this is the perfect way
to celebrate a Grenadian Christmas.
[Sabrina] It's packed with breadfruit,
dumplings, calalu, coconut milk.
The colors represent the Grenadian flag.
No one will ever cook
as well as my grandmother did,
-but it's still delicious.
-[chattering, cheering]
[Sabrina] Let's have a drink
Let's have a drink
Let's have a drink
Let's have a drink
And have fun
Glory hallelujah
Glory hallelujah
[Sabrina] I feel so lucky that
my grandmother passed on these traditions
and her love for Grenada to me.
[singers] Let's join together
[cheering]
-[singer 1] All right.
-[singer 2] Yes!
[clapping rhythmically]
[people singing Grenadian song]
[Sabrina] There is nothing
that brings the community together
more than paranging in the streets.
It's our version of Christmas caroling.
You get on the back of a truck
and start making noise.
It's a party.
[singing continues]
[song ends]
[Sabrina] Merry Christmas from Grenada.
Love, Sabrina.
Joy to the world
The Lord is come
Let Earth receive the king
Let every heart
Prepare him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven
And heaven
And nature sing
[Pentatonix] Joy to the world
Joy to the world
Joy to the world
The savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods
Rocks, hills and plains
-Repeat the sounding joy
-Repeat the sounding joy
-Repeat the sounding joy
-Repeat the sounding joy
-Repeat, repeat the sounding joy
-Repeat the sounding joy
Come on
Joy to the world
And we sing
Let the Earth receive her king
Joy to the world
And we sing
-Let the angel voices ring
-Oh, no, no
Joy to the world
And we sing
-Let the men their songs employ
-Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah
Joy to the world
And we sing
-Repeat the sounding joy
-Repeat the sounding joy
[harmonizing]
He rules the world
With truth and grace
-And makes the nations prove
-Oh, yeah, oh, yeah
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness
And wonders of his love
-And wonders of his love
-Wonders of his love
-And wonders of his love
-Wonders of his love
-And wonders, wonders of his love
-Wonders of his love
And wonders
Wonders of his love
Joy to the world
And we sing
Let the Earth receive her king
Joy to the world
And we sing
Let the angel voices ring
"PS, just in case you're looking
for someone to dedicate your album to,
maybe you should dedicate it
to my grandmother.
Merry Christmas from Grenada."
[Scott] Aw, we should.
Maybe we should dedicate it
to her grandmother.
Gosh, that--
That letter brought back so many memories.
You guys remember
when you were at my wedding.
We had sorrel. We had black cake.
My mom wanted to represent
that Grenadian culture.
And I remember [chuckles]
growing up, on Sunday mornings,
my mom would make
this huge Grenadian breakfast
with spiced hot chocolate,
with salt fish, with johnny bake.
'Cause she really wanted her food
to bring us all together.
So did you have a bunch of those
cook-outs like Sabrina did on the island
when you were growing up? Or
No, 'cause you literally need a full week
to prepare for those.
-Yeah, and it's just mama in the kitchen.
-[Kevin] Yeah, exactly.
And we didn't have any Caribbean people
around us in Kentucky.
But my mom still keeps in touch
with a lot of people from Grenada.
-Nice. That's awesome.
-[Mitch] Oh, cool.
Wow, yeah. Sabrina and her grandparents
You know, it makes me think of
my great-grandmother and my grandmother.
They would come over on Christmas Eve,
and they would cook dinner for us.
And so they would make Christmas-Day
dinner all through the night,
-and it would literally rock us to sleep.
-[Kevin, Scott] Aw.
The smell and the aura
of the mac and cheese--
-It was so good. All the things.
-[Kirstin] Yum.
I'm coming over. That's crazy.
Yeah, I know.
You need to have some for real.
But those traditions are so important,
and, you know, for
[stammers] Mitch?
Mitch.
Mitch! [stammers]
Are you good? What's going on?
Oh, I'm just not getting any signal still
at all, no bars.
The walls made of lead in here?
-Oh! [chuckles]
-Whoa.
Is that snow?
There's something in there.
[gasps] Guys, this letter is from Iceland.
-Oh! I love Iceland.
-[Kirstin gasps]
It's the most beautiful place
I've ever been.
[Eva] Dear Pentatonix.
My name is Eva. I live in Iceland.
I'm sure it's the same where you are,
but here,
Christmas is a very magical time of year.
It's the time of year
when anything is possible.
It's only light
for a few hours a day here.
Maybe that's why we have so many stories
about the magical creatures
that sneak about in the dark.
On the nights leading up to Christmas, the
Yule Lads come down from the mountains.
If we put a shoe by the window,
they will secretly appear
and leave a gift if we've been good.
But if we have been bad,
they'll leave rotten potatoes.
The Yule Lads are often troublemakers.
They lick pots, steal sausages,
slam doors, sniff around for food.
Strange things happen all over your house
because of the magic of the Yule Lads.
Our parents tell us that
if we don't behave,
we could get eaten by
the Yule Lads' mother, Grla.
She's a magical troll
who lives in a mountain.
And if you think that's bad,
Grla's cat is even scarier.
He'll eat kids who don't get
any new clothes for Christmas.
[Eva's parent singing, in Icelandic]
[all singing]
[Eva, in English] My parents,
they're musicians and music teachers.
[both continue singing in Icelandic]
[Eva, in English]
I play the violin, the piano.
I sing in a choir.
My brother, he's nine years old.
His name is Leo.
And he sings really well.
He wants to be a rapper.
It's really fun
having such a musical family.
[Eva's parent]
Eva, you're up to something good.
[Eva] All the stories about
magical creatures are fun.
But what I love at Christmastime is
the magic that brings light and joy.
It's always practically dark at winter.
Almost everybody puts up Christmas lights,
and the whole town is so beautiful.
Remember to follow the lights.
[in Icelandic]
[Eva, in English]
Everyone is laughing and smiling,
and the world feels like
such a happy place.
Singing,
it's a really big part of my life.
When I go to the forest
to sing with my friends,
it really makes me feel really happy.
-Hi.
-[choir] Hi. Merry Christmas.
I really hope it snows for Christmas.
-Yeah.
-Yeah.
[Eva] If I had to choose what I love most
about the magic of Christmas,
there's nothing more magical than
what happens when people sing,
especially when they sing together,
just like you do.
Silent night
Thank you for sharing your music
and your magic with the world.
Holy night
All is calm
It might be dark in Iceland,
but the light comes from all of us
being together and singing.
-All is bright
-[choir harmonizes]
Round yon virgin
Mother and child
[in Icelandic]
Holy infant
So tender and mild
-Sleep in heavenly peace
-[choir] Peace
-[Eva] Sleep in heavenly peace
-[choir] Sleep in heavenly peace
[Pentatonix] Silent night
Holy night
All is calm
All is bright
Round yon virgin
Mother and child
Holy infant
So tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep
Sleep
Sleep
Sleep
Sleep
-Sleep
-Sleep
Sleep
-Sleep in heavenly
-Sleep
-Sleep
-Sleep
Sleep
Sleep
Sleep in heavenly
-Sleep
-Sleep
-Sleep
-Sleep
Sleep in heavenly
Silent night
Holy night
Silent night
Holy night
Silent night
Holy night
I love when Eva was talking
about the power of singing together.
I mean, do you guys remember
the first time we actually sang together?
-[Scott] Oh, my gosh. Yes.
-Yes.
[Scott] That was the craziest feeling
in the world.
I remember it like it was yesterday.
We were at my old
a cappella group's house.
Right! Yeah.
You were staying with us,
and we all had just met,
and we sang for the first time.
Yeah, and I think, like, the magic of
that instant connection was so beautiful,
but it's gotten even more magical
over the years
as we've all gotten to know each other,
watched each other grow up
for the last ten years so much.
Just feels so much more
meaningful and special.
-I agree with you.
-I love that.
I think Eva's right.
It is magical when
we get to sing together.
And we get to do it all the time.
Did you hear what you just said?
It's magical when we sing together.
That's how we get out!
[Pentatonix harmonizes]
Mary had a little--
Oops. No.
Mary had a li--
[clears throat]
[Matt sighs] I thought that would work.
It's sad.
And we sounded so good too.
We did.
[beatboxing]
[camera shutter clicks]
[Matt whoops]
[camera shutter clicks]
Hey, look. Airmail.
[Matt grunts, chuckles]
Is it another letter from Scott's mom?
My mom loves PTX, okay?
All right. Go on.
"Dear Pentatonix.
Happy holidays to all of you.
I am writing to you from Ghana
in western Africa."
[Kwame] My name is Kwame,
and I'm 13 years old.
And, like you, I love music.
It's a way for me to connect
with the traditions and culture
that make me who I am.
And I love the holiday season
because where I live,
music is everywhere this time of year.
Everything is just really festive
around this time.
-Oh, hello. What are you guys making?
-Hey.
-Salad.
-Help your daddy.
[Kwame] Food is also one
of the most important things
about holidays in our country.
[Kwame's mother] Make kelewele.
This is very, very Ghanaian.
Hey, hey, hey. Not yet.
Thank you for this food.
Those who don't have food,
let them get food and be nourished.
Ghana jollof. Cheers.
Cheers.
Except the fact I don't have jollof.
[Kwame's mother laughs]
I think I want to go to the market today.
Like, walk through and then,
eventually, get to the beach.
[Kwame's father] You are going to wear
the ahenema with the kente?
Are you sure you have the arms for it?
I probably don't,
but it will be a fun experience.
We will see.
[family chuckles]
Okay. You guys go get dressed.
[Kwame's father] Okay, let's go.
[Kwame]
The kente, it's really colorful cloth.
It's from our home region.
It's called Ashanti Region.
When you wear it, you feel really regal.
It's the dress of kings and queens.
-[people chattering]
-[horns honking]
-Hello, hello, hello.
-[patron] Chief.
[speaking Pidgin Twi]
[Kwame] My father is a rapper,
and he's my inspiration.
-Thank you.
-You're welcome.
Yeah, that's it. [chuckles]
[Kwame] He's taught me the beauty
of making modern music
that reflects our history
and our modern culture.
[Kwame, father speaking Twi]
[Kwame, in English]
And he's taught me, in Ghana,
festivals are a way for people
to express themselves.
[Kwame, merchant speaking Twi]
[Kwame, in English] This is the time
of year that I love the most.
It's when I feel everything
that's important coming together.
Where I come from, but also who I am now.
I love how music changes over time.
But I love how our music here in Ghana
draws from our traditions.
[Ghanaian singers singing, in Ewe]
[Kwame's father, in English]
This is the festive season,
and let me show you our heritage.
Dad, let's go.
[singing in Ewe continues]
[Kwame, in English] Wherever you go,
people from many generations
come together to celebrate,
and they all love music.
My dad says it was the same
when he was young.
It's something he passed down to me,
and I will carry this on in my life.
[singing in Ewe continues]
[Kwame, in English]
This is the time of who I am.
I hope one day I can share all of this
with the next generation.
[Ghanaian singers cheering]
And it's the most wonderful time
Of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you
"Be of good cheer"
It's the most wonderful time
Of the year
[Kirstin, Mitch, Scott harmonizing]
It's the hap-happiest season of all
[beatboxing]
With those holiday greetings
And gay happy meetings
When friends come to call
It's the hap-happiest season of all
Season of all
There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories
Of Christmases long, long ago
It's the most wonderful time
Of the year
There'll be much mistletoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When loved ones are near
Yeah, it's the most wonderful time
-Of the year
-Whoa oh
The most wonderful time of the year
-Whoa oh
-Yeah
The most wonderful time of the year
Whoa oh
The most wonderful time of the year
Listen
It's the most wonderful time
Of the year
The kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you
"Be of good cheer"
It's the most wonderful time
Yes, the most wonderful time
Oh, the most wonderful time
-Of the year
-Whoa oh
The most wonderful time of the year
You know, he's right.
That's exactly what I love
about Christmas songs.
You know, you can pass 'em down
from generation to generation,
but you can, like, update them
and make them your own.
I know we all grew up with music,
but where did you all first fall
in love with it?
I was always watching TV
and listening to songs with my mom
and being like, "I wanna do that."
So finally, when I was eight years old,
she signed me up for voice lessons.
And that was also when I was
in my first musical theater production.
And that's where I feel like I really,
really fell in love with music.
And I feel like that's something that
I'm able to then now pass down as well.
I love that so much.
I remember I was about eight years
old, too, and I really wanted to sing.
I was singing all the time, so my mom
signed me up for a country music revue.
-Oh, cool.
-Cute.
And so, I dressed the part.
-I put on a big belt buckle, a cowboy hat
-Oh, wow. Wow.
and I sang a George Strait classic
called "Ace in The Hole."
[laughs]
It was so cool to sing
and put smiles on people's faces.
And so, I just fell in love with it
and wanted to do it my whole life.
Yeah, same.
I think I was, like, four or five,
and, you guys know,
but my dad's a music pastor,
and he plays piano and sings.
So I remember, one day, we were at church,
and he was like,
"Let's sing like we do at home."
And then I got a microphone,
and I started singing,
and everybody just started going crazy.
-Wow.
-[laughs]
I'm picturing
four-year-old Matt being like
-[vocalizes]
-[others laughing]
It's so cool to hear those stories
'cause what it makes you realize is
that we're not just making an album.
We're passing on our stories
and our traditions through music.
-It's so beautiful.
-Yeah.
It's really cool knowing
how our music has touched
so many different people around the world.
[Scott] Yeah. It is really, really cool.
I'm almost happy we got locked in here.
Hey, girl. What's up?
Yeah, I totes got time.
It's just some work thing.
Oh! We should start planning
our next holiday party.
Yeah, I'm thinking of going as, like,
flirty reindeer.
Mm-hmm.
Okay. Mmm, what about flirty ornaments?
-[chuckles]
-Whoa.
-Kirstin, this one's addressed to you.
-[Scott] What--
Oh, my gosh. Wow. [chuckles]
-Check this out.
-[gasps] Thank you.
[gasps] It's a piata.
These are really, really special
during Christmastime in Mexico.
I wonder what's in here.
[Natalia] Dear Kirstin.
My name is Natalia, and I live in Mexico.
If you're wondering why
I sent you a piata,
it's because I heard that you
also have family from Mexico.
And I was wondering whether
you share my love
for our Mexican heritage and traditions.
[Natalia's parent] Natalia.
[in Spanish]
-[in English] What are we doing?
-Some tamales.
-Mmm.
-You like it?
Yeah.
And a little bit of salsa.
Always good.
Here in Mexico,
the holidays are a special time.
Not just because they are so colorful
and vibrant,
but because they're at a time of the year
that reminds me
of what a wonderful family I have.
Who else is coming?
My brother.
All right. Eugenia.
And your grandpa too.
Oh, Tito!
Yes. Just Juan Carlos is not coming.
[Natalia] I miss him so much.
Although our whole family
gathers on Christmas,
for three years now,
my brother has missed our celebration,
because he is studying abroad.
Christmas is the time I miss him the most.
This present needs to be perfect
because this one's for my brother.
I wish I could see his face when he opens.
[people chattering]
[in Spanish]
-[merchant]
-[Natalia]
[merchant speaking Spanish]
[Natalia, in English]
Every year, during the holidays,
we take part in Posadas,
which we celebrate
leading up to Christmas Eve.
-Hey! Merry Christmas.
-[Natalia] Hi! Welcome!
[Natalia's parent] Hi! Welcome!
-[speaks Spanish]
-[in English] It's so good to see you.
-[Natalia's parent, in Spanish]
-[Gustavo]
[in English] Wow!
[chuckling]
[Natalia] I have some buuelos.
We sing our favorite song, "Las Posadas."
Do you know what Posadas is?
No.
Well, Posadas is the representation
of Maria and Jos
when they came to Nazareth
to give birth to baby Jesus.
[singing in Spanish]
[Natalia, in English] It's a celebration
of love, shelter and family.
Juan Carlos and I love piatas.
We laugh so much when
they blindfolded me and spun me around.
He always let me go first,
which meant he usually didn't even
get a chance to try it himself.
Piatas represent the star of Bethlehem,
the guiding light that brings us all home.
[family singing in Spanish]
-[speaking Spanish]
-[gasps]
[speaking Spanish, cries]
[Natalia, in English] The piata guiding
my brother home is the best Christmas gift
I could ever hope for.
If your family comes from Mexico,
then I hope the piata
I have sent to you guides you home
to celebrate the holiday with us.
And if you can't get to Mexico,
I hope you will get to spend the holidays
with your family and loved ones.
Because being together with family is
the true gift of Christmas for me.
[speaking Spanish]
[Natalia singing "Feliz Navidad"]
[in English]
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart
-[Kirstin singing in Spanish]
-[others harmonizing, beatboxing]
-[continues singing in Spanish]
-[others continue harmonizing, beatboxing]
[in English]
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
-I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
-I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart
-[imitating saxophone solo]
-[others harmonizing]
[saxophone imitation ends with flourish]
[singing in Spanish]
[in English]
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart
Break it down now
[singing in Spanish]
[in English]
Merry Christmas
[singing in Spanish]
-[vocalizes]
-[song ends]
[chuckles]
That was so beautiful.
I'm gonna keep this.
I think sometimes we need a little help
finding our way home.
You know, spending time
with family and traditions are
so important during Christmastime.
And I feel like a huge way
that my family does that is
cooking and baking together.
We, unfortunately, lost my pa,
who was a really crucial member
to our family.
We were just talking about what we could--
how we could keep his spirit alive,
and I think a lot of that is
through the stories that we tell
-Yeah.
-and the traditions that we continue.
And so whether that's now making
tamales in the kitchen with buuelos
-and having that true family time.
-[Scott] Yeah.
And so I think it's really special
on Christmas to stick with family.
Especially now that our families
are evolving, right?
-So, as you guys know, I got married.
-[chuckles]
And so, spending Christmas with Sarah,
my wife's family, was just so special
because I got to see how she grew up
and how she'd celebrated Christmas.
[Kevin] It is so beautiful hearing that.
I have a daughter, Kaia,
and I'm excited to do
the same thing with her,
where she now gets to have
her own memories about Christmas.
And my wife, Leigh, and I,
we get to usher her into
what is gonna be new family traditions.
We may not be with
our actual families right now,
but you are all family to me.
-My chosen family.
-[others] Aw.
I feel the same way.
I love you guys so much.
I mean, I'm obsessed
with reading every single letter.
And I'm realizing all of them
have been gifts to us.
They show us what the holidays
are actually about.
Oh, yeah.
And I like that this one is sparkly.
-Oh, Mitch. You should read it.
-[Mitch] Yeah, I guess you're right.
[Matt chuckles]
Oh, it's from DCappella,
an a cappella group that loves
the holidays as much as we do.
"Happy holidays, Pentatonix.
We've always felt like music has the power
to bring people together,
especially during the holidays.
And that's why we love
your holiday albums.
Can't wait to hear more. Love, DCappella."
-Cute.
-[Scott] Aw.
They're right.
I mean, look at all these letters
from all over the world.
You know, we really get the chance
to bring people together.
Yeah, it just shows that we all
have so much in common,
no matter where we are in the world.
I mean, look at us. [chuckles]
We all come from different backgrounds
and different holiday traditions,
but we can come together
and make perfect harmony.
And that's the real magic.
I have a feeling
that we're all thinking the same thing.
-It's a small world.
-We've got to get out of this room.
I mean, it's a small world.
[all laughing]
-Oh, don't let it happen again.
-Silly.
[Mitch] It's a world of laughter
A world of tears
It's a world of hope
And a world of fears
There's so much that we share
That it's time we're aware
It's a small world after all
-It's a small world after all
-After all
-It's a small world after all
-After all
It's a small world after all
-It's a small, small world
-Small, small world
There is just one moon
And one golden sun
And a smile means
Friendship to everyone
Though the mountains divide
And the oceans are wide
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small, small world
It's a small, small world
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small, small world
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small, small world
There's so much that we share
That it's time we're aware
It's a small world after all
[splutters] It's a small world!
Doy! [chuckles]
I can't believe I missed that.
I've ridden that ride a million times.
All right.
It's a small world
[laughs]
-Oh, my gosh! Yay!
-[Matt] No way! We are free!
-Let's go. Let's go, guys!
-[Kirstin] Yay, let's go!
Ah! [laughs]
Oh. [groans]
-Oh, my God. We're free.
-Yay!
We're free.
-Oh, my God. Yes!
-We're free.
[all cheering]
Wow.
-Yes!
-You're welcome.
I never thought
I'd be so happy to see you again.
-I get that a lot.
-Oh, yeah.
-Yay, guys. We did it.
-Yay.
I'm gonna need you to sign a waiver
saying I didn't endanger you.
Cool? Okay! Yay!
-Okay.
-Sure. I don't care at this point.
-[Kirstin] Thank you.
-[Mitch] Bye.
-No, no, no, it's cool. I'll
-[Mitch] Thanks.
[stammering] I'm just gonna
close up shop here. Close it up.
And, uh, yeah, I'll be there in two secs.
Sure, maybe I locked them in.
But I also created the perfect scenario
for one of the best bands in the world
to find their holiday magic.
All it took was locking them in a room
with millions of fan letters
and minimal oxygen.
And having a great engineer helps too.
And that is how you make
the greatest holiday album of all time.
Excuse me. What are you still doing here?
And are you doing an interview
with yourself?
[scoffs] No, I'm not. [clears throat]
You're trying to take credit
for all of this, aren't you? Unbelievable.
-It's--
-You know what?
Let's just give him this.
If we didn't get locked in that room, we
wouldn't have been able to make the album.
So, thanks.
And
Happy holidays
It's a little pitchy, but it's good.
-[Kevin] Ooh!
-[others chuckling]
Is it bad to say I've been eating
Oil Down this whole time?
I wanna try some.
[stammers]
Ooh, do you think Olivia Rodrigo
has a magic mail room?
Mmm.
'Cause I've written her a lot of letters.
Did anyone get, like,
a bunch of paper cuts?
Matt said he wanted a guitar,
but I got a cello.
Do those trips count
for my frequent flyer miles?
Okay, does no one understand
the meaning of the word "a cappella"?
[sighs] This outfit was totally wasted
in that mail room.
#CandyCaneChic. It's already trending.
Wow.
[chuckles] My mom texted.
"Did you get all my letters?"
[chuckles]
Yeah, all 42 of them.
The letters were cool,
but next time just email us.
I'll be right there! I just gotta
get something out of the thing.
It's just
No! [groans]
-[door handle rattles]
-Hello? Is anyone out there?