The NFL has owned Thanksgiving sports programming on American television for years, and the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys are always in action on Turkey Day.

This year, Thanksgiving Games 2023, is no different, as there are three games: Green Bay at Detroit, Washington at Dallas, and San Francisco at Seattle. The first game starts at 12:30 p.m. ET and the last begins at 8:20 p.m. ET. By midnight, you might just be ready for your first leftover turkey sandwich while having survived whatever family dynamics were thrown your way.

Who is performing at the NFL Thanksgiving halftime shows in 2023?

The legendary Dolly Parton performs the halftime show at the Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders game, Jack Harlow at the Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers game, and Steve Aoki at the Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco game.

What entertainer performed the first NFL Thanksgiving halftime show?

For many years, the halftime show was quite basic. It would simply feature a college marching band or two. In 1967, the first Super Bowl halftime show consisted of the Liberty Bell that was performed by the University of Arizona Symphonic Marching Band.

Ranking the 10 Most Memorable NFL Thanksgiving Halftime shows of all time

  1. Reba McEntire on Nov. 27 - Thanksgiving Halftime Show 1997

This performance came at the Cowboys old home, Texas Stadium, and the “Queen of Country Music” was performing seven years after most members of her support band were killed in a plane crash in San Diego. She had regained her popularity by collaborating with Brooks and Dunn. Dak Prescott, the current Cowboys quarterback, had just turned five years old.

  1. Creed on Nov. 22 - Thanksgiving Halftime Show 2001 

Midway through a game in which the Cowboys faced the Denver Broncos at Texas Stadium, this rock band played three songs: “Higher,” “My Sacrifice,” and “Don't Stop Dancing” in front of 65,000 fans who watched the Cowboys rally with 21 fourth-quarter points but fall short in a 26-24 loss to Denver.

  1. Ellie Goulding on Nov. 28 - Thanksgiving Halftime Show 2019

Things did not go well on the field for Dallas at AT&T Stadium, because the Cowboys got steamrolled by the Buffalo Bills, but Ellie Goulding’s performance had everything, from her hits to all the glitz and glamor, and she even had some Cowboys cheerleaders.

  1. Sheryl Crow on Nov. 24 - Thanksgiving Halftime Show 2005

The female artist switched from acoustic to electric guitar in a warmly received performance that had the misfortune of taking place during a game the Cowboys lost in overtime at Texas Stadium. Denver got a 55-yard run and immediately kicked a game-ending field goal in a matchup of two teams that were at the top of their games that particular season.

  1. Toby Keith on Nov. 27 - Thanksgiving Halftime Show 2003

The country star dazzled the crowd at halftime, but the same could not be said of the Cowboys under former head coach Bill Parcells. Dallas dropped a 40-21 decision to the Miami Dolphins as one of a half-dozen losses in a 10-6 season during the years when the team was winding down its tenure at Texas Stadium in Irving.

  1. LeAnn Rimes on Nov. 28 - Thanksgiving Halftime Show 2002

LeAnn Rimes seemed to inspire Cowboys Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith, who rushed for 144 yards on 23 carries while wearing a throwback uniform as Dallas defeated Washington 27-20 under the distinctive shadow-producing open roof at Texas Stadium.

  1. Jessica Simpson and Billy Gillman on Nov. 23 - Thanksgiving Halftime Show 2000

Jessica Simpson was the best performer in Dallas that day except for the guys playing for the Minnesota Vikings, who sent the Texas Stadium crowd home unhappy about everything except the halftime show, because the Vikings came away with a 27-15 victory.

  1. Randy Travis on Nov. 26 - Thanksgiving Halftime Show 1998

It was another crowd-pleasing performance by a country music star, and there was another Randy who had a great Thanksgiving, too. That was Randy Moss of the Minnesota Vikings, who caught three touchdown passes in a 46-36 victory over Dallas at Texas Stadium.

  1. Selena Gomez on Nov. 28 - Thanksgiving Halftime Show 2013

One decade ago, this pop star was at her best and rocked the house at AT&T Stadium in Dallas with a seven-minute show-stopping performance. She sang “Naturally,” “Round & Round,” “Come & Get It,” and “Who Says.”

  1. Destiny’s Child on Nov. 25 - Thanksgiving Halftime Show 2004

As the Cowboys were rolling past the Chicago Bears 21-7, the pop superstar female trio performed what is regarded by many as the best-ever Thanksgiving performance of all time.

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