Christmas just isn’t Christmas without our beloved Christmas carols. Doesn’t matter how old you are, nearly everyone knows the lines to at least a few Christmas songs.
The very first carols commemorating the birth of Jesus were written in Latin in the 4th or 5th centuries, but it wasn’t until nearly 10 centuries later that they became associated with the Christmas tradition. Today, people sing the classic carols in their living rooms and sometimes even on the street for passers-by and neighbors. But in this elaborate video, one lucky family gets a special caroling show.
The entire event was organized by Improv Everywhere, a New York City-based comedy collective that puts on improv performances in public places. You can see some of their stunts in the video below:
Improv Everywhere had the caroling idea in mind for a few years, but when Target approached them to create a sponsored holiday video, they knew it was finally time to put it in action.
Recruiting a 20-person brass orchestra and a 13-member choir, Improv Everywhere wanted to surprise a family with a full-scale caroling performance.
The group had initially wanted to just show up at someone’s door— but it wasn’t the most practical idea. “What if no one was home? What if the family doesn’t celebrate Christmas?” they wrote in a blog post. “There were just too many variables to be able to go up to a random house, especially when you’re going to all the trouble to transport a 39-person cast to New Jersey.”
Instead, the group put out a call to local families to have holiday photos taken. Those interested were directed to a suburban home and left to wait in the waiting room. A producer informed them other families would be arriving and asked them to open the door if the doorbell rang. Once the family was alone and seated, it was time for the big surprise!
In the video, you see the Schriber family answer the door to five carolers clad in Victorian attire.
The group sings a few verses of “Deck the Halls” before another 10 people, wearing Christmas sweaters and elf hats, line up in the back.
Then, the box of a moving truck opens, and the brass choir sets up and begins playing in the front yard.
Soloist Aaron Jackson appears and starts singing.
And people dressed as Santa and Frosty run in from the back.
All in all, five families were treated to the epic holiday surprise. “I kept thinking, ‘What’s going to happen to next?'” the mother told Improv Everywhere. “My kids were dancing; I was singing along; each of us took in different bits and pieces and felt like we were on the set of a movie. My kids will remember it for their entire lives.”
Since being uploaded, Improv Everywhere’s epic caroling video has been viewed 1.7 million times.
“Delightful. Please bring the orchestra to my house next.”
“Aww, the little boy looked so ecstatic. His little sister seemed terrified though, hahaha. What a lucky family!”
“I love this because those little kids are gonna remember this forever.”
Watch the video below!
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