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Nini, Ricky, and their friends are back with a Disney+ holiday special, complete with a few new outfits and plenty of Christmas spirit. There’s even a sneak peek at the upcoming season featuring an original song performed and written by Joshua Bassett. 

Here’s what we know about High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special and the show’s upcoming second season.

‘High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special’ premieres during December 2020

Disney+ subscribers could use some holiday cheer. Thankfully, the cast of High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special reunites for a “Holiday Special,” which premieres during December 2020. This upcoming 45-minute episode featuring Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s songs, performed by the cast members, along with their childhood holiday memories.

“I was like, I miss the cast, I could use a little Christmas, let’s make a holiday special,” showrunner Tim Federle said during an interview with Entertainment Weekly. “And I still kind of can’t believe we made it. It was a lot of Google spreadsheets and Zoom meetings.” 

This holiday special even features a preview for the show’s upcoming second season, which, reportedly, picked up right where season 1 left off. There will even be a holiday song written and performed by Bassett, the actor behind the character Ricky. 

Olivia Rodirgo, Julia Lester, Sofia Wylie, Joshua Bassett, Dara Renee, Frank Rodriguez, Matt Cornett, Yvette Nicole Brown, and Larry Saperstein
Olivia Rodirgo, Julia Lester, Sofia Wylie, Joshua Bassett, Dara Renee, Frank Rodriguez, Matt Cornett, Yvette Nicole Brown, and Larry Saperstein | Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

1 preview showed the cast members in their holiday outfits

There are still a few days until fans go back to East High and with these Wildcats. However, Disney+ shared an Instagram post, giving fans a sneak peek at these cast members and their Holiday Special outfits. 

Olivia Rodrigo (who portrays Nini on the Disney+ series,) appeared behind a piano in a gold and white outfit. Matt Cornett (known as the troublemaking E.J.,) appeared in front of a car and Christmas tree. Dara Reneé, (known as Kourtney on the series,) stunned fans in a light blue gown. 

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Season 2 of ‘High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’ does not have a premiere date (yet)

Although cast members already had their table read for season 2, production has since paused due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. There’s no word regarding when these new episodes will debut on Disney’s streaming platform.

Fans did learn, however, that these cast members will be putting on a live production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast with the help of Miss Jenn. (In an Instagram post, the actors gathered around the piano to sing the title song from the musical.) However, which characters the student will portray is still a mystery to fans. 

Some already-released episodes of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series are available for streaming on Disney+. High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special premieres Dec. 11 on Disney’s subscription service.

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