AceShowbiz - He's not Mariah Carey, but Paul McCartney has his own way of heralding the holiday season, which he did with a rare performance of "Wonderful Christmastime" at his Manchester concert last Saturday. McCartney and his band were joined by a group of kids from the You Should Be Dancing Theatre Academy, adding an extra layer of charm to the performance. This marks one of only a dozen or so times that McCartney has played the seasonal classic live during his lengthy solo career.

The last time McCartney unwrapped "Wonderful Christmastime" onstage was back in 2018, during a trio of December shows in England. Prior to that, the track had only been played once more this decade, during a December 2016 appearance on "The Tonight Show". Given the rarity of this live performance, fans were understandably excited.

McCartney has three more shows on his pre-Christmas slate. He is set to perform again at Manchester's Co-op Live, followed by two gigs this coming week at London's O2 Arena. These events provide him three additional opportunities to perform his beloved 1979 single, which has rightly earned its place among Rolling Stone's Greatest Rock & Roll Christmas Songs of All Time.

But "Wonderful Christmastime" isn't the only treat McCartney's offering on his current "Got Back" tour. The bassist has also delivered the live debut of the Beatles' "Now and Then" and spearheaded an all-star jam session of "The End" with musical heavyweights Jack White and St. Vincent. These unforgettable moments showcase McCartney's incredible range and dedication to putting on exceptional live performances.