SONIC and Chad Michael Murray Bring Hometown Holiday Magic to Life with “’Tis the Season to SONIC”

The new holiday campaign stars the actor as a cast of classic holiday movie characters alongside the new Santa Slush Float

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--There’s something special about coming home for the holidays: familiar traditions, unexpected reunions, and a little seasonal magic. This year, SONIC® is bringing that feeling to life with “’Tis the Season to SONIC,” a new holiday campaign starring actor and holiday movie favorite, Chad Michael Murray.

Inspired by the small-town charm of classic holiday movies and SONIC’s own presence in communities across the country, Murray takes on a lineup of familiar hometown characters, from Christmas tree farmer to local baker, all centered around SONIC and the new Santa Slush Float.

“I’ve played my fair share of hometown heroes over the years, so stepping into a few more for SONIC felt right at home,” said Chad Michael Murray. “It has all the ingredients of a great holiday story: charming small-town traditions, plenty of holiday spirit and, of course, a Santa Slush Float. I can’t think of a sweeter way to celebrate the season and make a few new holiday memories along the way.”

That feeling of coming home for the holidays is at the heart of “’Tis the Season to SONIC,” celebrating the familiar traditions and hometown moments that make the season special. It’s a celebration of the little moments that bring people together and make the holidays feel like home.

“SONIC has always been more than a place to grab a meal or a drink, it’s a familiar hometown spot where people come together to have a fun break in their day,” said Ryan Dickerson, Chief Marketing Officer at SONIC. “With ‘Tis the Season to SONIC,’ we’re celebrating everything people love about coming home for the holidays. Chad brings the perfect mix of nostalgia, charm and humor to the story, while the Santa Slush Float gives everyone a new reason to make SONIC part of the season.”

Taking center stage this season is the Santa Slush Float, a festive new treat that brings together merry cherry and sweet vanilla flavors in an icy Slush, layered with creamy vanilla soft serve and topped with a cherry. Served in a Santa-themed cup, this limited-time treat delivers a little holiday cheer with every sip, whether guests are celebrating with friends or adding a sweet stop to their seasonal outings.

The Santa Slush Float is part of the new SONIC winter menu, featuring the Smoked Gouda and Bacon SONIC Smasher™, the $7 Big Deal Meal, the Merry Berry Fizz made with Sprite® or Sprite Zero® and the Holiday Creamy Vanilla made with Coca-Cola® or Coca-Cola Zero®.*

*The SONIC winter menu is available at participating U.S. locations while supplies last.

FAQ:

What is “’Tis the Season to SONIC”?

"’Tis the Season to SONIC" is the 2026 holiday campaign at SONIC starring actor Chad Michael Murray. Inspired by the nostalgia, humor and heart of classic holiday movies, the campaign celebrates hometown traditions, seasonal connections and the joy of coming together during the holidays, with the new Santa Slush Float at the center of the story.

Who stars in the SONIC 2026 holiday campaign?

Actor Chad Michael Murray stars in the new SONIC holiday campaign. Throughout the campaign, he takes on multiple classic small-town holiday movie roles, including characters such as a Christmas tree farmer, baker and local woodworker.

Why did SONIC partner with Chad Michael Murray?

Chad Michael Murray is known for his roles in beloved holiday films and brings a familiar blend of nostalgia, charm and humor that aligns with the campaign's celebration of hometown holiday traditions. The partnership helps bring the "’Tis the Season to SONIC" story to life in a fun and recognizable way.

What is the Santa Slush Float?

The Santa Slush Float is a new limited-time holiday drink from SONIC. It features an icy Slush with merry cherry and sweet vanilla flavors, layered with creamy vanilla soft serve and topped with a cherry. It is served in a festive Santa-themed cup, while supplies last.

What items are included in the SONIC winter menu?

The new winter menu features the Santa Slush Float, the Smoked Gouda and Bacon SONIC Smasher™, the $7 Big Deal Meal and the Merry Berry Fizz made with Sprite® or Sprite Zero® and the Holiday Creamy Vanilla made with Coca-Cola® or Coca-Cola Zero®.

Where can I find more information or a participating SONIC location?

Please visit http://www.sonicdrivein.com/ to find your nearest SONIC Drive-In and learn more about the promotion.

How do I become a SONIC Rewards™ member?

Guests can become a SONIC Rewards member by downloading the SONIC App from the App Store or Google Play and signing up directly in the app. Existing SONIC App users don’t need to sign up again. Guests simply need to update the latest version of the SONIC App to access SONIC Rewards and start earning points and perks right away.