“YOU’LL CRY HAPPY TEARS WHEN YOU SEE BONEY M. TURN A COLD BELGIAN BEACH INTO THE HOTTEST CHRISTMAS PARTY OF 1979!”
“Everyone said seaside in winter was crazy… until Boney M. showed up in fur coats and made the entire crowd scream ‘Hooray! Hooray!’ This forgotten gem will instantly put you in holiday mood!”
There are Christmas performances…
And then there are the Christmas miracles that only the late 1970s could deliver — full of disco glitter, outrageous outfits, and the unstoppable energy of Boney M., a group that could turn any location on Earth into a party.
But even among their legendary performances, one moment stands out in a way that still gives longtime fans goosebumps:
The day Boney M. transformed a freezing Belgian beach into the warmest, wildest, most unforgettable Christmas celebration of 1979.
A BEACH IN DECEMBER? EVERYONE SAID THEY WERE CRAZY.
When producers first announced a holiday TV special on the coast of Belgium — in the middle of winter — people thought it was a joke.
The wind was icy.
The sky was gray.
The sand felt like it belonged on the moon, not on a postcard.
Locals shook their heads:
“Who on earth does a Christmas concert by the sea in December?”
Then, someone whispered the magic words:
“Boney M. is coming.”
And suddenly, it all made sense.
THE ARRIVAL THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
Fans still remember the moment the group arrived on the beach — wrapped in spectacular fur coats, sparkling accessories, and that infectious confidence that defined disco royalty.
Liz Mitchell stepped out first, her smile brighter than the winter sun.
Marcia Barrett followed, glowing as always.
Then came the unforgettable presence of Bobby Farrell, dancing even before the cameras rolled, warming up the crowd with moves that could melt snow.
Even the crew stopped what they were doing just to stare.
This wasn’t just a band showing up for a TV taping —
It was Boney M., at the height of their power, ready to turn a frozen shoreline into the best holiday party Belgium had ever seen.
THE MOMENT THEY STARTED SINGING… EVERYTHING CHANGED
The wind calmed.
The crowd pushed closer.
And the first notes of “Hooray! Hooray! It’s a Holi-Holiday” burst out of the speakers like fireworks wrapped in sunshine.
People started dancing — really dancing — on the sand, in heavy coats, gloves, and wool scarves. Children jumped. Teens screamed. Adults cheered. Even the usually stoic Belgian cameramen swayed along.
Within minutes, the beach didn’t feel cold anymore.
It felt alive.
And then came the moment that still gives fans chills:
The group launched into “Mary’s Boy Child / Oh My Lord”, their iconic Christmas masterpiece.
Suddenly, a hush washed over the crowd.
The gray sky seemed softer.
The cold air felt gentler.
Liz’s warm, golden voice wrapped around everyone like a blanket.
People cried — not from the cold, but from sheer emotion.
A PERFORMANCE THAT LIVES FOREVER
That day in 1979 became the perfect symbol of what made Boney M. so special:
Their ability to bring joy anywhere — even on a winter beach where no one thought a concert could work.
And for many who were there, the memory remains one of the most unexpected, magical Christmas moments of their lives.
WHY THIS FORGOTTEN GEM STILL MATTERS TODAY
Watching the footage now, it’s impossible not to feel something:
-
The spontaneity
-
The warmth
-
The pure disco joy
-
The way music can transform even the coldest places
Fans still say:
“If Boney M. could make that beach feel like summer, they can make any holiday brighter.”
And it’s true — this forgotten moment from 1979 is a reminder that Christmas magic comes in all shapes and temperatures. Sometimes it hides in cozy living rooms… and sometimes, unbelievably, on a wind-whipped Belgian beach where thousands danced like it was the hottest day of the year.
A CHRISTMAS MEMORY WORTH REDISCOVERING
If you’re feeling nostalgic, tired, or just need a little sparkle in your December, revisit this performance.
Let Boney M. take you back to that freezing beach where the music was warm, the crowd was wild, and the joy was unforgettable.
It might even bring a tear to your eye —
A happy one.