Mariah Carey loves celebrating milestones.

The Grammy-winning singer, now 55, does not celebrate her birthday. In 2014, she famously declared that she prefers to commemorate anniversaries instead. These special days coincide with her birthday and often add a playful touch – it can also mean she marks several milestones each year.

April will be significant as it marks the 20th anniversary of her 2005 album “The Emancipation of Mimi.” However, Carey is already celebrating early with a Las Vegas residency titled “The Celebration of Mimi.” On Sunday, she will perform a selection of songs from the album during the American Music Awards’ 50th Anniversary special (8 EDT/ 5 PDT, CBS/Paramount+).

“It’s truly amazing that it’s remained popular for this long,” Carey shared with YSL News about the album, which produced the hit single “We Belong Together” and “It’s Like That,” featuring Jermaine Dupri and the late Fatman Scoop.

Throughout her over 30-year career, Carey, who has received 10 American Music Awards, hints at some rearrangements for her AMA performance.

Following Sunday’s event, what lies ahead for Carey?

“I’m preparing for Christmas,” she hints, stopping short of saying “it’s time,” a phrase fans expect to hear with her annual holiday kick-off video on social media, likely on November 1.

This holiday season also marks – you guessed it – another significant milestone. October marks 30 years since she released her holiday album “Merry Christmas.” With the success of the now-classic “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” the album elevated Carey, who is already the best-selling female artist ever, into the iconic status of “Queen of Christmas.”

Carey reminisces about recording “All I Want For Christmas,” a song she co-wrote and co-produced with Walter Afanasieff in August 1994 at The Hit Factory, a famous recording studio located in New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen.

“It was an incredible session unlike any other,” Carey recalls. “I enjoyed every moment. It was my first Christmas album, and we decorated the studio with Christmas decor and a tree.”

Now, three decades later, the song continuously breaks Spotify’s record for most streams in a single day and consistently ranks high on the Billboard Hot 100.

Alongside her holiday album, Carey will host a tour: The 2024 Christmas tour consists of 20 dates, starting November 6 in Highland, California, and concluding with three shows in December around New York City, including her hometown of Long Island.

Throughout the shows, Carey blends in some of her biggest non-holiday hits along with unexpected surprises. At last year’s concert in New York, she surprised attendees by bringing on stage her 13-year-old twins, Monroe and Moroccan, whom she shares with ex-husband Nick Cannon. Carey hopes to see her kids, affectionately dubbed “Dem Babies,” join her on stage again this year.

“I don’t think everyone realizes how it fills me with joy, and it brings happiness to many others,” Carey expresses about her Christmas performances. “It’s a different experience compared to a regular tour.”

For Carey, this holiday season, which marks her first since the passing of her mother and sister, carries an extra special meaning of spreading happiness.

“We all face tough times, and many individuals really struggle during the holidays,” Carey reflects. “That’s why I aim to bring joy and create festive moments, to help everyone get through it. I want to be a friend to anyone who needs support.”