Happy holidays! Mark your calendars now for the shows airing on the major networks.
Of course, plenty more offerings depending on all of the channels you have at your fingertips. If you have Freeform, there are even more!
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🌟= Our top picks
Nov. 27
🌟"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" — Narrated by Burl Ives, who is also heard as the voice of Sam the Snowman, this favorite is a music story based on the popular song of the same name by Johnny Marks. It recounts the tale of a shy reindeer whose Christmas spirit is dampened because his shiny nose has made him the laughing stock of all of Christmasville. (8 p.m., CBS; re-airs 8 p.m. Dec. 8)
Nov. 28
🌟"Christmas in Rockefeller Center" — The big tree in the Big Apple gets lit, with performances by Diana Ross, Tony Bennett, Diana Krall, John Legend, Martina McBride, Pentatonix, Kellie Pickler and more. (8 p.m., NBC).
🌟"A Legendary Christmas with John and Chrissy" — John Legend and Chrissy Teigen celebrate the season with family and celebrity friends. (10 p.m., NBC).
"National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" (7 and 9:15 p.m., AMC)
Nov. 29
"The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration" — Break out the mouse ears. Hosts Jordan Fisher, Sarah Hyland and Jesse Palmer usher viewers through a festive celebration in the Disney theme parks. (9 p.m., ABC).
"The Polar Express" (7 and 9 p.m., AMC)
"Olaf's Frozen Adventure" (8 p.m., ABC; re-airs 8 p.m. Dec. 19)
"Toy Story That Time Forgot" (8:30 p.m., ABC; also 11:45 a.m. Dec. 23, Freeform)
Nov. 30
"A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding"—A sequel to last year's "A Christmas Prince" starring Rose McIver and Ben Lamb. (Netflix).
"A Very Nutty Christmas" — An overworked bakery owner (Melissa Joan Hart) gets help from a guy (Barry Watson) who just might be the Nutcracker Prince. (8 p.m., Lifetime).
Credit: Robert Franklin
Credit: Robert Franklin
Dec. 2
🌟"Garth: Live At Notre Dame!" — The two-hour broadcast will capture Garth Brooks while he stages the first live concert ever held at the legendary Notre Dame Stadium at the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana. This unique concert experience gives viewers a front-row seat to Garth Brooks' electrifying performance. (8 p.m., CBS)
"A Christmas Carol," 1938 version (8:30 a.m., TCM; re-airs 8 p.m. Dec. 16 and 6 p.m. Dec. 24)
"National Christmas Tree Lighting"—The big spruce at the White House gets the merry-and-bright treatment, with musical performances. (10 p.m., Ovation and Reelz).
"The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Holiday Special" — The scantily clad "Angels" take to the runway, with musical guests including Bebe Rexha, The Chainsmokers, Halsey, Kelsea Ballerini, Rita Ora, Shawn Mendes and The Struts. (10 p.m., ABC).
"Life-Size 2: A Christmas Eve" — In this sequel to "Life-Size," Tyra Banks plays a doll that comes to life to help guide a toy company CEO. (9 p.m., Freeform).
Dec. 3
"Pop Up Santa Holiday Special" — Santa, along with celebrity helpers, brings surprises and holiday cheer (including a home giveaway) to those who need it. (9:30 p.m., Freeform; re-airs 8 a.m. Dec. 4; 11 a.m. Dec. 11; 7 a.m. Dec. 20).
"The Santa Claus" (7:25 p.m., Freeform)
Dec. 4
"Saturday Night Live Best of Christmas" — Two hours of holiday-themed sketches from "SNL." (9 p.m., NBC).
Dec. 6
"The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition" — Sugar rush! Ten amateur bakers compete to see whose tasty treats reign supreme. (9 p.m., ABC).
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" (8 p.m., ABC; re-airs 8 p.m. Dec. 20)
"Elf's Story: The Elf on the Shelf" (8:30 p.m., TBS)
Dec. 7
"Nailed It Holiday"— A holiday-themed competition for home bakers with a terrible track record described as "part competition, part hot mess." (Netflix).
"Disney's Christmas Carol," 2009 (9:50 p.m., Freeform; re-airs 2:20 p.m. Dec. 8; 9 p.m. Dec. 12; 9:15 p.m. Dec. 15; 5:10 p.m. Dec. 17; 4:10 p.m. Dec. 24; 12:40 p.m. Dec. 25.
Credit: Videocraft International
Credit: Videocraft International
Dec. 8
🌟"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" — Narrated by Burl Ives, who is also heard as the voice of Sam the Snowman, this favorite is a music story based on the popular song of the same name by Johnny Marks. It recounts the tale of a shy reindeer whose Christmas spirit is dampened because his shiny nose has made him the laughing stock of all of Christmasville. (8 p.m., CBS; re-airs 8 p.m. Dec. 8)
🌟"Frosty The Snowman" — Frosty, that "jolly, happy soul" whose old silk hat full of magic has turned him into a musical Christmas legend, once again demonstrates his unique showmanship. Narrated by Jimmy Durante, the special also includes the voices of Jackie Vernon (as Frosty) and Billy De Wolfe (as Professor Hinkle). (9 p.m., CBS)
🌟"Frosty Returns" — The magic still in his old silk hat, the holiday season's perennially popular original dancing snowman continues his adventure and skates on the edge of danger. Jonathan Winters is the narrator with John Goodman as the voice of Frosty. (9:30 p.m., CBS)
"Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings: Holiday Magic" — Love birds get hitched during stunning ceremonies at Disney World. (8 p.m., Freeform; re-airs 11 a.m. Dec. 10; 1 p.m. Dec. 19).
"Homegrown Christmas" — Lori Loughlin and Victor Webster play high school sweethearts who reconnect when they plan a Christmas dance. (8 p.m., Hallmark).
"Holiday Inn" (8 p.m., TCM)
Dec. 10
"CMA Country Christmas" — Get your twang on as Reba McEntire hosts a special featuring performances by Tony Bennett, Dan + Shay, Brett Eldredge, Amy Grant, Diana Krall, Dustin Lynch, Martina McBride, Old Dominion, Brad Paisley, Michael W. Smith, Lindsey Stirling, The Isaacs and Brett Young. (8 p.m., ABC; re-airs 8 p.m. Dec. 22).
"Amy Grant's Tennessee Christmas" — The pop star gets festive with her husband Vince Gill, plus Kellie Pickler and Michael W. Smith. (8 p.m., Hallmark).
Dec. 11
"Darci Lynne: My Hometown Christmas" — Darci Lynne Farmer, the 2017 winner of "America's Got Talent," celebrates the holidays Oklahoma style with her puppets and guests Kristin Chenoweth, Toby Keith, Hunter Hayes, Pentatonix and Lindsey Stirling. (9 p.m., NBC).
Dec. 13
"Disney Prep & Landing" (8 p.m., ABC; re-airs 8 p.m. Dec. 23) "Prep & Landing 2: Naughty vs. Nice" (8:30 p.m., ABC; re-airs 8:30 p.m. Dec. 23)
Dec. 14
🌟"I Love Lucy Christmas Special" — Featuring two back-to-back episodes of the classic series I Love Lucy, the colorized "The Christmas Episode" and newly colorized "Pioneer Women." "The Christmas Episode" (first presented in black and white on Christmas Eve, 1956), finds the Ricardos and Mertzes decorating Lucy and Ricky's Christmas tree and reminiscing about how their lives have changed since the arrival of the Ricardos' son, Little Ricky. In "Pioneer Women" (originally aired March 31, 1952), Lucy and Ethel's hopes of joining the posh Society Matrons' League lead to a bet with their husbands over which sex—the men or the women—had it harder living in a bygone era.(8 p.m., CBS)
🌟 "The Dick Van Dyke Show—Now In Living Color!" —
The two newly colorized back-to-back episodes of this memorable series were selected by series creator Carl Reiner as two of Dick Van Dyke's best episodes. In "Where Did I Come From" (first presented on Jan. 3, 1961), 6-year-old Richie asks his parents the inevitable "where did I come from?" question, and they recall the days before his birth. In "Never Bathe on Saturday" (initially presented on March 31, 1965) the Petries' romantic second honeymoon becomes a disaster when Laura’s toe gets caught in a bath spout. (9 p.m., CBS)
"The 87th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade" — It's a massive procession down Hollywood Boulevard, with fancy floats, marching bands, celebrities and bloated balloons. (8 p.m., The CW).
Dec. 15
"A Gingerbread Romance" — Tia Mowry-Hardrict and Duane Henry get all sweet on each other as they build life-size gingerbread houses. (8 p.m., Hallmark).
Dec. 16
"A Christmas Carol," 1938 version (8 p.m. Dec. 16)
"iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2018" — Shawn Mendes, Cardi B, Camilla Cabello and others celebrate the season with musical performances. (8 p.m., The CW; re-airs 8 p.m. Dec. 25).
Dec. 17
"Christmas at the Mormon Tabernacle Choir"—Sutton Foster joins the choir on an array of holiday tunes. (9 p.m., PBS; re-airs 9 p.m. Dec. 22 and 24).
Dec. 18
"Greatest Holiday Commercials Countdown 2018" — Kevin Frazier leads viewers through a dozen great ads. (8 p.m., The CW).
"Greatest Holiday Video Countdown" — A showcase of video greeting cards from around the world. (9 p.m., The CW).
"A Heartland Holiday Feast" — Chef Lidia Bastianich journeys to small-town America to learn food traditions and celebrations. (9 p.m., PBS).
Dec. 19
"Olaf's Frozen Adventure" (8 p.m., ABC)
"Shrek the Halls" (8:30 p.m., ABC)
Dec. 20
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" (8 p.m., ABC)
Dec. 21
🌟"A Home for the Holidays: The 20th Anniversary" — This two-hour, star-studded holiday special features uplifting stories of adoption from foster care to raise awareness of this important social issue. For two decades, the special has told inspirational stories of adoptive families, enhanced by performances by popular musical artists. This year's performers will be announced at a later date.. (8 p.m., CBS).
"I Want a Dog For Christmas, Charlie Brown" (8 p.m., ABC)
Dec. 23
"A Christmas Carol," 1951 version (9 p.m., TCM)
"Masters of Illusion: Christmas Magic" — Magicians show off their tricks. (8 p.m., The CW)
"Toy Story That Time Forgot" (11:45 a.m. Dec. 23, Freeform)
Dec. 24
🌟"It's a Wonderful Life" (8 p.m., NBC)
🌟"A Christmas Story" marathon (Begins at 8 p.m. and runs for 24 hours, TBS)
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Dec. 25
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas," the 2000 movie (8:30 p.m., NBC)
"Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade" — A holly jolly celebration through the streets of the Disney theme parks. (9 a.m. PT/ 10 a.m., ET, ABC).
"Call the Midwife Holiday Special" — A new nun and four Chinese orphans arrive unexpectedly at Nonnatus House, causing both joy and chaos. (9 p.m., PBS).
Dec. 26
The 41st Annual Kennedy Center Honors — Cher, Philip Glass, Reba McEntire, Wayne Shorter and Hamilton co-creators Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail, Andy Blankenbuehler, and Alex Lacamoire will receive honors during this two-hour program. CBS has broadcast the special each year since its debut 41 years ago. (CBS, 8 p.m.)
Dec. 27
"Happy New Year, Charlie Brown" (8 p.m., ABC)
"Rudolph's Shiny New Year" (9 p.m., ABC)
— Compiled from staff and wire services
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