’Tis the season to sit back and enjoy some TV holiday programming. From Hallmark Christmas films to new variety specials to old favourites, TV Week delivers our annual yuletide roundup.
Meet Me Next Christmas
In pursuit of a fairytale romance with the man of her dreams, Layla (Christina Milian) must race through New York City to get her hands on the hottest ticket in town: the sold-out Pentatonix Christmas Eve concert. Netflix (Stream)
An Almost Christmas Story
Moon, a curious young owl, unexpectedly finds himself stuck in a Christmas tree destined for NYC’s Rockefeller Plaza in this animated adventure. Disney+ (Stream)
The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland
Emilia Clarke, Gerard Butler and Simone Ashley lend their voices to this animated feature that mashes up ’Twas the Night Before Christmas and Alice in Wonderland. Prime Video (Stream)
Jeff Dunham’s Scrooged-Up Holiday Special
The comedy ventriloquist puts his own spin on Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in this new special. Prime Video (Stream)
Jingle Bell Love
New Kids on the Block’s Joey McIntyre and Heartland’s Michelle Morgan star in this feel-good holiday rom-com about a widower who’s matched up with a small-town shopkeeper by his 10-year-old daughter. The Roku Channel (Stream)
The Merry Gentlemen
To save her parents’ small-town nightclub, a Broadway dancer (Britt Robertson) stages an all-male, Christmas-themed revue — which leads her to meet a guy with all the right moves (Chad Michael Murray). Netflix (Stream)
Family Guy: Gift of the White Guy
In this standalone Family Guy holiday special, Peter must recover Lois’ Christmas brooch after gifting it away in a White Elephant exchange. Disney+ (Stream)
Our Little Secret
After discovering their significant others are siblings, two resentful exes (Lindsay Lohan and Ian Harding) must spend Christmas under one roof — while hiding their romantic history. Netflix (Stream)
Is it Cake? Holiday
Nine all-star bakers from past seasons face off in the ultimate holiday showdown to create the ultimate in festive cake creations. Netflix (Stream)
Hot Frosty
Two years after losing her husband, Kathy (Lacey Chabert) magically brings a handsome snowman (Dustin Milligan) to life. Netflix (Stream)
Jack in Time for Christmas
Stranded in the U.S., British comedian Jack Whitehall embarks on an incredible — and, some would say, completely implausible — journey involving planes, trains, huskies and bobsleds in order to make it back to the U.K. in time for Christmas. Prime Video (Stream)
A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter
In her first holiday special, Sabrina Carpenter welcomes guests Chappell Roan, Shania Twain, Quinta Brunson, Cara Delevingne, Kyle Mooney, Nico Hiraga, Megan Stalter, Sean Astin, Owen Thiele and Jillian Bell. Netflix (Stream)
That Christmas
Co-written by Love Actually scribe Richard Curtis, this animated feature tells a series of entwined tales about family, friends, love and loneliness — and Santa Claus making a big mistake. The star-studded voice cast includes Brian Cox, Jodie Whittaker, Fiona Shaw and more. Netflix (Stream)
Sugarplummed
When Emily (Maggie Lawson) wishes her Christmas will be as perfect as the one she sees in a holiday rom-com, her wish comes true when the movie’s relentlessly cheery protagonist, Sugarplum (Janel Parrish), magically steps off the screen and into her life. Sugarplum’s magical holiday fixes initially work wonders, but then backfire spectacularly. December 7, W Network
Leah’s Perfect Gift
Leah (Emily Arlook) may be Jewish, but she’s has always romanticized Christmas. When her boyfriend (Evan Roderick) invites her to spend the holidays with family in Connecticut, she’s chagrined to discover their Christmas festivities are far from the storybook version she imagined. December 8, W Network
Rachael Ray’s Holidays
This six-episode series brings viewers into Rachael Ray’s kitchen, where she shares favourite holiday dishes. December 8, A&E
Best Christmas Movies Ever!
Join 59 stars, athletes, writers, directors and critics as they discuss such beloved classics as It’s a Wonderful Life, Home Alone, Elf and more. December 9, KTLA
Frosty the Snowman
An enchanted top hat transforms a snowman into a singing, dancing sensation in this animated classic. December 11, NBC
A Motown Christmas
Smokey Robinson and Halle Bailey co-host this musical spectacular featuring performances from Ashanti, Andra Day, BeBe Winans, Jamie Foxx, JoJo, October London, mgk, Pentatonix, Jordin Sparks and the cast of the Broadway show MJ The Musical, along with Motown legends Gladys Knight, the Temptations and Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. December 11, NBC
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
This beloved holiday favourite first aired in 1964, teling the tale of how a plucky little reindeer’s glowing red nose saved Santa on Christmas Eve. December 12, NBC
Hanukkah on the Rocks
When recently unemployed attorney Tory (Stacey Farber) goes in search of the perfect Hanukkah candles, she winds up at a Chicago tavern where she finds the true spirit of the holidays. December 13, W Network
A Novel Christmas
Yuletide love blooms when a children’s book author meets a single dad and his daughter at a book signing. December 13, Super Channel Heart & Home
The 92nd Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade
Holiday-themed floats cruise through the streets of Los Angeles in a Christmas parade with a distinctly California flavour. December 14, KTLA
Christmas with the Chosen: Holy Night
Experience a dramatization of the birth of Jesus in this special that also features a performance from world-renowned performer Andrea Bocelli, with his son Matteo Bocelli. December 15, KTLA
Little Big Town’s Christmas at the Opry
This new special starring country music quartet Little Big Town welcomes guests Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini, Sheryl Crow, Kirk Franklin, Kate Hudson, Orville Peck and more. December 16, NBC
The Simpsons: O C’mon All Ye Faithful
Homer, Marge and the family embark on a new holiday adventure in this standalone Simpsons special. December 17, Disney+
Sister Boniface Mysteries Christmas Special 2024: Once Upon a Time
Great Slaughter’s pantomime rehearsals get a shocking twist when a cast member ends up mysteriously dead. Can Sister Boniface (Lorna Watson) unravel the plot before death strikes again? December 17, BritBox
A Christmas Less Traveled
Forced to sell her late father’s beloved truck, Desi (Candace Cameron Bure) discovers a recorded message from him that spurs her to take the vehicle on a road trip to revisit her family’s past. December 17, Super Channel Heart & Home
iHeartRadio Jingle Ball
This year’s lineup for the annual holiday pop event includes Katy Perry, SZA, Tate McRae, Jack Harlow, twenty one pilots, Teddy Swims, Meghan Trainor, Camila Cabello, Kane Brown, Jason Derulo, Benson Boone, Gracie Abrams and more. December 18, ABC
Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer
Inspired by the wacky novelty holiday hit, this animated special follows the quest of Jake Spankenheimer as he tries to track down his missing grandmother on Christmas Eve. December 18, KTLA
Nate Bargatze’s Nashville Christmas
Recorded at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, comic Nate Bargatze serves as emcee, guiding viewers through a mix of standup comedy, pre-taped comedy shorts, sketches and musical performances. December 19, CBS
Christmas Under the Northern Lights
Erin (Jill Wagner) joins her dad (Bruce Boxleitner) to celebrate Christmas in her former hometown of Aurora, in order to sell the family home and watch the Aurora Borealis light up the Northern sky. Romance sparks when she meets a local guide (Jesse Hutch). December 19, Super Channel Heart & Home
National Christmas Tree Lighting
An annual holiday tradition continues for the 102nd consecutive year, held at the Ellipse in front of the White House in Washington, D.C. This year’s performers include James Taylor, Trombone Shorty, Mickey Guyton, Trisha Yearwood and others.
December 20, CBS
Josh Groban and Friends Go Home for the Holidays
This annual special celebrating the joys of adoption features host Josh Groban and performances from James Bay, Jennifer Hudson, Tori Kelly and The War and Treaty. December 20, CBS
The Waltons’ Homecoming
Inspired by the beloved 1970s TV hit, this made-for-TV movie follows the life-changing journey of 17-year-old John Boy Walton (Logan Shroyer), who sets out into the night to find his father when he doesn’t return home for Christmas as planned. Meanwhile, a bitter winter storm rages. December 21, KTLA
Happy Howlidays
Jessica Lowndes stars in this Hallmark Channel rom-com as Mia, a webpage editor for the Seattle Tourism Board who finds herself unexpectedly alone at Christmas when she encounters a stray dog. Unsure how to handle the situation, she crosses paths with Max, who owns a local dog shelter. Love blooms when Mia agrees to let Max’s ailing dog find solace with her newfound companion, in exchange for Max showing her around the city to reveals some of Seattle’s hidden gems. December 21, W Network
A Royal Christmas Ballet
A retired ballerina is pressed into service working with a visiting team of royal ambassadors to put on the season’s performance of The Nutcracker, but finds herself centre stage in an unexpected Christmas romance. December 22, Super Channel Heart & Home
Home Sweet Christmas
Sophie (Candace Cameron Bure) returns to her small hometown after inheriting part of a maple forest. She reconnects with Sam (Cameron Mathison), her childhood friend who co-owns the property, sparking some exciting new possibilities. December 23, Super Channel Heart & Home
Christmas Eve Mass
Tune in for coverage of Pope Francis leading midnight mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. December 24, NBC
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade
Expect special guests galore as Disney’s annual Christmas celebration presents the traditional parade, endearing stories and magical celebrity performances from Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California. December 25, ABC
Doctor Who: Joy to the World
A longstanding Christmas Day tradition continues with a new edition of the annual Doctor Who Christmas special. This time out, the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) encounters a woman named Joy (Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan) and a seriously angry Tyrannosaurus rex, all courtesy of a mysterious time-travelling hotel. December 25, Disney+