25 Christmas TV Specials to Enjoy in 2025

Christmas TV specials old and new are airing and streaming this holiday season.
From variety shows, to animated classics, to concerts, there's something for everyone.
Find out which of these 25 specials you'll want to add to your schedule.

There are Christmas movies. There are Christmas-themed episodes of shows. And then there are Christmas TV specials. They are a category of their own, perfect for half-watching while you wrap presents or to put on in the background while you chat with family members. Sometimes, a Christmas special is there for you when you want to feel nostalgic (literal generations grew up watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer), and sometimes, it's there when you just want to listen to some holiday songs performed by pop stars while scrolling your phone like usual. The choice is yours!

This year's TV specials include cartoon classics, brand new music events, and special gifts for fans of Dancing with the Stars and Meghan Markle. Bring it on! Or should I say: Let it snow!

Paw Patrol Christmas Special

Friday, November 28 - 8 p.m. - CBS (streaming on Paramount+)

For the little ones in your life, CBS aired a new Paw Patrol holiday special that features Christmas music and a story centered around Rubble, the construction worker puppy.

Prep & Landing

Sunday, November 30 - 8 p.m. - ABC (now streaming on Disney+)

On Sunday, November 30, ABC aired three 30-minute Prep & Landing specials back-to-back. For those unfamiliar, Prep & Landing follows elves who are a part of a special unit that makes sure everything is in order for Santa's Christmas visits.

Olaf's Frozen Adventure

Sunday, November 30 - 9:30 p.m. - ABC (now streaming on Disney+)

Olaf, the snowman from the Frozen movies, goes on an adventure to make sure Elsa and Anna have a great Christmas.

Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town

Sunday, November 30 - 10 p.m. - ABC (now streaming on Peacock, Hulu, and others)

This 1970 animated special tells the story of Kris Kringle's life before he was the Santa Claus.

The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular

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Monday, December 1 - 8 p.m. - ABC

Disney's Holiday Spectacular features musical performances that take place at various Disney theme parks. Guests include Gwen Stefani, Coco Jones, and Bebe Rexha, while this year's host is Derek Hough.

Dancing with the Holidays

Tuesday, December 2 - 8 p.m. - ABC

Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars concludes in November, but the series has one last gift for fans: a holiday special full of Christmas-themed dance numbers.

CMA Country Christmas

Tuesday, December 2 - 9 p.m. - ABC

The 16th year of CMA Country Christmas is hosted by Lauren Daigle and Jordan Davis, who will also perform. Other musicians hitting the stage include Little Big Town, Lady A, and BeBe Winans.

With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration

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Wednesday, December 3 - Netflix

Meghan Markle's Netflix hosting, cooking, and crafting series is getting a holiday special. With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration hits the streaming platform on December 3.

Christmas in Rockefeller Center

Wednesday, December 3 - 8 p.m. - NBC

Watch the giant Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center get all nice and dazzling for the holiday season, and take in some musical performances from Halle Bailey, Laufey, Gwen Stefani, Marc Anthony, and more. Reba McEntire hosts.

Christmas in Nashville

Wednesday, December 3 - 10 p.m. - NBC

Following the Christmas tree lighting, NBC will air Christmas in Nashville. If you're a country music fan, this is the TV special for you. Trisha Yearwood will host the show that includes performances by Lauren Alaina, The War and Treaty, and Ne-Yo.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Thursday, December 4 - 8 p.m. (and again December 25 - 8 p.m.) - NBC

Check out 1966's How the Grinch Stole Christmas based on the famous Dr. Seuss book. To be clear: This is a 30-minute animated special, not that creepy live-action adaptation with Jim Carrey.

Frosty the Snowman

Thursday, December 4 - 8:30 p.m. (and again December 9 - 8 p.m.) - NBC

After How the Grinch Stole Christmas, you can take in another vintage animated special: Frosty the Snowman. (And get the song stuck in your head for a week.)

The First Snow of Fraggle Rock

Friday, December 5 - Apple TV

The First Snow of Fraggle Rock is a new holiday special premiering this year on Apple TV. It's a spinoff of the 1980s Muppet TV series Fraggle Rock.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

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Friday, December 5 - 8 p.m. (and again December 11 - 8 p.m.) - NBC

Brush up on your memorization of Santa's reindeers' names with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Reindeer in Here

Saturday, December 6 - 8 p.m. - CBS

This 2022 animated special is based on the children's book of the same name by Adam Reed. It's about a North Pole reindeer named Blizzard, who has one antler that is smaller than the other.

Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas

Tuesday, December 9 - 8 p.m. - ABC

As you can probably tell from the title, this special is more religion-focused than some of the other offerings here. (See: Shrek the Halls, below.) Actor Kevin Costner hosts a two-hour special about the biblical story of Jesus' birth.

Shrek the Halls

Tuesday, December 9 - 8:30 p.m. (and again December 17 - 8 p.m.) - NBC

This 2007 special is exactly what it sounds like: Shrek and his buddies at Christmastime.

A Motown Christmas

Tuesday, December 9 - 9 p.m. (and again December 17 - 8:30 p.m.) - NBC

If those country music Christmas specials weren't your thing, maybe you'll prefer A Motown Christmas hosted by Smokey Robinson and Halle Bailey and featuring musical artists old and new.

NBC 2025 Year in Review Presented by Access Hollywood

Thursday, December 11 - 9:15 p.m. (and an extended version airing December 17 - 10 p.m.) - NBC

Access Hollywood hosts Kit Hoover and Mario Lopez look back at the top pop culture stories of 2025.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14 - Apple TV

A Charlie Brown Christmas is available to stream on Apple TV whenever you want, if you have a subscription. But on two days in December—Saturday the 13th and Sunday the 14th—the platform makes the animated classic free for anyone to watch.

Great Performances: Nutcracker from English National Ballet

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Tuesday, December 16 - 9 p.m. - PBS

A new Nutcracker performance is premiering on PBS this year. Great Performances: Nutcracker was filmed at the London Coliseum and features over 100 dancers and musicians performing all the memorable songs from the ballet.

iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2025

Wednesday, December 17 - 8 p.m. - ABC

The Jingle Ball special features performances from the annual tour put on by iHeartRadio. This year's acts include Ed Sheeran, Olivia Dean, Reneé Rapp, and The Kid LAROI.

Jimmy Fallon's Holiday Seasoning Spectacular

Wednesday, December 17 - 9 p.m. - NBC

This 2024 variety show sees celebrity guests performing duets with Jimmy Fallon from his comedy holiday album, Holiday Seasoning. Musicians featured include Meghan Trainor, Justin Timberlake, The Roots, and Dolly Parton.

A Saturday Night Live Christmas

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Thursday, December 18 - 9 p.m. (and again December 22 - 9 p.m.) - NBC

If you need a laugh, check out this compilation of Saturday Night Live's best Christmas-themed sketches. ("Schweddy Balls" will obviously make the cut.)