2025 Holiday TV Specials: 5 Must-Watch Shows

Five Must-See Holiday TV Specials to Warm Your December

This December, trade the winter chill for cozy nights in with a curated selection of heartwarming and hilarious television specials. From classic animated tales to seasonal celebrations with beloved characters, there’s something for everyone to enjoy as the year draws to a close.

The holiday season officially kicks off with The Wonderful World of disney: Holiday Spectacular on Monday,December 1,at 8/7c on ABC. This 10th annual event promises “Yuletide cheer” with mickey, Minnie, and host Derek hough of Dancing With the Stars. The special will feature performances filmed at Disney’s theme parks in Florida, California, and Hawaii, and will include appearances by pop singers Gwen Stefani and Nicole Scherzinger, as well as country artist Trisha Yearwood.

For a dose of nostalgia,revisit the timeless tale of How the Grinch Stole Christmas on Thursday,December 4,at 8/7c on NBC. The 1966 animated classic, based on the Dr. Seuss story, follows the Grinch (voiced by Boris Karloff) as he attempts to ruin Christmas for the residents of Whoville. Though, a heartwarming encounter with little Cindy Lou Who (June Foray) leads him to discover the true meaning of the season – that Christmas is about more than just material possessions.

Did you know? – Boris Karloff, famed for his role as Frankenstein’s monster, provided the iconic voice of the Grinch in the original 1966 animated special. His performance remains a beloved part of the holiday tradition.

Sitcom fans can look forward to The Neighborhood,which returns for its eighth and final season on Monday,December 8,at 8:30/7:30c on CBS. The holiday episode promises a mix of humor and heart as Calvin and Tina’s anniversary plans are unexpectedly disrupted, and Gemma finds herself in a comical predicament.

A true holiday staple, A Charlie Brown Christmas, is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. the beloved special will be available to stream for free on apple TV on December 13 and 14, requiring only the Apple TV app and an Apple ID. The enduring appeal of Charlie Brown’s search for the true meaning of Christmas, underscored by the iconic Vince Guaraldi score and Peanuts dance, continues to resonate with audiences of all ages.

Pro tip: – The Vince Guaraldi Trio’s jazz soundtrack for “A Charlie Brown Christmas” was initially rejected by producers who thought it didn’t fit the animation. It’s now a holiday music standard.

for a side-splitting dose of animated fun, don’t miss the latest seasonal episode of Bob’s Burgers on Sunday, December 14, at 9:30/8:30c on Fox. Creator Loren Bouchard describes the episode as “A Charlie Brown Christmas meets Snowpiercer,” promising a unique and hilarious adventure as the Belcher family navigates a Christmas village,with Bob perfecting his cookie decorating,Linda rescuing a less-than-perfect tree,and Louise engaging in a “mini-train stunt-off” with her rival.

Reader question: – what’s your favorite holiday TV tradition? Share your thoughts on what makes the season special for you.

News Report Additions (Why, who, What, How it ended):

The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday spectacular (Why): The annual special aims to spread holiday cheer and celebrate the season. (who): Hosted by Derek Hough, featuring Mickey, Minnie, Gwen Stefani, Nicole Scherzinger, and Trisha Yearwood. (What): A televised performance event filmed at Disney parks. (How it ended): The special will air on December 1st, offering a festive kickoff to the holiday season.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Why): To tell a classic story about the true meaning of Christmas. (