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2023 Holiday TV Calendar

Find out when all of the holiday movies, specials, episodes, and themed baking competitions will premiere this season.

by | November 7, 2023 | Comments

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It happens every year: As soon as the calendar transitions from October to November, the holiday-themed programming floods in. And with the many streaming and TV selections to choose from, keeping up with the festive shows to watch can get a bit stressful. That’s where Rotten Tomatoes comes in. Below, we’ve put together our 2023 guide to all the holiday shows and movies set to premiere on broadcast, cable, and streaming services through January 1.

Some highly-anticipated originals are going to be on the slate again this year. Netflix has titles like Best. Christmas. Ever! (starring Heather Graham and Jason Biggs), Family Switch (starring Ed Helms and Jennifer Garner), and The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny will make its TV premiere on Disney+ along with the original premiere of Dashing Through the Snow (starring Lil Rel Howery and Chris “Ludacris” Bridges), the return of Tim Allen in the second season of original series The Santa Clauses, and three all-new Doctor Who holiday specials. In Disney+’s “Happy Holidays Collection,” you’ll find Disney classics old and new, including Frozen and Frozen 2, the entire Home Alone movie franchise, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, and so much more.

Leighton Meester and Robbie Amell star in ExMas on Freevee. And let’s not forget the 24-hour marathons of holiday staples Elf and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation closing out the month on TNT and TBS.


Related: The 100 Best Christmas Movies of All Time


Of course, the wintery wonder continues through December with even more holiday treats. Hulu’s Huludays programming slate will feature the streaming premieres of movies A Christmas Frequency, Reporting for Christmas, and The Jingle Bell Jubilee, along with celebrating the 15th anniversary of Four Christmases, the 20th anniversary of Elf, and the 35th anniversary of Die Hard.

Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas programming lineup returns with a load of holiday faves like Home Alone, Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and a whole lot more, set to air each night of the month.

AMC’s “Best Christmas Ever” returns to brighten up your holiday TV viewing experience. AMC and AMC+ will feature an array of themed-programming, including festive faves like Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Uncle Buck, White Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street (1947), The Polar Express, and Rankin- Bass specials Jack Frost, Rudolph’s Shiny New Year, The First Christmas Snow, Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, and Frosty’s Winter Wonderland.

For all the Peanuts and Snoopy–themed goodness your heart desires, Apple TV+ is gifting the beloved animated characters in a collection of classic and new specials for the whole family.

Since this is the holiday season, no streaming experience will be complete without mentioning the overflowing slate of new and returning Lifetime and Hallmark original holiday movie titles. New titles will drop all season long to continually deliver the holiday cheer.

Bookmark this page to check back on new titles coming through New Year’s Day. 


Toni Braxton in Every Day is Christmas (2018)

(Photo by ©Hulu)

NOW STREAMING

Strawberry Shortcake: Perfect Holiday (Netflix)
Merry & Bright (Vizio)
Firebuds: Blizzard Buds/Parade Escapade (Disney+, airs Thursday, Nov. 30 on Disney Channel and Disney Junior)






Christmas Cookie Challenge: 9 p.m. (Food Network)







Delicious Miss Brown (Food Network)

The Big Bake: 11 p.m. (Food Network)
Holiday Baking Championship, Season 10 (Food Network) Max



Chopped: Season 54 – “Friendsgiving” (Food Network)
Beat Bobby Flay: Holiday Throwdown: Season 2 (Food Network & Max)


Poster image for The Santa Clauses: Season 2 (2023)

(Photo by ©Disney+)


Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Mermaid Christmas Cruise (Netflix)






Christmas Cookie Challenge: 9 p.m. (Food Network)


Christmas Checklist (Freevee)



The Kitchen: 11 a.m. (Food Network)
Guy’s Ranch Kitchen: 12 p.m. (Food Network)




The Big Bake: 11 p.m. (Food Network)
The Loud House Thanksgiving Special (Paramount+)


White House Christmas: 1998-2021 (HGTV & Max)
White House Christmas Special: 2022 (HGTV & Max)


Poster image for Best. Christmas. Ever! (2023)

(Photo by ©Netflix)





Christmas Cookie Challenge: 9 p.m. (Food Network)
The Dog House: UK – Christmas Special (Max)



A Winter Romance (Freevee)
Tom & Jerry Snowman’s Land (Max)


Santa, Maybe (Great American Family)


Country Hearts Christmas (UPtv)

A Paris Christmas Waltz (Great American Family)


The Elf on the Shelf: Sweet Throw Down – 8 p.m. (Food Network)

The Big Bake: 11 p.m. (Food Network)


Image from The Velveteen Rabbit (2023)

(Photo by ©Apple TV+)



Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas (Apple TV+)


Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: 8:30 a.m. (NBC, Peacock)
The Thanksgiving Day Parade: 9 a.m. (CBS)
NFL Thanksgiving Day triple-header (CBS, NBC, Fox)
A Saturday Night Live Thanksgiving Special (Peacock)
The National Dog Show Presented by Purina: 12-2 p.m. (NBC and simulcast on Peacock; encore on Nov. 25 at 8 p.m.)
Christmas Cookie Challenge: 9 p.m. (Food Network)




Christmas Eve on Sesame Street (Max)
Elmo Saves Christmas (Max)
Once Upon a Sesame Street Christmas (Max)
A Sesame Street Christmas Carol (Max)


My Christmas Hero (Great American Family)

Christmas with Walt Disney (Disney+)


The Recipe Files (QVC+)


A Royal Date for Christmas (wt) (Great American Family)

Mickey Saves Christmas: Extended Version – 8 p.m. (Disney Channel)
Doctor Who: The Star Beast (Disney+)



America’s Funniest Home Videos: Holiday Episode – 7 p.m. (ABC)
The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration – 8-10 p.m. (ABC)
A Christmas for the Ages (Great American Family)


The Elf on the Shelf: Sweet Throw Down – 8 p.m. (Food Network)

Me & Mickey: Decorating for Christmas – 9:55 a.m. (Disney Channel and Disney Junior, available to stream on Disney+ on December 13)
Pupstruction: Pupstruction Saves Christmas/Pupstruction on Ice – 10 a.m. (Disney Channel and Disney Junior, available to stream on Disney+ on December 20)
Mickey’s Christmas Tales: Starstruck – 10:25 a.m. (Disney Channel and Disney Junior, available to stream on Disney+ on November 29)
Minnie’s Bow-Toons: Camp Minnie: Campground Christmas – 10:55 a.m. (Disney Channel and Disney Junior)
Pupstruction: Pupstruction Saves Christmas/Pupstruction on Ice
The Big Bake: 11 p.m. (Food Network)
Kids Baking Championship: Reindeer Games (Food Network & Max)
That’s My Jam: Holiday-Themed Episode (NBC, available to stream the next day on Peacock)
SuperKitties: Merry Mousemas: 22-Minute Special – 10 a.m. (Disney Channel and Disney Junior; available to stream on Disney+ on December 6)
Christmas at Rockefeller Center (NBC)
Mickey Mouse Funhouse: Minnie’s Snow Ball/The Snow Princess – 10 a.m. (Disney Channel and Disney Junior; available to stream on Disney+ on December 13)
Christmas at Graceland 10 p.m. (NBC) (encore on Dec. 21 at 8 p.m., simulcast on Peacock)
Mickey’s Christmas Tales (Disney+)


Poster image for Family Switch (2023)

(Photo by ©Netflix)





The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday (Netflix)



Christmas Cookie Challenge: 9 p.m. (Food Network)

Eddie Murphy in Candy Cane Lane (2023)

(Photo by ©Amazon Studios)


DECEMBER


Friday, December 1



Mickey Mouse Funhouse: Santa’s Crash Landing – 22-Minute Special: 10 a.m. (Disney Channel and Disney Junior; available to stream on Disney+ on December 13)






Saturday, December 2
Doctor Who: Wild Blue Yonder (Disney+)


Christmas on Windmill Way (Great American Family)
A Christmas Homecoming (UPtv)
Ladies of the ’80s: A Divas Christmas (Lifetime)


Sunday, December 3






Monday, December 4
Me & Mickey: Dreidel Play – 9:25 a.m. (Disney Channel and Disney Junior)
The Price Is Right At Night Christmas Week: Office Holiday Party – 8 p.m. (CBS)


Barmageddon: Blake Shelton’s Holiday Bartacular (Featuring Ice-T) 10 p.m. (NBC, available to stream the following day on Peacock)
The Ultimate Gift Wrapping Challenge (QVC+)


Tuesday, December 5
TMZ’s Merry Elfin’ Christmas: 9-10 p.m. (Fox)
Press Your Luck Holiday Extravaganza II: 10-11 p.m. (ABC)
The Price Is Right At Night Christmas Week: College Students Home For The Holidays – 9 p.m. (CBS)


Thursday, December 7


Rescuing Christmas (wt) (Hallmark Movies Now)
Silent Night, Fatal Night (Lifetime Movie Network)

The Price Is Right At Night Christmas Week: Blind Holidate – 8 p.m. (CBS)
Christmas at the Opry (NBC)


Poster image for Merry Little Batman

(Photo by ©Prime Video)

Friday, December 8


The Price Is Right At Night Christmas Week: Holiday Heroes – 8 p.m. (CBS)



A Very Demi Holiday Special (Roku)


Saturday, December 9
Alice’s Wonderland Bakery: A Hat-Bachi Hanukkah/A Snow-Drop Summer – 7:15 a.m. (Disney Junior)
Doctor Who: The Giggle (Disney+)



A Cowboy Christmas Romance: 8 p.m. (Lifetime)
Byron Allen Presents A Merry Soulful Christmas: 8 p.m. (CBS)


Sunday, December 10



Peppermints & Postcards: 8 p.m. (Great American Family)
Yes, Chef! Christmas: 8 p.m. (Lifetime)


Monday, December 11


Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas: 10-11 p.m. (NBC, streams the next day on Peacock; encore Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 8 p.m.)


Tuesday, December 12
The Masked Singer Holiday Sing-Along: 8 – 10 p.m. (Fox)
Season of Light: Christmas With the Tabernacle Choir: 8 p.m. (PBS, PBS.org & PBS App)


Wednesday, December 13




Thursday, December 14


An Ice Palace Romance: 8 p.m. (Hallmark Movies Now)
CMA Country Christmas: 8 p.m. (ABC)
Christmas Rescue (BET+)
Favorite Son Christmas (BET+)
A Saturday Night Live Christmas Special: 8-10 p.m. (NBC, streams the next day on Peacock; encore on Saturday, Dec. 23 at 9 p.m.)


Friday, December 15


National Christmas Tree Lighting: 8 p.m. (CBS)
Joe Bob’s Creepy Christmas: Debuts Live (Shudder and AMC+)
YOH’ Christmas (Netflix)
Dolly Parton’s A Coat of Many Colors: 8-10 p.m. (NBC)


A Charlie Brown Christmas

(Photo by Everett Collection)

Saturday, December 16


Designing Christmas With You: 8 p.m. (Great American Family)
The Holiday Proposal Plan: 8 p.m. (Lifetime)


Sunday, December 17
It’s a Wonderful Life (Bravo)



12 Games of Christmas: 8 p.m. (Great American Family)
Merry Magic Christmas (Lifetime)
The Holiday Shift (Roku)


Monday, December 18
LEGO Masters: Celebrity Holiday Bricktacular – 8 – 10 p.m (Fox)
The Price Is Right At Night Christmas Week: Holidays With The Family: 8 p.m. (CBS)
Mary Berry’s Highland Christmas: 9 p.m. (PBS, PBS.org & PBS App)
Password Holiday Special: 10-11 p.m. (NBC)


Tuesday, December 19


Thursday, December 21
iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour: 8-10 p.m. (ABC)




Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas: 9-11 p.m. (NBC)


Friday, December 22
The 25th Annual A Home For The Holidays: 8 p.m. (CBS)


Sago Mini Friends New Years Special (Apple TV+)
Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love – 8-10 p.m. (NBC)


Saturday, December 23
Mom’s Christmas Boyfriend: 8 p.m. (Lifetime)
A Royal Christmas Holiday: 8 p.m. (Great American Family)


Sunday, December 24
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade: 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. (ABC)



A Royal Christmas Holiday: 8 p.m. (Great American Family)
It’s a Wonderful Life: 8-11 p.m. (NBC)
Christmas Eve Mass: 11:30 p.m.-1 a.m. (NBC)


Mariah Carey in Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to All

(Photo by Paramount+)

Monday, December 25
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade (ABC)
NBA Christmas Day lineup (ABC, ESPN)
Doctor Who Holiday Special: the Church on Ruby Road (Disney+)
Call the Midwife Holiday Special: 8 p.m. (PBS, PBS.org & PBS App)


Tuesday, December 26


Wednesday, December 27
Playdate with Winnie the Pooh: Piglet and the Snow Bear – 9: 25 a.m. Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney+)


Friday, December 29
Me & Mickey: New Year’s Eve – 9:25 a.m. (Disney Channel and Disney Junior)
Cotton Bowl: Ohio State vs. Missouri: 8 p.m. (ESPN)


Saturday, December 30
Peach Bowl: Penn State vs. Ole Miss: 12 p.m. (ESPN)
Orange Bowl: Florida State vs. Georgia: 4 p.m. (ESPN)


Sunday, December 31
New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash: 7:30 p.m. (CBS)
Next At the Kennedy Center “Cynthia Erivo & Friends: A New Year’s Eve Celebration” : 8 p.m. (PBS)
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2023 (ABC)
New Year’s Eve Live With Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen: 8 p.m. (CNN)


JANUARY


Monday, January 1
The 135th Rose Parade: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. ET / 8-10 a.m. PT on (NBC, KTLA/Univision)
NHL Winter Classic (TNT)
ReliaQuest Bowl: Wisconsin vs. LSU 12 p.m. (ESPN 2)
Citrus Bowl: Iowa vs. Tennessee: 1 p.m. (ABC)
Fiesta Bowl: Oregon vs. Liberty: 1 p.m. (ESPN)
Rose Bowl: Michigan vs. Alabama: 5 p.m. (ESPN)
Sugar Bowl: Washington vs. Texas: 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)

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