Need a little holiday cheer on the tube this season? No sweat; Rotten Tomatoes has got you covered. From live television specials to reliable old favorites, here is a list of the various themed programming you can tune into this holiday season:
December 2 (Tue), ABC, 8pm
It simply isn’t the holiday season without catching this 1965 animated classic where Charlie Brown tries to find the true meaning of Christmas.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
December 5 (Fri), 8pm; ABC, December 25 (Thur), ABC Family 8:30pm
There are a few more chances to catch this oldie but goodie. You simply can’t miss the Grinch carve the roast beast!
December 6 (Sat), CBS, 8pm
This animated short — inspired by the popular Christmas song of the same name — brings joy to all of the neighborhood kids as an enchanted top hat brings this lovable snowman to life.
December 6 (Sat) and December 24 (Wed), NBC, 8pm
Curl up by the fire and tune into this heart-warming story of a man who loses his way, only to find he already has the greatest gift of all.
December 9 (Tue), ABC, 8pm
The title says it all, but this is the origin story of how Santa came to be.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
December 9 (Tue), CBS, 8pm
Misfit Rudy saves the day with his bright red-nose. A feelgood story that will have you singing along!
December 12 (Fri), AMC, 7pm
“Vermont should be beautiful this time of the year.” Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen star in one of the holiday’s all time favorites.
December 25 (Thur), TBS, All day marathon
You’ll shoot your eye out! Hang with Ralphie on Christmas day when you’re bound to catch at least one showing of this all-day marathon.
25 Days of Christmas
ABC Family
ABC Family always knows how to bring the cheer for the holiday season with their month-long programming full of holidays classics like Elf, The Santa Clause, and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. It begins December 1, so curl-up with your hot chocolate and enjoy!
December 2 (Tue), ABC, 8:30pm
Woody and Buzz find themselves lost in uncharted territory when a set of the coolest action figures turn out to be dangerously delusional.
Christmas in Rockefeller Center
December 3 (Wed), NBC, 8pm
The annual Christmas tree lightening includes performances from Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, Cyndi Lauper, Sara Bareilles, Idina Menzel, LeAnn Rimes, Pentatonix and Trisha Yearwood.
I Love Lucy Christmas Special
December 7 (Sun), CBS, 8pm
Two back-to-back classic Christmas episodes of the beloved 1950s series.
The Robot Chicken Lots of Holidays but Don’t Worry Christmas is Still in There Too so Pull the Stick Out of Your Ass Fox News Special
December 7 (Sun), Adult Swim, 11:30pm
See what the very first Christmas was like with the Robot Chicken gang.
December 13 (Sat), CBS, 9:30pm
Tune in as Frosty helps save Christmas in this sequel to the 1969 classic Frosty the Snowman.
December 16 (Tues), ABC, 8pm
Dave Foley and Sarah Chalke lend their voices to one of Disney’s newer animated classic-in-the-making where a happy-go-lucky elf tries to show his grumpy new partner the true spirit of Christmas.
Michael Bublé’s 4th Annual Christmas Special
December 17 (Wed), NBC, 8pm
With special guests including Barbra Streisand, Ariana Grande, and more, Bublé performs some of his most popular hits and holiday classics.
iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2014
December 18 (Thur), The CW, 8pm
Join Taylor Swift, Iggy Azalea, Maroon 5, Ariana Grande, Sam Smith, Meghan Trainor, Pharrell Williams, 5 Seconds of Summer, Jessie J and OneRepublic performing live at Madison Square Garden.
I Want A Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!
December 20 (Sat), ABC, 8pm
Charlie Brown is always there to save the day with Snoopy in tow. Snoopy’s brother Spike might be just what Linus and Lucy’s little brother, Rerun, are looking for this Christmas.
Christmas Movie Marathon
December 22 (Mon), WGN, 9am
Featuring Miracle on 34th Street (1947), Miracle on 34th Street (1994), White Christmas, and more!
How I Met Your Mother Christmas Marathon
December 22 (Mon), WGN, 8pm
It’s only been six months since this show went off the air, but it’s never too early to re-visit Ted, Robin, Marshall, Lily, and Barney for the holidays.
December 23 (Tues), ABC, 8pm
Shrek, Fiona and the gang put their own spin on holiday traditions in this animated TV special.
One Direction: The TV Special
December 23 (Tue), NBC, 8pm
The British boy band headlines their first TV special.
Holiday Movie Marathon
December 24 (Wed), ABC Family, All day
Grab a cup of hot cocoa and relax for an all day movie marathon of some holiday favorites.
