Viewers' Guide: 2014 Christmas Specials and Marathons on TV

by | December 1, 2014 | Comments

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:

THE CLASSICS

A Charlie Brown Christmas

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!

Frosty the Snowman

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.

It’s A Wonderful 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.

Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town

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!

White Christmas

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.

A Christmas Story

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.

THE SPECIALS & MARATHONS

25 Days of Christmas

ABC Family

Complete schedule here

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!

Toy Story That Time Forgot

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.

Frosty Returns

December 13 (Sat), CBS, 9:30pm

Tune in as Frosty helps save Christmas in this sequel to the 1969 classic Frosty the Snowman.

Disney’s Prep & Landing

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.

Shrek the Halls

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.