TV TOP PICKS
9 a.m. on ABC
Disney Parks
Magical Christmas
Day Parade
Actor Matthew Morrison (Glee) joins Emma Bunton of the Spice Girls and TV personality Jesse Palmer to continue a Christmas morning TV tradition by hosting Disney’s annual yuletide celebration from Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Sleeping Beauty Castle at California’s Disneyland Resort. In addition to musical performances by Sting, reggae star Shaggy, Pentatonix, Ally Brooke and the cast of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, among others, the two-hour special offers sneak peeks of new Disney park attractions.
6 p.m. on HALL
When Calls the Heart
A special holiday episode called “Home for Christmas” finds Elizabeth (Erin Krakow) getting ready for Little Jack’s first Christmas and birthday, with her closest friends on hand. Despite all their support, however, she finds herself missing Jack more than ever. Nathan (Kevin McGarry) receives a highly tempting job offer in Union City, but is reluctant to leave Elizabeth and take his niece away from Hope Valley. Meanwhile, Lucas (Chris McNally) hopes to score points with Elizabeth by holding a Christmas festival.
7 p.m. on NBC
Dr. Seuss
How the Grinch
Stole Christmas
Since its first airing in 1966, this adaptation of the Dr. Seuss children’s book has evolved into an annual holiday viewing tradition. Legendary animator Chuck Jones directed the story about a greenskinned grouch who sets out to spoil Christmas for the citizens of Whoville. Boris Karloff provides narration, with additional voices by Thurl Ravenscroft and June Foray. Fame co-star Albert Hague was the co-composer of the theme music. Ron Howard’s 2000 live-action feature film adaptation starring Jim Carrey in the title role immediately follows.
7 p.m. on PBS
Lucy Worsley’s
12 Days of Tudor Christmas Royal historian Lucy Worsley hosts this new one-hour special, which brings to life the ritual and riches of the 12-day Christmas holiday as it was celebrated during the reign of England’s King Henry VIII. Wearing period costume, Worsley points out how a surprising number of contemporary yuletide traditions — gift-giving, carol-singing and drinking mulled wine — have their origins in the Tudor period. She also explains the significance of these and other activities, some of which were recreated expressly for this special.