MORE HOLIDAY SPECIALS (ALL TIMES ET/PT):
NOV. 25 Ezra Jack Keats’ The Snowy Day (Amazon Prime, Friday). Laurence Fishburne, Regina King, Angela Bassett and Boyz II Men star in this adaptation of the lauded children’s book about a boy’s journey to his Nana’s house to retrieve their traditional Christmas mac and cheese. Once Upon a Sesame Street Christmas (HBO, Friday, 7). Zosia Mamet ( Girls), comedian Jim Gaffigan and Tony Award winner Audra McDonald stop by Sesame Street for a holidaythemed special. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (NBC, Friday, 8). Chuck Jones’ animated musical adaptation of the Dr. Seuss book brings holiday cheer to Whoville for its 50th anniversary. Frosty the Snowman (CBS, Friday, 8). The 1969 animated special, about a magical snowman that comes to life, thumpity thumpthumps on television for a 47th year. Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (ABC, Friday, 8). Fred Astaire and Mickey Rooney lead the voice cast of the beloved 1970 stop-motion origin story of Kris Kringle.
Frosty Returns (CBS, Friday, 8:30). John Goodman voices the snowman in this 1992 semi-sequel to the animated special. NOV. 28
CMA Country Christmas (ABC, Monday, 8). Jennifer Nettles hosts the star-studded special at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, featuring performances by Brad Paisley, Kacey Musgraves and Brett Eldredge. NOV. 29 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (CBS, Tuesday, 8). Santa’s most famous misfit reindeer flies back to the small screen in this stopmotion family favorite, now in its 52nd year. NOV. 30 Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love (NBC, Wednesday, 9). The country icon returns in a holiday-themed sequel to last year’s hit Coat of Many Colors, inspired by her childhood. DEC. 1
A Charlie Brown Christmas (ABC, Thursday, 8). Charlie Brown finds the true meaning of Christmas in this timeless Peanuts special. DEC. 5 The Great Christmas Light Fight (ABC, Mondays, 8). Families compete for $50,000 by transforming their homes into winter wonderlands in the fourth season of this holiday-decorating series. DEC. 9 Albert (Nickelodeon, Friday, 7).
Saturday Night Live’s Bobby Moynihan and Sasheer Zamata lead the voice cast of this animated TV movie about a fir that dreams of becoming a famous Christmas tree.
DEC. 13
Rock the Troops (Spike, Tuesday, 9). Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson honors the U.S. military in this song- and comedy-filled holiday special, featuring a star-studded cast including Matthew McConaughey, Kevin Hart, Nick Jonas and Flo Rida. DEC. 14 A Pentatonix Christmas Special (NBC, Wednesday, 8). The Grammy-winning a capella group sings holiday favorites with special guests Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson.
DEC. 19 America’s Got Talent Holiday
Spectacular (NBC, Monday, 8). Nick Cannon hosts a holidaythemed special of the reality competition series, joined by this season’s winner Grace Vanderwaal and magicians Penn & Teller. DEC. 20 Terry Crews Saves Christmas (CW, Tuesday, 8). Over four consecutive nights, the Brooklyn
Nine-Nine star visits holiday enthusiasts and gives them a crash course in how to do Christmas the right way. DEC. 25 Doctor Who: The Return of Doctor
Mysterio (BBC America, Sunday, 9). The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) teams with a journalist and superhero to save New York from an alien threat in this sci-fi Christmas special.