Holiday classics include Frosty, Lucy and Bublé
Pull up a post- turkey couch, TV overflows with plenty of seasonal viewing fare
Forget roasting chestnuts on an open fire — sometimes all you want to do during the holidays is be a carefree couch potato, and there’s no shortage of TV programming to help you transform into that type of tuber. Of course, there are holiday episodes from shows including The Big Bang Theory, The Flash and even Cutthroat Kitchen, as well as plenty of made- for- TV movies. But here’s a list of some of the time- worn classics and most anticipated new specials from now until Christmas Eve. ( Schedule is subject to change. Check local listings.)
Dec. 6
It’s a Wonderful Life — The 1946 film starring Jimmy Stewart returns. Repeats Dec. 24 on NBC and CTV. ( CTV/ NBC)
The 110th Annual Santa Claus Parade — A broadcast of this year’s parade filmed in Toronto on Nov. 16. Repeats Dec. 21 on Treehouse. ( CTV)
Dec. 7
I Love Lucy Christmas Special — A rebroadcast of two back- toback episodes of I Love Lucy: the Christmas Episode and the chocolate- filled Job Switching one. ( CBS)
Shrek the Halls — The halfhour 2007 film finds everyone’s favourite ogre a big old grump during the holidays. Repeats Dec. 23 on ABC and CTV. ( CTV Two)
Dec. 8
The Great Christmas Light Fight — Season 2 of the decorating competition premières. ( ABC)
Dec. 9
Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town — The 1970 favourite returns, narrated by Fred Astaire. ( ABC)
Rudolph the Red- Nosed Reindeer — The tale of the plucky reindeer marks its 50th anniversary. Also airs Dec. 20 on YTV. ( CBS)
Pretty Little Liars Christmas Special — In the show’s first holiday special, the girls hatch a plan to get justice for Mona and finally bring Alison down. ( M3)
Santa Quest — This new documentary follows Trailer Park Boys star John Dunsworth as he tries to win the gold at the Santa Winter Games in Sweden. ( Super Channel 4)
The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic — The creative team behind Frozen shows how they made the ubiquitous film. ( City)
Dec. 11
The Muppet Christmas Carol — The Dickens classic gets the Muppet treatment in this 1992 film. ( City)
Dec. 12
Toy Story That Time Forgot — In this new TV movie, the gang meets a dangerous set of action figures and Trixie must help them get back to Bonnie’s room. Repeats Dec. 23 on ABC. ( YTV)
CMA Country Christmas — Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles hosts a night featuring Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and Little Big Town. Repeats Dec. 20 on ABC. ( City)
Dec. 13
Frosty Returns — Jonathan Winters is the narrator in this 1992 special. ( CBS)
Jeff Dunham’s Very Special Christmas Special — The puppeteer returns with his pack of signature characters in this rebroadcast from 2008. ( Comedy)
Elf — The 2003 Will Ferrell movie brings Buddy the elf to New York City to meet his biological father. ( YTV)
Dec. 14
Michael Bublé’s 3rd Annual Christmas Special — Last year’s program featured Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey and Cookie Monster. ( CTV)
Dec. 15
Greatest Holiday Commercials Countdown — Comedians Heather McDonald and Matt Weinhold count down the 12 best holiday ads from around the world. Repeats Dec. 17 on The CW. ( Global)
MasterChef Canada: A Holiday Special — Fan- favourite home cooks from the first season vie for $ 10,000, to be donated to the charity of their choice. Repeats Dec. 23. ( CTV)
Dec. 16
A Charlie Brown Christmas — The 1965 Peanuts special also includes animated stories titled Charlie Brown Christmas Tales. ( ABC)
America’s Funniest Home Videos Christmas Spectacular — Tom Bergeron hosts this holiday- themed event featuring old clips along with new ones. ( ABC)
Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas — Jim Parsons is the voice of Buddy in this new stopmotion special based on the 2003 film Elf and the Broadway show Elf: The Musical. ( City/ NBC)
A Russell Peters Christmas — Comedian Russell Peters hosts this 2011 mix of standup, sketch, animation and music. Michael Bublé, Pamela Anderson and others stop by. Repeats Dec. 17 on Comedy and Dec. 22 on CTV. ( CTV)
Christmas With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Featuring Deborah Voigt and John RhysDavies — This new musical event features soprano Voigt and actor Rhys- Davies. ( PBS)
Dec. 17
Michael Bublé’s Christmas in New York — The crooner hosts his most recent annual special — the fourth. Guests include Barbra Streisand, Miss Piggy and Ariana Grande. ( NBC)
Dec. 18
The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2014 — This concert features Taylor Swift, Iggy Azalea, Sam Smith and more. Repeats Dec. 19 on City, and Dec. 22 on The CW. ( The CW)
Dec. 19
A Home for the Holidays — Jennifer Hudson headlines this new program featuring stories about adoption from foster care. ( CBS)
Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol — The 1962 animated feature features Mr. Magoo as Ebenezer Scrooge. Repeats Dec. 24. ( The CW)
Kung Fu Panda Holiday — Jack Black, Angelina Jolie and Dustin Hoffman reprise their voice roles in this story set during the Winter Festival. Repeats Dec. 22 on Teletoon. ( The CW)
Dec. 20
I Want A Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown! — ReRun’s big sister is stressing him out, so he turns to his best friend, Snoopy, for holiday cheer. ( ABC)
Dec. 21
Johnny Reid: A Christmas Gift To You — Singer Johnny Reid hosts his first Christmas special, sharing memories and performing songs from his new album. ( Global)
A Christmas Carol — An animated retelling of the Charles Dickens novel. ( Global)
Dec. 22
Frosty the Snowman — The 1969 kids’ classic features the voices of Jackie Vernon, Billy De Wolfe and Jimmy Durante. ( YTV)
Dec. 23
The Polar Express — Tom Hanks stars as the conductor of a magical train in this animated 2004 film. ( Global)
A Christmas Carol — The 1951 black- and- white version stars Alistair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge and Kathleen Harrison as Mrs. Dilber. Repeats Dec. 24 on CTV. ( CTV Two)
Legend of Frosty the Snowman — This 2005 animated movie takes place in a town where silliness is forbidden. Narrated by Burt Reynolds. ( YTV)
Merry Madagascar — The critters must save Christmas when Santa and his reindeer crash onto Madagascar. Repeats Dec. 24 on The CW. ( Teletoon)