GET IN THE SPIRIT
A guide to fun and festive holiday programming
The holiday season is in full swing — and that means a plethora of TV specials, episodes and movies both new and old that will take us through Christmas Day (and beyond).
Here’s a snapshot look at some of the upcoming holiday programming.
Wednesday, Dec. 15 “Mr. Mayor’s Magical LA Christmas” (9 p.m. NBC)
Ted Danson’s sitcom returns for a one-off holiday episode in which Neil (Danson) shows his love for his staff by forcing them to work on Christmas Eve — as they wait for his “perfect gift” to arrive.
Thursday, Dec. 16 “A Royal Queens Christmas” (8 p.m., Hallmark)
A prince (Julian Morris) lands in Queens during Christmas when a local woman (Megan Park) enlists his help with a children’s Christmas show.
Friday, Dec. 17 “With Love” (Amazon)
Gloria Calderon Kellett (“One Day at a Time”) created and costars in this five-episode series — set during a different holiday throughout the year — in which siblings Lily and Jorge (Emeraude Toubia, Mark Indelicato) embark on a mission to find love and purpose.
Saturday, Dec. 18 “Toying with the Holidays” (8 p.m., Lifetime)
Workaholic designer Danielle (Cindy Busby) returns to her hometown for the holidays with her young son to introduce him to the town’s North Pole Express train. The only problem? It’s been derailed — but hey, it’s a Lifetime movie, so Danielle’s high school flame, model train enthusiast Kevin (Chad Michael Murray), comes to the rescue. Sparks fly.
Sunday, Dec. 19 “Christmas Takes Flight” (8 p.m., CBS)
A pilot (Katie Lowes) and a number-crunching CEO (Evan Williams) engage in a battle of wills after he buys her family-owned regional airline and stars cutting costs — threatening a Christmas benefit for underserved children. Romance? You bet.
Monday, Dec. 20 “Miracles Across 125th Street” (VH1)
Nick Cannon stars as a Harlem rapper who, just out of rehab for drug addiction, confronts his past on Christmas Eve by returning to his family’s church.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (Freeform)
The 1964 stop-motion animated chestnut never gets old as bashful, love-struck Rudolph, he of the shiny red nose, misfit elf and dentist wannabe Hermey and Yukon Cornelius embark on an adventure and encounter the Abominable Snow Monster along the way.
Tuesday, Dec. 21 “The Christmas Ball” (Lifetime)
What happens when a lead ballerina (Deidre Mullins) is let go before the Christmas season’s Nutcracker — and visits her aunt in England, where she meets a local professor and historian (Nick Hendrix). Cue the dancing and romance.
Thursday, Dec. 23 “Christmas for Sale” (BET+)
Nadine Ellis, Aaron Spears and Shanti Lowry star in this tale about a young real estate agent who pretends to be a billionaire’s yoga instructor while on a holiday ski trip and ends up falling in love.
Friday, Dec. 24 “A Christmas Story” 24-hour marathon (8 p.m., TNT/TBS)
Join young Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) in his eternal quest for that elusive perfect Christmas present — a Red Ryder BB Gun — as he dodges yellow-eyed bully Scut Farkas (Zack Ward).
“A Holly Dolly Christmas” (CBS)
Dolly Parton performs faith-filled hymns and lighthearted holiday classics.
Christmas Day “Call the Midwife Holiday Special” (9 p.m., PBS)
It’s December 1966 at Nonnatus House as Lucille (Leonie Elliott) and Cyril (Zephryn Taitte) prepare for their upcoming wedding.
Honorable Mention “Rugrats: Traditions” (Paramount+)
Tommy’s first Hanukkah falls on Christmas Eve, and the Pickles family has to juggle their family traditions while also celebrating Las Posadas with Betty and her family.