What to watch: Lots of new holiday TV shows headed our way.
15 new offerings to make your spirits bright
Deck the halls and warm up your DVR. Television’s annual blizzard of holidaythemed fare is about to start.
As usual, the broadcast networks and streamers are making merry with an onslaught of music-filled specials, feel-good movies and animated treats that celebrate the so- called most wonderful time of the year.
To help you keep up, we’ve made a list (and checked it twice) of 15 new programs that stand out from the crowd and promise a jolly good time.
“LEGO STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL” >> No Jedi mind tricks are required to enjoy this goofy animated spoof of the legendarily awful 1978 “Star Wars Holiday Special.” Set after the events of “The Rise of Skywalker,” it follows Rey as she prepares for Life Day and goes on an adventure to gain a deeper knowledge of the Force. Along the way, she is hurled into a cross-timeline, coming into contact with Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Yoda, Obi-Wan and others.
DETAILS >> Available now; Disney+.
“THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES 2” >> Why did this movie sequel make our list? Because the original was reportedly streamed by 20 million households in its first week of release. And because we can’t resist the pairing of real-life spouses Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn as Santa and Mrs. Claus.
DETAILS >> Available now; Netflix.
“ILLUMINATION PRESENTS MINIONS HOLIDAY SPECIAL” >> Heads up, kids. Those weird little yellow creatures first seen in “Despicable Me” star in their first holiday show, consisting of four “mini-movie escapades” and, yes, plenty of explosions.
DETAILS >> 8:30 p.m. Friday; NBC.
“THE DISNEY HOLIDAY SINGALONG” >> Ryan Seacrest returns to host the third edition of the popular COVID- era specials. This one has celebrities, including Andrea Bocelli, BTS, Michael Bublé, Katy Perry, Pink, Leslie Odom Jr., Adam Lambert and more belting out holiday standards from home. Also, members of the Broadway casts of “The Lion King” and “Aladdin,” and North American touring companies of “Frozen” join forces for a special performance of “Let It Go.” 8 p.m. Monday; ABC.
“CMA COUNTRY CHRISTMAS” >> Married cohosts Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins are joined in Nashville by Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Lady A, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Thomas Rhett, Darius Rucker and Lindsey Stirling for a spirited night of festive classics.
DETAILS >> 9 p.m. Monday; ABC.
“MYGIFT: ACHRISTMASSPECIALFROMCARRIE UNDERWOOD” >> The country music superstar delivers a 45-minute concert special accompanied by a live orchestra and choir. Highlights include Underwood’s collaboration with her 5-year- old son, Isaiah, on “Little Drummer Boy” and a duet with John Legend singing an original song called “Hallelujah.” DETAILS >> Available Dec. 3; HBO Max.
“MARIAH CAREY’S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS SPECIAL” >> The diva who gave us one of the biggest-selling holiday songs ever (“All I Want for Christmas Is You”) presides over an hour pegged to an offbeat storyline: Santa calls on Mariah for help when the North Pole is faced with a holiday “cheer crisis.” So she stages a song-and-dance spectacular to save the day. Joining the fun are Tiffany Haddish, Billy Eichner, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, Snoop Dogg and others.
DETAILS >> Available Dec. 4; Apple TV+.
“DEAR SANTA” >> Have your tissues handy. This documentary by Dana Nachman, the Bay Area filmmaker who gave us “Batkid,” spotlights Operation Santa, the 100-year-old U.S. Postal Service program aimed at delivering letters from needy children to Santa and fulfilling their wishes. Included: A look at some of the more poignant dispatches. DETAILS >> Available Dec. 4; on demand.
“A HOLLY DOLLY CHRISTMAS” >> Beloved country music legend Dolly Parton gets into the spirit of the holidays in an hourlong special. From an intimate, candlelit set, she performs both faith-themed hymns and lighthearted holiday classics while sharing personal Christmas stories.
DETAILS >> 8 p.m. Dec. 6; CBS; will also stream on CBS All Access.
“DR. SEUSS’ THE GRINCH MUSICAL!” >> Matthew Morrison (“Glee”) stars as the Christmas-hating grouch who is as cuddly as a cactus and as charming as an eel. It’s a stage version of the story performed in London. Joining Morrison are Denis O’Hare as adult Max ( The Grinch’s abused dog), Booboo Stewart as young Max, and Amelia Minto as Cindy-Lou Who.
DETAILS >> 8 p.m. Dec. 9; NBC; re-airs 8 p.m. Dec. 21.
“SILENT NIGHT — A SONG FOR THE WORLD” >> This documentary, narrated by Hugh Bonneville, delves into the creation and cultural impact of the revered Christmas carol. Kelly Clarkson, Josh Groban, Katharine McPhee and others celebrate the song that was composed in 1818 in Salzburg and has been translated into 140 languages.
DETAILS >> 8 p.m. Dec. 10; The CW; re-airs 8 p.m. Dec. 23.
“MYLOTTERYDREAMHOME: HOLIDAYEXTRAVAGANZA” >> Designer David Bromstad shows viewers how to impressively deck the halls — but on a realistic budget. He’ll transform a living room into a lush Christmas tree forest, arrange a spectacular tablescape for a festive dinner party and adorn a home’s exterior with lots of razzle dazzle.
DETAILS >> 8 p.m. Dec. 11; HGTV.
“A SUGAR AND SPICE HOLIDAY” >> This feelgood saga is Lifetime’s first holiday film to feature a mostly Asian cast. It follows a Chinese American woman (Jacky Lai) who draws upon her family’s cultural traditions to “spice up” an old-fashioned Christmas baking competition. She undoubtedly also finds love in the process.
DETAILS >> 8 p.m. Dec. 13; Lifetime.
“LOVE, LIGHTS, HANUKKAH!” >> In this TV movie, Mia Kirshner plays a restaurant owner who, during the holiday rush, receives surprising DNA test results that reveal she’s Jewish. The discovery leads her to a new family and an unlikely romance over eight nights. Ben Savage and Marilu Henner also star.
DETAILS >> 8 p.m. Dec. 20; Hallmark Channel.
“GARTH & TRISHA LIVE! A HOLIDAY CONCERT EVENT” >> Following up on the rousing success of their unscripted special in April, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood take song requests from their fans and perform from their home recording studio. DETAILS >> 8 p.m. Dec. 20; CBS; will also stream on CBS All Access.