Television plays an incredible role in our holiday memories. Many families make it an annual tradition to watch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and It’s a Wonderful Life. And, of course, you can find all of these and more classics this holiday season on the airwaves. Freeform has its annual “25 Days of Christmas” programming; TNT and TBS will once again be airing their 24-hour A Christmas Story marathon beginning Christmas Eve at 8 p.m; NBC keeps its tradition of airing It’s a Wonderful Life December 24 at 8 p.m; and Apple TV+ has every Charlie Brown special.
But what are the new things you should be looking out for this month? Here are the 10 holiday specials you can’t miss this December.
Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas
Premiere: Currently streaming on Apple TV+
Do you need a dose of pure joy this holiday season? Waddingham, who of course played Rebecca on Ted Lasso, belts out (her range is unbelievable) beloved classics in front of a live audience at the London Coliseum. That, in and of itself, is a jolly good time. Add in cameos from the Ted Lasso cast, who seem to be having just as much fun as Waddingham, and this is a can’t-miss holiday special. Nothing, and I mean nothing, beats watching Beard dance with an oversized candy cane.
The Velveteen Rabbit
Premiere: Currently streaming on Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is starting a lovely tradition of airing a beautifully-produced children’s special during the holiday season. Last year it was The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse and this year, it’s a heartwarming take on the beloved children’s book by Margery Williams. Seven-year-old William (Phoenix Laroche) gets a stuffed animal for Christmas and learns about love and friendship. The poignant ending is bound to make you misty eyed.
The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration
Premiere: Currently streaming on Hulu and Disney+
Filmed in front of the castle at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Derek and Julianne Hough host this two-hour musical celebration. Mickey Guyton sings “Jingle Bell Rock;” Chris Janson rocks out to “Holiday Road.” Chrissy Metz reminds us that “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” and Robin Thicke wants to “Let it Snow” (something that is unlikely to happen in Florida no matter how magical Disney is!) The special also looks back at when Mariah Carey joined the festivities to sing “All I Want for Christmas is You.” And, of course, keep an eye out for Mickey Mouse.
MasterChef Junior: Home for the Holidays
Premiere: December 10th and 11th at 8 p.m. on FOX
A kinder, gentler Gordon Ramsay (we hope!), his daughter Tilly Ramsay, Aarón Sánchez, and Daphne Oz judge nine young cooks competing to win a $25,000 grand prize. But it’s the holidays, so everyone will be a winner as each contestant will go home with a kitchen-themed prize. The contestants will be cooking up dishes not just for Christmas but also for Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Lunar New Year, and more in this multi-cultural celebration.
Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas
Premieres: December 11th at 10 p.m. on NBC and streaming the next day on Peacock
Filmed at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, where Manilow currently has a hit show, this holiday special has everything. You’ll hear Manilow classics like “Copacabana” and “Mandy,” along with “Jingle Bells,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “and “White Christmas.” After all, music and passion are always the fashion.
Mary Berry’s Highland Christmas
Premieres: December 18th at 9 p.m. on PBS
The former judge of The Great British Bake Off celebrates the holidays in her mother’s homeland of Scotland with a little help from her friends: tennis champion Andy Murray, comedian Iain Stirling, and singer Emeli Sande. Berry will make smoked salmon and guacamole canape along with Christmas fondue, Highland beef pie, and mulled wine. PBS will also air the annual Call the Midwife holiday special on Christmas Day at 8 p.m.
LEGO Masters: Celebrity Holiday Bricktacular
Premiere: December 18th and 19th at 8 p.m. on FOX
Will Arnett is joined by NeNe Leakes, Marshawn Lynch, Kelly Osbourne, and Rob Riggle in this second holiday edition of FOX’s popular LEGO Masters competition series. Celebrities pair up with former contestants David Guedes (Season 3), Caleb Schilling (Season 2), Krystle Starr (Season 1), and Randall Wilson (Season 2) to compete in holiday-themed LEGO challenges for charities of their choice. Look for it next December too, as it’s already been picked up for a third round.
The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour Presented by Capital One
Premiere: December 21st at 8 p.m. on ABC and streaming the next day on Hulu and Disney+
In Boston where I live, the Jingle Ball Tour sold out in a matter of minutes. Now, you can see this incredibly popular concert from the comfort of your own home. There will be performances from Olivia Rodrigo, Usher, Nicki Minaj, SZA, Niall Horan, OneRepublic, AJR, Sabrina Carpenter, Miguel, Jelly Roll, Big Time Rush, NCT DREAM, and Flo Rida. Footage will come from the tour’s various stops including Tampa, Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Miami.
Dick Van Dyke 98 Years Of Magic
Premiere: Dec. 21st at 9 p.m. on CBS and streaming the next day on Paramount+
This two-hour special looks back at a positively amazing career. Van Dyke starred in both The Dick Van Dyke Show and Diagnosis Murder on CBS. The special will celebrate not only his iconic TV career, but also his many beloved movies including Mary Poppins, Bye Bye Birdie, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. CBS promises special guests and big musical numbers. It all sounds, that’s right, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Lingo for the Holidays
Premiere: December 24th at 8 p.m. on CBS
RuPaul is back to host a holiday version of this game show, which premiered last January. Think of it as longer versions of Wordle. There will be holiday themed “super lingos” as neighbors and friends compete in a winter wonderland themed set. Immediately following at 9 p.m., Jaime Camil hosts Loteria Loca, where contestants compete in a Bingo-like game for a $1 million dollar prize.
Amy Amatangelo, the TV Gal®, is a Boston-based freelance writer and a member of the Television Critics Association. She wasn’t allowed to watch much TV as a child and now her parents have to live with this as her career. You can follow her on Twitter (@AmyTVGal).
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