Best Holiday TV Specials

Last updated: December 26, 2025

Help kids get into the spirit of the season with a fun fall or wintry adventure! From Thanksgiving through the New Year, it's a perfect time of year to cozy up with a sentimental classic or find a brand new family fave. Many of these specials debuted and play regularly on cable TV throughout the season or are available to stream or rent from a variety of platforms. For more ways to get into the holiday spirit, check out our lists of Unconventional Holiday Movies, Best Holiday Movies, and Holiday Books for Kids.

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Eva The Owlet Holiday Special TV show poster: Eva flies above a snowy scene

TV

Eva the Owlet Holiday Special

age 2+

Positive messages in festive winter adventure.

Apple TV Kids' Animation (2024)

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A Charlie Brown Christmas Poster Image

MOVIE

A Charlie Brown Christmas

age 3+

The Peanuts gang in a classic Christmas special.

December 9, 1965 1965 G (30 minutes)

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Elmo & Tango Holiday Helpers: Jasmin Roth stands behind Elmo and Tango in a festively decorated room.

TV

Elmo & Tango Holiday Helpers

age 3+

Elmo helps renovate teacher's room in sweet holiday special.

Max Educational (2023)

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Esme & Roy: Holiday Spirit/Snow Worries Poster Image

TV

Esme & Roy: Holiday Spirit/Snow Worries

age 3+

Mindful monster cuteness, fun in winter-themed special.

Max Kids' Animation (2020)

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Frosty the Snowman Poster Image

MOVIE

Frosty the Snowman

age 3+

Classic Christmas TV special is sing-along fun.

October 17, 2000 2000 NR (30 minutes)

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Jingle All the Way Poster Image

MOVIE

Jingle All the Way

age 3+

Heartwarming holiday tale has strong marketing tie-ins.

November 25, 2011 2011 NR (22 minutes)

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Jingle and Bell's Christmas Star Poster Image

MOVIE

Jingle and Bell's Christmas Star

age 3+

Sweet sequel's friendly messages outshine product tie-ins.

November 23, 2012 2012 NR (30 minutes)

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Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Poster Image

MOVIE

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

age 3+

Heartwarming for all ages, some old-school content.

December 6, 1964 1964 NR (53 minutes)

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Super Monsters: Santa's Super Monster Helpers Poster Image

TV

Super Monsters: Santa's Super Monster Helpers

age 3+

Preschool monsters team with Santa in great holiday special.

Netflix Kids' Animation (2020)

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Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too Poster Image

TV

Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too

age 3+

Silly old bear's sweet holiday tale will delight families.

Freeform Kids' Animation (1991)

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A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa Poster Image

MOVIE

A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa

age 4+

Kermit and friends deliver a cheery holiday tale.

December 17, 2008 2008 G (60 minutes)

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Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas Poster Image

MOVIE

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas

age 4+

Heartwarming TV special is true to Seuss' classic book.

December 18, 1966 1966 NR (26 minutes)

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Mickey and Minnie Wish Upon a Christmas Poster Image

TV

Mickey and Minnie Wish Upon a Christmas

age 4+

Disney favorites learn holiday lesson in musical special.

Disney+ Kids' Animation (2021)

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Mighty Express: A Mighty Christmas Poster Image

TV

Mighty Express: A Mighty Christmas

age 4+

Holiday tale's frenzied pace can't obscure positive themes.

Netflix Kids' Animation (2020)

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Mighty Little Bheem: Festival of Colors Poster Image

TV

Mighty Little Bheem: Festival of Colors

age 4+

OK celebration of Holi holiday has some cheeky characters.

Netflix Kids' Animation (2020)

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Peter Rabbit's Christmas Tale Poster Image

TV

Peter Rabbit's Christmas Tale

age 4+

Sweet GCI adaptation has some nervous moments for tots.

Nickelodeon Kids' Animation (2012)

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The Elf on the Shelf: An Elf's Story Poster Image

MOVIE

The Elf on the Shelf: An Elf's Story

age 4+

Popular book inspires delightful holiday movie for families.

November 26, 2011 2011 NR (24 minutes)

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The Three Wise Men Poster Image

TV

The Three Wise Men

age 4+

Charming retelling of first Christmas is great for families.

Prime Video Kids' Animation (2020)

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Toy Story That Time Forgot Poster Image

MOVIE

Toy Story That Time Forgot

age 4+

Delightful franchise add-on has happy messages, some peril.

November 3, 2015 2015 NR (45 minutes)

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Yes, Virginia Poster Image

MOVIE

Yes, Virginia

age 4+

Sweet holiday tale inspires with messages of goodwill.

October 26, 2010 2010 NR (30 minutes)

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