Get Into the Festive Spirit! 20 Christmas TV Shows and Specials to Watch Over the Holidays

Mar. 15, 2025

Dennis Haysbert as Robert Lewin and Loretta Devine as Linda Lewin in an episode of ‘Holidazed’.Photo:Shane Harvey/Hallmark Media

Shane Harvey/Hallmark Media

It’s time to get in the Christmas spirit and what better way than tuning intosome holiday favorites?

Netflix’s short-lived seriesDash & Lilywill leave you with all the warm and fuzzy feelings, while Disney+’sThe Santa Clausespacks in the holiday magic in not one but two festive seasons.

Plus, there are plenty of holiday specials to keep you entertained, fromchildhood favoriteslikeA Charlie Brown Christmasto musical-packed numbers likeHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special.

Finding Mr. Christmas

Blake Kelley, Jonathan Bennett and Melissa Peterman in a season 1 episode of ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’.Kim Nunneley/Hallmark Media

Kim Nunneley/Hallmark Media

WatchFinding Mr. Christmason Hallmark+

Holidazed

Ser’Darius Blain as Evan in an episode of ‘Holidazed’.Shane Harvey/Hallmark Media

Six families of different cultures and generations share the same cul-de-sac while coming together for the holiday season on this eight-episode limited series featuring Ser’Darius Blain, Erin Cahill andIan Harding.

WatchHolidazedon Hallmark+

The Santa Clauses

From left: Matilda Lawler, Elizabeth Allen-Dick, Austin Kane, Tim Allen and Elizabeth Mitchell in an episode of ‘The Santa Clauses’.James Clark/Disney

James Clark/Disney

Set almost 30 years after the 1994 originalSanta Clausefilm,the series follows Scott Calvin(Tim Allen) as he decides to retire and tries to find a suitable replacement to pass on the redSanta Clauscoat to.

WatchThe Santa Clauseson Disney+

Dash & Lily

Austin Abrams as Dash and Midori Francis as Lily on ‘Dash & Lily’.Netflix

Netflix

WatchDash & Lilyon Netflix

Merry Happy Whatever

The cast of ‘Merry Happy Whatever’.Netflix

StarringDennis Quaid,Bridgit MendlerandAshley Tisdale, the series follows a dad and his family as they try to deal with the stress of the holidays.

WatchMerry Happy Whateveron Netflix

Christmas Flow

The cast of ‘Christmas Flow’.Netflix

The French series follows a journalist and a rapper who form an unlikely romance over the holiday season.

WatchChristmas Flowon Netflix

A Charlie Brown Christmas

From left: Shermy, Sally Brown (front), Violet Gray, Charlie Brown, Lucy van Pelt, Linus van Pelt, Patty, Schroeder, Frieda, Pig-Pen and Snoopy in 1965’s ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’.Courtesy Everett Collection

Courtesy Everett Collection

Based on the comic stripPeanuts, the 1965 animated television special centers on Charlie Brown as he tries to lift his spirits over the holiday season.

A Garfield Christmas

A poster for ‘A Garfield Christmas’.Alamy Stock Photo

Alamy Stock Photo

Based on theGarfieldcomic strip, the animated television special focuses on the titular orange cat as he spends the holidays on a farm and learns the true meaning of Christmas.

WatchA Garfield Christmason Peacock

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas

In front: Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse; in back, from left: Pluto, Morty Mouse, Goofy, Huey, Dewey, Louie, Daisy Duck and Donald Duck in 1999’s ‘Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas’.Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett

Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett

The 1999 animated special includes three features and has cameos from many different Disney characters throughout. Plus, there’s a 2004 sequel titledMickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas(also on Disney+) for an extra dose of holiday Disney magic.

WatchMickey’s Once Upon a Christmason Disney+

Nailed It! Holiday!

Guest judge Felecia Day alongside judges Nicole Byers and Jacques Torres in an episode of ‘Nailed It! Holiday!'.Netflix

Can’t get enough of cooking shows? Check out theNailed It!holiday special as home bakers attempt to recreate edible holiday masterpieces.

WatchNailed It! Holiday!on Netflix

Sugar Rush Christmas

From left: Guest judge Chris Bosh, judges Adriano Zumbo and Candace Nelson, host Hunter March and contestant Anna in episode 4 of ‘Sugar Rush Christmas’.Courtesy of Netflix

Courtesy of Netflix

A Christmas spin on the baking seriesSugar Rush, bakers get competitive as they create some delicious holiday treats.

WatchSugar Rush Christmason Netflix

The Great British Baking Show: Holidays

From left: Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas in an episode of ‘Great British Baking Show: Holidays’.Courtesy of Netflix

Competitors from past seasons ofThe Great British Baking Showreunite for this holiday special featuring judgesPaul Hollywood and Prue Leith. (For serious laughs, watch the season 3 episode of the holiday special that features theDerry Girlscast.)

WatchThe Great British Baking Show: Holidayson Netflix

Christmas Cookie Challenge

Judges Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson on ‘Christmas Cookie Challenge’.HBO Max

HBO Max

Get some Christmas cookie inspiration when you tune into Food Network’sChristmas Cookie Challenge, which features various bakers showing off their holiday decorating skills.

WatchChristmas Cookie Challengeon Max

Holiday Baking Championship

Contestants on an episode of ‘Holiday Baking Championship’.HBO Max

WatchHoliday Baking Championshipon Max

High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special

Front, from left: Joshua Bassett, Julia Lester and Olivia Rodrigo in 2020’s ‘High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special’.Disney+/Nick Sokoloff

Disney+/Nick Sokoloff

The cast ofHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Seriesis all in this together to perform a collection of Christmas and Hanukkah songs in this Disney+ special.

WatchHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Specialon Disney+

The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

From left: Karen Gillan as Nebula, Pom Klementieff as Mantis, Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer and Chris Pratt as Star-Lord in 2022’s ‘The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special’.Disney+

Disney+

Taking place before the events ofGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3(2023), this holiday special sees the Guardians head to Earth as they try to find the perfect Christmas present for Peter Quill (Chris Pratt). (A family-friendly fave of our critic as well!)

WatchThe Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Specialon Disney+

Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special

A Very Murray Christmas

George Clooney, Bill Murray and Miley Cyrus in 2015’s ‘A Very Murray Christmas’.Netflix

In this holiday variety show,Bill Murraygets a little help from his A-list friends, includingMiley CyrusandGeorge Clooney.

WatchA Very Murray Christmason Netflix

The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show

Kacey Musgraves performing for 2019’s ‘The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show’.Anne Marie Fox/Amazon/Courtesy Everett

Anne Marie Fox/Amazon/Courtesy Everett

Kacey Musgravesperforms hits from her holiday albumA Very Kacey Christmasand more with a little help from some musical guests, including Leon Bridges and Troye Sivan.

WatchThe Kacey Musgraves Christmas Showon Amazon Prime Video

My Gift: A Christmas Special from Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood performing for 2020’s ‘My Gift: A Christmas Special from Carrie Underwood’.Anne Marie Fox

Anne Marie Fox

Carrie Underwoodbrings her debut Christmas album,My Gift, to life in this holiday special featuring her family and celebrity friends, includingJohn Legend.

WatchMy Gift: A Christmas Special from Carrie Underwoodon Max

source: people.com