Holiday programming on television this year features some classic films and shows, including the
Holiday programming on television this year features some classic films and shows, including the 50th anniversary of “Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Some channels, such as Hallmark and Lifetime Movies, will be running holiday movies throughout the season. Only new movies are listed for such channels. Check our daily TV grid and Saturday’s TV Weekly for additional shows and updates.
(A): Animated/special
(N): New
TOday
9 a.m., 11:15 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.: “Planes, Trains, And Automobiles,” (1987) Steve Martin, John Candy. Comedy Central
12 p.m.: “A Perfect Christmas,” (2016) (N) Erin Gray. Hallmark
12 p.m., 2 p.m. & 4 p.m.: “A Miracle On 34th Street,” (1994) Elizabeth Perkins. Starz Kids
12:30 p.m.: “A Miracle On 34th Street,” (1947) Natalie Wood. HBO Family
2 p.m.: “A Happy Yule Log,” Hallmark Movies
4 p.m.: “Wild Kratts Creature Christmas,” (A). PBS
5 p.m.: “Love Always, Santa,” (2016)(N). Hallmark Movies
6 p.m.: “A December Bride,” (2016)(N). Hallmark
9 p.m.: “Operation Christmas,” (2016)(N).Hallmark Movies
8 p.m.: “The Wonderful World Of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration,”(N). ABC
8 p.m.: “Christmas In Homestead,” (2016)(N). Hallmark
10 p.m.: “My Christmas Dream,” (2016)(N). Hallmark
Friday
6 p.m.: “The Mistletoe Promise,” (2016)(N). Hallmark
8 p.m.: “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town,” (1970)(A). ABC
8 p.m.: “Frosty The Snowman,” (1969)(A) narrated by Jimmy Durante. CBS
8 p.m.: “Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” (1966)(A). 50th anniversary of the Chuck Jones animated classic. NBC
8 p.m.: “Grandma Got Run Over By A ReinDeer,” (2000)(A). CW
8 p.m.: “Disney Parks Presents: A Descendants Magical Holiday Celebration,” (N).Disney
8 p.m.: “Christmas List,” (2016) (N).Hallmark
8:30 p.m.: “Frosty Returns,” (1992)(A) narrated by Jonathan Winters. CBS
Saturday
8 p.m.: “Robbie The Reindeer: Hooves Of Fire,” (1999)(A). CBS
9 p.m.: “The Story Of Santa Claus,” (1996)(A). Voiced by Ed Asner, Betty White. CBS
SUNday
1:45 p.m.: “Surviving Christmas,” (2004). TBS
3:45 p.m.: “Home Alone 4,” (2002). TBS
9 p.m.: “I’ll be Home for Christmas,” (2016)(N) James Brolin. Hallmark
Monday
5:30 p.m.: “Fred Claus,” (2007) Vince Vaughn. Freeform
6 P.M.:“Operation Christmas,” (2016)(N)Hallmark
8 p.m.: “CMA Country Christmas,” (N). ABC
8 p.m.: “Celtic Woman: Home for Christmas,” vocalists Lisa Lambe, Susan McFadden and Meav Ni Mhaolchatha perform. PBS
8 p.m.: “The Holiday,” (2006) Jack Black. Freeform
12 a.m.: “Scrooged,” (1988) Bill Murray. Freeform
Tuesday
5 p.m.: “The Holiday,” (2006). Freeform
8 p.m.: “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer,” (1964)(A). CBS
12 a.m.: “Jingle All The Way,” (1996) Arnold Schwarzenegger. Freeform
Wednesday
7 p.m.: “Jingle All The Way,” (1996). Freeform
8 p.m.: “Christmas In Rockefeller Center,” (N). NBC
9 p.m.: “Dolly Parton’s Christmas Of Many Colors,” (2016)(N). “Circle of Love” is the next chapter in the life of young Dolly Parton. Alyvia Alyn, Ricky Schroder. NBC
9 p.m.: “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” (1989) Chevy Chase). Freeform
12 a.m.: “Deck The Halls,” (2006, Danny Devito, Matthew Broderick. Freeform
December 1
5 p.m.: “The Powerpuff Girls,”(N)(A) “Snow Month.” Cartoon Network
5:30 p.m.: “Clarence,” (A) “Merry Moochmas.” Cartoon Network
6 p.m.: “Teen Titans Go!” (A) “Teen Titans Save Christmas.” Cartoon Network
6 p.m.: “The Year Without A Santa Claus,” (1974)(A). Freeform
7 p.m.: “We Bare Bears,”(A) “Christmas Parties.” Cartoon Network
7:05 p.m.: “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” (1989). Freeform
7:45 p.m.: “Uncle Grandpa,”(A) “Chill Out.” Cartoon Network
8 p.m.: “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” (1965)(A). ABC
8 p.m.: “Regular Show,”(A). Cartoon Network
8 p.m.: “The Man Who Came To Dinner,” (1941). TCM
8:30 p.m.: “Steven Universe,” (N)(A) “Christmas in Space.” Cartoon Network
9 p.m.: “The Great American Baking Show,” (N). ABC
9:15 p.m.: “The Santa Clause,” (1994) Tim Allen. Freeform
10 p.m.: “It Happened On 5th Avenue,” (1947). TCM
11:20 p.m.: “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas,” (1993)(A). Freeform
12 a.m.: “O. Henry’s Full House,” (1952). TCM
12:55 a.m.: “Rudolph’s Shiny New Year,” (1976)(A). Freeform
2:15 a.m.: “Meet John Doe,” (1941). TCM
4:30 a.m.: “Fitzwilly,” (1967). TCM
December 2
11 a.m.: “Jack Frost,” (1979)(A). Freeform
2:30 p.m.: “The Year Without A Santa Claus,” (1974)(A). Freeform
3:35 p.m.: “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas,” (1993)(A). Freeform
5:10 p.m.: “Disney’s A Christmas Carol,” (2009)(A) Jim Carrey. Freeform
7:15 p.m.: “The Santa Clause,” (1994) Tim Allen. Freeform
8 p.m.: “I Love Lucy Christmas Special,” the colorized “Christmas Episode” (1956) is paired with the newly colorized “Lucy Gets in Pictures.”(1955). CBS
9:20 p.m.: “The Polar Express,” (2004)(A) Tom Hanks. Freeform
December 3
7 a.m.: “Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas,” (1999)(A). Freeform
8:30 a.m.: “Mickey’s Twice Upon A Christmas,” (2004)(A). Freeform
10 a.m.: “Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish,” (1998) Eugene Levy. Freeform
11 a.m.: “Home Alone 4,” TBS
12 p.m.: “Disney’s A Christmas Carol,” (2009)(A). Freeform
4:40 p.m.: “The Polar Express,” (2004)(A). Freeform
6:45 p.m.: “Arthur Christmas,” (2011)(A). Freeform
7 p.m.: “Finding Father Christmas,” (2016)(N) Wendie Malick. Hallmark
8 p.m.: “Heaven Sent,” (2016) (N) A romantic artist and his businesswoman girlfriend are ending their 9-year relationship... until an 8-year-old runaway from heaven tries to re-kindle their friendship. Lifetime
8:50 p.m.: “Elf,” (2003) Will Ferrell. Freeform
10:55 p.m.: “The Holiday,” (2006). Freeform
December 4
7 a.m.: “Twas The Night Before Christmas,” (1974)(A). Freeform
7:30 a.m.: “Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey,” (1977)(A). Freeform
8 a.m.: “Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish,” (1998). Freeform
10:05 a.m.: “Rudolph & Frosty’s Christmas In July,” (1979)(A). Freeform
12:10 p.m.: “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” (1998) Jonathan Taylor Thomas. Freeform
2:20 p.m.: “Arthur Christmas,” (2011)(A). Freeform
4:30 p.m.: “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town,” (1970)(A). Freeform
5:35 p.m.: “The Year Without A Santa Claus,” (1974)(A). Freeform
6:40 p.m.: “Elf,” (2003). Freeform
8 p.m. - 6 a.m.: “TV Land Merrython,” holiday episodes of ‘Everbody Loves Raymond,” “King of Queens,” “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” “The Golden Girls,” “Roseanne” and “How I Met Your Mother.” Repeats on Dec. 24 and 25.
8:45 p.m.: “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” (1989). Freeform
10:55 p.m.: “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town,” (1970)(A). Freeform
December 5
7 a.m.: “Wild Kratts Creature Christmas,” (A). PBS
4 p.m.: “The Year Without A Santa Claus,” (1974)(A). Freeform
5 p.m.: “Jingle All The Way,” (1996). Freeform
7 p.m.: “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” (1989). Freeform
8 p.m.: “The Great Christmas Light Fight,” (N). ABC
9 p.m.: “Scrooged,” (1988). Freeform
12 a.m.: “Snowglobe,” (2007) Christina Milian. Freeform
December 6
5 p.m.: “Scrooged,” (1988). Freeform
6 p.m.: “Seinfeld: Happy Festivus Marathon,” includes four holiday episodes: “Millennium;” “The Red Dot,” “The Pick” and “The Strike.” TBS
7 p.m.: “52nd Annual Wassail at Chapman University,” holiday concert. PBS-Fusion
8 p.m.:“Happy Holidays with the Boston Pops,” PBS.
7 p.m.: “The Polar Express,” (2004)(A). Freeform
9 p.m.: “The Santa Clause,” (1994). Freeform
December 7
5 p.m.: “The Polar Express,” (2004)(A). Freeform
7 p.m.: “The Santa Clause,” (1994). Freeform
8 p.m.:“Xmas Without China,” Tom Xia challenges his American neighbors to survive the Christmas season without Chinese products. PBS-Fusion
9 p.m.: “Elf,” (2003). Freeform
12 a.m.: “12 Dates Of Christmas,” (2011) Amy Smart. Freeform
December 8
3 p.m.: “Holiday Joy,” Freeform
5 p.m.: “Deck The Halls,” (2006) Danny Devito, Matthew Broderick. Freeform
7 p.m.: “Elf,” (2003). Freeform
8 p.m.: “Toy Story That Time Forgot,” (2014) (A) Tom Hanks, Tim Allen. ABC
8 p.m.: “Taraji’s White Hot Holidays,” (N). Fox
8:30 p.m.: Shrek The Halls,” (2007) (A). ABC
9 p.m.: “Disney’s A Christmas Carol,” (2009). Freeform
12 a.m.: “Holiday In Handcuffs,” (2007)Mario Lopez, Melissa Joan Hart. Freeform
December 9
11 a.m.: “Frosty’s Winter Wonderland,” (1976)(A). Freeform
11:30 a.m.: “Holiday Joy.” Freeform
12 p.m.: “Xmas Without China,” PBS-Fusion
1:30 p.m.: “Home Alone 3,” (1997). Freeform
3:35 p.m.: “Santa Buddies: The Legend Of Santa Paws,” (2009). Freeform
5:40 p.m.: “The Search For Santa Paws,” (2010). Freeform
7:45 p.m.: “Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups,” (2012) Cheryl Ladd. Freeform
9:50 p.m.: “Snow Buddies,” (2008) Jim Belushi. Freeform
11 p.m.: “Xmas Without China,” PBS
11:55 p.m.: “Rudolph & Frosty’s Christmas In July,” (1979(A). Freeform
December 10
7 a.m.: “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” (1983)(A). Freeform
7:30 a.m.: “Santa Buddies: The Legend Of Santa Paws,” (2009). Freeform
9:30 a.m.: “The Search For Santa Paws,” (2010). Freeform
11:35 a.m.: “Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups,” (2012). Freeform
1:40 p.m.: “Snow Buddies,” (2008) Jim Belushi. Freeform
3 p.m.: “Fred Claus,” (2007). TBS
7:30 p.m.: “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” (1966)(A). TBS
8 p.m.: “An Elf’s Story: The Elf on the Shelf,” TBS
8 p.m.: “It’s A Wonderful Life,” (1946) Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed. NBC
8 p.m.: “A Christmas Wedding Date,” (2016)(N) After being fired from her job, Rebecca (Marla Sokoloff) heads back home to attend her friend’s wedding on Christmas Eve. Lifetime
8:30 p.m.: “Fred Claus,” (2007). TBS
10:20 p.m.: “Toy Story That Time Forgot,” (2014)(A). Freeform
12:55 a.m.: “The Year Without A Santa Claus,” (1974)(A). Freeform
December 11
7 a.m.: “The Little Drummer Boy,” (1968)(A). Freeform
7:30 a.m.: “Home Alone: The Holiday Heist,” (2012). Freeform
9:35 a.m.: “A Dennis The Menace Christmas,” (2007) Robert Wagner. Freeform
11:40 a.m.: “The Year Without A Santa Claus,” (1974)(A). Freeform
12:45 p.m.: “Arthur Christmas” (2011)(A). Freeform
5 p.m.: “A Christmas Carol: The Concert,” Charles Dickens’ classic tale is adapted for a live orchestral concert. PBS-Fusion
6:30 p.m.: “Christmas on the Danube” Visit cities along the Danube river. PBS-Fusion
7 p.m.:“Happy Holidays with the Boston Pops,” PBS-Fusion
8 p.m.: “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” (N) a new one-hour special featuring two newly colorized back-to-back classic episodes of the beloved 1960s series. CBS
9:25 p.m.: “Toy Story That Time Forgot,” (2014)(A). Freeform
9:55 p.m.: “The Polar Express,” (2004)(A). Freeform
December 12
5:30 p.m.: “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas,” (1993)(A). Freeform
7 p.m.: “The Polar Express,” (2004)(A). Freeform
8 p.m.: “The Great Christmas Light Fight,” (N). ABC
8 p.m.: “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer,” (2000)(A). CW
8 p.m.: “Meet Me In St. Louis,” (1944). TCM
9 p.m.: “The Greatest Holiday Commercials Countdown.”(N) CW
9 p.m.: “Elf” (2003)(A). Freeform
10 p.m.: “In The Good Old Summertime,” (1949). TCM
12 a.m.: “Christmas CupId,” (2010) Christina Milian. Freeform