List of United States Christmas television specials explained
The following is a list of Christmas television specials partly or completely originating in the U.S.
Christmas-related films and specials
Dates and networks shown correspond to the special's first telecast.
- 5 More Sleeps ’til Christmas (November 27, 2021, NBC)
- 12 Days of Christmas (1993, NBC)
- 12 Tiny Christmas Tales (December 7, 2001, Cartoon Network)
- The Adventures of Candy Claus (December 25, 1987)
- Aliens First Christmas (1991, Disney Channel)
- Amahl and the Night Visitors (1951, NBC) (most of the 1951 cast members stayed with this production until 1963)
- Amahl and the Night Visitors (1963, NBC) (all-new production)
- Amahl and the Night Visitors (1978, NBC) (all-new production)
- Babes in Toyland (1950)
- Babes in Toyland (1954)
- Babes in Toyland (1960)
- Babes in Toyland (1986, NBC)
- The Balloonatiks: Christmas Without a Claus (December 14, 1996, FOX)
- B.C.: A Special Christmas (1981, HBO)
- The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas (1973, NBC)
- The Bears Who Saved Christmas (1994, syndication)
- Beebo Saves Christmas (December 1, 2021, The CW)
- The Bell Telephone Hour Christmas specials (1959–1968, NBC)
- Benji's Very Own Christmas Story (1978, ABC)
- The Berenstain Bears' Christmas Tree (1979, NBC)
- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (December 5, 1983, HBO)
- Bluetoes The Christmas Elf (1988)
- Brer Rabbit's Christmas Carol (1992)
- The Cabbage Patch Kids' First Christmas (1984, ABC)
- Charlie's Christmas Secret (December 20, 1984, syndication)
- A Chipmunk Christmas (December 14, 1981, NBC)
- A Christmas Adventure (1991, syndication)
- A Christmas Calendar (1987, PBS)
- A Christmas Carol (1954, CBS)
- A Christmas Carol (1971, ABC)
- A Christmas Carol (1984, CBS)
- A Christmas Carol (1999, TNT)
- Christmas Every Day (1996, The Family Channel)
- Christmas In Rockefeller Center (1998, NBC)
- Christmas in Tattertown (1988, Nickelodeon)
- Christmas Is (1970, syndication)
- The Christmas Raccoons (1980)
- The Christmas Tree (1991, USA Network)
- Christopher the Christmas Tree (December 24, 1993, FOX)
- The City That Forgot About Christmas (1974, syndication)
- A Claymation Christmas Celebration (1987, CBS)
- CMA Country Christmas (2009–present, ABC)
- A Cool Like That Christmas (December 23, 1993, FOX)
- Cranberry Christmas (December 8, 2008, ABC Family)[1]
- Deck the Halls (1994, syndication)
- Deck the Halls with Wacky Walls (1983, NBC)
- Donner (2001, ABC Family)
- Ed, Edd n Eddy's Jingle Jingle Jangle (2004, Cartoon Network)
- Edith Ann's Christmas (Just Say Noël) (December 14, 1996, ABC)
- (December 16, 2014, NBC)
- The Enchanted Nutcracker (1961, ABC)
- A Family Circus Christmas (1979, NBC)
- Father Christmas and the Missing Reindeer (1998)
- Felix The Cat Saves Christmas (2004)
- A Garfield Christmas (1987, CBS)
- The Ghosts of Christmas Eve (1999, Fox Family)
- The Glo-Friends Save Christmas (1985, syndication)
- Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer (2000, The WB)
- The Great Christmas Light Fight (a recurring reality series) (2013–present, ABC)
- The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022, Disney+)
- Gwen Stefani's You Make It Feel Like Christmas (2017, NBC)
- The Happy Elf (2005, NBC)
- A Hollywood Hounds Christmas (1994, syndication)
- Hoops & Yoyo Ruin Christmas (2011, CBS)
- The House Without a Christmas Tree (1972, CBS)
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966, CBS)
- How Murray Saved Christmas (December 5, 2014, NBC)
- (November 24, 2011, FOX)
- In the Nick of Time (1991, NBC)
- It's Christmas, Dr. Joe! (2004, syndication)
- Jingle Bell Rap (1991, syndication)
- Jingle Bell Rock (1995, ABC)
- John Grin's Christmas (1986, ABC)
- Jolly Old St. Nicholas (1994, syndication)
- Little Orphan Annie's A Very Animated Christmas (1995)
- The Little Rascals Christmas Special (1979, NBC)
- Little Spirit: Christmas in New York (December 10, 2008, NBC)
- The Littlest Angel (1969)
- Lollipop Dragon: The Great Christmas Race (1985)
- A Merry Mirthworm Christmas (1987, Showtime)
- Milroy: Santa's Misfit Mutt (1987)
- Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol (1962, NBC)
- The Moo Family Holiday Hoe-Down (1992)
- A Mouse, a Mystery and Me (1987, NBC)
- My Christmas Special (2009, PBS)
- The Nativity (1952, CBS)
- Nick & Noel (1993)
- The Night B4 Christmas (2003)
- The Night Before Christmas (1968, syndicated)
- The Night the Animals Talked (1970, ABC)
- Nine Dog Christmas (2004)
- Noël (1992, NBC)
- The Nutcracker (1958, CBS) (presented on Playhouse 90)
- The Nutcracker (1965, CBS) (German-American co-production, with changed plotline)
- The Nutcracker (Baryshnikov version) (1977, CBS)
- The Nutcracker (2011, PBS) (presented on Live from Lincoln Center)
- Nutcracker on Ice (several versions)
- The Nuttiest Nutcracker (1999, CBS)
- O Christmas Tree (1994)
- Olive, the Other Reindeer (1999, FOX)
- Online Adventures of Ozzie the Elf (1997)
- Pillow People Save Christmas (1988)
- (1978, ABC)
- P.J.'s Unfunnybunny Christmas (1993, ABC)
- The Poky Little Puppy's First Christmas (1992)
- (2004, FOX)
- The Promise (1963)
- Raggedy Ann and Andy in The Great Santa Claus Caper (1978/CBS)
- Red Boots for Christmas (1995)
- Reindeer In Here (2022, CBS)
- Roxanne's Best Christmas Ever (1998)
- Santa and the Three Bears (1970, syndication)
- Santa Claus and the Magic Drum (1996)
- The Santa Claus Brothers (December 14, 2001, Disney Channel)
- Santa Mouse and the Ratdeer (2000, Fox Family)
- Santa's Christmas Crash (1995)
- Santa's First Christmas (1992)
- Santa's Last Christmas (1999)
- Santa's Pocket Watch (1980)
- Santa's Magic Toy Bag (1983, Showtime)
- Santabear's First Christmas (1986, ABC)
- Santabear's High Flying Adventure (1987, CBS)
- Santa vs. the Snowman (December 12, 1997, ABC)
- Simple Gifts: Six Episodes for Christmas (1977)
- Snowden's Christmas (1999)
- A Snow White Christmas (1980, CBS)
- A Solid Gold Christmas (1982, syndication)
- The Spirit of Christmas (1953)
- The Stableboy's Christmas (1979, syndication)
- A Star for Jeremy (1982)
- The Stingiest Man in Town (1956, NBC)
- The Story of Santa Claus (1998, CBS)
- The Soulmates in the Gift of Light (1991)
- Timothy Tweedle: The First Christmas Elf (December 25, 2000, Toon Disney)
- The Tiny Tree (December 14, 1975, NBC)
- Tom and Jerry in A Cat and Mouse Christmas (1977, ABC)
- (2014)
- The Trolls and the Christmas Express (1981, HBO)
- Twas the Night Before Christmas (1977, ABC)
- The Twelve Days of Christmas (1993, NBC)
- The Ugly Duckling's Christmas Wish (1996, syndication)
- Up on the Housetop (1992, syndication)* A Very Boy Band Holiday (2021, ABC)
- A Very Merry Cricket (December 14, 1973, ABC)
- A Very Pink Christmas (2011)
- A Very Retail Christmas (December 24, 1990, NBC)
- A Very Solar Holiday Opposites Special (2021, Hulu)
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas (1994, syndication)
- A Wish for Wings That Work (1991, CBS)
- The Wish That Changed Christmas (1991, CBS)
- Where's Waldo? The Merry X-mas Mix Up! (1992)
- Why the Bears Dance on Christmas Eve (December 12, 1977, ABC)
- The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration (2016, ABC)
- Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus (1974, ABC)
- Ziggy's Gift (1982, ABC)
- The Zoomer Crew's First Christmas (2000)
Franchises and groupings
Mickey Mouse
- The Toy That Saved Christmas (1996)
- The Star of Christmas (2002)
- Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving (2009)
- It's a Meaningful Life (2010)
- The Little Drummer Boy (2011)
- Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas (2013)
- Beauty and the Beet (2014)
Chucklewood Critters
- The Christmas Tree Train (1983, syndication)
- T'was the Day Before Christmas (1993, syndication)
- Davey and Goliath: Christmas Lost and Found (1965/Syndication)
- Davey and Goliath's Snowboard Christmas (2004/Hallmark Channel)
- Timmy's Gift: A Precious Moments Christmas (1991, NBC)
- Timmy's Special Delivery: A Precious Moments Christmas (1993)
Celebrity-hosted and variety shows
This list includes U.K. productions shown in the U.S.
- Merry Christmas... with Love, Julie (1979)
- Julie Andrews: The Sound of Christmas (1987)
- The Carpenters at Christmas (1977)
- The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait (1978)
- Kathie Lee Gifford: Looking for Christmas (1994)
- Kathie Lee Gifford: Home for Christmas (1995)
- Kathie Lee Gifford: Just in Time for Christmas (1996)
- Kathie Lee Gifford: We Need a Little Christmas (1997)
- Kathie Lee Gifford: Christmas Every Day (1998)
- Jackie Gleason's Honeymooners Christmas (1978/CBS)
- The Honeymooners Christmas Special (1977)
Amy Grant
- Headin' Home For The Holidays (1986/NBC)
- A Christmas To Remember (1999)
- The Osmond Family Christmas Special (1976/ABC)
- The Osmond Family Christmas Special (1977)
- The Donny and Marie Christmas Special (1977/ABC)
- The Osmond Family Christmas Special (1978/ABC)
- The Donny and Marie Christmas Special (1979/ABC)
- The Osmond Family Christmas Special (1980/NBC)
- Marie Osmond's Merry Christmas (1986)
- The Andy Williams Christmas Special (1964)
- The Andy Williams Christmas Special (1965)
- The Andy Williams Christmas Special (1966)
- The Andy Williams Christmas Special (1967)
- The Andy Williams Christmas Special (1968)
- The Andy Williams Christmas Special (1969)
- The Andy Williams Christmas Special (1970)
- The Andy Williams Christmas Special (1971)
- The Andy Williams Christmas Special (1973)
- The Andy Williams Christmas Show (1974)
- Andy Williams' Early New England Christmas (1982)
- Andy Williams Christmas from Washington (1983)
- Andy Williams and the NBC Kids Search for Santa (NBC/1985)
- The Andy Williams Christmas Show (1994)
- The Daily Show Andy Williams Christmas Special (1997)
- Happy Holidays: The Best of the Andy Williams Christmas Specials (2001)
- The Bob Hope Christmas Special (1953, 1968, 1970, 1980, 1981)
- The Bob Hope Christmas Show (1965, 1985)
- The Bob Hope Vietnam Christmas Show (1966)
- The Bob Hope Christmas Special: Around the World with the USO (1969)
- The Bob Hope Vietnam Christmas Show (1971)
- The Bob Hope All Star Christmas Comedy Special (1977)
- Bob Hope's USO Christmas in Beirut (1984)
- Bob Hope Winterfest Christmas Show (1987)
- Bob Hope's USO Christmas from the Persian Gulf: Around the World in Eight Days (1987)
- Bob Hope's Jolly Christmas Show (1988)
- Bob Hope's Christmas Special from Waikoloa, Hawaii (1989)
- Bob Hope's Christmas Cheer from Saudi Arabia (1991)
- Hope for the Holidays - A Bob Hope Christmas (1993)
- Happy Holidays with Frank and Bing starring Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby (1957)
- The Bing Crosby Christmas Show (1961, 1962, 1965)
- Christmas with Andre, Bing, and Mary (1962)
- The Hollywood Palace with Bing Crosby (1965, 1966, 1967, 1968)
- Bing and Carol Together Again for the First Time (1969) Bing Crosby, with Carol Burnett
- Bing Crosby and the Sounds of Christmas (1971)
- A Christmas with the Bing Crosbys (1972)
- Bing Crosby's Sun Valley Christmas Show (1973)
- A Christmas with the Bing Crosbys (1974)
- Merry Christmas, Fred, from the Crosbys (1975) Bing Crosby, with Fred Astaire
- The Bing Crosby White Christmas Special (1976)
- Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas (1977) with David Bowie, Twiggy, and Ron Moody
- The Christmas Years (1978) tribute program
Dean Martin
- Dean Martin's California Christmas (1975)
- Dean Martin's Christmas in California (1977, 1979)
- Dean Martin Christmas Special (1980)
- Dean Martin's Christmas at Sea World (1981)
This is only a partial list of Perry Como Christmas programs. He would always include a Christmas-themed program every year while his television series was on the air.
- Perry Como's Christmas In New York (1959)
- The Perry Como Holiday Special (1967)
- Christmas At The Hollywood Palace (1969)
- Perry Como's Winter Show (1971)
- The Perry Como Winter Show (1972, 1973)
- Perry Como's Christmas Show (1974)
- Perry Como's Christmas In Mexico (1975)
- Perry Como's Christmas In Austria (1976)
- Perry Como's Olde Englishe Christmas (1977)
- Perry Como's Early American Christmas (1978)
- Perry Como's Christmas In New Mexico (1979)
- Perry Como's Christmas In The Holy Land (1980)
- Perry Como's French-Canadian Christmas (1981)
- Perry Como's Christmas In Paris (1982)
- Perry Como's Christmas In New York (1983)
- Perry Como's Christmas In London (1984)
- Perry Como's Christmas In Hawaii (1985)
- Perry Como's Christmas In San Antonio (1986)
- Perry Como's Irish Christmas (1994)
Mariah Carey
Television series-related
Specials based on a television series but which were not a regular time-slot episode.
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: Ocean Spray special features Manilow music . . November 10, 2008 . . November 27, 2023.
- Web site: WEDNESDAY 8:30 p.m. ABC, 'The Leprechauns' Christmas Gold.' Art... . . December 19, 1981 . . December 26, 2020.