Christmas TV highlights: best shows to watch this holiday season
The Christmas season is officially upon us, which means there is going to be plenty of Christmas TV highlights to get you in the holiday spirit. We're here to help you know what festive-theme programming is available to watch on TV this year all the way up to Christmas Day.
While many of the best Christmas movies are going to be airing on TV throughout the next few weeks or available on various streaming platforms, we're highlighting new and special Christmas TV shows, movies and events that you should be tuning in for, from the full slate of Hallmark Christmas movies to holiday-themed episodes of TV favorites.
Check out the full schedule below, which we'll update throughout the season as more TV shows and specials are announced.
December 21
Whatever It Takes, BET Plus
iHeart Radio Jingle Ball 2023, 8 pm ET/PT, ABC
Big Brother Reindeer Games, 8 pm ET/PT, CBS
The Christmas Break, 8 pm ET/PT, Fox
Christmas at Graceland, 8 pm ET/PT, NBC
Selena + Chef: Home for the Holidays, 8 pm ET/PT, Food Network
Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas, 9 pm ET/PT, NBC
Disney's A Christmas Carol, 9 pm ET/PT, Disney Channel
Christmas Cookie Challenge, 9 pm ET/PT, Food Network
Love Actually, 9 pm ET/PT, MTV
December 22
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town, 8 pm ET/PT, ABC
25th Annual A Home for the Holidays, 8 pm ET/PT, CBS
Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love, 8 pm ET/PT, NBC
Fit for Christmas, 9 pm ET/PT, CBS
Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, 9 pm ET/PT, The CW
Season of Light: Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir, 9 pm ET/PT, PBS
The Best Man Holiday, 10 pm ET/PT, BET
A Shattered Christmas, 10 pm ET/PT, ID
December 23
Mom's Christmas Boyfriend, 8 pm ET/PT, Lifetime
When Christmas Was Young, 8 pm ET/PT, CBS
Christmas with The Chosen: Holy Night, 8 pm ET/PT, The CW
Night Court Christmas special, 8:30 pm ET/PT, NBC
A Saturday Night Live Christmas Special, 9 pm ET/PT, NBC
Mary Berry's Highland Christmas, 9 pm ET/PT, PBS
Christmas Revisited, 9 pm ET/PT, OWN
December 24
Home Alone, 8 pm ET/PT, ABC
Lingo for the Holidays, 8 pm ET/PT, CBS
It's a Wonderful Life, 8 pm ET/PT, NBC
The Chosen, 8 pm ET/PT, The CW
The Great Christmas Showdown, 8 pm ET/PT, Fox News Channel
A Christmas Story marathon, starts at 8 pm ET/PT on TBS, 9 pm ET/PT on TNT
Loteria Loca Happy Holidays, 9 pm ET/PT, CBS
West Point Holiday Show, 9 pm ET/PT, Fox News Channel
Gospel Superfest 2023 Christmas Special, 10 pm ET/PT, BET
Christmas Eve Mass, 11:30 pm ET, NBC
December 25
Doctor Who Holiday Special: The Church on Ruby Road, Disney Plus
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade, 10 am ET/9 am PT, ABC
How to the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966), 8 pm ET/PT, NBC
Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2023, 8 pm ET/PT, PBC
Who Can Forget Christmas?, 8 pm ET/PT, Fox News Channel
MasterChef Junior: Home for the Holidays, 8:08 pm ET/PT, Fox
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), 8:30 pm ET/PT, NBC
Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to All!, 9 pm ET/PT, CBS
A Duck Family Christmas, 9 pm ET/PT, Fox News Channel
It's a Wonderful Life marathon, starting at 6 am ET/PT, E!
A Christmas Story marathon, until 8 pm ET/PT on TBS, until 11:15 pm ET/PT on TNT