Best Holiday TV Specials

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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A Charlie Brown Christmas Poster Image
MOVIE

A Charlie Brown Christmas

age 3+

The Peanuts gang in a classic Christmas special.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1965)
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.

Network: Max (2020)
Frosty the Snowman Poster Image
MOVIE

Frosty the Snowman

age 3+

Classic Christmas TV special is sing-along fun.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2000)
Jingle All the Way Poster Image
MOVIE

Jingle All the Way

age 3+

Heartwarming holiday tale has strong marketing tie-ins.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2011)
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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2012)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Poster Image
MOVIE

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

age 3+

Heartwarming for all ages, some old-school content.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1964)
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.

Network: Netflix (2020)
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.

Network: Freeform (1991)
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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1966)
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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2011)
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.

Network: Netflix (2020)
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.

Network: Netflix (2020)
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.

Network: Disney+ (2021)
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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2008)
Peter Rabbit's Christmas Tale Poster Image
TV

Peter Rabbit's Christmas Tale

age 4+

Sweet GCI adaptation has some nervous moments for tots.

Network: Nickelodeon (2012)
The Three Wise Men Poster Image
TV

The Three Wise Men

age 4+

Charming retelling of first Christmas is great for families.

Network: Amazon Prime Video (2020)
Toy Story That Time Forgot Poster Image
MOVIE

Toy Story That Time Forgot

age 4+

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

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2015)
Yes, Virginia Poster Image
MOVIE

Yes, Virginia

age 4+

Sweet holiday tale inspires with messages of goodwill.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2010)
Albert Poster Image
MOVIE

Albert

age 5+

Spunky tree's adventures are filled with festive messages.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2016)
An Arthur Thanksgiving Poster Image
TV

An Arthur Thanksgiving

age 5+

Arthur celebrates community in charming holiday special.

Network: PBS Kids (2020)