Frosty, Charlie Brown, Rudolph & more. When are your favorite holiday specials on TV?
“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving”
PBS and Apple struck a deal last year to keep the beloved Peanuts holiday specials on TV. The Thanksgiving special starring Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the gang will air Sunday, Nov. 21 on PBS and PBS Kids.
You can also watch the special at any time with Apple TV+, the streaming service that gained the rights to the programs last year.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
You can first catch the timeless classic Monday, Nov. 22 on CBS. The television movie based off the popular song first premiered in 1964. It will be back on CBS Saturday, Dec. 11.
“It recounts the tale of a shy reindeer whose Christmas spirit is dampened because his shiny nose has made him the laughingstock of all of Christmasville,” CBS said.
“Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town”
After celebrating its 50th anniversary last year, the stop-motion special will be on ABC Friday, Nov. 26 and again on Thursday, Dec. 23, according to a network affiliate.
Featuring the voices of Mickey Rooney and Fred Astaire, the special has been broadcast on ABC since 1970.
“Frosty the Snowman”
Your favorite snowman will make his 2021 debut on CBS on Friday, Nov. 26. The special will be followed by another one featuring the jolly character, “Frosty Returns.” Both shows will make their return to CBS on Saturday, Dec. 11.
“Frosty, that ‘jolly, happy soul’ whose old silk hat full of magic has turned him into a musical Christmas legend, once again demonstrates his unique showmanship,” CBS said.
Freeform will be showing “Frosty the Snowman” in conjunction with “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.” You can watch those specials consecutively on Freeform on the following dates: Saturday, Dec 4; Sunday, Dec. 5; Sunday, Dec. 19; Monday, Dec. 20; Friday, Dec. 24 and Saturday, Dec. 25.
“Christmas in Rockefeller Center”
The famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City will be lit in the annual tradition on Wednesday, Dec. 1 on NBC.
NBC has not announced performers for this year’s event. Last year, the special featured Dolly Parton, Gwen Stefani, Pentatonix and more.
“A Home for the Holidays”
The uplifting CBS special, now in its 23rd year, helps raise awareness for foster care adoption. This year’s event will air Sunday, Dec. 5 on CBS.
“The idea for ‘A Home for the Holidays’ was pitched to CBS by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and the Children’s Action Network to build awareness of the thousands of children who are waiting to be adopted from foster care,” the foundation said last year. “The annual primetime special shares stories of foster care adoption and has featured performances from some of America’s most popular music artists.”
“A Charlie Brown Christmas”
Thanks to its deal with Apple, PBS will also be showing the Christmas special for the Peanuts on its network. You can watch it Sunday, Dec. 19 on PBS and PBS Kids.
The show will also air on Apple TV+, which will premiere a new Peanuts holiday special this year.
“For Auld Lang Syne” airs exclusively on Apple TV+ and premieres Dec. 10. The gang throws a New Year’s Eve party in the special, as Charlie Brown aims to accomplish just one of his resolutions before midnight, Apple said.
“A Holly Dolly Christmas”
Airing exclusively on CBS, Dolly Parton will usher in Christmas with a one-hour entertainment special on Friday, Dec. 24.
The special first aired last year, with Parton performing songs off her recent Christmas album, along with other Christmas favorites.
“When Dolly Parton calls and tells you she wants to do a Christmas show, you don’t hesitate,” CBS executive Jack Sussman said in a statement last year.
Other music specials:
ABC will air “The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration” on Sunday, Nov. 28 and “CMA Country Christmas” on Monday, Nov. 29, according to a local affiliate. Details have not been announced for either event.
This story was originally published November 4, 2021 at 4:03 PM with the headline "Frosty, Charlie Brown, Rudolph & more. When are your favorite holiday specials on TV?."