During the next three-plus weeks, dozens of television programs will spread holiday cheer, and there are several longtime Christmas season favorites that everyone both young and old eagerly anticipate. And it appears most of them are returning again this year.
First, the airdates for the two most asked about specials: “A Charlie Brown Christmas” airs at 7 p.m. Sunday on ABC and “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” is set for 7 p.m. Dec. 13 on CBS.
Elsewhere, that jolly, happy soul “Frosty the Snowman” makes his annual visit at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 on CBS. The animated “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” began airing Monday on the Cartoon Network at 7 p.m. for four straight nights.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” is scheduled to air on NBC at 7 p.m. Saturday and again at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Few films capture the spirit of “peace on earth, good will to men” like this 1946 Frank Capra classic starring James Stewart.
Once again, the offbeat comedy “A Christmas Story” will be the most frequently shown movie of the holiday season. A 24-hour marathon airing begins at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve on TNT. Based on the writings of Jean Shepherd, the warm and witty 1983 movie perfectly captures the awe and excitement of the holiday season as seen through the eyes of a kid.
Here is a list of many, but not all, of the holiday programs planned for telecast between now Christmas.
Thursday
7 p.m.: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” — The animated special narrated by Boris Karloff. Cartoon Network
6 p.m.: “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” — Fred Astaire narrates the story of Kris Kringle (voice: Mickey Rooney), a young boy who has a desire to do good for others. ABC Family
8 p.m.: “Dear Santa” — Jim Belushi is host of this new special that focuses on a half-dozen letters to Santa from hopeful children and tries to fulfill the wishes of the wonderful kids who wrote them. ABC
Friday
7 p.m.: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (see Thursday, Dec. 5 synopsis). Cartoon Network
7 p.m.: “The Year Without a Santa Claus” — Feeling tired and unwanted, Santa decides to take the year off. Voices: Mickey Rooney, Shirley Booth and Dick Shawn. ABC Family
Saturday
7 p.m.: “It’s a Wonderful Life” — James Stewart stars in the 1946 Frank Capra classic about the man who wishes he had never been born and gets his wish. NBC
Sunday, Dec. 8
6 p.m. “Christmas in Aspen” — Stars from some of ABC’s prime-time series will ring in the holiday season with this new special from the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, Colo. John Ritter, Bonnie Hunt and George Lopez are among those featured. In addition, there will be performances by Barry Manilow, Johnny Mathis and Lee Ann Womack. ABC
6 p.m.: “Hollywood Christmas Spectacular” — A variety of acts perform at such Hollywood landmarks as the Kodiak Theatre and Graumann’s Chinese Theatre. NBC
7 p.m.: “A Charlie Brown Christmas” — With the help of Linus, the Peanuts gang discovers the true meaning of Christmas. Also includes a behind-the-scenes look at what was the first Charlie Brown TV special. ABC
Monday, Dec. 9
7 p.m.: “Frosty’s Winter Wonderland” — Rankin-Bass’ first sequel to “Frosty” finds the snowman taking a bride. Andy Griffith narrates. ABC Family
Tuesday, Dec. 10
8 p.m.: “The Christmas List” — A department store clerk receives everything for Christmas on her extravagant wish list in this 1997 effort. Mimi Rogers, Marla Maples and Stella Stevens star. ABC Family
Wednesday, Dec. 11
6 p.m.: “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” (see Thursday, Dec. 5 synopsis). ABC Family
Thursday, Dec. 12
8 p.m.: “Rudolph’s Shiny New Year” — The Baby New Year is missing and Rudolph is the only one can see clear enough to find him. ABC Family
Friday, Dec. 13
7 p.m.: “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” — Burl Ives narrates the beloved classic about Rudolph, who wasn’t allowed to play in any reindeer games because of his shiny nose. CBS
8 p.m.: “Robbie the Reindeer” — The newest member of Santa’s sleigh team stars in two stories “Hooves of Fire” and “Legend of the Lost Tribe.” The first tells how Robbie came to join up with the Claus clan. CBS
Saturday, Dec. 14
7 p.m.: “Frosty the Snowman” — Jimmy Durante tells the story of that jolly, happy snowman who came to life. CBS
7 p.m.: “Call Me Claus” — Whoopi Goldberg plays the owner of a shopping network who hires a man to portray St. Nick during the holidays in this 2002 made-for-cable movie. Turns out he’s the real thing. TNT
7:30 p.m.: “Frosty Returns” — Jonathan Winters narrates this one in which Frosty faces a machine that threatens to do away with winter. CBS
Sunday, Dec. 15
5 p.m.: “Call Me Claus” (see Dec. 14 synopsis) TNT
6 p.m.: “Greatest Holiday Decorations” — A look at the best and the most outrageous decorations for the Yuletide season. NBC
8 p.m.: “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” — Chevy Chase stars in this hilarious movie about a Christmas when everything seems to go wrong. NBC
8 p.m.: “A Christmas Carol” — Patrick Stewart stars as Scrooge in this 1999 version of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale. TNT
9 p.m.: “The Year Without a Santa Claus” (see Friday, Dec. 6 synopsis). ABC Family
Monday, Dec. 16
6 p.m.: “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” (see Thursday, Dec. 5 synopsis). ABC Family
Tuesday, Dec. 17
7 p.m.: “Saturday Night Live Christmas Past” — Classic holiday sketches from NBC’s long-running show. NBC
Wednesday, Dec. 18
7 p.m.: “The Year Without a Santa Claus” (see Friday, Dec. 6 synopsis). ABC Family
Thursday, Dec. 19
7 p.m.: “The Preacher’s Wife” — Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston star in this remake of the 1947 film “The Bishop’s Wife,” which featured Christmas tale, angel Cary Grant and Loretta Young. ABC Family
Friday, Dec. 20
6 p.m.: “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” (see Thursday, Dec. 5 synopsis). ABC Family
Saturday, Dec. 21
7 p.m.: “Fat Albert Christmas Special” — During the holidays, Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids lend a helping hand to a less fortunate family. NBC
7:30 p.m. “A Freezerburnt Christmas” — A character named Freezerburn and his quirky pals set off from California to the North Pole to warn Santa Claus of a madman’s plan to stop Christmas. NBC
Sunday, Dec. 22
6 p.m.: “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” — Long-separated high school sweethearts are reunited during the holiday season in the small Midwestern town of St. Nicholas in this 1997 movie. Ann Jillian, Jack Palance and Robert Hays star. ABC
8 p.m.: “A Town Without Christmas” — A reporter and novelist fall in love while searching for a child who wrote a disturbing letter to Santa. Patricia Heaton, Peter Falk and Rick Roberts star. CBS
8 p.m.: “Rudolph’s Shiny New Year” (see Thursday, Dec. 12 synopsis). ABC Family
Monday, Dec. 23
8 p.m.: “A Christmas Carol” (see Dec. 15 synopsis). TNT
Tuesday, Dec. 24
6 p.m.: “Rudolph’s Shiny New Year” (see Dec. 12 synopsis). ABC Family
7 p.m.: “It’s a Wonderful Life” (see Saturday, Dec. 7 synopsis). NBC
7 p.m.: “A Christmas Story” (24-hour marathon). TNT
8 p.m.: “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” (see Thursday, Dec. 5 synopsis). ABC Family.
9 p.m.: “The Year Without a Santa Claus” (see Friday, Dec. 6 synopsis). ABC Family
Wednesday, Dec. 25
8 a.m.: “Christmas at Washington National Cathedral” — Live Christmas morning service. Fox
8 a.m.: “VeggieTales: The Star of Christmas” — PBS.
10 a.m: “Walt Disney World Christmas Parade.” ABC
Noon: “Mickey’s Christmas Caro1” — Mickey Mouse takes on the role of Bob Cratchitt. ABC
Noon: “Miracle on 34th Street” — It’s the 1994 version starring Richard Attenborough. Fox
2:30 p.m.: “Frosty’s Winter Wonderland” (see Dec. 9 synopsis). ABC Family
