With just a month away, it’s time to start gearing up for Christmas (if you haven’t already). Aside from the mouthwatering smell of freshly baked treats and the continuous playing
of carols on the radio, the one thing that I love the most about this holiday season is the Christmas TV specials that have become a tradition in our household. Most networks have recently started
their Christmas countdown with the launch of special programs to prepare for the season. Kickstarting the trend is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade coverage this Thursday, to be followed by several entertaining celebrity shows, Christmas-themed rom-coms and family movies, animated classic shows and many more.
Travel back in time and once again see your favorite Christmas characters like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman on CBS. Get your couch and TV ready.
Here is a list of our favorite special Christmas TV specials for 2018 together with their EST airing schedule.
November 22, Thursday
NBCUniversal / Getty Images9:00 AM – (CBS) Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS
9:00 AM – (NBC) Macy’s 92nd Thanksgiving Day Parade
8:00 PM – (Hallmark) Christmas at Grand Valley
November 23, Friday
7:30 AM – (Freeform) Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups
3:15 PM – (TBS) Fred Claus
8:00 PM – (NBC) Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966 cartoon)
8:00 PM – (TBS) Love Actually
8:30 PM – (NBC) DreamWorks Trolls Holiday
November 26, Monday
7:00 PM – (AMC) Elf (2003, starring Will Ferrell)
9:00 PM – (ABC) The Great Christmas Light Fight
November 29, Thursday
9:00 AM – (AMC) The Christmas Star
1:00 PM – (AMC) The Sons of Mistletoe
3:30 PM – (Freeform) The Holiday (2006, starring Cameron Diaz)
9:00 PM – (AMC) The Polar Express (2004, starring Tom Hanks)
December 1, Saturday
11:30 AM – (AMC) The Story of the First Christmas Snow
1:15 PM – (Freeform) Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish
8:00 PM – (Lifetime) A Twist of Christmas
December 7, Friday
9:50 PM – (Freeform) Disney’s A Christmas Carol
December 9, Sunday
8:15 AM – (TCM) Christmas in Connecticut (Rerun of the 1945 version)
7:00 PM – (UP) Christmas with a Prince
8:00 PM – (Lifetime) A Christmas in Tennessee
11:35 PM – (Freeform) Love the Coopers
December 11, Tuesday
11:00 AM – (Freeform) Pop Up Santa Holiday Special
8:31 PM – (ABC) The Kids Are Alright
December 15, Saturday
7:30 AM – (Freeform) Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas
12:00 PM – (TCM) Holiday Affair (1949 film)
8:00 PM – (Lifetime) Christmas Pen Pals
December 20, Thursday
8:00 PM – (ABC) A Charlie Brown Christmas, 1965
9:00 PM – (ABC) The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition
11:00 PM – (NBC) Ellen’s Game of Games
December 23, Sunday
7:30 AM – (Freeform) Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure
4:00 PM – (TCM) All Mine to Give
7:00 PM – (UP) Hometown Holiday
8:00 PM – (Hallmark) Christmas Made to Order
9:00 PM – (Hallmark) Christmas Bells Are Ringing
December 24, Monday
7:30 AM – (TCM) The Shop Around the Corner
10:00 PM – (TBS) A Christmas Story ( 1983 film)
11:30 PM – (NBC) Christmas Eve Mass From St. Peter’s Basilica
December 25, Tuesday
7:00 AM – (Freeform) Disney’s Prep & Landin 2: Naughty vs. Nice
10:00 AM- (ABC) Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade
8:00 PM – (Hallmark) When Calls the Heart Christmas