List of United States Christmas television specials

The following is a list of Christmas television specials partly or completely originating in the U.S.

Christmas-related films and specials
Dates and networks shown correspond to the special's first telecast.
 * 5 More Sleeps ’til Christmas (November 27, 2021, NBC)
 * 12 Days of Christmas (1993, NBC)
 * 12 Tiny Christmas Tales (December 7, 2001, Cartoon Network)
 * The Adventures of Candy Claus (December 25, 1987)
 * Aliens First Christmas (1991, Disney Channel)
 * Amahl and the Night Visitors (1951, NBC) (most of the 1951 cast members stayed with this production until 1963)
 * Amahl and the Night Visitors (1963, NBC) (all-new production)
 * Amahl and the Night Visitors (1978, NBC) (all-new production)
 * Babes in Toyland (1950)
 * Babes in Toyland (1954)
 * Babes in Toyland (1960)
 * Babes in Toyland (1986, NBC)
 * The Balloonatiks: Christmas Without a Claus (December 14, 1996, FOX)
 * B.C.: A Special Christmas (1981, HBO)
 * The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas (1973, NBC)
 * The Bears Who Saved Christmas (1994, syndication)
 * Beebo Saves Christmas (December 1, 2021, The CW)
 * The Bell Telephone Hour Christmas specials (1959–1968, NBC)
 * Benji's Very Own Christmas Story (1978, ABC)
 * The Berenstain Bears' Christmas Tree (1979, NBC)
 * The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (December 5, 1983, HBO)
 * Bluetoes The Christmas Elf (1988)
 * Brer Rabbit's Christmas Carol (1992)
 * The Cabbage Patch Kids' First Christmas (1984, ABC)
 * Charlie's Christmas Secret (December 20, 1984, syndication)
 * A Chipmunk Christmas (December 14, 1981, NBC)
 * A Christmas Adventure (1991, syndication)
 * A Christmas Calendar (1987, PBS)
 * A Christmas Carol (1954, CBS)
 * A Christmas Carol (1971, ABC)
 * A Christmas Carol (1984, CBS)
 * A Christmas Carol (1999, TNT)
 * Christmas Every Day (1996, The Family Channel)
 * Christmas In Rockefeller Center (1998, NBC)
 * Christmas in Tattertown (1988, Nickelodeon)
 * Christmas Is (1970, syndication)
 * The Christmas Raccoons (1980)
 * The Christmas Tree (1991, USA Network)
 * Christopher the Christmas Tree (December 24, 1993, FOX)
 * The City That Forgot About Christmas (1974, syndication)
 * A Claymation Christmas Celebration (1987, CBS)
 * CMA Country Christmas (2009–present, ABC)
 * A Cool Like That Christmas (December 23, 1993, FOX)
 * Cranberry Christmas (December 8, 2008, ABC Family)
 * Deck the Halls (1994, syndication)
 * Deck the Halls with Wacky Walls (1983, NBC)
 * Donner (2001, ABC Family)
 * Ed, Edd n Eddy's Jingle Jingle Jangle (2004, Cartoon Network)
 * Edith Ann's Christmas (Just Say Noël)  (December 14, 1996, ABC)
 * Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas (December 16, 2014, NBC)
 * The Enchanted Nutcracker (1961, ABC)
 * A Family Circus Christmas (1979, NBC)
 * Father Christmas and the Missing Reindeer (1998)
 * Felix The Cat Saves Christmas (2004)
 * A Garfield Christmas (1987, CBS)
 * The Ghosts of Christmas Eve (1999, Fox Family)
 * The Glo-Friends Save Christmas (1985, syndication)
 * Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer (2000, The WB)
 * The Great Christmas Light Fight (a recurring reality series) (2013–present, ABC)
 * The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022, Disney+)
 * Gwen Stefani's You Make It Feel Like Christmas (2017, NBC)
 * The Happy Elf (2005, NBC)
 * A Hollywood Hounds Christmas (1994, syndication)
 * Hoops & Yoyo Ruin Christmas (2011, CBS)
 * The House Without a Christmas Tree (1972, CBS)
 * How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966, CBS)
 * How Murray Saved Christmas (December 5, 2014, NBC)
 * Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas (November 24, 2011, FOX)
 * In the Nick of Time (1991, NBC)
 * It's Christmas, Dr. Joe! (2004, syndication)
 * Jingle Bell Rap (1991, syndication)
 * Jingle Bell Rock (1995, ABC)
 * John Grin's Christmas (1986, ABC)
 * Jolly Old St. Nicholas (1994, syndication)
 * Little Orphan Annie's A Very Animated Christmas (1995)
 * The Little Rascals Christmas Special (1979, NBC)
 * Little Spirit: Christmas in New York (December 10, 2008, NBC)
 * The Littlest Angel (1969)
 * Lollipop Dragon: The Great Christmas Race (1985)
 * A Merry Mirthworm Christmas (1987, Showtime)
 * Milroy: Santa's Misfit Mutt (1987)
 * Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol (1962, NBC)
 * The Moo Family Holiday Hoe-Down (1992)
 * A Mouse, a Mystery and Me (1987, NBC)
 * My Christmas Special (2009, PBS)
 * The Nativity (1952, CBS)
 * Nick & Noel (1993)
 * The Night B4 Christmas (2003)
 * The Night Before Christmas (1968, syndicated)
 * The Night the Animals Talked (1970, ABC)
 * Nine Dog Christmas (2004)
 * Noël (1992, NBC)
 * The Nutcracker (1958, CBS) (presented on Playhouse 90)
 * The Nutcracker (1965, CBS) (German-American co-production, with changed plotline)
 * The Nutcracker (Baryshnikov version) (1977, CBS)
 * The Nutcracker (2011, PBS) (presented on Live from Lincoln Center)
 * Nutcracker on Ice (several versions)
 * The Nuttiest Nutcracker (1999, CBS)
 * O Christmas Tree (1994)
 * Olive, the Other Reindeer (1999, FOX)
 * Online Adventures of Ozzie the Elf (1997)
 * Pillow People Save Christmas (1988)
 * The Pink Panther in: A Pink Christmas (1978, ABC)
 * P.J.'s Unfunnybunny Christmas (1993, ABC)
 * The Poky Little Puppy's First Christmas (1992)
 * Popeye's Voyage: The Quest for Pappy (2004, FOX)
 * The Promise (1963)
 * Raggedy Ann and Andy in The Great Santa Claus Caper (1978/CBS)
 * Red Boots for Christmas (1995)
 * Reindeer In Here (2022, CBS)
 * Roxanne's Best Christmas Ever (1998)
 * Santa and the Three Bears (1970, syndication)
 * Santa Claus and the Magic Drum (1996)
 * The Santa Claus Brothers (December 14, 2001, Disney Channel)
 * Santa Mouse and the Ratdeer (2000, Fox Family)
 * Santa's Christmas Crash (1995)
 * Santa's First Christmas (1992)
 * Santa's Last Christmas (1999)
 * Santa's Pocket Watch (1980)
 * Santa's Magic Toy Bag (1983, Showtime)
 * Santabear's First Christmas (1986, ABC)
 * Santabear's High Flying Adventure (1987, CBS)
 * Santa vs. the Snowman (December 12, 1997, ABC)
 * Simple Gifts: Six Episodes for Christmas (1977)
 * Snowden's Christmas (1999)
 * A Snow White Christmas (1980, CBS)
 * A Solid Gold Christmas (1982, syndication)
 * The Spirit of Christmas (1953)
 * The Stableboy's Christmas (1979, syndication)
 * A Star for Jeremy (1982)
 * The Stingiest Man in Town (1956, NBC)
 * The Story of Santa Claus (1998, CBS)
 * The Soulmates in the Gift of Light (1991)
 * Timothy Tweedle: The First Christmas Elf (December 25, 2000, Toon Disney)
 * The Tiny Tree (December 14, 1975, NBC)
 * Tom and Jerry in A Cat and Mouse Christmas (1977, ABC)
 * Tom and Jerry: Santa's Little Helpers (2014)
 * The Trolls and the Christmas Express (1981, HBO)
 * Twas the Night Before Christmas (1977, ABC)
 * The Twelve Days of Christmas (1993, NBC)
 * The Ugly Duckling's Christmas Wish (1996, syndication)
 * Up on the Housetop (1992, syndication)* A Very Boy Band Holiday (2021, ABC)
 * A Very Merry Cricket (December 14, 1973, ABC)
 * A Very Pink Christmas (2011)
 * A Very Retail Christmas (December 24, 1990, NBC)
 * A Very Solar Holiday Opposites Special (2021, Hulu)
 * We Wish You a Merry Christmas (1994, syndication)
 * A Wish for Wings That Work (1991, CBS)
 * The Wish That Changed Christmas (1991, CBS)
 * Where's Waldo? The Merry X-mas Mix Up! (1992)
 * Why the Bears Dance on Christmas Eve (December 12, 1977, ABC)
 *  The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration (2016, ABC)
 * Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus (1974, ABC)
 * Ziggy's Gift (1982, ABC)
 * The Zoomer Crew's First Christmas (2000)

Rankin/Bass

 * Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964/NBC; has aired on CBS since 1972)
 * Cricket on the Hearth (1967/NBC)
 * The Little Drummer Boy (1968/NBC)
 * Frosty the Snowman (1969/CBS)
 * Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (1970/ABC)
 * Festival of Family Classics: "A Christmas Tree" (1972/syndication)
 * Twas the Night Before Christmas (1974/CBS)
 * The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974/ABC)
 * The First Christmas: The Story of the First Christmas Snow (1975/NBC)
 * Frosty's Winter Wonderland (1976/ABC)
 * Rudolph's Shiny New Year (1976/ABC)
 * The Little Drummer Boy, Book II (1976/NBC)
 * Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (1977/ABC)
 * The Stingiest Man in Town (1978/ABC)
 * Jack Frost (1979/NBC)
 * Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July (1979/ABC)
 * Pinocchio's Christmas (1980/ABC)
 * The Leprechauns' Christmas Gold (1981/ABC)
 * The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (1985/CBS)
 * Frosty Returns (1992/CBS)
 * Santa, Baby! (2001/FOX)
 * The Legend of Frosty the Snowman (2004)
 * A Miser Brothers' Christmas (2008/ABC Family)

Charlie Brown / Peanuts

 * A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965/CBS)
 * It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown (1992/CBS)
 * Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales (2002/ABC)
 * I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown (2003/ABC)

Walt Disney

 * From All of Us to All of You (1958/ABC)
 * A Magical Disney Christmas (1981/CBS)
 * A Disney Christmas Gift (1982/CBS)
 * A Goof Troop Christmas (1992 & 1993/ABC)
 * Prep & Landing (2009/ABC)
 * Prep & Landing: Operation: Secret Santa (2010/ABC)
 * Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice (2011/ABC)

Mickey Mouse

 * Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983/NBC)
 * Mickey Mouse Works: "The Nutcracker" (1999/ABC)
 * Mickey Mouse Works: "Mickey's Christmas Chaos" (2000/ABC)
 * House of Mouse: "Clarabelle's Christmas List" (2002/Toon Disney)
 * House of Mouse: "Pete's Christmas Caper" (2002/Toon Disney)
 * Duck the Halls: A Mickey Mouse Christmas Special (2016/Disney Channel)
 * Mickey and Minnie Wish Upon a Christmas (2021/Disney Junior)
 * Mickey Saves Christmas (2022/Disney Junior)
 * Mickey's Christmas Tales: Starstruck (2023/Disney Junior)

Winnie the Pooh

 * Welcome to Pooh Corner: "Christmas at Pooh Corner" (1983/Disney Channel)
 * Welcome to Pooh Corner: "Christmas is for Sharing" (1984/Disney Channel)
 * Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too (1991/ABC)
 * Seasons of Giving (1999)

Pixar

 * Toy Story That Time Forgot (2014/ABC)

Hanna-Barbera

 * A Christmas Story (1972/syndication)
 * Silent Night, Holy Night (1976/syndication)
 * Casper's First Christmas (1979/NBC)
 * Christmas Comes to Pac-Land (1982/ABC)
 * The Little Troll Prince (1987/syndication)
 * The Town Santa Forgot (1993/NBC)

The Flintstones

 * The Flintstones: "Christmas Flintstone" (1964/ABC)
 * A Flintstone Christmas (1977/NBC)
 * A Flintstone Family Christmas (1993/ABC)
 * A Flintstones Christmas Carol (1994/ABC)

The Smurfs

 * The Smurfs' Christmas Special (1982/NBC)
 * 'Tis the Season to Be Smurfy (1987/NBC)
 * The Smurfs: A Christmas Carol (2011)

Yogi Bear

 * Yogi's First Christmas (1980/syndication)
 * Yogi Bear's All Star Comedy Christmas Caper (1982/CBS)

Jim Henson / The Muppets / Sesame Street

 * The Great Santa Claus Switch (1970/CBS)
 * Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (1977/HBO)
 * Christmas Eve on Sesame Street (1978/PBS)
 * A Special Sesame Street Christmas (1978/CBS)
 * John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together (1979/ABC)
 * The Christmas Toy (1986/ABC)
 * A Muppet Family Christmas (1987/ABC)
 * Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree (1995/CBS)
 * Elmo Saves Christmas (1996/PBS)
 * It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (2002/NBC)
 * A Sesame Street Christmas Carol (2006/PBS)
 * Elmo's Christmas Countdown (2007/ABC)
 * A Muppet Christmas: Letters to Santa (2008/NBC)
 * Lady Gaga and the Muppets Holiday Spectacular (2013/ABC)
 * Once Upon a Sesame Street Christmas (2016/HBO)

DreamWorks Animation

 * Joseph King of Dreams (2000)
 * Shrek the Halls (2007/ABC)
 * Merry Madagascar (2009/NBC)
 * Kung Fu Panda Holiday (2010/NBC)
 * Trolls Holiday (2017/NBC)
 * How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming (2019/NBC)
 * Trolls: Holiday in Harmony (2021/NBC)

Looney Tunes

 * Bugs Bunny's Looney Christmas Tales (1979/CBS)
 * Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas (2006)
 * Looney Tunes Cartoons: "Bugs Bunny's 24-Carrot Holiday Special" (2020/HBO Max)

VeggieTales

 * The Toy That Saved Christmas (1996)
 * The Star of Christmas (2002)
 * Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving (2009)
 * It's a Meaningful Life (2010)
 * The Little Drummer Boy (2011)
 * Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas (2013)
 * Beauty and the Beet (2014)

Chucklewood Critters

 * The Christmas Tree Train (1983, syndication)
 * T'was the Day Before Christmas (1993, syndication)

Davey and Goliath

 * Davey and Goliath: Christmas Lost and Found (1965/Syndication)
 * Davey and Goliath's Snowboard Christmas (2004/Hallmark Channel)

Precious Moments, Inc.

 * Timmy's Gift: A Precious Moments Christmas (1991, NBC)
 * Timmy's Special Delivery: A Precious Moments Christmas (1993)

Celebrity-hosted and variety shows
This list includes U.K. productions shown in the U.S.


 * The George Burns Early, Early, Early Christmas Special (1981)
 * The Captain and Tennille Christmas Show (1976)
 * Jackie DeShannon: What the World Needs Now (1978)
 * Michael Jackson: Beat It (1982)
 * Taylor Swift: Shake It Off (2014)
 * Elton John: Crocodile Rock (1973)
 * Elton John: I'm Still Standing (1983)
 * Tom Jones: What's New Pussycat (1963)
 * Carly Rae Jepsen: Call Me Maybe (2012)
 * Selena Gomez: Come & Get It (2013)
 * Journey: Don't Stop Believing (1981)
 * Lady Gaga: Applause (2013)
 * The Johnny Cash Christmas Special (1976–1979)
 * Kelly Clarkson: Kelly Clarkson Presents: When Christmas Comes Around (2021, NBC)
 * Kelly Clarkson: Kelly Clarkson's Cautionary Christmas Music Tale (2013/NBC)
 * A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All (2008/Comedy Central)
 * CMA Country Christmas (2010–present)
 * Mac Davis: I Believe in Christmas (1977)
 * John Denver's Rocky Mountain Christmas (with The Muppets) (1975)
 * John Denver: Montana Christmas Skies (1991)
 * Jeff Dunham's Very Special Christmas Special (2008/Comedy Central)
 * Dave Foley's The True Meaning of Christmas Specials
 * Freddie the Freeloader's Christmas Dinner (1981/HBO)
 * The Judy Garland Christmas Show (1963)
 * Paul Lynde: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas (1977)
 * Darci Lynne: A Hometown Christmas (2018)
 * The Mitzi Gaynor Christmas Show (1967)
 * Rich Little's Christmas Carol (1979/HBO)
 * Dolly Parton: Home For Christmas (1990)
 * Luther Vandross: This is Christmas (1996)
 * Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas (2023)

Julie Andrews

 * Merry Christmas... with Love, Julie (1979)
 * Julie Andrews: The Sound of Christmas (1987)

The Carpenters

 * The Carpenters at Christmas (1977)
 * The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait (1978)

Kathie Lee Gifford

 * Kathie Lee Gifford: Looking for Christmas (1994)
 * Kathie Lee Gifford: Home for Christmas (1995)
 * Kathie Lee Gifford: Just in Time for Christmas (1996)
 * Kathie Lee Gifford: We Need a Little Christmas (1997)
 * Kathie Lee Gifford: Christmas Every Day (1998)

Jackie Gleason

 * Jackie Gleason's Honeymooners Christmas (1978/CBS)
 * The Honeymooners Christmas Special (1977)

Amy Grant

 * Headin' Home For The Holidays (1986/NBC)
 * A Christmas To Remember (1999)

The Osmonds

 * The Osmond Family Christmas Special (1976/ABC)
 * The Osmond Family Christmas Special (1977)
 * The Donny and Marie Christmas Special (1977/ABC)
 * The Osmond Family Christmas Special (1978/ABC)
 * The Donny and Marie Christmas Special (1979/ABC)
 * The Osmond Family Christmas Special (1980/NBC)
 * Marie Osmond's Merry Christmas (1986)

Andy Williams

 * The Andy Williams Christmas Special (1964)
 * The Andy Williams Christmas Special (1965)
 * The Andy Williams Christmas Special (1966)
 * The Andy Williams Christmas Special (1967)
 * The Andy Williams Christmas Special (1968)
 * The Andy Williams Christmas Special (1969)
 * The Andy Williams Christmas Special (1970)
 * The Andy Williams Christmas Special (1971)
 * The Andy Williams Christmas Special (1973)
 * The Andy Williams Christmas Show (1974)
 * Andy Williams' Early New England Christmas (1982)
 * Andy Williams Christmas from Washington (1983)
 * Andy Williams and the NBC Kids Search for Santa (NBC/1985)
 * The Andy Williams Christmas Show (1994)
 * The Daily Show Andy Williams Christmas Special (1997)
 * Happy Holidays: The Best of the Andy Williams Christmas Specials (2001)

Bob Hope

 * The Bob Hope Christmas Special (1953, 1968, 1970, 1980, 1981)
 * The Bob Hope Christmas Show (1965, 1985)
 * The Bob Hope Vietnam Christmas Show (1966)
 * The Bob Hope Christmas Special: Around the World with the USO (1969)
 * The Bob Hope Vietnam Christmas Show (1971)
 * The Bob Hope All Star Christmas Comedy Special (1977)
 * Bob Hope's USO Christmas in Beirut (1984)
 * Bob Hope Winterfest Christmas Show (1987)
 * Bob Hope's USO Christmas from the Persian Gulf: Around the World in Eight Days (1987)
 * Bob Hope's Jolly Christmas Show (1988)
 * Bob Hope's Christmas Special from Waikoloa, Hawaii (1989)
 * Bob Hope's Christmas Cheer from Saudi Arabia (1991)
 * Hope for the Holidays - A Bob Hope Christmas (1993)

Bing Crosby

 * Happy Holidays with Frank and Bing starring Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby (1957)
 * The Bing Crosby Christmas Show (1961, 1962, 1965)
 * Christmas with Andre, Bing, and Mary (1962)
 * The Hollywood Palace with Bing Crosby (1965, 1966, 1967, 1968)
 * Bing and Carol Together Again for the First Time (1969) Bing Crosby, with Carol Burnett
 *  Goldilocks (1969) Bing Crosby with Kathryn Crosby, Mary Frances Crosby and Nathaniel Crosby along with Avery Schreiber and Paul Winchell
 * Bing Crosby's Christmas Show (1970)
 * Bing Crosby and the Sounds of Christmas (1971)
 * A Christmas with the Bing Crosbys (1972)
 * Bing Crosby's Sun Valley Christmas Show (1973)
 * A Christmas with the Bing Crosbys (1974)
 * Merry Christmas, Fred, from the Crosbys (1975) Bing Crosby, with Fred Astaire
 * The Bing Crosby White Christmas Special (1976)
 * Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas (1977) with David Bowie, Twiggy, and Ron Moody
 * The Christmas Years (1978) tribute program

Dean Martin

 * Dean Martin's California Christmas (1975)
 * Dean Martin's Christmas in California (1977, 1979)
 * Dean Martin Christmas Special (1980)
 * Dean Martin's Christmas at Sea World (1981)

Perry Como
This is only a partial list of Perry Como Christmas programs. He would always include a Christmas-themed program every year while his television series was on the air.
 * Perry Como's Christmas In New York (1959)
 * The Perry Como Holiday Special (1967)
 * Christmas At The Hollywood Palace (1969)
 * Perry Como's Winter Show (1971)
 * The Perry Como Winter Show (1972, 1973)
 * Perry Como's Christmas Show (1974)
 * Perry Como's Christmas In Mexico (1975)
 * Perry Como's Christmas In Austria (1976)
 * Perry Como's Olde Englishe Christmas (1977)
 * Perry Como's Early American Christmas (1978)
 * Perry Como's Christmas In New Mexico (1979)
 * Perry Como's Christmas In The Holy Land (1980)
 * Perry Como's French-Canadian Christmas (1981)
 * Perry Como's Christmas In Paris (1982)
 * Perry Como's Christmas In New York (1983)
 * Perry Como's Christmas In London (1984)
 * Perry Como's Christmas In Hawaii (1985)
 * Perry Como's Christmas In San Antonio (1986)
 * Perry Como's Irish Christmas (1994)

Mariah Carey

 * Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to You (2010, ABC)
 * Mariah Carey's Merriest Christmas (2015, Hallmark Channel)
 * Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special (2020, Apple TV+)

Television series-related
Specials based on a television series but which were not a regular time-slot episode.
 * A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All! (2008/Comedy Central)
 * Care Bears Nutcracker Suite (1988/Disney Channel; Canadian production)
 * He-Man and She-Ra: A Christmas Special (1985/syndication)
 * Inspector Gadget Saves Christmas (1992/NBC)
 * The Munsters' Scary Little Christmas (1996/FOX)
 * A Pinky and the Brain Christmas (1995/The WB)
 * Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special (1988/CBS)
 * Puff the Magic Dragon Christmas (1980/CBS)
 * Dragon Tales Merry Christmas (2006/PBS)
 * Shining Time Station: 'Tis a Gift (1990/PBS)
 * Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Merry Christmas (2003)
 * A Very Merry Curb Appeal