Last year (and I think in years past), Khadaji did a thread of when various classic Christmas specials and movies were airing. It was well-done, but since they’re starting soon and there hasn’t been one yet, I’ve asked my pal Elfy the Elf and his elfen pals to scour the Internet for listings. For one thing, Elfy knows the difference between Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys. For another thing, Elfy (and I) overdo things, so there’s a lot more on this list, along with what Khadaji put there. Elfy always lists things in alphabetical order, and all times are Eastern. Also, Elfy has carpal-tunnel syndrome, so he doesn’t like to type the word “December” over and over. He just puts the day. Lazy elf.
There are new specials out there, too, including a new stop-motion special featuring the Misers from The Year Without A Santa Claus and one with the Muppets, but Elfy only goes for specials that have aired for at least a year. I really hate him.
The 13th on ABC Family is practically a whole-day marathon of Warner Bros.-owned Rankin/Bass specials, and in many cases their only airings this year. So be sure to see if a show you like on FAM on the 13th is “AM” or “PM.” And if it’s AM, wake up early or set the TiVo!
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (b/w CHARLIE BROWN’S CHRISTMAS TALES)
8 ABC 8pm
16 ABC 8pm
A CHRISTMAS STORY
3 TNT 8pm
3 TNT 10pm
24 TBS 8pm (and all day, TBS’s usual 24-hour marathon)
ELF
10 USA 10pm
14 USA 3pm
15 USA 7pm
20 CBS 8pm
FROSTY RETURNS
12 CBS 8:30pm
FROSTY THE SNOWMAN
12 CBS 8pm
FROSTY’S WINTER WONDERLAND
5 FAM 7pm
13 FAM 7am
13 FAM 4:30pm
24 FAM 3pm
A GARFIELD CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
9 FAM 7pm
13 FAM 12pm
HAPPY NEW YEAR, CHARLIE BROWN
30 ABC 8pm
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! (1966 animated)
1 ABC 8:30pm
17 TOON 8pm
21 TOON 8:30pm
23 ABC 8pm
I WANT A DOG FOR CHRISTMAS, CHARLIE BROWN
15 ABC 8pm
20 ABC 8pm
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
13 NBC 8pm
24 NBC 8pm
JACK FROST (Rankin/Bass)
10 FAM 10pm
13 FAM 1pm
14 FAM 7pm
JINGLE ALL THE WAY
8 FAM 8pm
20 FAM 3pm
THE LEPRECHAUN’S CHRISTMAS GOLD
13 FAM 7:30am
THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF SANTA CLAUS
13 FAM 8am
THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY
13 FAM 9am
THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY, BOOK II
13 FAM 9:30am
MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL
10 FAM 7pm
16 FAM 7pm
NESTOR, THE LONG-EARED CHRISTMAS DONKEY
13 FAM 11:30pm
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
23 TBS Time TBA
OLIVE, THE OTHER REINDEER
9 MYNETWORK (your old UPN or WB, whichever one isn’t the CW) 8pm
13 TOON 6pm
21 TOON 4:30pm
PINOCCHIO’S CHRISTMAS
13 FAM 10am
THE POLAR EXPRESS
2 FAM 6pm
2 FAM 8:30pm
22 FAM 6pm
22 FAM 8:30pm
RUDOLPH AND FROSTY’S CHRISTMAS IN JULY
13 FAM 2pm
24 FAM 1pm
RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER
3 CBS 8pm
RUDOLPH’S SHINY NEW YEAR
10 FAM 9pm
11 FAM 7pm
13 FAM 5pm
21 FAM 7:30am
24 FAM 4pm
30 ABC 8:30pm
SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN
2 ABC 8pm
10 FAM 8pm
13 FAM 6pm
21 FAM 10am
24 FAM 5pm
THE SANTA CLAUSE
4 TBS 8pm
SANTA CLAUSE 2: THE MRS. CLAUSE
14 ABC 8pm
19 FAM 8pm
19 FAM 10pm
SHREK THE HALLS
1 ABC 8pm
22 ABC 8pm
THE STORY OF THE FIRST CHRISTMAS SNOW
13 FAM 11am
'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
8 FAM 7pm
11 FAM 10:30pm
13 FAM 4pm
21 FAM 7am
24 FAM 3:30pm
WINNIE-THE-POOH AND CHRISTMAS, TOO
10 FAM 7:30pm
16 FAM 7:30pm
THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS
11 FAM 8pm
13 FAM 7pm
21 FAM 11am
24 FAM 6pm
Elfy thanks the following companies and websites: ABC, Cinema Blend, Classic TV Database, Turner Entertainment, and TV Crunch
