Holiday Viewing Guide: 11 Days of Holly-Jolly Shows, Movies and Christmas Specials

From Taylor Swift and One Direction performances to classics like “Elf” and “It’s A Wonderful Life,” there’s a TV gift for everyone this holiday season

‘Tis the season for prolonged holiday television viewing and this year, the channel guide is packed with shows, movies and Christmas specials every day leading up to December 25th.

Networks have already begun airing their holiday-themed episodes but the casts of “2 Broke Girls,” “Mike & Molly,” “Mulaney,” and “Two and a Half Men” are still due to provide some seasonal fun over the next 11 days.

Fans will also be gifted with some classic Christmas movies — from “Elf” to “A Christmas Story” and “Miracle of 34th Street,” both the 1947 and 1994 versions. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is also back with Linus’ true meaning of Christmas and the quintessential music of the Vince Guaraldi Trio.

Should you be in the mood for programming a little less cheery, tune in to Syfy for the channel’s original movie “Christmas Icetastrophe,” which promises to be sort of like “Frozen” — only with way more death.

TheWrap has assembled your complete holiday viewing guide, to help you navigate your way around the tube leading up to Christmas. Find everything you need to know (and watch) below.

DEC. 15

tim allen christmas
Walt Disney Pictures

“The Santa Clause 2,” AMC
Tim Allen is Jolly Old Saint Nick, in search of a wife to be his Mrs. Claus.
“The Santa Clause 2” airs Monday, Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. ET

“2 Broke Girls,” CBS
“And The Loan For Christmas” – Max, Sophie and the gang at the diner all dress up for a holiday decorating party, thrown by Sophie.
“2 Broke Girls” airs Monday, Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. ET

DEC. 16
“Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas,” NBC
Jim Parsons lends his voice and takes over the role of Buddy the Elf in this one-hour, stop-motion animated holiday musical special. Ed Asner (as Santa) narrates the familiar story of Buddy’s travels to New York City to meet the father he never knew he had.
“Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas” airs Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. ET

ABC
ABC

“A Charlie Brown Christmas,” ABC
The Peanuts gang gather once again to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” airs Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. ET

20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox

“Miracle on 34th Street,” AMC
The 1994 Richard Attenborough movie retells the classic tale of a little girl who finally starts believing in Santa after meeting the real deal in a New York department store.
“Miracle on 34th Street” airs Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. ET

DEC. 17

NBC
NBC

“Michael Bublé’s Christmas in New York,” NBC
Celebrate the holiday season with Grammy-winning performer Michael Bublé in his fourth annual Christmas special. Ariana Grande, Miss Piggy, The Rockettes and Barbra Streisand will also appear.
“Michael Bublé’s Christmas in New York” airs Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. ET

“The Sing-Off,” NBC
The a cappella singing competition is back for a special holiday music edition. Jewel, Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy and Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men return as judges, while Nick Lachey returns as host.
“The Sing-Off” airs Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 9 p.m. ET

“Hot in Cleveland,” TV Land
“Cold in Cleveland: The Christmas Episode” — Betty White is basically America’s grandmother so who better to spend the holidays with this year?
“Hot in Cleveland” airs Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 10 p.m. ET

DEC. 18

Getty Images
Getty Images

“The iHeart Radio Jingle Ball 2014,” The CW
Taylor Swift, Iggy Azalea and Maroon 5 headline this holiday concert special from New York’s Madison Square Garden. Additional musical performers include Ariana Grande, Sam Smith, Pharrell, OneRepublic, Meghan Trainor, 5 Seconds of Summer, Jessie J., Shawn Mendes, Charli XCX, Rita Ora and Nick Jonas.
“The iHeart Radio Jingle Ball 2014” airs Thursday, Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. ET

“The Taste,” ABC
The remaining cooks compete in holiday-inspired challenges with ingredients such as fowl, duck and spiced chocolate desserts.
“The Taste” airs Thursday, Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. ET

20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox

“Miracle on 34th Street,” AMC
The 1947 Edmund Gwenn-Maureen O’Hara classic about a man trying to prove he is the real Santa Claus.
“Miracle on 34th Street” airs Thursday, Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. ET

CBS
CBS

“Two and a Half Men,” CBS
In the festive episode, “Clockwise In Back Hole Until Tight,” Walden and Alan are determined to convince Louis that Santa Claus is real.
“Two and a Half Men” airs Thursday, Dec. 18 at 9 p.m. ET

DEC. 19

Getty Images
Getty Images

“Christmas in Washington,” TNT
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson hosts the annual holiday concert from our nation’s capital with performances by Aloe Blacc, Hunter Hayes, Rita Ora, Christina Perri and Darius Rucker. President Obama and the First Family are once again set to attend the special show.
“Christmas in Washington” airs Friday, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. ET

New Line Cinema
New Line Cinema

“Elf,” ABC Family
Will Ferrell stars as Buddy the Elf, who leaves the North Pole in search of his long-last dad.
“Elf” airs Friday, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. ET

“A Home for the Holidays,” CBS
Stories of foster care and adoption are shared by the parents and caregivers who gave children a much needed home.
“A Home for the Holidays” airs Friday, Dec. 19 at 9 p.m. ET

IFC
IFC

“Comedy Bang! Bang!” IFC
“The Lonely Island Wear Holiday Sweaters and White Pants” — When the hottest holiday toy is in short supply, people go to drastic measures. Luckily, The Lonely Island are on hand to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.
“Comedy Bang! Bang!” airs Friday, Dec. 19 at 11 p.m. ET

DEC. 20

Liberty Films
Liberty Films

“It’s a Wonderful Life,” USA
Jimmy Stewart stars in this 1946 holiday classic about how different the world would be had he never been born.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” airs Sunday, Dec. 20 at 5 p.m. ET

“Christmas Icetastrophe,” SyFy
All they want for Christmas is to stop a horrific meteorite from crystalizing their entire town.
“Christmas Icetastrophe” airs Saturday, Dec. 20 at 9 p.m. ET

Getty Images
Getty Images

“Saturday Night Live,” NBC
Amy Adams and musical guest One Direction will bring the holiday cheer to “SNL’s” Christmas episode.
“Saturday Night Live” airs Saturday, Dec. 20 at 11:30 p.m. ET

DEC. 21

FOX
FOX

“Mulaney,” FOX
In “It’s A Wonderful Home Alone,” John’s disdain for Macaulay Culkin dampens his Christmas spirit while trying to put together a Christmas special for Lou that rivals his competitor’s. Comedian Nick Kroll guest-stars.
“Mulaney” airs Sunday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. ET

DEC. 22

ABC
ABC

“The Great Christmas Light Fight,” ABC
The second season finale will show who decked the halls harder than anyone else in the neighborhood!
“The Great Christmas Light Fight” airs Monday, Dec. 22 at 8 p.m. ET

“Mike & Molly,” CBS
Mike assures Molly he’ll be home in time for Christmas Eve dinner until he and Carl end up in the back of a stolen truck.
“Mike & Molly” airs Monday, Dec. 22 at 8:30 p.m. ET

DEC. 23

TBS
TBS

“Seinfeld,” TBS
No need to air any grievances here! Get out your aluminum poles for the classic “Festivus” episode.
“Seinfeld” airs Tuesday, Dec. 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Getty Images
Getty Images

“One Direction: The TV Special,” NBC
On their first U.S. network special, One Direction will offer an inside look into their “Where We Are Tour” and a behind-the-scenes glimpse as the band recorded their album, “FOUR.”
“One Direction: The TV Special” airs Tuesday, Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. ET

“The Year: 2014,” ABC
Robin Roberts wraps up the year in interviews with some of the most notable names of 2014
“The Year: 2014” airs Tuesday, Dec. 23 at 9 p.m. ET

DEC. 24

Warner Bros.
Warner Bros.

“Christmas Vacation,” ABC Family
Chevy Chase stars as Clark Griswold, the dad who wanted everything to be perfect for Christmas, only to have the exact opposite happen.
“Christmas Vacation” airs Wednesday, Dec. 24 at 7 p.m. ET

Animal Planet
Animal Planet

“Too Cute: Merry Cuteness,” Animal Planet
Viewers should prepare for an adorable overload as puppies and kittens celebrate the holidays.
“Too Cute: Merry Cuteness” airs Wednesday, Dec. 24 at 7 p.m. ET

MGM
MGM

“A Christmas Story,” TBS, TNT
The marathon continues this year as both cable channels will air the classic holiday tale about a boy who wanted a Red Ryder BB gun.
“A Christmas Story” airs Wednesday, Dec. 24 at 8 p.m. ET

DEC. 25

ABC
ABC

“2014 Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration,” ABC
If you’re in the mood for the most random Christmas parade ever, wake up early and celebrate with Ariana Grande, Tim Tebow and Elsa from “Frozen.”
“2014 Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration” air Thursday, Dec. 25 at 10 a.m. ET

BBC
BBC

“Doctor Who,” BBC America
“Last Christmas” — The 10th Christmas special since the British series was revived in 2005 will include a visit to Santa at the North Pole.
“Doctor Who” airs Thursday, Dec. 25 at 9 p.m. ET

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