Christmas 2015: Holiday Movie Schedule

By BARBARA HEINS (Patch Staff)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year — watching a plethora of holiday movies, favorites from childhood and new ones that are sure to become popular with the kids.

This year is the golden anniversary of the first broadcast the beloved Christmas program, ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas.’ Before the 9 p.m. (EST) broadcast Monday night, ABC will air an anniversary special at 8 p.m. hosted by Kristen Bell and featuring the iconic music of Vince Guaraldi. There also will be appearances by Kristin Chenoweth, Matthew Morrison, Sarah McLachlan; Boyz II Men; Pentatonix; David Benoit; and the All-American Boys Chorus.

Among the offerings this season is Wednesday night’s special featuring the lighting of New York City’s Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. So forget braving the crowds — watch the NBC broadcast in the comforts of home. Ditto when it comes to New Year’s Eve! You can catch ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest’ and ‘New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly’ on Dec. 31.

Here are some of the holiday movie offerings on television from tvguide.com.

What are your must-see holiday movies? Let us know in the comments.

Saturday, December 5

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas ABC Family | 12:30am

A Very Brady Christmas ABC Family | 7:00am

Home Alone: The Holiday Heist 9:00am

Little Drummer Boy ABC Family | 12:00pm

Just in Time for Christmas Hallmark Channel | 8:00pm

It’s A Wonderful Life NBC | 8:00pm

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation ABC Family | 10:00pm

Sunday, December 6

Karen Kingsbury’s The Bridge Hallmark Channel | 8:00pm

Monday, December 7

Love Actually ABC Family | 1:00pm

Tuesday, December 8

The Mistle-Tones ABC Family | 12:00am

Wednesday, December 9

Mickey’s Twice Upon A Christmas ABC Family | 4:30pm

Thursday, December 10

Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey ABC Family | 11:00am

Coat of Many Colors NBC | 9:00pm

Friday, December 11

Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe ABC Family | 12:00am

The Hollywood Christmas Parade CW | 8:00pm

Saturday, December 12

Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas ABC Family | 12:30pm

On The Twelfth Day Of Christmas Hallmark Channel | 8:00pm

The Flight Before Christmas CBS | 9:00pm

Monday, December 14

Mr. St. Nick ABC Family | 7:00am

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas ABC Family | 9:00am

Tuesday, December 15

Santa Baby ABC Family | 1:00pm

The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause ABC Family | 6:00pm

Toy Story That Time Forgot ABC | 8:00pm

Shrek the Halls ABC | 8:30pm

Thursday, December 17

Disney Prep & Landing ABC | 8:00pm

The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2015 8:00pm

Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice ABC | 8:30pm

Friday, December 18

Holidaze ABC Family | 12:00am

Christmas Cupid ABC Family | 10:00am

Yes, Virginia ABC | 8:30pm

A Home for the Holidays CBS | 9:00pm

Saturday, December 19

I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown ABC | 8:00pm

A Christmas Melody Hallmark Channel | 8:00pm

Sunday, December 20

Christmas Land Hallmark Channel | 8:00pm

Wednesday, December 23

I Love Lucy Christmas CBS | 8:00pm

Thursday, December 24

A Christmas Story TBS | 8:00pm

It’s A Wonderful Life NBC | 8:00pm

It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown ABC | 8:00pm

Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol CW | 8:00pm

A Charlie Brown Christmas ABC | 9:00pm

Friday, December 25

CMA Country Christmas ABC | 8:00pm

Monday, December 28

Happy New Year, Charlie Brown ABC | 8:00pm

Rudolph’s Shiny New Year ABC | 9:00pm

Tuesday, December 29

Kennedy Center Honors CBS | 9:00pm

Thursday, December 31

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2016 ABC | 8:00pm

Pitbull’s New Year’s Revolution, Part 1 FOX | 8:00pm

New Year’s Eve With Carson Daly NBC | 10:00pm

Friday, January 1

Tournament of Roses Parade NBC | 11:00am

Photo via shutterstock; ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ via imbd.com.