Countdown to Christmas: 10 days of television specials

Sarah Kebea
Arts and Entertainment Editor

This year offers a range of Christmas specials, including classic movies and musical events, check out some of the most talked about television specials below:

Tonight: The Polar Express will play on ABC Family at 9 p.m. 

Tuesday, December 16: Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas, a new cartoon special, will air on NBC at 8 p.m.  The cartoon special will retell the story of Buddy the Elf through extreme positivity and song.  Classic cartoon A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) will air on ABC at 8 p.m. 

Wednesday, December 17: Michael Buble’s Christmas in New York will air at 8 p.m.  Special guests of the night are “Love Me Harder” singer Ariana Grande, Broadway legend Barbara Streisand, The Rockettes and Miss Piggy.  Buble’s fourth NBC Christmas special will air from Radio City Music Hall and feature “unplugged” (acoustic) songs picked by his social media followers. 

Thursday, December 18: The 2014 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball will air on the CW at 8 p.m.  The nationwide two hour broadcast will include performances from Taylor Swift, Pharrell, Gwen Stefani and Ariana Grande.  The musical event is pre-taped; the actual event took place Saturday in New York City.

Friday, December 19: Classic cartoon Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol will air on the CW at 8 p.m.  The 16^th annual special, A Home for the Holidays, will air on CBS at 9 p.m.  The adoption awareness special will include performances by Train, Rixton, and Earth, Wind and Fire. 

Saturday, December 20: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) on ABC Family, not to be mistaken for the animated version.  CMA Country Christmas will air on ABC at 9 p.m., the event will be hosted by country singer Jennifer Nettles.  Performers for the country Christmas special will include Brad Paisley, Steven Tyler, Brett Eldredge and Alan Jackson.    

Sunday, December 21: A Saturday Night Live Christmas will air on NBC at 8 p.m.  The SNL special will be a compilation of Christmas skits from the past. 

Monday, December 22: Miracle on 34^th Street will air throughout the Monday before Christmas on AMC starting at 9 a.m.

Tuesday, December 23:  One Direction will headline their first television special, watch for an inside look on the boy band.  One Direction: The TV Special will air on NBC at 8 p.m.

 

Wednesday, December 24: The night before Christmas will feature many classic movies and specials.  It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) will play on NBC at 8 p.m.  A Christmas Story (1983) will air on TBS at 8 p.m.   The cartoon classic Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) will air on ABC at 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Thursday, December 25: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation will air on ABC Family at 5 p.m.  Home Alone will air on ABC Family at 9 p.m.  Movies such as A Christmas Story and A Christmas Carol will air throughout the holiday.