Your Ultimate Guide to NBC's Holiday Specials
From the legendary Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and SNL Holiday Specials to the beloved Tree Lighting, here’s everything you need to know about what to watch and where to tune in this holiday season.
November 13, 2024
NBC will air festive specials from November 27 through January 1 with a lineup including timeless favorites along with special Thanksgiving and Christmas episodes of Saturday Night Live. New holiday offerings will also debut, including Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Seasoning Spectacular and A Motown Christmas, hosted by Smokey Robinson and Halle Bailey.
Below read the full list of NBC holiday specials coming your way:
Nov 19: “Defying Gravity: The Curtain Rises on Wicked”
Defying Gravity: The Curtain Rises on Wicked will air on NBC at 10 p.m. ET before making its way to Peacock next-day. Aside from Cynthia Erivo, Arianna Grande, and Jeff Goldblum, viewers can also expect appearances from Michelle Yeoh (Madame Morrible), Jonathan Bailey (Fiyero), Ethan Slater (Boq), Bowen Yang (Pfannee), and Marissa Bode (Nessarose).
Nov 27: “A Saturday Night Live Thanksgiving”
Fan favorite Thanksgiving-themed sketches on NBC from 9-11 p.m ET.
Nov 27: “Countdown to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
Viewers take a behind-the-scenes peek at the iconic parade's floats, balloons and bands. Tune in on NBC from 8-9 p.m.
Nov 28: “98th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
The 98th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air on NBC from 8:30 a.m. until noon on Thursday, November 28. The parade begins on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and ends at Macy’s Herald Square flagship store on 34th Street. It will also simulcast on Peacock, with an encore presentation on NBC at 2 p.m. TODAY's Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker will host this year's parade.
Nov 28: “National Dog Show Presented by Purina”
NBC will present the 15th anniversary edition of its popular holiday special “The NATIONAL DOG SHOW Presented by Purina®" Thanksgiving Day (noon to 2 p.m. in all time zones), Nov. 24, 2016, following the telecast of NBC's "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade."
Nov 28: Dolphins v. Packers
Watch the Dolphins take on the Packers Thursday, November 28 at 7:20 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
Dec 4: “Christmas in Rockefeller Center”
This year’s special, which features the annual tree-lighting ceremony and musical performances, will air live from 8-10 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Kelly Clarkson is set to return as host for the second consecutive year.
Dec 4: “Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Seasonings Spectacular”
Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Seasoning Spectacular will feature a star-studded lineup of guest appearances, including Cara Delevingne, Dolly Parton, J.B. Smoove, Jonas Brothers, Justin Timberlake, LL COOL J, Meghan Trainor, The Roots, “Weird Al” Yankovic and more. The special will air at 10 p.m. ET on NBC, following Christmas in Rockefeller Center. For those who missed it, the event will be available to stream the next day on Peacock.
Dec 5: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
The classic animated tale of the curmudgeonly Grinch who’s hoping to remove the joy from Christmas but, ultimately, has a change of heart. Tune in on NBC at 8 – 8:30 p.m. (encore on Dec. 25 at 8 p.m.)
Dec 5: “Frosty the Snowman”
The cherished original holiday special about how Frosty, everyone’s favorite snowman, came to life one day. Watch on NBC at 8:30-9 p.m. (encore on Dec 11 at 8 p.m.)
Dec 6: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
The classic animated special offers the perspective of Rudolph, who’s told he couldn’t play in any Reindeer Games due to his glowing nose. Rudolph sets out on a fantastic journey where he meets Hermey the elf, prospector Yukon Cornelius and a host of Misfit Toys, all while trying to hide from the Abominable Snow Monster. Watch on NBC at 8 – 9:15 p.m. (encore on Dec. 12 at 8 p.m.)
Dec 11: “Shrek the Halls”
This half-hour animated special debuted in 2007 and features a Christmas twist on the original “Shrek” characters. Watch on NBC at 8:30 – 9 p.m.
Dec 11: “A Motown Christmas”
Hosted by Smokey Robinson and Halle Bailey, this special will feature performances by Motown legends and today’s hottest stars celebrating iconic Hitsville U.S.A classics and their favorite holiday songs. Watch on NBC from 9-11 p.m (encore on Dec. 17 at p.m.)
Dec 12: “E! News Presents NBC’s Hot 10 of 2024”
The end-of-year special hosted by E! News’ Justin Sylvester and Keltie Knight will highlight the biggest and most unforgettable moments of the year from the Olympics to award show trendsetters and the buzziest celebrity couples in addition to blockbuster films, television, music, sports, entertainment and more along with what to expect in 2025.
Special appearances by Jimmy Fallon, Dolly Parton, Andy Cohen and more who will recount their favorite viral moments. Watch on NBC at 9:15 – 10 p.m. (one-hour extended version airing Dec. 26 at 8 p.m.)
Dec 16: “Little Big Town’s Christmas at the Opry”
A star-studded music special featuring a dazzling array of country’s biggest names and hosted by Grammy Award-winning superstars Little Big Town. The celebration will feature a variety of Christmas favorites and holiday classics in front of a live audience at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. Watch on NBC from 8-10 p.m. (encore on Dec. 19 at 8 p.m.)
Dec 18: “A Saturday Night Live Christmas”
The iconic late-night program will highlight memorable Christmas-themed sketches from its 50 seasons on NBC from 9-11 p.m ET with an encore on Dec 23 at 8 p.m.
Dec 19: “Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas”
With a Vegas-sized backdrop and a renowned band, the evening will feature the best of Manilow’s greatest hits, including “Copacabana,” “Mandy,” “I Write the Songs” and “Looks Like We Made It” along with several holiday favorites. Tune in from 10 – 11 p.m. on NBC.
Dec 24: “It’s a Wonderful Life”
NBC again presents this Frank Capra classic starring Jimmy Stewart. An angel is sent from heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed. Watch on NBC from 8-11 p.m.
Dec 24: “Christmas Eve Mass”
Viewers will be able to watch the Pope Francis-led mass from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome from 11:30 p.m.- 1 a.m. on NBC.
Dec 25: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
On the outskirts of Whoville, there lives a green revenge-seeking Grinch who plans on ruining the Christmas holiday for all of the citizens of the town. Watch on NBC from 8:30-11 pm.
Dec 26: “Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas”
Join Dolly Parton and friends as she draws on holidays past, guided by her personal Three Wise Mountain Men, to find the unique “mountain magic” of Christmas. Musical performances by Jimmy Fallon, Willie Nelson, Miley Cyrus and more. Watch on NBC from 9-11 p.m.
Jan 1: “135th Rose Parade Presented by Honda”
The streets of Pasadena, Calif., are lined with thousands of parade fans as gorgeous rose-covered floats and marching bands partake in their annual New Year’s holiday festivities. Tune in on NBC from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. ET.
