Check Out ABC's Festive Lineup of Christmas Classics and TV Specials
Derek and Julianne Hough
ABC will be full of Disney magic, Christmas classics and music this holiday season.
The most wonderful time of the year will see the return of The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration, the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest to the network, along with other specials and beloved Christmas movies, including Home Alone and The Santa Clause.
So, mark your calendars, and plan your holiday parties accordingly, because here is the 2023 schedule for ABC's festive specials and films:
ABC Holiday 2023 Schedule
Sunday, Nov. 26
ABC/Disney Parks
The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration
When: 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. ET on ABC
Hosted by Derek Hough and Julianne Hough, the holiday special, executive produced by Disney Parks Programming and Film 45 Live, is coming back for its eighth year with new musical performances by Derek, Julianne, Michael Bolton, Mickey Guyton, Adam Blackstone and Andra Day, Chris Janson, Tori Kelly, Chrissy Metz, The Smashing Pumpkins, Robin Thicke and Iam Tongi from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa in Hawaii.
Related: How to Celebrate the Holidays with Disney
Sunday, Dec. 3
The Santa Clause
When: 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. ET on ABC
Tim Allen put on the suit after Santa fell off his roof and became the "big guy" in The Santa Clause. The 1994 movie, which has since spawned a festive franchise, also stars Eric Lloyd, David Krumholtz, Wendy Crewson and Judge Reinhold.
Related: Tim Allen Shares His Thoughts on Retiring and the Magic of The Santa Clauses
Sunday, Dec. 10
Mickey Saves Christmas
When: 7 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC
Mickey, Minnie and their friends head to the North Pole to try to save Christmas after Pluto causes Santa to lose presents on his sleigh in this stop-motion holiday special.
Olaf’s Frozen Adventure
When: 7:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Olaf, voiced by Josh Gad, sets out on an adventure with Sven to find family traditions for Anna and Elsa as they celebrate Arendelle's "first Christmas in forever" since they opened up the gates.
Related: 100+ Disney Movie Quotes
Frozen
8 p.m. - 10 p.m. ET on ABC
It's the 2013 animated musical film that started the successful Frozen franchise. Anna, voiced by Kristen Bell, teams up with Kristoff, voiced by Jonathan Groff, to find her sister Queen Elsa (Idina Menzel), whose powers have accidentally set off an eternal winter.
Related: Everything to Know About Frozen 4
Tuesday, Dec. 12
Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
When: 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. ET on ABC
Fred Astaire narrates the tale of Kris Kringle (Mickey Rooney) in the 1970 stop motion Christmas classic.
Thursday, Dec. 14
CMA/ABC
CMA Country Christmas
When: 8 p.m. - 9:02 p.m. ET on ABC
The Country Music Association's 14th annual holiday TV special, hosted by country music stars Amy Grant and Trisha Yearwood, will feature performances by Jordan Davis, Lady A, Ashley McBryde, Jon Pardi, Lindsey Stirling, The War And Treaty, Zach Williams, Lainey Wilson, Grant and Yearwood.
Related: 25 Days of Christmas Classics! Find Your Favorites on Freeform's Holiday Lineup
Tuesday, Dec. 19
Disney's Prep & Landing
When: 8 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC
After getting passed over for a promotion, Wayne—who is part of Prep and Landing, an elite unit of elves who get houses ready for Santa's arrival—is given a new partner named Lanny to train, and he's not too thrilled about it.
Disney's Prep & Landing 2: Naughty vs. Nice
When: 8:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. ET on ABC
Lanny and Wayne came back for a new adventure in Prep & Landing 2: Naughty vs. Nice to recover North Pole technology that fell into the hands of a naughty child, who is now trying to "ascertain the password to the Naughty and Nice List database."
Thursday, Dec. 21
iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2023
When: 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. ET on ABC
iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2023 tour stops will be part of this exclusive network special. For the first time, ABC viewers will have a front row to the music event, which this year features Olivia Rodrigo, Usher, Nicki Minaj, SZA, Niall Horan, OneRepublic, AJR, Sabrina Carpenter, Miguel, Jelly Roll, Big Time Rush, NCT DREAM and Flo Rida as performers.
Related: Son of a Nutcracker! 90+ Funny and Iconic Quotes from Your Favorite Christmas Movies
Sunday, Dec. 24
Home Alone
When: 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. ET on ABC
Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, accidentally gets left behind at home when his family rushes off on their trip to Paris. Alone at his house, Kevin protects his home from bandits in the 1990 holiday classic. The comedy stars Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O'Hara, John Heard and John Candy.
Related: How Guests Can Experience Holiday Magic With Disney This Season
Monday, Dec. 25
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade
When: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET on ABC
Experience some Disney magic on Christmas morning as Julianne Hough, Derek Hough, Jesse Palmer and Mickey Guyton host the parade from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California. Along with the parade, the holiday special will include musical performances by Julianne, Derek, Chrissy Metz, Meg Donnelly, The Smashing Pumpkins, Iam Tongi and the Broadway and North American Tour cast of Disney’s Aladdin.
Sunday, Dec. 31
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2024
When: 8 p.m. - 2:13 a.m. ET on ABC
Say goodbye to 2023 with Ryan Seacrest! The TV personality will once again be ringing in the New Year in New York's Time Square. Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest will air live on NYE featuring "superstar performances."
Next, 100+ Best Christmas Movies To Watch This Holiday Season
