Here’s where the holidays get animated.
Cartoon, computer-generated and stop-motion animation programs are listed by the dozens below. (So are some Muppets specials.) This is where you'll find such faves as "A Charlie Brown Christmas," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"
Use your browser's "find" function to quickly locate specific titles.
(Please be aware -- not all animated shows are intended for children’s viewing!)
Click on "Continue reading" to see animated shows scheduled through the end of December. And check back frequently for updates by bookmarking this page for its Christmas Tube link.
NOTE -- Listings are organized by broadcast day (5 a.m. one day to 5 a.m. next day). All program schedules are subject to change.
MONDAY, DEC. 24
7:30 AM STZKIDS ELOISE
"Little Miss Christmas."
10:20 AM STZKIDS THE HAPPY ELF
Harry Connick Jr. narrates.
11 AM FAM JACK FROST
Rankin-Bass hour.
12 NOON FAM RUDOLPH AND FROSTY'S CHRISTMAS IN JULY
2 PM FAM FROSTY'S WINTER WONDERLAND
Andy Griffith, Shelley Winters.
2:20 PM STZKIDS ELOISE
"Little Miss Christmas."
2:30 PM FAM TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Rankin-Bass tale of letters to Santa.
3 PM FAM RUDOLPH'S SHINY NEW YEAR
Red Skelton, Frank Gorshin.
4 PM FAM THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS
Rankin-Bass creation with the Heat Miser.
5 PM FAM SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN
Fred Astaire narrates 1970 classic.
5:10 PM STZKIDS THE HAPPY ELF
Harry Connick Jr. narrates.
8 PM ABC HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
Dr. Seuss story in 1966 musical cartoon.
8 PM CARTOON CASPER'S HAUNTED CHRISTMAS
8 PM NICK SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS
Bikini Bottom Christmas.
10 PM CARTOON CLASS OF 3000
Christmas special.
11 PM CARTOON FUTURAMA
11:30 PM CARTOON FUTURAMA
12 MID CARTOON FAMILY GUY
12:30 AM CARTOON ROBOT CHICKEN
12:45 AM CARTOON ROBOT CHICKEN
12:50 AM STZKIDS THE HAPPY ELF
Harry Connick Jr. narrates.
1 AM CARTOON ROBOT CHICKEN STROKER & HOOP
1:30 AM CARTOON AQUA TEEN HUNGER FORCE
1:45 AM CARTOON SQUIDBILLIES
2:30 AM CARTOON FUTURAMA
3 AM WPIX SOUTH PARK
"Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo."
3 AM CARTOON FUTURAMA
3:30 AM CARTOON FAMILY GUY
4 AM CARTOON ROBOT CHICKEN
4:15 AM CARTOON ROBOT CHICKEN
4:30 AM CARTOON ROBOT CHICKEN STROKER & HOOP
4:50 AM STZKIDS ELOISE
"Little Miss Christmas."
TUESDAY, DEC. 25
5 AM CARTOON AQUA TEEN HUNGER FORCE
5:15 AM CARTOON SQUIDBILLIES
8:30 AM NICK SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS
9 AM NICK BACKYARDIGANS
9:30 AM NICK GO DIEGO DIEGO
10 AM NICK DORA THE EXPLORER
10:10 AM STZKIDS ELOISE
"Little Miss Christmas."
10:30 AM NICK THE WONDER PETS
11 AM NICK YO GABBA GABBA
11:30 AM NICK MAX & RUBY
12 NOON NICK RUGRATS
“Babies in Toyland” hour.
4 PM NICK SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS
4:30 PM NICK JIMMY NEUTRON
5 PM NICK DANNY PHANTOM
5:30 PM NICK FAIRLY ODDPARENTS
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PREVIOUSLY AIRED IN 2007:
THURSDAY, NOV. 22
7 PM CARTOON TOM & JERRY NUTCRACKER TALE
New movie has Jerry in an enchanted kingdom, pursued by Tom.
9:30 PM CARTOON TOM & JERRY NUTCRACKER TALE
New movie has Jerry in an enchanted kingdom, pursued by Tom.
FRIDAY, NOV. 23
6 AM CARTOON A JOHNNY BRAVO CHRISTMAS
6:30 AM CARTOON POWERPUFF GIRLS: TWAS THE FIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
8 AM CARTOON BILLY & MANDY SAVE CHRISTMAS
9 AM CARTOON ED, EDD & EDDY
"Jingle, Jingle, Jangle."
9:30 AM CARTOON FOSTER’S HOME FOR IMAGINARY FRIENDS
"A Lost Claus."
10 AM CARTOON CASPER’S HAUNTED CHRISTMAS
1 PM CARTOON BAH-HUMDUCK! A LOONEY TUNES CHRISTMAS
2 PM CARTOON LEGEND OF FROSTY THE SNOWMAN
3 PM CARTOON CODENAME: KIDS NEXT DOOR
3:30 PM CARTOON FOSTER’S HOME FOR IMAGINARY FRIENDS
"A Lost Claus."
4 PM CARTOON ED, EDD & EDDY
"Jingle, Jingle, Jangle."
4:30 PM CARTOON A JOHNNY BRAVO CHRISTMAS
5 PM CARTOON BILLY & MANDY SAVE CHRISTMAS
6 PM CARTOON TOM & JERRY NUTCRACKER TALE
Jerry in an enchanted kingdom, pursued by Tom.
SUNDAY, NOV. 25
9 AM CARTOON TOM & JERRY NUTCRACKER TALE
New movie has Jerry in an enchanted kingdom, pursued by Tom.
TUESDAY, NOV. 27
8 PM ABC A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS
Beloved 1965 cartoon with Charles Schulz’ Peanuts comic strip characters. Plus “Charlie Brown Christmas Tales.”
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 28
8 PM ABC SHREK THE HALLS
New half-hour features the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderas.
8:30 PM ABC HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
Dr. Seuss story in 1966 musical cartoon.
FRIDAY, NOV. 30
8 PM CARTOON CLASS OF 3000
Li'l D wants a video game system for Christmas.
SATURDAY, DEC. 1
6:30 AM DIS HIGGLYTOWN HEROES
At Pizza Guy's cabin for Christmas.
7:30 AM DIS JOHNNY AND THE SPRITES
Making their own presents.
8:30 AM DIS MY FRIENDS TIGGER & POOH
Roo’s snowman is shrinking.
SUNDAY, DEC. 2
6 PM CW GRANDMA GOT RUN OVER BY A REINDEER
Hour cartoon based on the holiday song, with Elmo Shropshire.
10 PM CARTOON CLASS OF 3000
Li'l D wants a video game system for Christmas.
MONDAY, DEC. 3
8 PM ABC A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS
Beloved 1965 cartoon with Charles Schulz’ Peanuts comic strip characters. Plus “Charlie Brown Christmas Tales."
7 PM FAM RUDOLPH'S SHINY NEW YEAR
Red Skelton, Frank Gorshin.
8 PM FAM THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS
Rankin-Bass creation with the Heat Miser.
9 PM MYNET HOLIDAZE: THE CHRISTMAS THAT ALMOST DIDN’T HAPPEN
Rusty Reindeer joins a support group for holiday icons. Voices include Fred Savage, John O’Hurley, Paul Rodriguez, Gladys Knight.
9 PM FAM RUDOLPH AND THE ISLAND OF MISFIT TOYS
Feature-length Rankin-Bass adventure, with Rick Moranis, Jamie Lee Curtis.
TUESDAY, DEC. 4
4 PM NICK RUGRATS
“The Santa Experience.”
8 PM ABC SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN
8 PM CBS RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER
The 1964 stop-motion perennial.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 5
4 PM NICK JIMMY NEUTRON
7 PM FAM TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Rankin-Bass tale of letters to Santa.
7:30 PM FAM THE STORY OF THE FIRST CHRISTMAS SNOW
Angela Lansbury narrates.
10 PM FAM RUDOLPH'S SHINY NEW YEAR
Red Skelton, Frank Gorshin.
THURSDAY, DEC. 6
4 PM NICK HEY ARNOLD
FRIDAY, DEC. 7
12 NOON NICK BACKYARDIGANS
12:30 PM NICK GO DIEGO DIEGO
1 PM NICK DORA THE EXPLORER
1:30 PM NICK MAX & RUBY
4 PM NICK FAIRLY ODDPARENTS
7 PM FAM SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN
Fred Astaire narrates 1970 classic.
8 PM CBS FROSTY THE SNOWMAN
Jimmy Durante narrates the stop-motion favorite.
8 PM CARTOON CAMP LAZLO
Santa goes to camp and stays.
8:30 PM CBS FROSTY RETURNS
Cartoon sequel narrated by Jonathan Winters.
9:30 PM CARTOON CLASS OF 3000
Li'l D wants a video game system for Christmas.
SATURDAY, DEC. 8
7 AM FAM RUDOLPH AND FROSTY'S CHRISTMAS IN JULY
9 AM FAM THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF SANTA CLAUS
Is Santa immortal?
10 AM FAM NESTOR, THE LONG-EARED CHRISTMAS DONKEY
Rankin-Bass half-hour with Roger Miller.
10:30 AM FAM PINOCCHIO'S CHRISTMAS
Rankin-Bass animation.
11:30 AM FAM JACK FROST
Rankin-Bass hour.
12:30 PM FAM FROSTY'S WINTER WONDERLAND
Andy Griffith, Shelley Winters.
1 PM FAM TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Rankin-Bass tale of letters to Santa.
1:30 PM FAM RUDOLPH'S SHINY NEW YEAR
Red Skelton, Frank Gorshin.
2:30 PM FAM THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS
Rankin-Bass creation with the Heat Miser.
3:30 PM FAM SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN
Fred Astaire narrates 1970 classic.
SUNDAY, DEC. 9
11:30 PM CARTOON ROBOT CHICKEN
Sending up Christmas classics.
MONDAY, DEC. 10
4 PM NICK RUGRATS
Hanukkah.
8 PM ABC I WANT A DOG FOR CHRISTMAS, CHARLIE BROWN
That other Peanuts Christmas special.
9:30 PM COM SOUTH PARK
"Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo."
12 MID CARTOON THE BOONDOCKS
3:30 AM CARTOON THE BOONDOCKS
TUESDAY, DEC. 11
11:30 AM FAM JACK FROST
Rankin-Bass hour.
4 PM NICK DANNY PHANTOM
8 PM ABC SHREK THE HALLS
New half-hour features the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderas.
8:30 PM ABC WINNIE THE POOH AND CHRISTMAS TOO
Nominated for a 1992 Emmy award.
9:30 PM COM SOUTH PARK
"Merry Christmas, Charlie Manson."
10 PM FAM THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF SANTA CLAUS
Is Santa immortal?
12 MID CARTOON FAMILY GUY
3:30 AM CARTOON FAMILY GUY
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 12
4 PM NICK ALL GROWN UP
7 PM FAM FROSTY'S WINTER WONDERLAND
Andy Griffith, Shelley Winters.
7:30 PM FAM NESTOR, THE LONG-EARED CHRISTMAS DONKEY
Rankin-Bass half-hour with Roger Miller.
12 MID CARTOON FUTURAMA
3:30 AM CARTOON FUTURAMA
THURSDAY, DEC. 13
4 PM NICK SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS
7 PM FAM THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY
Retells story from Christmas carol.
7:30 PM FAM THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY BOOK II
Story continues from Christmas carol.
8 PM MYNET ALL-DOGS CHRISTMAS CAROL
(1998) Voices of Steven Weber, Ernest Borgnine, Bebe Neuwirth.
12 MID CARTOON FUTURAMA
3:30 AM CARTOON FUTURAMA
FRIDAY, DEC. 14
12 NOON NICK THE WONDER PETS
12:30 PM NICK BLUE’S CLUES
1 PM NICK GO DIEGO DIEGO
1:30 PM NICK WOW WOW WUBBZY
New: Winter festival.
4 PM NICK WAYSIDE
New: “Sideways Christmas.”
12 MID CARTOON AQUA TEEN HUNGER FORCE
12:15 AM CARTOON SQUIDBILLIES
3:30 AM CARTOON AQUA TEEN HUNGER FORCE
3:45 AM CARTOON SQUIDBILLIES
SUNDAY, DEC. 16
10 AM FAM RUDOLPH AND FROSTY'S CHRISTMAS IN JULY
12 NOON FAM THE STORY OF THE FIRST CHRISTMAS SNOW
Angela Lansbury narrates.
12:30 PM FAM NESTOR, THE LONG-EARED CHRISTMAS DONKEY
Rankin-Bass half-hour with Roger Miller.
1 PM FAM PINOCCHIO'S CHRISTMAS
Rankin-Bass animation.
2 PM FAM JACK FROST
Rankin-Bass hour.
2 PM NICK JIMMY NEUTRON
2:30 PM NICK FAIRLY ODDPARENTS
3 PM FAM FROSTY'S WINTER WONDERLAND
Andy Griffith, Shelley Winters.
3 PM NICK DANNY PHANTOM
3:30 PM FAM TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Rankin-Bass tale of letters to Santa.
3:30 PM NICK SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS
4 PM FAM RUDOLPH'S SHINY NEW YEAR
Red Skelton, Frank Gorshin.
5 PM FAM THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS
Rankin-Bass creation with the Heat Miser.
6 PM FAM SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN
Fred Astaire narrates 1970 classic.
6 PM CW GRANDMA GOT RUN OVER BY A REINDEER
Hour cartoon based on the holiday song, with Elmo Shropshire.
MONDAY, DEC. 17
4 PM NICK RUGRATS
Hanukkah.
7 PM FAM PINOCCHIO'S CHRISTMAS
Rankin-Bass animation.
8 PM MYNET OLIVE THE OTHER REINDEER
Matt Groening special with voice of Drew Barrymore.
9 PM MYNET HOLIDAZE: THE CHRISTMAS THAT ALMOST DIDN’T HAPPEN
Rusty Reindeer joins a support group for holiday icons. Voices include Fred Savage, John O’Hurley, Paul Rodriguez, Gladys Knight.
10 PM FAM JACK FROST
Rankin-Bass hour.
12 MID CARTOON STROKER & HOOP
3:30 AM CARTOON STROKER & HOOP
TUESDAY, DEC. 18
4 PM NICK JIMMY NEUTRON
7 PM FAM RUDOLPH'S SHINY NEW YEAR
Red Skelton, Frank Gorshin.
10 PM FAM TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Rankin-Bass tale of letters to Santa.
10:30 PM FAM NESTOR, THE LONG-EARED CHRISTMAS DONKEY
Rankin-Bass half-hour with Roger Miller.
12 MID CARTOON ROBOT CHICKEN
12:15 AM CARTOON ROBOT CHICKEN
3:30 AM CARTOON ROBOT CHICKEN
3:45 AM CARTOON ROBOT CHICKEN
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 19
4 PM NICK FAIRLY ODDPARENTS
7 PM FAM SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN
Fred Astaire narrates 1970 classic.
8 PM CBS FROSTY THE SNOWMAN
Jimmy Durante narrates the stop-motion favorite.
8 PM FAM THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS
Rankin-Bass creation with the Heat Miser.
8:30 PM CBS FROSTY RETURNS
Cartoon sequel narrated by Jonathan Winters.
9 PM COM SOUTH PARK
“Red Sleigh Down.”
9 PM FAM RUDOLPH AND THE ISLAND OF MISFIT TOYS
Feature-length Rankin-Bass adventure, with Rick Moranis, Jamie Lee Curtis.
9:30 PM COM SOUTH PARK
“Mr. Hankey’s Christmas Classics.”
10 PM COM SOUTH PARK
"It's Christmas in Canada."
10:30 PM COM SOUTH PARK
"Woodland Critter Christmas."
12 MID CARTOON THE VENTURE BROS
12 MID COM SOUTH PARK
“Red Sleigh Down.”
12:15 AM CARTOON MORAL OREL
3 AM WPIX SOUTH PARK
"Merry Christmas, Charlie Manson."
3:30 AM CARTOON THE VENTURE BROS
3:45 AM CARTOON MORAL OREL
THURSDAY, DEC. 20
4 PM NICK DANNY PHANTOM
12 MID CARTOON FAMILY GUY
3:30 AM CARTOON FAMILY GUY
FRIDAY, DEC. 21
12 NOON NICK DORA THE EXPLORER
12:30 PM NICK BLUE’S ROOM
1 PM NICK THE WONDER PETS
1:30 PM NICK YO GABBA GABBA
4 PM NICK SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS
7 PM FAM THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS
Rankin-Bass creation with the Heat Miser.
3 AM WPIX SOUTH PARK
"A Very Crappy Christmas."
SUNDAY, DEC. 23
7 PM ABC ELMO'S CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN
New special hosted by Elmo and Stiller the Elf (voiced by Ben Stiller).
12 MID COM SOUTH PARK
"Woodland Critter Christmas."
3 AM COM SOUTH PARK
"It's Christmas in Canada."
END