Tis the season to rewatch these festive TV episodes. The 34 best TV Christmas episodes, from sitcom specials to anthology installments Tis the season to rewatch these festive TV episodes. By Mary Sollosi, Mary Sollosi is the former assistant features editor at . She left EW in 2022. EW's editorial guidelines Kevin Jacobsen, and James Mercadante on December 10, 2025 5:23 p.m. ET :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/bestchristmasepisodes11062451440880b39f440ba08c6df768ae7e65.

Tis the season to rewatch these festive TV episodes.

The 34 best TV Christmas episodes, from sitcom specials to anthology installments

Tis the season to rewatch these festive TV episodes.

By Mary Sollosi,

Mary Sollosi is the former assistant features editor at **. She left EW in 2022.

EW's editorial guidelines

Kevin Jacobsen,

and James Mercadante

on December 10, 2025 5:23 p.m. ET

Jamie Lee Curtis as Donna Berzatto on 'The Bear'; Rainn Wilson as Dwight Schrute on 'The Office'; David Schwimmer as Ross Geller on 'Friends'. Credit:

Chuck Hodes/FX; Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty; Warner Bros. Television/Getty

'Tis the season for celebrating the holidays with our favorite TV characters. Whether you're in the mood for the wacky workplace hijinks of *The Office* or *30 Rock*, the good old-fashioned coziness of *Downton Abbey *or* Gilmore Girls*, or the subversive snark of *South Park*, Christmas episodes offer a little something for everyone, depending on your taste.

The beauty of television is that it can offer an escape from the chaos of our lives, a comfort blanket to help us feel less alone, or a sobering reflection that rings powerfully true. Ahead, we've rounded up our go-to Christmas episodes worth revisiting this season, many of which have become perennial traditions in the lead-up to Dec. 25.**

30 Rock, "Christmas Special" (season 3, episode 6)

Tina Fey as Liz Lemon and Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy on '30 Rock'. Kent Eanes/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

What better subject for a Christmas TV show than the making of a Christmas TV show? And what better way to spend Christmas than with family? And what better family than Jack's (Alec Baldwin) mom (Elaine Stritch)?! —*Mary Sollosi*

Where to watch *30 Rock*: Peacock

Abbott Elementary, "Holiday Hookah" (season 2, episode 10)

Chris Perfetti as Jacob Hill, Lisa Ann Walter as Melissa Schemmenti, William Stanford Davis as Mr. Johnson, and Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara Howard on 'Abbott Elementary'.

Christopher Willard/ABC

*Abbott Elementary* is the gift that keeps on giving. See how Abbott's faculty kicks off their winter break — from Jacob (Chris Perfetti) crashing Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph) and Melissa's (Lisa Ann Walter) sacred after-school dinner with his Scrooge-like tirades to Ava (Janelle James) freely sidestepping the hookah club queue because she doesn't "speak line."

Plus, Janine (Quinta Brunson) and Gregory (Tyler James Williams) have a tension-filled moment on the dance floor. (As Barbara would say, "Sweet baby Jesus and the grown one too!") *—James Mercadante*

Where to watch *Abbott Elementary*: Hulu

The Bear, "Fishes" (season 2, episode 6)

Jeremy Allen White as Carmen 'Carmy' Berzatto, Abby Elliott as Natalie 'Sugar' Berzatto Katinsky, and Jon Bernthal as Michael 'Mikey' Berzatto on 'The Bear'.

At a Berzatto Christmas, the only things getting unwrapped are layers of family trauma. Set five years before the show's main timeline, this yuletide episode of *The Bear* — featuring guest appearances from Jamie Lee Curtis, Sarah Paulson, John Mulaney, Bob Odenkirk, and Gillian Jacobs — finds Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) attending a family dinner based on the Feast of the Seven Fishes, where forks are thrown and a car comes crashing in the living room. —*J.M.*

Where to watch *The Bear*: Hulu

Black-ish, "Black Santa/White Christmas" (season 1, episode 10)

Anthony Anderson as Dre Johnson, Marsai Martin as Diane Johnson, Miles Brown as Jack Johnson, Yara Shahidi as Zoey Johnson, and Marcus Scribner as Junior Johnson on 'Black-ish'. Adam Rose/ABC/Getty Images

*Black-ish* took on the "Black people can't be racist" argument in its first season's Christmas episode, in which Dre (Anthony Anderson) insists that his office Christmas party needs a Black Santa (specifically him). —*M.S.*

Where to watch *Black-ish*: Hulu

Black Mirror, "White Christmas" (season 2, episode 4)

Rafe Spall as Joe Potter and Janet Montgomery as Beth Grey in the 'Black Mirror' special, 'White Christmas'. Hal Shinnie/Netflix

*Black Mirror* does Christmas! And it's exactly what that sounds like! —*M.S.*

Where to watch *Black Mirror*: Netflix

Boy Meets World, "A Very Topanga Christmas" (season 5, episode 11)

Ben Savage as Cory Matthews and Danielle Fishel as Topanga Lawrence on 'Boy Meets World'. Buena Vista Television

Can you imagine a better Ghost of Christmas *Anything *than *Boy Meets World*'s Mr. Feeny (William Daniels)? —*M.S.*

Where to watch *Boy Meets World*: Disney+

Brooklyn Nine-Nine, "Yippie Kayak" (season 3, episode 10)

Joe Lo Truglio as Charles Boyle and Andy Samberg as Jake Peralta on 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine'.

FOX Image Collection via Getty

The Nine-Nine always celebrated holidays in style, as demonstrated by this season 3 episode, in which Jake (Andy Samberg) lives out his *Die Hard* fantasies when he finds himself in a hostage situation while Christmas shopping. —*Kevin Jacobsen*

Where to watch *Brooklyn Nine-Nine*: Peacock

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Amends" (season 3, episode 10)

Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'. 20th Century Fox

*Buffy*'s only Christmas episode is a low point for a memory-haunted Angel (David Boreanaz), who plans to kill himself by standing outside as the sun rises, that turns into one of the most touching scenes of his and Buffy's romance: When the sun is blocked by snowfall, he and Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) take a daytime walk through Sunnydale together for the very first time. —*M.S.*

Where to watch *Buffy the Vampire Slayer*: Hulu

Community, "Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas" (season 2, episode 11)

Claymation figures of the cast of 'Community'. NBC

We all grew up watching Christmas stories in stop-motion on TV, so it only feels right that *Community** *went the *Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town* (1970) route for its season 2 holiday episode. —*M.S.*

Where to watch *Community*: Peacock

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, "My Mom, Greg's Mom and Josh's Sweet Dance Moves!" (season 1, episode 8)

Vincent Rodriguez III as Josh Chan, Pete Gardner as Darryl Whitefeather, Rachel Bloom as Rebecca Bunch, Sean van der Wilt as Santa, and Santino Fontana as Greg Serrano on 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend'. Greg Gayne/The CW

"Well, you can take your snow and shove it." We couldn't possibly leave *Crazy Ex-Girlfriend*'s season 1 holiday ep off the list if only 'cause this is California, and we do Christmas right! —*M.S.*

Where to watch *Crazy Ex-Girlfriend*: Amazon Prime Video (to buy)

Doctor Who, "A Christmas Carol" (2010)

Michael Gambon as Kazran Sardick, Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor, and Laurence Belcher as Young Kazran in the 'Doctor Who' special 'A Christmas Carol'. BBC

The classic novella has gotten plenty of small-screen adaptations, but none more singular than *Doctor Who*'s version — which was somehow very clearly Dickensian but also distinctly, unquestionably*, *entirely *Doctor Who*. —*M.S.*

Where to watch *Doctor Who*: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)

Downton Abbey, "Christmas at Downton Abbey" (season 2, episode 9)

Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary and Dan Stevens as Matthew Crawley in the 'Downton Abbey' special, 'Christmas at Downton Abbey'. PBS

*Downton*'s second season ended with a perfectly elegant Christmas episode — which itself ended with a perfectly romantic marriage proposal in the snow. —*M.S.*

Where to watch *Downton Abbey*: Peacock

Friends, "The One With the Holiday Armadillo" (season 7, episode 10)

Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing, Courteney Cox as Monica Geller, and David Schwimmer as Ross Geller on 'Friends'. NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

*Friends* celebrated more than just Thanksgiving! If you can make it through the Hanukkah lesson from the Holiday Armadillo (a.k.a. David Schwimmer's Ross) all the way to the arrival of Superman (Matt LeBlanc's Joey) without once dissolving into a pile of Christmas giggles, you're stronger than we are. —*M.S.*

Where to watch *Friends*: HBO Max

Ghosts, "Christmas Spirit" (season 2, episodes 9 and 10)

Utkarsh Ambudkar as Jay Arondekar, Rose McIver as Sam Arondekar, Rebecca Wisocky as Hetty Woodstone, Richie Moriarty as Pete Martino, Danielle Pinnock as Alberta Haynes, Devan Chandler Long as Thorfinn, Sheila Carrasco as Susan 'Flower' Montero, and Roman Zaragoza as Sasappis on 'Ghosts'.

Bertrand Calmeau/CBS

No one loves holiday rom-coms more than Sam (Rose McIver), who's dead-set on playing Cupid for her sister-in-law (Punam Patel) and her plus-one (Andrew Leeds) at Woodstone Manor. But Thorfinn (Devan Chandler Long) — a resident ghost full of venom toward Christmas — possesses Sam to spoil her Hallmark-type optimism.

Also, this two-parter gifts us plenty of other Christmas miracles, such as Isaac's (Brandon Scott Jones) and Nigel's (John Hartman) first kiss. —*J.M.*

Where to watch *Ghosts*: Paramount+

Gilmore Girls, "The Bracebridge Dinner" (season 2, episode 10)

Lauren Graham as Lorelai Gilmore and Alexis Bledel as Rory Gilmore on 'Gilmore Girls'. The CW

Snowy Connecticut! A hyper-specific Stars Hollow event hosted by Lauren Graham's Lorelai! Richard (Edward Herrmann) and Emily (Kelly Bishop) drama! Sneaky, snarky, flirty Jess (Milo Ventimiglia)! What more could you possibly want from a *Gilmore Girls** *Christmas? —*M.S.*

Where to watch *Gilmore Girls*: Netflix

Glee, "A Very Glee Christmas" (season 2, episode 10)

The cast of 'Glee'. Justin Lubin/FOX

"Baby, It's Cold Outside" has, in recent years, been reappraised as a particularly problematic holiday song. Forget that for a minute and just listen to Chris Colfer and Darren Criss as Kurt and Blaine singing it on *Glee*. You're welcome. —*M.S.*

Where to watch *Glee*: Hulu

Grey's Anatomy, "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" (season 2, episode 12)

Katherine Heigl as Izzy Stevens, Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, and T.R. Knight as George O'Malley on 'Grey's Anatomy'.

Richard Cartwright/ABC/Courtesy Everett Collection

Serialized TV usually doesn't lend itself to watching episodes in isolation, but this season 2 episode of *Grey's Anatomy* is a rare exception. As the doctors offer their perspectives on the holiday season, one of the episode's memorable cases centers on a woman hit by a car after hunting for the ideal Christmas tree. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Grey's Anatomy*: Hulu

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Hacks, "The Deborah Vance Christmas Spectacular" (season 3, episode 7)

Mark Indelicato as Damien Asada Agosto, Rose Abdoo as Josefina, Jean Smart as Deborah Vance, Lauren Weedman as Jo Pezzimenti (top), and Jane Adams as Nina Daniels on 'Hacks'.

John Johnson/Max

Nutcracker shrines, fake snow, designer gingerbread houses, Dyson Airwrap giveaways — just your average holiday party at Deborah Vance's (Jean Smart) humble abode. She's serious about hosting *Late Night*, so she must perfect the craft of entertaining guests, even if it means opening her home to her sworn enemy/sister, Kathy (J. Smith-Cameron). —*J.M.***

Where to watch *Hacks*: HBO Max

Hey Arnold!, "Arnold's Christmas" (season 1, episode 20)

Helga (voice: Francesca Marie Smith), Arnold (voice: Toran Caudell), and Gerald (voice: Jamil Walker Smith) on 'Hey Arnold!'.

Nickelodeon/Courtesy Everett Collection

Regarded as a groundbreaking episode for its time, this season 1 standout finds Arnold being selected as Mr. Hyunh's secret Santa. When he finds out that Mr. Hyunh's daughter has been separated from him after the events of the Vietnam War, he resolves to reunite them, leading to a touching catharsis. —*K.J.***

Where to watch *Hey Arnold!*: Paramount+

How I Met Your Mother, "How Lily Stole Christmas" (season 2, episode 11)

Alyson Hannigan as Lily Aldrin on 'How I Met Your Mother'. NBC

Second only to "eating a sandwich" among narrator Ted's (Josh Radnor) various sanitized revisions of his younger days is his tale of the time he called Alyson Hannigan's Lily a "grinch" (decide for yourself what word he really used) at Christmastime. —*M.S.*

Where to watch *How I Met Your Mother*: Hulu

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, "A Very Sunny Christmas" (season 6, episode 13)

Rob Mac as Ronald 'Mac' McDonald, Charlie Day as Charlie Kelly, Kaitlin Olson as Deandra 'Sweet Dee' Reynolds, and Glenn Howerton as Dennis Reynolds on 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia'. Patrick McElhenney/FX

*Always Sunny*'s holiday episode at the end of season 6 *had *to be twice as long to fit so much Christmas spirit into it. —*M.S.*

Where to watch *It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia*: Hulu

Lizzie McGuire, "Xtreme Xmas" (season 2, episode 20)

Adam Lamberg as David 'Gordo' Gordon and Hilary Duff as Lizzie McGuire on 'Lizzie McGuire'. Disney

Although we love the Aaron Carter Christmas episode in season 1, the most Xtreme holiday on *Lizzie McGuire* had to be season 2's Steven Tyler-assisted Xtravaganza. —*M.S.*

Where to watch *Lizzie McGuire*: Disney+

Lost, "The Constant" (season 4, episode 5)

Sonya Walger as Penny Widmore on 'Lost'. ABC

Forget just being one of the best Christmas episodes — *Lost*'s indelible time-travel masterpiece ranks among the greatest TV episodes ever, period. —*M.S.*

Where to watch *Lost*: Hulu

Mad Men, "Christmas Waltz" (season 5, episode 10)

Jon Hamm as Don Draper and Christina Hendricks as Joan Harris on 'Mad Men'. AMC

It was fun when Roger (John Slattery) wore a Santa suit, but *Mad Men*'s best yuletide hour had to be this bittersweet season 5 entry. Nobody wears heartache quite so gorgeously as Don (Jon Hamm) and Joan (Christina Hendricks) at a bar — or in a Jaguar — at Christmas. —*M.S.*

Where to watch *Mad Men*: HBO Max

The Mindy Project, "Christmas Party Sex Trap" (season 2, episode 11)

Mindy Kaling as Dr. Mindy Lahiri on 'The Mindy Project'. Jordin Althaus/FOX

Who knew Danny Castellano (Chris Messina) and Aaliyah were such a perfect match? —*M.S.*

Where to watch *The Mindy Project*: Hulu

New Girl, "The 23rd" (season 1, episode 9)

Max Greenfield as Schmidt on 'New Girl'. Fox

*New Girl*'s first Christmas episode brought hilarity (oh, Schmidt) and heart (Candy Cane Lane!) in equal measure, making for a high point of the sitcom's earliest season. —*M.S.*

Where to watch *New Girl*: Hulu

The O.C., "The Best Chrismukkah Ever" (season 1, episode 13)

Peter Gallagher as Sandy Cohen (top), Kelly Rowan as Kirsten Cohen, Adam Brody as Seth Cohen, and Ben McKenzie as Ryan Atwood on 'The O.C.'. WB

Season 1's episode surrounding Seth Cohen's (Adam Brody) favorite holiday really was "The Best Chrismukkah Ever"! —*M.S.*

Where to watch *The O.C.*: HBO Max

The Office, "Christmas Party" (season 2, episode 10)

(Clockwise from left): Rainn Wilson as Dwight Schrute, Steve Carell as Michael Scott, Angela Kinsey as Angela Martin, Leslie David Baker as Stanley Hudson, Jenna Fischer as Pam Beesly, and Brian Baumgartner as Kevin Malone on 'The Office'. Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

*The Office*'s Dunder Mifflin had its fair share of memorable Christmases, but between an inappropriate iPod gift and some classic Jim-Pam (John Krasinski–Jenna Fischer) romantic tension, nothing tops season 2's Secret Santa gone awry. —*M.S.*

Where to watch *The Office*: Peacock

The Real Housewives of New York City, "December: Berkshires County" (season 8, episode 9)

Bethenny Frankel and Luann de Lesseps on 'The Real Housewives of New York City'. Bravo

Dorinda decorated. She cooked. She made it *nice*. —*M.S.*

Where to watch *The Real Housewives of New York City*: Peacock

Seinfeld, "The Strike" (season 9, episode 10)

(From left to right): Jason Alexander as George Costanza, Jerry Stiller as Frank Costanza, Michael Richards as Cosmo Kramer, and Jerry Seinfeld as himself on 'Seinfeld'. Columbia Pictures Television

We apologize for referring to "The Strike" as *Seinfeld*'s Christmas episode. Happy Festivus, everyone. —*M.S.*

Where to watch *Seinfeld*: Netflix

South Park, "Woodland Creature Christmas" (season 8, episode 14)

Stan (voice: Trey Parker) with woodland creatures on 'South Park'.

Celebrate Christmas the *South Park* way: An intrusive narrator; woodland creatures who aren't as innocent as they seem; abortion; the arrival of the Antichrist; and a shotgun-toting Santa. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *South Park*: Paramount+

Ted Lasso, "Carol of the Bells" (season 2, episode 4)

Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso on 'Ted Lasso'. Apple TV+

*Ted Lasso* boldly dropped its season 2 Christmas episode in the middle of the summer, but the polarizing installment is packed with enough wholesome holiday sweetness (including a handful of 2003's *Love Actually* references) to convince anyone it's cold outside. —*M.S.*

Where to watch *Ted Lasso*: Apple TV

Will & Grace, "Jingle Balls" (season 4, episode 12)

Debra Messing as Grace Adler and Sean Hayes as Jack McFarland on 'Will & Grace'. Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

The spirit and the glamour of Christmas are on full display in this *Will & Grace* episode, wherein Grace (Debra Messing) selflessly plays Santa Claus for Jack (Sean Hayes) by designing a gorgeous holiday window display at Barneys. —*M.S.*

Where to watch *Will & Grace*: Hulu

The X-Files, "How the Ghosts Stole Christmas" (season 6, episode 6)

Gillian Anderson as Dana Scully and David Duchovny as Fox Mulder on 'The X-Files'. Fox

After dealing with a tricky pair of older married ghosts, Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully's (Gillian Anderson) Christmas gift exchange makes for one of *The X-Files* duo's all-time greatest moments. *—M.S.*

Where to watch *The X-Files*: Hulu

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Source: Holiday

Published: December 13, 2025 at 12:57PM on Source: MANUEL MAG

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