The CW Holiday 2026 Programming Announced
The CW Holiday 2026 lineup has been announced, featuring a robust slate of holiday programming, including timeless family favorites such as A Very Brady Christmas, Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, and A Flintstone Christmas.
You can also expect specials such as World’s Funniest Moments: Christmas and Masters of Illusion: Christmas Magic, as well as CW premieres of the hit movies The Wizard of Oz and Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love.
The holiday season begins on Sunday, November 22 (8:00-10:00 pm ET/PT) with the CW premiere of the hit TV movie Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love. The film delivers Christmas joy and peril as an unexpected blizzard threatens the Parton family, while Dolly’s father (and his kids) make sacrifices to raise enough money to finally buy his loving wife the wedding ring he could never afford to give her.
Meanwhile, an important person in little Dolly’s life begins to see that her amazing voice and musical gift might just be made for something bigger than rural Tennessee.
Gather the family together on Thanksgiving eve for the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz as it makes its CW debut on Wednesday, November 25 (8:00-10:00 pm ET/PT). When a tornado rips through Kansas, young Dorothy Gale and her dog, Toto, are whisked away to the magical Land of Oz.
They follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City to meet the Wizard who can return them home. On the way, they meet a Scarecrow who wants a brain, a Tin Man who wants a heart, and a Cowardly Lion who wants courage. An encore presentation will air Sunday, December 20 (7:30-10:00 pm ET/PT).
The holiday staple Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer returns to The CW on Friday, November 27 (8:00-9:00 pm ET/PT). A one-hour special based on the hit song that became a worldwide holiday phenomenon, Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer is a goofy and heartwarming adventure that features young Jake Spankenheimer on a quest of a lifetime to track down his missing Grandma on Christmas Eve and prove that Santa Claus is indeed real.
Michele Lee (Knots Landing) provides the voice of Jake’s greedy Cousin Mel, and recording artist Elmo Shropshire provides the narration. An encore presentation will air on Wednesday, December 16 (8:00-9:00 pm ET/PT).
Everyone’s favorite Stone Age family, the Flintstones, heads to The CW in two holiday specials, A Flinstone Christmas on Friday, November 27 (9:00-10:00 pm ET/PT) and A Flinstones Christmas Carol on Friday, December 4 (8:00-9:30 pm ET/PT). In the former, Santa Claus sprains his ankle while delivering presents in Bedrock, and Fred Flintstone and his pal Barney must save Christmas for children all over the world by taking Santa’s place. The only problem is that Fred promised Mr. Slate that he would play Santa at the children’s holiday party! Can Fred and Barney deliver the toys and make it back to the party in time?
A Flinstones Christmas Carol sees Fred starring as Ebenezer Scrooge in the Bedrock Community Players production of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. His ego swells to the size of a Tyrannosaurus as he begins to resemble the embittered old miser he is meant to portray. But by the time the curtain closes on the play, Wilma, Barney, and Pebbles help Fred learn the true meaning of Christmas.
The CW continues to celebrate the life and legacy of Dolly Parton with a two-night tribute beginning with Dolly Parton: Here I Am on Wednesday, December 2 (8:00-10:00 pm) and Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors on Thursday, December 3 (8:00-10:00 pm). The documentary Dolly Parton: Here I Am is a moving, musical journey through the people and places that shaped Dolly Parton’s iconic career. Featuring career-spanning archival footage of the undisputed queen of country music, the film reveals the spirit, soul, and hard work of an artist who has inspired countless others.
Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors is based on the inspiring true story of legend Dolly Parton’s remarkable upbringing. The movie takes place within the tight-knit Parton family as they struggle to overcome a devastating tragedy and discover the healing power of love, faith, and a raggedy patchwork coat that helped inspire Parton. The film stars Jennifer Nettles, Ricky Schroder, Gerald McRaney and Alyvia Alyn Lind. An encore presentation will air Monday, December 14 (8:00-10:00 pm ET/PT).
The Smurfs learn the true meaning of Christmas in ‘Tis the Season to Be Smurfy on Friday, December 4 (9:30-10:00 pm ET/PT). It’s Wild Smurf’s first winter in Smurf Village, and most of the Smurfs are eagerly anticipating the festivities. But Grandpa has taken Sassette to town to see how humans celebrate the holiday.
There they meet a man who’s too poor to treat his sick wife to Christmas cheer—until the Smurfs come to the rescue, saving the holiday for the couple by bringing their own brand of Smurfiness.
The classic TV movie A Very Brady Christmas makes its CW debut on Sunday, December 6 (7:30-10:00 pm ET/PT), hosted by Barry Williams and Christopher Knight with all-new holiday footage filmed inside the real-life Brady house.
Mike (Robert Reed) and Carol Brady (Florence Henderson) decide to use the money that they saved in a vacation fund to pay the travel expenses for Greg (Barry Williams), Marcia (Maureen McCormick), Peter (Christopher Knight), Jan (Eve Plumb), Bobby (Mike Lookinland), and Cindy (Jennifer Runyon) and their families, so that they can have a family Christmas. Then, after the entire family is back together, they end up helping one another resolve their personal conflicts.
Relive your favorite holiday movie moments with the special Best Christmas Movies Ever! airing on Wednesday, December 9 (8:00-9:00 pm ET/PT). Chronicling the best Christmas movies ever, the special features such beloved classics as Home Alone, Elf, The Santa Clause, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street, Christmas Vacation, It’s a Wonderful Life, and, of course, Die Hard.
Join over 50 stars, writers, athletes, directors, and critics as they share the spirit of the season and unwrap the ultimate holiday gift on The CW. An encore presentation will air on Friday, December 25 (8:00-10:00 pm ET/PT).
The iconic cartoon bear Yogi returns to The CW with Yogi’s First Christmas on Thursday, December 10 (8:00-10:00 pm ET/PT). Businesswoman Sophie Throckmorton plans to sell the Jellystone Lodge, devastating the regular guests – including Huckleberry Hound, Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy, and Snagglepuss – and it’s up to Ranger Smith, manager Mr. Dingwell, and the newly awake Yogi, Boo Boo, and Cindy to keep the Christmas spirit alive amidst the mischievous attempts of two villains to ruin the fun.
The hilarity of the holidays takes center stage in the brand-new special World’s Funniest Moments: Christmas on Wednesday, December 16 (9:00-10:00 pm ET/PT). Elizabeth Stanton hosts the funniest holiday bloopers, home video mishaps, playful pranks, and unexpected seasonal surprises, including decorating disasters, gift-opening reactions, children, pets, and memorable Santa encounters.
Celebrate the magic of this holiday season with Masters of Illusion: Christmas Magic on Thursday, December 17 (8:00-9:00 pm ET/PT) as your favorite magicians from around the world dazzle your family and friends. Then, the new one-hour special, The Light of Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir (9:00-10:00 pm ET/PT), features the classic sounds of Christmas performed by the world-famous Tabernacle Choir alongside special guest stars Kristin Chenoweth, Neal McDonough, Megan Hilty, and Michael Maliakel.
The star-studded tradition continues with The 94th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade airing on Friday, December 18 (8:00-10:00 pm ET/PT). Hosted by Laura McKenzie, Erik Estrada, Dean Cain, and Elizabeth Stanton, the parade will feature Hollywood celebrities and movie cars, award-winning bands from across the country, dazzling equestrians, larger-than-life character balloons, colorful floats, humorous specialty acts, and high-profile performers.
The parade culminates with the appearance of the Jolly Old Elf himself, Santa Claus, and his reindeer, ushering in the holiday season! An encore presentation will air on Thursday, December 24 (8:00-10:00 pm ET/PT).
The heartwarming holiday special, The Christmas Caroler Challenge, airs on Saturday, December 19 (8:00-10:00 pm ET/PT). Hosted by Dean Cain and Laura McKenzie, the Christmas caroling competition celebrates the great Christmas music we have all come to love. Extraordinary Christmas carol groups—from the most elaborate ultra-traditional virtuoso performances to those with the most unexpected twists on the classic Christmas carol—will be judged by three celebrity judges.
‘Tis the season for college football bowl games as The CW becomes the exclusive broadcast partner for the 13th San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU) Poinsettia Bowl on Wednesday, December 23 (7:30-11:00 pm ET/PT) and the 47th Annual Holiday Bowl on Monday, December 28 (5:00-9:00 pm ET/PT). Both games will be played at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.
Have yourself a very furry Christmas with A Totally Funny Animals Holiday airing Saturday, December 26 (8:00-9:00 pm ET/PT). From festive fails to heartwarming holiday moments, Totally Funny Animals is unwrapping the wildest and most wonderful animal antics of the season in this Christmas clip spectacular!
Get ready to ring in the New Year by celebrating the biggest moments of 2026 with Popstar! Best of 2026 on Monday, December 28 (9:00-10:00 pm ET/PT). Presented by Associated Television International, the show will be hosted by Elizabeth Stanton, who will count down the greatest and most memorable moments and trends of 2026 based on polls from Popstar! Magazine.
THE CW HOLIDAY 2026 PROGRAMMING
All times are ET/PT
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22
8:00-10:00 PM DOLLY PARTON’S CHRISTMAS OF MANY COLORS: CIRCLE OF LOVE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25
8:00-10:00 PM THE WIZARD OF OZ
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27
8:00-9:00 PM GRANDMA GOT RUN OVER BY A REINDEER
9:00-10:00 PM A FLINTSTONE CHRISTMAS
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2
8:00-10:00 PM DOLLY PARTON: HERE I AM
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3
8:00-10:00 PM DOLLY PARTON’S COAT OF MANY COLORS
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4
8:00-9:30 PM A FLINTSTONES CHRISTMAS CAROL
9:30-10:00 PM ‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE SMURFY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6
7:30-10:00 PM A VERY BRADY CHRISTMAS
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9
8:00-9:00 PM BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER!
9:00-10:00 PM CW COURTSIDE WEDNESDAY: INCARNATE WORD AT GONZAGA
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10
8:00-10:00 PM YOGI’S FIRST CHRISTMAS
MONDAY, DECEMBER 14
8:00-10:00 PM DOLLY PARTON’S COAT OF MANY COLORS (Encore)
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16
8:00-9:00 PM GRANDMA GOT RUN OVER BY A REINDEER (Encore)
9:00-10:00 PM WORLD’S FUNNIEST MOMENTS: CHRISTMAS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17
8:00-9:00 PM MASTERS OF ILLUSION: CHRISTMAS MAGIC
9:00-10:00 PM THE LIGHT OF CHRISTMAS WITH THE TABERNACLE CHOIR
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18
8:00-10:00 PM THE 94TH ANNUAL HOLLYWOOD CHRISTMAS PARADE
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19
8:00-10:00 PM THE CHRISTMAS CAROLER CHALLENGE
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20
7:30-10:00 PM THE WIZARD OF OZ (Encore)
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23
7:30-11:00 PM ET 13th SDCCU POINSETTIA BOWL
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24
8:00-10:00 PM THE 94TH ANNUAL HOLLYWOOD CHRISTMAS PARADE (Encore)
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25
8:00-10:00 PM BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER! (Encore)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26
8:00-9:00 PM A TOTALLY FUNNY ANIMALS HOLIDAY
9:00-10:00 PM SCRABBLE (Encore)
MONDAY, DECEMBER 28
5:00-9:00 PM ET 47TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY BOWL
9:00-10:00 PM POPSTAR! BEST OF 2026
