The 45 Best Holiday Episodes to Put on Your Winter Watchlist

The best Christmas episodes of your favorite TV shows throughout the years all have something special about them. Whether they’re so hilarious you’re quoting them for days or they make you shed a tear with gratitude, there’s nothing like a good holiday episode of television to remind you how great it feels to curl up in front of the TV with some popcorn and a blanket. 

When you want to get into the holiday spirit, but don’t want to watch a long movie, these holiday TV episodes are your answer. Take a look at some of our favorites — from ’90s throwbacks to recent hit shows — to get some inspo for your December watch list. There are plenty of shows here to last you all month, so you can savor the season this holiday break after you’ve closed the book on your finals. 

Whether you’re still catching up on Emily in Paris or you’ve watched all of Schitt’s Creek three times already, these episodes from the past decade or so are all well worth the watch (or rewatch). 

If anyone knows how to do Christmas right, it’s Deborah Vance. And if that means getting fake snow in front of her mansion, she does it. This holiday episode is important because you get to see Deborah’s estranged sister, Kathy, whom you’ve only heard horrible things about up until now. But when you meet Kathy, played by Succession star J. Smith Cameron, things aren’t exactly as they seem.

How to watch: HBO Max, Hulu, Prime

Whether you’re looking for a show to watch while folding laundry or an escapist series to dive into over a weekend, Emily in Paris is the answer. In this episode, Emily takes off for the French Alps for the holidays, donning several pattern-clashing outfits in the snow, of course.

How to watch: Netflix

It’s the heartwarming episode of all heartwarmers. While Roy and Keeley plan to have a “sexy Christmas,” Roy’s surgeon sister gets called into work, and they end up taking care of his niece, Phoebe, who figures out why she’s stuck with some stanky breath that’s causing her to get teased. It’s a Christmas scavenger hunt with a happy ending and Love, Actually vibes.

How to watch: Apple TV

Oh, to be a fly on the wall at Melissa’s house for the Schemmenti family’s Christmas Eve dinner. Meanwhile, Ava doesn’t want to be alone, so she crashes Janine and Gregory’s cozy first holiday together as a couple.

How to watch: Hulu, Prime, HBO Max

While not an actual Christmas episode, this episode features a very important character named “Christmas All the Time Guy,” who maintains constant Christmas decor in his apartment for his job as a fitness influencer on social media. Turns out he actually hates the holiday. Played by comedian Kumail Nanjiani, the character is a fun cameo for Mabel and the gang at the Arconia to play off of.

How to watch: Hulu

Tensions are high at the Christmas Eve dinner when Georgia stresses over hosting her fiancé Paul’s family and then spontaneously invites the family of her ex Zion (Ginny’s dad), too. It’s a dramatic episode where it seems like nothing is going right, but it packs in an impactful dose of mother-daughter bonding. 

How to watch: Netflix

The Rose family may no longer be super rich, but at least they have each other. Johnny Rose wants the gang to celebrate the holidays like they used to, but things are quite a bit different since they arrived at Schitt’s Creek. When the gang won’t exactly support his holiday spirit, Johnny loses his faith. Luckily, he finds it in time for Christmas morning.

How to watch: Hulu, Prime

Selina Meyer always has an ulterior motive, so a Christmas holiday at Camp David is never going to be about family togetherness. In reality, she’s trying to conduct secret talks with the Chinese government. But in traditional Selina style, things never go as smoothly as she hopes for.

How to watch: HBO Max, Prime

It’s a little odd to see Jon Hamm out of his Mad Men environment, but the storyline of this bizarre episode makes it even odder. This 90-minute one-off is a disturbing tale playing on the horrors of technology serving too big a role in our lives. It’s not full of holiday cheer, to be sure, but it would go great with a cold night and a cup of hot cocoa. 

How to Watch: Netflix, Prime 

In the most relatable of holiday moments, the gang from the 99th precinct heads out to buy last-minute presents. In a less relatable moment, they get stuck in a robbery. Naturally, Jake wants to use this opportunity to have his own Bruce Willis in Die Hard moment. 

How to watch: Netflix, Peacock

The holidays are infamously busy, but Jess, Nick, Schmidt and Winston, decide to go all in by going to several parties in the same night. Everyone deals with their own romantic uncertainty: Jess’ ex, Nick, tries to get back with her, and she claims to be in love with Winston; Cece and Schmidt have a gift-related misunderstanding; and Nick realizes he may not be adventurous enough for his girlfriend.    

How to watch: Hulu, Peacock, Disney+

From the frigid temps to the stress of family gatherings, the holiday season in real life is certainly not without its drama. So why should its TV representation be any different? These dramas will keep you on the edge of your seats and likely have you feeling thankful not to be living on any of these sets. 

While The West Wing knew a thing or two about Christmas episodes, “Noel” is a powerful example of post-traumatic stress and how strong friendships can be. Josh Lyman is suffering in the months following being critically wounded, and it takes a one-on-one meeting with a psychotherapist to come to terms with his trauma. Plus, Yo-Yo Ma absolutely crushes Bach’s Suite No. 1 in G major. 

How to watch: HBO Max, Hulu, Prime

No Christmas episode has resonated as strongly in recent years as “Fishes,” which features Jamie Lee Curtis in an Emmy-winning appearance as Carmy’s mother, Donna, preparing a meal based on the Feast of the Seven Fishes. It’s heavy on celeb appearances, including John Mulaney and Bob Odenkirk.

How to watch: Hulu 

Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce is trying to save money, so this year’s Christmas party isn’t the normal free-for-all. That is, until Lee Garner Jr., the representative for Lucky Strike, announces he’s coming for the party. Seeing as they represent most of SCDP’s business, the office scurries to make the party a success. (This includes forcing Roger Sterling to dress up like Santa Claus.)

How to watch: AMC TV, HBO Max 

Christmas is certainly not stress-free in the Soprano household, and the main mafia man, Tony Soprano, has memories of the past on his mind as he lurks around the Asbury Park boardwalk. It’s not all drama, though — there are some humorous parts of this episode, including a glance at his Christmas to-do list, which includes things like “boat,” “transfer cannolis,” and a “gift for Carm.”

How to watch: HBO Max, Hulu

If anyone knows how to host a lavish holiday party in the midst of turmoil, it’s the Crawley family. Set in 1919, it’s a tremendous look at the grandeur of the time, set against the bad vibe that is Bates having been arrested for Vera’s murder.

How to watch: Peacock, Prime, Britbox

It wouldn’t be a holiday at Seattle Grace Hospital without a boatload of drama, and the Season 6 Christmas episode brought plenty. Dr. McDreamy, Mark Sloan, discovers he has an 18-year-old daughter, Sloan Riley, who shows up out of nowhere.

How to Watch: Hulu, Prime

The holidays can’t come to Capeside without a jumbo-size dose of drama. Set during Dawson’s, Pacey’s, Joey’s, and the rest of the gang’s college years, this episode gets extra chaotic when Busy Philipps’s character, Audrey, decides to air everyone’s dirty laundry at the dinner table.

How to Watch: Netflix, Hulu

Christmas in Sunnydale is rough when you’re haunted by images of your violent, demonic past, which is exactly what happens to Angel in this episode.

How to watch: Paramount+, Prime

It’s the holiday time at Litchfield Penitentiary, which means a Christmas pageant put on by the inmates. Season 1 of the prison drama is an absolute banger, and the pageant story is a hilarious heartwarmer. However, the face-off between Piper and Pennsatucky in the prison yard is a bit freakier.

How to watch: Netflix

If you’re a 2000s baby, chances are you missed many of the beloved TV shows of the ’90s. But isn’t there something extra cozy about watching a throwback while you’re curled up on the couch? Stream these episodes this season, and you’re all but guaranteed to find a new favorite. 

The two-parter follows Zack, Kelly, and the rest of the gang from Bayside High as they hang out at the mall during the holidays and discover that their new friend and her father are living there.

How to watch: Amazon Prime

Christmas in Southern California just isn’t quite the same as in West Philly, and Will wants to make sure that his cousin Ashley gets to enjoy all its kitschy goodness. However, the neighbors don’t love the look of multicolored lights and inflatable Santas. It’s the perfect culture clash.

How to watch: Hulu, HBO Max

Poor Mrs. Walsh misses the Minnesota snow and is having a hard time soaking up the California sun during the holidays, while Steve Sanders, everyone’s favorite Corvette-driving teenager, is off in search of his parents in Albuquerque. It’s a ’90s teen classic with its heart in the right place.

How to watch: Paramount+, AppleTV

After Ricky gets in a fight with his uncle, he finds himself without a home on Christmas. Angela tries to help with the assistance of a guitar-strumming girl who is also unhoused, played by the legendary musician Juliana Hatfield. Watch out: It’s a heartwarming tearjerker.

How to watch: Hulu, Amazon Prime

George Costanza’s father did a favor for anyone who hates the commercial aspect of Christmas and made up a fake holiday known as Festivus. All you need is an aluminum pole and plenty of complaints for the “Airing of Grievances,” which involves letting everyone know about all of your gripes from the past year. 

How to Watch: Netflix

Topanga has never had a real Christmas celebration, and she spends it at Cory’s house with the rest of the Matthews family. However, traditions clash, and things go awry. If your first time seeing Danielle Fishel (who plays Topanga) was on season 34 of Dancing with the Stars, this is your chance to look back at her early years. 

How to watch: Hulu, Disney+

DJ Tanner is officially “that girl” who can’t stop talking about her boyfriend Steve on Christmas, and her dad, Danny Tanner, misses his girlfriend Vicky. But in the midst of it all, Uncle Jesse does a sweet thing for Becky, who misses her family back home in Nebraska. We won’t ruin it for ya.

How to watch: Hulu

The 2000s gave us some quotable classics, from The Office to Arrested Development. Dive back in to the nostalgia of these Christmas episodes and remember why you loved them so much. 

Word to the wise: Don’t change your office Secret Santa into a Yankee Swap at the last minute like Michael Scott did to the gang at Scranton’s Dunder Mifflin branch. It’s fun to watch the early days of Jim and Pam’s romance, all coming to be as Jim wrote a letter for Pam that’s inside the teapot he purchased for her Secret Santa gift.

How to Watch: Peacock, HBO Max

Seth Cohen introduces Ryan to the delightful holiday tradition of Christmukkah. The blend of Christian and Jewish holiday traditions skyrocketed into the pop culture stratosphere thanks to the episode.

How to watch: HBO Max, Hulu

In this episode that aired in 2000 (which you can instantly tell by the clothes, hair, and pretty much everything else on the screen), Ross Geller goes all out when he tries to get his son, Ben, excited about Hanukkah and his Jewish heritage, and that means renting a gigantic armadillo costume.

How to watch: HBO Max, Prime

After a fungus is released from the bones of a man found in a fallout shelter, the team is forced to quarantine in the lab on Christmas. While you may want to skip this one if it gives you a few too many COVID-19-era holiday vibes, it’s a great example of how they got to know each other better.

How to Watch: Hulu

This episode is Gossip Girl at its best. Dan and Serena attempt to get each other budget-friendly gifts, while Blair wants to break up her dad and his new boyfriend. Additionally, New York at Christmastime is truly beautiful to behold.

How to watch: Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu

Who doesn’t love the idea of a horse-drawn sleigh going through Stars Hollow? Lorelai invites the town’s residents to an Elizabethan-style feast, complete with wild costumes and winter activities. It’s not super heavy on the Christmas stuff, but it’s still fun and festive.

How to Watch: Hulu, Netflix

Any visit from Jack Donaghey’s mother, Colleen Donaghey, played by the iconic comedian and actress Elaine Stritch, is a guarantee of endless laughter. Liz Lemon’s family is also there, and Colleen is dead-set on proving they’re not as perfect as they seem.

How to Watch: Peacock, Hulu

Directed by Jason Bateman, who played Michael Bluth on the iconic series, this episode is one of the series’ best and makes you wish you could somehow be in attendance at the Bluth Company’s Christmas celebration. Gob Bluth ends up wearing a giant banana suit. You just have to see it. 

How to Watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV

Lizzy aims to build a float so good for the Christmas parade that it wins first place (the prize is a ski trip), and her best friend Gordo agrees to help her. Unfortunately, a bunch of stuff gets in the way, from a plumbing issue to someone who believes they’re really one of Santa’s elves. No spoilers, but she might just learn the meaning of Christmas and get a concert from Santa Claus himself (played by Steven Tyler of rock band Aerosmith, of course). 

How to Watch: Disney+

You know any episode that starts with Larry David at the doctor with a pube stuck in his throat is going to be funny. But it gets even better when Larry accidentally eats the manger-themed cookies in his kitchen, which he thought were animal cookies, but they turned out to be part of the nativity scene his wife and in-laws baked. 

How to watch: HBO Max, Prime

Sheldon hates Christmas, which is why it’s all the more funny to have to watch him go out shopping for gifts. While I don’t want to ruin the surprise of what Penny gives him, let’s just say it’s enough to let his nerd brain explode into holiday bliss. 

How to watch: HBO, Hulu, Prime

When you just want to turn your brain off and watch some cartoons, the animated episodes are the perfect balm for any winter blues. You’ll laugh, your heart will feel warm, and you’ll probably want to watch them all.

It’s not every year you find a decent Hanukkah-themed holiday episode, so it’s all the more delightful to find one from one of my favorite ’90s animated classics. The babies learn the meaning of the Jewish holiday while on a trip to the synagogue.

How to watch: Paramount+, Prime, Apple TV

Community goes animated in this acclaimed episode. Well, it’s a stop-motion style like old-school Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, which is close enough. In Abed’s head, the gang transforms into toys and ultimately learns the true meaning of the holiday.

How to watch: Peacock

BoJack is NOT feeling the holiday spirit this year. BoJack’s roommate, Todd, shows up with an old Christmas episode of Horsin’ Around, the show that BoJack starred in, which makes matters even more complicated.

How to watch: Netflix

Much more touching than you’d expect from an animated Nickelodeon show, this holiday episode from Hey, Arnold! shows Arnold attempting to reunite a lonely boarder, Mr. Hyunh, with the daughter he lost touch with during the Vietnam War.

How to watch: Paramount+, Prime, Youtube TV

It’s a fun caper when Linda’s pride and joy, a little Christmas tree filled with ornaments, is stolen from the restaurant. The crew ventures all over town in search of the tree and lands in an abandoned warehouse that’s filled with an unusual celebration.

How to watch: Hulu, Prime, Apple TV

 It takes serious guts to kick off a show with Bart, an elementary school student, getting a tattoo. Then there’s Homer, working a side gig as a mall Santa. It’s kind of mind-blowing that this was the first episode of The Simpsons, a groundbreaking series that’s been airing for 35 years. But it was also the introduction to Santa’s Little Helper, the family’s dog that was rescued from the Springfield Downs racetrack.

How to watch: Hulu, Prime, YouTube TV

Seeing as folks in Bikini Bottom don’t celebrate Christmas, it’s understandable that SpongeBob is freaked out and mistakes Sandy’s light-filled Christmas tree for a house fire. Hey, it’s confusing! But it’s really an episode about learning the meaning of the holiday spirit, and that’s enjoyable for everyone.

How to watch: Paramount+, Hulu, Prime