35 Best TV Christmas and Holiday Episodes of All Time
Including iconic specials from 30 Rock, The Office, Modern Family and more.
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Well, folks, it's official — the holiday season is here, which means there's no better time to sit in front of your television or computer and stream these best-ever Christmas and holiday episodes from all of your favorite shows.
Sure, on the weekends you can turn to a classic holiday movie to evoke the Yuletide spirit, but during the week, when your days are busier, a TV episode can get you in the festive spirit in an hour or less. Plus, TV episodes from shows like The Office, Modern Family, 30 Rock, Seinfeld, Friends and Abbot Elementary really know how to bring the laughs while also giving you that feel-good reminder of what the season is really about. You also have more serious shows that can help you feel not so alone in your feelings of family drama, sadness and nostalgia that the holidays tend to bring up.
But given the fact there are plenty of Christmas and holiday-themed episodes and specials out there, we took the time to nail down the very best (and the easiest to stream!). So, sit back, make a cup of eggnog and prepare yourselves for the merriest TV marathon of all time.
Abbott Elementary , "Holiday Hookah"
It's the day before Christmas break and there are plenty of hijinks in store — between colleagues crashing holiday dinners and running into others at a local hookah club. But it seems Santa has more presents in store than the teachers at Abbott Elementary know about ...
The Bear, "Fishes"
Things are heated with the Berzattos in this Christmas Eve flashback episode that shows Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) and his family five years before the opening of the restaurant. Let's just say an intense debate over the origins of the Feast of the Seven Fishes is the least of it once forks start flying and a car comes crashing into the living room.
30 Rock, "Christmas Special"
30 Rock has a bunch of great holiday episodes, but this one from 2008 is arguably the best. The crew is forced to put on a Christmas show for Jack's mother (Elaine Stritch) after he accidentally hits her with his car.
Sabrina the Teenage Witch, "Sabrina Claus"
What happens when Sabrina (Melissa Joan Hart) starts getting greedy with what she wants to receive on Christmas? Her aunts Hilda (Caroline Rhea) and Zelda (Beth Broderick) magically bringing Santa Claus to her! But instead of getting what she wants, Sabrina must work alongside him, especially as he gets hurt and can't deliver all the presents for children around the world.
Sister, Sister, "Christmas"
Tia (Tia Mowry), Tamera (Tamera Mowry) and Lisa (Jackee Harry) learn all about the act of giving in this episode as they pay off Ray's father's (Sherman Hemsley) debt of a $1,000, the money they were saving to buy Christmas presents.
I Love Lucy, "The Christmas Show"
Originally aired in 1956, this episode made history as the first "flashback" seen on television. Lucy (Lucille Ball), Ricky (Desi Arnaz), Fred (William Frawley) and Ethel (Vivian Vance) share their favorite holiday memories, giving viewers a glimpse of pivotal moments that shaped the gang's lives forever. After all, isn't that what Christmas is about — taking a moment to be nostalgic from years' past?
Scrubs, "My Own Personal Jesus"
In this season 1 episode, none of the patients and staff are looking forward to spending Christmas in the hospital. But as it happens to be, a series of coincidences occur all at once from J.D. (Zach Braff)'s unconscious patient waking up and Elliot (Sarah Chalke)'s pregnant patient suddenly going missing. As they look for answers, everyone begins to wonder whether it's a sign to have faith.
Boy Meets World, "A Very Topanga Christmas"
When Topanga (Danielle Fishel) expresses her wishes to spend Christmas with Cory (Ben Savage) and the Matthews family, you'd think her boyfriend would be thrilled. Instead, he starts to worry about their future because their traditions are vastly different from one another. Yes, this may be a relationship-focused episode, but in it lies one meaning of Christmas — spending time with your loved ones.
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Parks and Recreation, "Citizen Knope"
When Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) is on leave from her position at the Pawnee Parks and Recreation department, she finds herself wanting to get involved in local government. Thankfully, her friends support and help her prepare for what is sure to be the best gift she ever gave. And that's saying a lot, as she is known to be quite the gift giver.
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The West Wing, "In Excelsis Deo"
This Christmas-themed TV episode not only showed what the holiday season potentially looks like in the White House, but it also touched on heavier topics that align with this time of year. Despite all the storylines, one underlying current remains clear: the holidays are meant to bring joy ... even if it's only for yourself.
Happy Days, "Guess Who's Coming to Christmas"
Viewers all know Fonzie (Henry Winkler) as a tough, leather jacket-loving ladies' man. But this episode shows a different side to him when he spends the holidays without his family. Thankfully, he has Richie (Ron Howard)as a friend because as soon as he finds out Fonzie's plans, he gets invited to the Cunningham household for Christmas. It's an episode that's all about familial bonding — even when said family isn't your own blood.
Superstore, "Christmas Eve"
Everyone knows the best place to get your annual Christmas photo with Santa is at a local megastore! At least, that's what Superstore does in this season 3 episode. When Amy (America Ferrera) overhears her co-workers saying she's boring, she decides to have fun right before the biggest holiday of the year. Add in some issues with some roommates and you've got yourself the perfect holiday special.
Hart of Dixie, "Blue Christmas"
What happens when a young doctor accidentally gives the day off to the town's only Santa, the mayor wants to propose to his girlfriend and the go-to lawyer is scrambling to find the perfect Christmas present? It's yet a season 2 episode of Hart of Dixie, which will keep you both laughing and reminiscing about the simpler moments of the holiday season.
Ted Lasso, "Carol of the Bells"
Ted Lasso gets the Love, Actually treatment in this season 2 episode. Although Ted (Jason Sudeikis) starts off the episode with a serious case of the holiday blues, things pick up when Rebecca shows up at his door and asks him to help her spread jolly good cheer. Oh, and Roy Kent gets a Christmas miracle of his own.
Friends, “The One With the Holiday Armadillo”
The Friends Christmas episodes might not be *quite* as iconic as the show's Thanksgiving episodes, but Ross (David Schwimmer)'s Weird Turtle Man — er, Holiday Armadillo — will always hold a special place in our hearts.
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Girlfriends, “Merry Ex-Mas”
Joan (Tracee Ellis Ross) takes her love of Christmas to the next level as she tries to organize a caroling outing with her friends, but not everyone is into the idea. Meanwhile Maya (Golden Brooks) is throwing a Christmas party where she invites her ex-husband and his new girlfriend. Lots of Christmas laughs (and a little drama) make this a great episode.
This Is Us, "Last Christmas"
Word to the wise: Don't watch this holiday episode of your favorite NBC drama without a box of tissues nearby. (But you wouldn't expect anything less than a whole bunch of emotional twists and turns from This Is Us, would you?)
Glee, "A Very Glee Christmas"
The first Glee Christmas episode produced some of the show's best holiday tracks, from Lea Michele's take on "Merry Christmas, Darling" to Darren Criss and Chris Colfer's beloved performance of "Baby, It's Cold Outside."
Full House, "A Very Tanner Christmas"
Soak up all the festive Tanner family goodness from this throwback episode before queueing up "Nutcrackers" (another winning Christmas episode from Fuller House season 2) on Netflix.
The Golden Girls, "Have Yourself a Very Little Christmas"
Blanche, Rose, Sophia and Dorothy volunteer to serve Christmas dinner at a soup kitchen — where they're met with a very big surprise.
Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more.
As the entertainment and news associate editor for Good Housekeeping, Adrianna (she/her) writes about everything TV, movies, music and pop culture. She graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in business management. She covers shows like The Rookie, 9-1-1 and Grey's Anatomy, though when she’s not watching the latest show on Netflix, she’s taking martial arts or drinking way too much coffee.
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