2021’s Must-see Holiday Viewing

The holidays are here—and so are festive viewing favourites, both new and old

1. Frosty the Snowman — Sunday, December 5, 6 p.m., CBC; Sunday, December 19, 6 p.m., CBC

He was nothin’ but a measly pile of snow until one little girl placed a magical hat atop his head, bringing Frosty (voice of Jackie Vernon) to life in this seasonal standard.

2. Frosty Returns — Sunday, December 5, 6:30 p.m., CBC

The world’s most famous snowman (now voiced by John Goodman) is back, but this time his very existence is threatened by a snow-removal spray. Will the town of Beansboro choose summer in December over their beloved Frosty?

3. Michael Bublé’s Christmas in the City — Monday, December 6, 10:01 p.m., CTV & NBC

Canada’s multi-Grammy-winning national treasure returns to NBC with an all-new stage show celebrating the 10th anniversary of his chart-topping album Christmas, offering his signature blend of comedy, crooning and yuletide spirit.

4. For Auld Lang Syne — Friday, December 10, Apple TV+

In their first original outing for Apple TV+, the Peanuts p ut all effort into fêting the New Year after a disappointing Christmas without grandma. Lucy resolves to throw the best New Year’s Eve party ever, while Charlie Brown struggles to accomplish just one of last year’s resolutions before midnight.

5. Penn & Teller: Merry Fool Us — Friday, December 10, 8 p.m., The CW

The famed magicians ring in the season with host Alyson Hannigan in this special showcasing the literal magic of the holidays. The winner gets a Christmas Trophy, along with bragging rights.

6. Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas — Sunday, December 12, 5 p.m., CBC

Inspired by the 2003 Will Ferrell flick (and the subsequent Broadway musical), this stop-motion special follows Buddy (voiced by The Big Bang Theory‘s Jim Parsons) as he travels to New York, hoping to introduce his long-lost dad to the magic of the season.

7. A Christmas Proposal — Sunday, December 12, 8 p.m., CBS

CBS jumps on the holiday romance bandwagon with Jessica Camacho as a down-on-her-luck chef who agrees to pose as the girlfriend of a hotshot Seattle attorney (Adam Rodriguez) to help him prove that he’s the ideal candidate to take over the family firm. It’s an arrangement that’s bound to have some non-work-related consequences.

8. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer — Tuesday, December 14, 8 p.m., CBC

Some things just never get old and this heartwarming 1964 stop-motion spectacular is certainly one of them. Who could tire of watching the triumph of a bullied reindeer whose greatest shame—that bright and shiny nose!—ends up saving the day when a blizzard threatens to cancel Christmas?