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ABC has set its programming lineup for the upcoming 2026 holiday season. The lineup consists of returning favorites, special episodes, films and more.
The Wonderful World of Disney Presents “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” will air Wednesday, November 25. The Wonderful World of Disney Presents “Mary Poppins” will air Thursday, November 26. The Wonderful World of Disney Presents “The Sound of Music” will air Sunday, November 29.
The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular will premiere Monday, November 30 at 8, featuring new musical performances from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California. Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town will follow at 10.
Dancing with the Holidays will air Tuesday, December 1 at 8, as Dancing with the Stars”celebrates the season with 12 all-new festive-themed routines, dazzling holiday decor and heartwarming moments with the cast. CMA Country Christmas will follow at 9.
A new episode of Celebrity Family Feud will air Thursday, December 3 and feature American Idol alum facing off.
A special holiday episode of America’s Funniest Home Videos will air Sunday, December 6 at 7. Holiday film Die Hard will follow at 8.
The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will air Tuesday, December 8 from 8-11.
Scrubs season finale will be a holiday themed episode Wednesday, December 9 at 8. The midseason finale of Abbott Elementary will follow at 8:30 with a holiday themed episode as well.
A new episode of Press Your Luck will celebrate the holidays Thursday, December 10 at 8.
The broadcast world premiere of The Fantastic Four: First Steps will air Sunday, December 13.
The annual holiday music event iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2026 will air Thursday, December 17 at 8.
Father of the Bride will celebrate its 35th anniversary Sunday, December 20.
The Wonderful World of Disney Presents “The Santa Clause” will air Wednesday, December 23.
The Wonderful World of Disney Presents “Home Alone” will air Thursday, December 24.
Annual celebration Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade will air Friday, December 25 at 10am.
AKC National Championship Dog Show Special will air Sunday, December 27 at 7. The Wonderful World of Disney Presents “Mufasa: The Lion King” will have its broadcast world premiere at 8:30.
Robin Roberts returns to host The Year: 2026 Wednesday, December 30 at 9-11.
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2027 will air at 8, and celebrate the New Year until 4am.
Airdates and episode descriptions are as follows (all times listed are Eastern/Pacific):
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 25
8:00-8:30 p.m. – The Wonderful World of Disney Presents “Mickey’s Christmas Carol”
Mickey, Donald, Goofy and all their pals star in an all-time Christmas classic. Ebenezer Scrooge is far too greedy to understand that Christmas is a time for kindness and generosity, but with the guidance of some newfound friends, Scrooge learns to embrace the spirit of the season.
THURSDAY, NOV. 26
8:00-11:00 p.m. – The Wonderful World of Disney Presents “Mary Poppins”
Mary Poppins flies out of the windy London skies and into the home of two mischievous children. The spirited nanny turns every chore into a game and every day into a “Jolly Holiday” to reconnect the children with their parents.
SUNDAY, NOV. 29
7:00-11:00 p.m. – The Wonderful World of Disney Presents “The Sound of Music”
An annual holiday tradition: Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer star in the Oscar(R)-winning film that features fan-favorite songs by Rodgers & Hammerstein, including “Edelweiss,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and “The Sound of Music.”
MONDAY, NOV. 30
8:00-10:00 p.m. – “The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular”
The annual seasonal celebration will feature new musical performances from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California.
10:00-11:00 p.m. – “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town”
In the perennial favorite created in 1970 by Rankin-Bass Productions, Fred Astaire narrates this timeless tale of Kris Kringle (Mickey Rooney), a young boy with an immense desire to do good things for others.
TUESDAY, DEC. 1
8:00-9:00 p.m. – “Dancing with the Holidays”
The ballroom comes alive with holiday magic as “Dancing with the Stars” celebrates the season with 12 all-new festive-themed routines, dazzling holiday decor and heartwarming moments with the cast.
9:00-10:01 p.m. – “CMA Country Christmas”
Filmed in Nashville in front of a live audience, the 17th annual “CMA Country Christmas” will feature one-of-a-kind musical performances of festive classics from country music’s biggest stars.
THURSDAY, DEC. 3
8:00-9:00 p.m. EST – Celebrity Family Feud: “‘American Idol’ Men vs ‘American Idol’ Women”
Hosted by Steve Harvey, this holiday special brings together the best of “American Idol” alumni to compete for their selected charities.
SUNDAY, DEC. 6
7:00-8:02 p.m. EST – America’s Funniest Home Videos: “Festive Flops, Santa’s Knee, and Holiday Hijinks”
Stuff your stockings with the laughs in this special “AFV” holiday episode, featuring Santa mishaps, sledding wipeouts and gift goofs. Plus, nine of the season’s best compete for the $100,000 grand prize.
8:02-11:00 p.m. – “Die Hard”
A New York cop trapped in a high-rise during a Christmas Eve heist must fight to save his wife and everyone inside.
TUESDAY, DEC. 8
8:00-11:00 p.m. – “2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony”
Recorded live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, this year’s ceremony features rare once-in-a-lifetime performances and moments celebrating the legacy and influence of this year’s Inductees: Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Sade, Luther Vandross and Wu-Tang Clan in the Performer category; Celia Cruz, Fela Kuti, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte and Gram Parsons for the Musical Influence Award; Linda Creed, Arif Mardin, Jimmy Miller and Rick Rubin for the Musical Excellence Award; and Ed Sullivan for the Ahmet Ertegun Award.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 9
8:00-8:31 p.m. – Scrubs: “My Wonderful Life” (Season Finale)
Over Christmas, J.D. and Dr. Cox work together on a tricky case. Meanwhile, Elliot manages an ER overflowing with patients and a surprising amount of holiday cheer.
8:31-9:02 p.m. – Abbott Elementary: “Parents” (Midseason Finale)
Jacob’s parents visit for the holidays, while Barbara contends with some of her students falling behind.
THURSDAY, DEC. 10
8:00-9:00 p.m. – Press Your Luck: “Holiday Extravaganza IV: Oh My Gracious!”
Host Elizabeth Banks is hoping for a little holiday cheer as contestants play for the BIG BUCKS and try to avoid that mean ol’ WHAMMY!
SUNDAY, DEC. 13
8:33-11:00 p.m. – “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” (World Premiere)
In a retro-futuristic world, Marvel’s First Family must defend the planet.
THURSDAY, DEC. 17
8:00-10:00 p.m. – “iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2026”
The season’s iconic holiday music event, with performances by this year’s top artists and star-studded appearances, returns to ring in the holiday cheer.
SUNDAY, DEC. 20
8:33-11:00 p.m. – “Father of the Bride” (35th Anniversary)
A father has a hard time letting go of his daughter when she wants to wed.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 23
9:00-11:00 p.m. – The Wonderful World of Disney Presents “The Santa Clause”
On Christmas Eve, Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) and his son discover Santa Claus has fallen off their roof. When Scott takes the reins of the magical sleigh, he finds he is now the new Santa and must convince a world of disbelievers, including himself.
THURSDAY, DEC. 24
8:00-10:15 p.m. – The Wonderful World of Disney Presents “Home Alone”
Accidentally left behind when his family rushes off on a Christmas vacation, 8-year-old Kevin McCallister gets busy decorating the house. But he’s not decking the halls with tinsel and holly – he has to defend his home from two bumbling burglars.
FRIDAY, DEC. 25
10:00 a.m. EST / 9:00 a.m. CST / 5:00 a.m. MST / 5:00 a.m. PST – “Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade”
Disney’s annual celebration returns Christmas morning with magical star-studded performances from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California.
SUNDAY, DEC. 27
7:00-8:00 p.m. – “AKC National Championship Dog Show Special”
Held each December in Orlando, Florida, the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin is the largest dog show in North America. More than 5,000 dogs will compete for the coveted title of Best in Show.
8:32-11:00 p.m. – The Wonderful World of Disney Presents “Mufasa: The Lion King” (World Premiere)
Explore the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pride Lands.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 30
9:00-11:00 p.m. – “The Year: 2026”
Relive the year’s most unforgettable moments all in one unmissable night. “Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts and ABC News’ popular, year-end franchise “The Year” return in December for the 16th consecutive year. The two-hour annual primetime special “The Year: 2026” features ABC News’ award-winning anchors, correspondents, hosts and more and is network television’s most comprehensive and star-studded look back, with the headlines that shaped the world and celebrity and pop-culture moments that had everyone talking – all leaving an indelible mark on 2026.
THURSDAY, DEC. 31
8:00 p.m.-4:00 a.m. – “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2027”
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest is the preeminent destination for viewers to ring in the new year. For the first time ever in the history of the iconic franchise, the special will simulcast live on ABC and Disney+, giving audiences an exciting new way to experience America’s biggest, most-watched New Year’s celebration. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest live from Times Square, the show celebrates the year’s very best in music, featuring a night of superstar performances. Rita Ora returns to co-host from New York’s Times Square, Julianne Hough and Rob Gronkowski will return to Las Vegas to lead celebrations from the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” and Druski will join as co-host from Chicago.
