ABC DECKS THE HALLS WITH FESTIVE HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING FOR 2026

‘Tis the season for ABC, with holiday specials, must-see films and seasonal episodes of favorite shows.

Highlights include joyful episodes of “Abbott Elementary,” “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” “Celebrity Family Feud,” “Press Your Luck,” “Scrubs” and “What Would You Do?: Holiday Edition.”

“Dancing with the Holidays” will dazzle viewers as part of ABC’s annual holiday specials, which include “CMA Country Christmas” from Nashville, “The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular” and “iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2026,” alongside annual events including the “2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony,” “The Year: 2026” and ratings juggernaut “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.”

The Wonderful World of Disney presents holiday classics, including “The Santa Clause,” “Home Alone,” beloved favorites “Die Hard” and “Father of the Bride,” and the broadcast premieres of “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” and “Mufasa: The Lion King.”

The holidays are a time for family co-viewing, and ABC leads the way. “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest,” which reached 45.8 million Total Viewers across the night, was the most co-viewed entertainment special on broadcast television last year. In addition, since its debut as part of ABC’s holiday programming in 2022, “Home Alone” has annually been the highest-rated movie on any network among Adults 18-49 each year and was 2025’s most-watched movie among Total Viewers.

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®-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.

Source: Nielsen National Live+Same Day Big Data Plus Panel Program Ratings, 1/1-12/31/25. Prior seasons & years based on panel-only data. 12/31/25 Reach: Nielsen Live+3 Day Big Data Plus Panel Reach based on 6+minute qualifier. Co-Viewing: National Panel Live+ 7 Day, 1/1-12/31/25, P2+ with P2+ Share of Co-Viewing, Entertainment Programs Only.

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