The CW Network Rings in the Holiday Season with a Festive Slate of Movies and Specials [VIDEO]

The CW Network today announced its slate of upcoming holiday programming featuring a roster of classics and family favorites including GRANDMA GOT RUN OVER BY A REINDEER, THE 93rd ANNUAL HOLLYWOOD CHRISTMAS PARADE, BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER!, as well as the CW premiere of the hit TV movie DOLLY PARTON’S COAT OF MANY COLORS.

The holiday season kicks off with A WALTONS THANKSGIVING airing on Saturday, November 22 (8:00-10:00PM ET/PT). The Walton family is reunited as they prepare for Thanksgiving in 1934. The Depression has affected everyone, but John Walton (Teddy Sears) has found a way to provide for his family through the farm and by picking up odd jobs from the eccentric Baldwin Sisters. It’s also the time of year for the Annual Harvest Festival Fair, where carnival rides, talent shows and pie contests become the center of attention for the Waltons. As the story unfolds, John Boy (Logan Shroyer) learns the true meaning of taking responsibility, Mary Ellen (Marcelle LeBlanc) comes to understand patience and collaboration, Grandma (Rebecca Koon) finds that winning can be complicated, and Olivia (Bellamy Young) shares her healing heart with every other Walton family member – at a time when each of them need it most. And when a young boy enters the Waltons’ world, everyone’s life is changed in ways they could never have imagined – transformed forever through love, faith, and kindness!

The holiday favorite GRANDMA GOT RUN OVER BY A REINDEER returns to The CW on Friday, November 28 (8:00-9:00PM ET/PT). A one-hour special based on the hit song that became a worldwide holiday phenomenon, GRANDMA GOT RUN OVER BY A REINDEER is a goofy and heartwarming adventure that features young Jake Spankenheimer on the quest of a lifetime to track his missing Grandma down on Christmas Eve to prove that Santa Claus is indeed real. Michele Lee (“Knots Landing”) provides the voice of Jake’s greedy Cousin Mel and recording artist Elmo Shropshire provides the narration. An encore presentation will air on Wednesday, December 10 (8:00-9:00PM ET/PT).

Have yourself a very furry Christmas with A TOTALLY FUNNY ANIMALS HOLIDAY premiering on Friday, November 28 (9:00-10:00PM ET/PT). From festive fails to heartwarming holiday moments, TOTALLY FUNNY ANIMALS is unwrapping the wildest and most wonderful animal antics of the season in this Christmas clip spectacular!

Relive your favorite holiday movie moments with the special BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER! airing Thursday, December 4 (8:00-10:00PM ET/PT). Chronicling the best Christmas movies ever, the special features such beloved classics as “Home Alone,” “Elf,” “The Santa Clause,” “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” “Christmas Vacation,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and, of course, “Die Hard.” Join over 50 stars, writers, athletes, directors, and critics as they share the spirit of the season and unwrap the ultimate holiday gift this December on The CW. Executive Producers are Mark A. Altman, Thomas P. Vitale, and Michael Broder, and the special was written and directed by Mark A. Altman. A one-hour encore version will air Wednesday, December 17 (9:00-10:00PM ET/PT).

The heart-warming family movie THE WALTONS’ HOMECOMING airs on Monday, December 8 (8:00-10:00PM ET/PT). Set in the 1933 Depression Era, THE WALTONS’ HOMECOMING is told through the eyes of John Boy (Logan Shroyer), the 17-year-old eldest child of John (Ben Lawson) and Olivia Walton (Bellamy Young). His mother expects John Boy to help her raise his sisters and brothers, and his father expects him to follow in his footsteps to help support the family, but secretly, John Boy wants to be a writer. Times are hard enough in 1933, but to make matters worse, it looked to be the Waltons’ first Christmas without John Sr. When Olivia receives a letter that John Sr. is planning to make it home for Christmas after all, the family is thrilled and races to prepare for his homecoming. But when a storm threatens his arrival on Christmas Eve, and John Sr. is nowhere to be found, Olivia sends John Boy out into the night to find his daddy – a journey that will change John Boy’s life forever. The television movie stars Bellamy Young (“Scandal”) as Olivia, Logan Shroyer (“This Is Us”) as John Boy, Ben Lawson (“Firefly Lane”) as John Sr., and Richard Thomas, who starred as John Boy Walton in the beloved television series “The Waltons,” as “The Narrator.” The television movie is produced by Magnolia Hill Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Emmy® winner Sam Haskell serves as executive producer and the movie was written by Jim Strain. Lev L. Spiro is the director. “The Waltons” original series was created by Earl Hamner.

The merriment continues with a very special episode of PENN & TELLER: MERRY FOOL US airing on Wednesday, December 10 (9:00-10:00PM ET/PT). The magical duo of Penn & Teller helps kick off the holiday season with this special, complete with magicians, costumes, and a Christmas trophy! PENN & TELLER: MERRY FOOL US stars the legendary duo of Penn & Teller. PENN & TELLER: FOOL US is created and produced by 1/17 PRODUCTIONS with executive producers Peter Adam Golden, Andrew Golder, Penn Jillette, and Teller.

The hit TV movie DOLLY PARTON’S COAT OF MANY COLORS makes its CW debut on Thursday, December 11 (8:00-10:00PM ET/PT). Based on the inspiring true story of living legend Dolly Parton’s remarkable upbringing, this once-in-a-lifetime movie takes place inside the tight-knit Parton family as they struggle to overcome devastating tragedy and discover the healing power of love, faith and a raggedy patchwork coat that helped make Parton who she is today. The film stars Alyvia Alyn Lind, Jennifer Nettles, Rick Shroeder and Gerald McRaney.

The star-studded tradition continues with THE 93rd ANNUAL HOLLYWOOD CHRISTMAS PARADE airing on Friday, December 12 (8:00-10:00PM ET/PT). Hosted by Erik Estrada and Laura McKenzie with Elizabeth Stanton, the parade will feature Hollywood celebrities and movie cars, award-winning bands from across the country, dazzling equestrians, larger-than-life character balloons, colorful floats, humorous specialty acts, and high-profile performers. The parade culminates with the appearance of the Jolly Old Elf himself, Santa Claus, and his reindeer, ushering in the holiday season! The special is presented and produced by Associated Television International.

On Monday, December 15 (8:00-10:00PM ET/PT), Christmas is the time to fall in love with A CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS. In this love story, a wealthy charmer poses as a ranch hand to get a hardworking farmer to sell her family’s land before Christmas. Written by Lauren Swickard and directed by Shaun Piccinino, the film stars Lauren Swickard and Josh Swickard.

The iconic cartoon bear Yogi heads to The CW with YOGI’S FIRST CHRISTMAS on Friday, December 19 (8:00-10:00PM ET/PT). Businesswoman Sophie Throckmorton plans to sell the Jellystone Lodge, devastating the regular guests – including Huckleberry Hound, Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy, and Snagglepuss – and it’s up to Ranger Smith, manager Mr. Dingwell, and the newly awake Yogi, Boo Boo, and Cindy to keep the Christmas spirit alive amidst the mischievous attempts of two villains to ruin the fun.

The Christmas love story continues with A CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS: CITY LIGHTS on Monday, December 22 (8:00-10:00PM ET/PT). The film follows Callie and Joseph one year after they fell in love, now running a dairy farm and winery, but their romance is threatened when business and family obligations call Joseph back to the city. Lauren Swickard and Josh Swickard both star.

Get ready to ring in the New Year by celebrating the biggest moments of 2025 with POPSTAR! BEST OF 2025 on Friday, December 26 (8:00-9:00PM ET/PT). Presented by Associated Television International, host Elizabeth Stanton will count down the greatest and most memorable moments and trends of 2025 based on polls from Popstar! Magazine.

THE CW HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING (all times ET/PT)

Saturday, November 22
8:00-10:00PM A WALTONS THANKSGIVING

Friday, November 28
8:00-9:00PM GRANDMA GOT RUN OVER BY A REINDEER
9:00-10:00PM A TOTALLY FUNNY ANIMALS HOLIDAY

Thursday, December 4
8:00-10:00PM BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER!

Monday, December 8
8:00-10:00PM THE WALTONS’ HOMECOMING

Wednesday, December 10
8:00-9:00PM GRANDMA GOT RUN OVER BY A REINDEER
9:00-10:00PM PENN & TELLER: MERRY FOOL US

Thursday, December 11
8:00-10:00PM DOLLY PARTON’S COAT OF MANY COLORS

Friday, December 12
8:00-10:00PM THE 93rd ANNUAL HOLLYWOOD CHRISTMAS PARADE

Monday, December 15
8:00-10:00PM A CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS

Wednesday, December 17
9:00-10:00PM BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER!

Friday, December 19
8:00-10:00PM YOGI’S FIRST CHRISTMAS

Monday, December 22
8:00-10:00PM A CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS: CITY LIGHTS

Friday, December 26
8:00-9:00PM POPSTAR! BEST OF 2025