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NBC Unwraps a Star-Studded 2025 Holiday Lineup Filled with Music, Magic, and Tradition

By Frank Macek

WKYC's & NBC’s 2025 holiday lineup sparkles with music, nostalgia, and tradition. 

The season begins with Wicked: One Wonderful Night, a star-studded musical celebration featuring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

 Thanksgiving brings Countdown to the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the parade itself, and the beloved National Dog Show Presented by Purina. December shines with Christmas in Rockefeller Center hosted by Reba McEntire, followed by Christmas in Nashville. 

Animated favorites return, including How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Holiday fun continues with the Password Holiday Special, A Motown Christmas hosted by Smokey Robinson and Halle Bailey, and Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Seasoning Spectacular. Classic films and faith close the season with It’s a Wonderful Life and the traditional Christmas Eve Mass, before the 137th Rose Parade ushers in the New Year.

Here's a preview of what you are in store for this holiday season:

WICKED: ONE WONDERFUL NIGHT
When: Thursday, Nov. 6, 8-10 p.m.
What: A thrillifying once-in-a-lifetime musical event celebrating the upcoming cinematic release of Universal Pictures’ film “Wicked: For Good.” The film’s stars, including three-time Academy Award®-nominated Cynthia Erivo and Academy Award®-nominated Ariana Grande, will lead the two-hour special featuring electrifying performances alongside their “Wicked: For Good” co-stars – for an unforgettable night of reimagined musical arrangements, cast interviews, behind-the-scenes moments, exclusive surprises and maybe even a sneak peek at what’s to come in the next chapter of Oz.

COUNTDOWN TO THE 99TH MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE®
When: Wednesday, Nov. 26, 8-9 p.m. and simulcast on Peacock
What: Broadcast live from the famous starting line on the eve of the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, viewers will get an exclusive first look at the incredible stories behind the floats, balloons and bands as they prepare to make their way through the streets of New York.

A SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE THANKSGIVING
When: Wednesday, Nov. 26, 9-11 p.m.
What: The iconic late-night program will highlight memorable Thanksgiving-themed sketches.

99th MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE®
When: Thursday, Nov. 27, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. (encore at 2 p.m.) and simulcast on Peacock
What: The 99th edition of the world-famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® brings its one-of-a-kind magic to New York City spectators and a national television audience with its exciting array of balloons, floats, marching bands, celebrities and more in America’s most watched entertainment telecast of the year.

NATIONAL DOG SHOW PRESENTED BY PURINA
When: Thursday, Nov. 27, 12-2 p.m. and simulcast on Peacock
What: NBC’s Thanksgiving Day tradition is hosted by John O’Hurley, former “Seinfeld” star and winner of “Dancing with the Stars,” along with expert analyst David Frei. Mary Carillo will offer a behind-the-scenes account of the competition.

CHRISTMAS IN ROCKEFELLER CENTER
When: Wednesday, Dec. 3, 8-10 p.m. and simulcast on Peacock
What: Hosted by Reba McEntire, the dazzling display of musical talents, star-studded surprises and the lighting of the world’s most famous Christmas tree remains one of the holiday season’s most anticipated events.

CHRISTMAS IN NASHVILLE
When: Wednesday, Dec. 3, 10-11 p.m.
What: Celebrate the season Nashville-style! Ring in the holidays with dazzling performances and a night of music, magic and merrymaking straight from Music City.

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
When: Thursday, Dec. 4, 8-8:30 p.m. (encore on Dec. 25 at 8 p.m.)
What: The classic animated tale of the curmudgeonly Grinch who’s hoping to remove the joy from Christmas but, ultimately, has a change of heart.

FROSTY THE SNOWMAN
When: Thursday, Dec. 4, 8:30-9 p.m. (encore on Dec. 9 at 8 p.m.)
What: The cherished original holiday special about how Frosty, everyone’s favorite snowman, came to life one day.

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER
When: Friday, Dec. 5, 8-9:15 p.m. (encore on Dec. 11 at 8 p.m.)
What: The classic animated special offers the perspective of Rudolph, who’s told he couldn’t play in any Reindeer Games due to his glowing nose. Rudolph sets out on a fantastic journey where he meets Hermey the elf, prospector Yukon Cornelius and a host of Misfit Toys, all while trying to hide from the Abominable Snow Monster.

PASSWORD HOLIDAY SPECIAL
When: Monday, Dec. 8, 10-11p.m. (encore on Dec. 18 at 8p.m.)
What: “Password,” hosted by Keke Palmer and starring Jimmy Fallon, returns to NBC primetime to ring in the holiday season with a very merry, special holiday episode. Celebrity guest Jonathan Groff spreads good cheer, pairing up with contestants to compete against Fallon and his teammate in a festive edition of the iconic celebrity word game.

SHREK THE HALLS
When: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 8:30-9 p.m. (encore on Dec. 17 at 8 p.m.)
What: This half-hour animated special debuted in 2007 and features a Christmas twist on the original “Shrek” characters.

A MOTOWN CHRISTMAS
When: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 9-11 p.m. (encore on Dec. 17 at p.m.)
What: Hosted by Smokey Robinson and Halle Bailey, this special will feature performances by Motown legends and today’s hottest stars celebrating iconic Hitsville U.S.A classics and their favorite holiday songs.

NBC 2025 YEAR IN REVIEW PRESENTED BY ACCESS HOLLYWOOD
When: Thursday, Dec. 11, 9:15-10 p.m. (one-hour extended version airing Dec. 17 at 10 p.m.)
What: “Access Hollywood’s” Mario Lopez and Kit Hoover host NBC’s primetime special, recapping the most talked about entertainment stories and buzzworthy headlines of the year.

JIMMY FALLON’S HOLIDAY SEASONING SPECTACULAR
When: Wednesday, Dec. 17, 9 -10 p.m.
What: Jimmy Fallon searches for the holiday spirit in New York, exploring a surreal and magical apartment building where behind every door a different celebrity joins him for a performance from his festive holiday album, “Holiday Seasoning.” The star-studded lineup of guests includes Meghan Trainor, Cara Delevingne, Dolly Parton, JB Smoove, Jonas Brothers, Justin Timberlake, LL Cool J, The Roots, “Weird Al” Yankovic and more.

A SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE CHRISTMAS
When: Thursday, Dec. 18, 9-11 p.m. (encore on Dec. 22 at 9 p.m.)
What: The iconic late-night program will highlight memorable Christmas-themed sketches.

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
When: Wednesday, Dec. 24, 8-11 p.m.
What: NBC again presents this Frank Capra classic starring Jimmy Stewart. An angel is sent from heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.

CHRISTMAS EVE MASS
When: Wednesday, Dec. 24, 11:30 p.m.-1 a.m.
What: Viewers will be able to watch the Pope Leo-led mass from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
When: Thursday, Dec. 25, 8:30-11 p.m.
What: On the outskirts of Whoville, there lives a green revenge-seeking Grinch who plans on ruining the Christmas holiday for all of the citizens of the town.

137th ROSE PARADE PRESENTED BY HONDA
When: Thursday, Jan. 1, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. ET / 8-10 a.m. PT and simulcast on Peacock
What: The streets of Pasadena, Calif., are lined with thousands of parade fans as gorgeous rose-covered floats and marching bands partake in their annual New Year’s holiday festivities.   

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