TV Shows

NBC Holiday Schedule 2023: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Saturday Night Live Specials, and More

Here’s all the Thanksgiving and Christmas specials scheduled to air on NBC and Peacock through the 2023 holiday season.
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The peacock network is setting the table for Turkey Day. NBC has unveiled its annual slate of holiday programming, including the 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the National Dog Show 2023, Christmas in Rockefeller Center, and Saturday Night Live Thanksgiving and Christmas specials. The network’s festivities will kick off with the Countdown to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 22, and will continue through Christmas Day before concluding with the 135th Rose Parade on January 1, 2024. Along with the live events and specials, NBC will broadcast such seasonal classics as the live-action and animated Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life.ย 

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NBC’s star-studded lineup featuresย Tonight Showย host Jimmy Fallon,ย The Voiceย coach Blake Shelton,ย Law & Orderย star Ice-T,ย TODAYย anchor Carson Daly, andย Passwordย host Keke Palmer, plus music icons Barry Manilow, Dolly Parton, Kelly Clarkson, and Wynonna Judd.

“We take enormous pride in delivering a plethora of heartwarmingspecials during the holidays that families can enjoy,” said Jen Neal,Executive Vice President, Live Events and Specials, NBCUniversal MediaGroup. “From the Thanksgiving parade to the tree lighting to our musicalevents, these programs are a symbol of our company’s commitment tobringing the country together and celebrating one another.”

Most of the celebrations will be simulcast on Peacock or available to stream the next day. Below, see the list of NBC holiday programming (times listed are both ET/PT):

NBC Holiday Schedule 2023

Countdown to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

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Wednesday, Nov. 22, 8-9 p.m.ย 

NBC kicks off the holiday season live from the famous startingline on the eve of the iconic Thanksgiving Day parade. Viewers will geta sneak peek at the incredible stories behind the floats, balloons andbands on their journey to the streets of New York.

A Saturday Night Live Thanksgiving Special

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Wednesday, Nov. 22, 9-11 p.m. (next day on Peacock)

The iconic late-night program will highlight memorable Thanksgiving-themed sketches from its 47 seasons.

97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

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Thursday, Nov. 23, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. (encore at 2 p.m. and also simulcast on Peacock)

Starting a half-hour early for the first time, theworld-famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade continues to bring the magicof the parade to New York City spectators and a national televisionaudience with its exciting array of balloons, floats, marching bands,celebrities and more.

National Dog Show Presented by Purina

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Thursday, Nov. 23, 12-2 p.m. (encore on Nov. 25 at 8 p.m. and also simulcast on Peacock)

NBC’s Thanksgiving Day tradition is hosted by John O’Hurley,former “Seinfeld” star and winner of “Dancing with the Stars” along withexpert analyst David Frei. Mary Carillo, behind-the-scenes reporter andinterviewer, will also be in attendance.

That’s My Jam Holiday-Themed Episode

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Monday, Nov. 27, 9-10 p.m. (next day on Peacock)

Jimmy Fallon hosts a holiday-themed special episode of NBC’sEmmy Award-nominated game show. “Saturday Night Live” fan-favorite castmembers Fred Armisen, Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer and Melissa Villaseรฑorcompete for charity in a night of festive music-based games,performances and musical impressions.

Christmas in Rockefeller Center

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Wednesday, Nov. 29, 8-10 p.m. (simulcast on Peacock)ย 

The dazzling display of musical talents, star-studdedsurprises and the lighting of the world’s most famous Christmas treereturns for the 91st “Christmas in Rockefeller Center,” hosted by KellyClarkson.

Christmas at Graceland

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Wednesday, Nov. 29, 10-11 p.m. (encore on Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. and simulcast on Peacock)ย 

NBC is bringing together the legacy of Elvis Presley and thespirit of the holiday season in a new live music special. “Christmas atGraceland” will feature music’s biggest stars celebrating the King ofRock ‘n’ Roll, his music and his favorite time of year live from hisiconic home, Graceland.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

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Thursday, Nov. 30, 8-8:30 p.m. (encore on Dec. 25 at 8 p.m. and currently available on Peacock)ย 

The classic tale of the curmudgeonly Grinch who’s hoping toremove the joy from Christmas but, ultimately, has a change of heart.

Shrek the Halls

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Thursday, Nov. 30, 8:30-9 p.m. (encore on Dec. 9 at 9 p.m.)ย 

This half-hour animated special debuted in 2007 and features a Christmas twist on the original Shrek characters.

Blake Shelton’s Holiday Bartacular Featuring Ice-T

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Monday, Dec. 4, 10-11 p.m. (next day on Peacock)

In this special episode of Blake Shelton and Carson Daly’s hitcelebrity game show “Barmageddon,” Blake invites Ice T to his winterwonderland where they will compete in larger-than-life bar games with aholiday twist, including Merry Axe-Mas, Doodle All the Way, LittleDrummer Boy (and Girl), Reindeer Games and Christmas Carol-okie.

Christmas at the Opry

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Thursday, Dec. 7, 8-10 p.m. (encore on Dec. 20 at 9 p.m. and next day on Peacock)

Featuring the best and brightest voices in country music, thefestive two-hour special will treat viewers to an array of Christmasfavorites, holiday classics and today’s biggest hits. Wynonna Judd willhost the highly anticipated musical event featuring performances fromthe iconic Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.

Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas

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Monday, Dec. 11, 10-11 p.m. (encore Dec. 20 at 8 p.m. and next day on Peacock)

With a Vegas size backdrop and Barry’s renowned 24 piece band,the evening will feature the best of Manilow’s greatest hits, including”Copacabana,” “Mandy,” “I Write the Songs” and “”Looks Like We Made It”along with several holiday favorites.

A Saturday Night Live Christmas Special

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Thursday, Dec. 14, 8-10 p.m. (encore on Dec. 23 at 9 p.m. and next day on Peacock)

The iconic late-night program will highlight memorable Christmas-themed sketches from its 48 seasons.

Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors

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Friday, Dec. 15, 8-10 p.m.

“Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors” is based on the inspiringtrue story of living legend Dolly Parton’s remarkable upbringing. Thismovie special takes place inside the tight-knit Parton family as theystruggle to overcome devastating tragedy and discover the healing powerof love, faith and a raggedy patchwork coat that helped make Parton whoshe is today. Starring Jennifer Nettles, Ricky Schroder, Gerald McRaneyand Alyvia Alyn Lind.

Trolls: Holiday in Harmony

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Saturday, Dec. 9, 8:30-9 p.m.

When Queen Poppy plans the first annual Trolls Kingdom SecretHoliday Gift Swap, things take an unexpected turn when she and Branchdraw each other’s name.

Password Holiday Special

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Monday, Dec. 18, 10-11 p.m. (next day on Peacock)

“Password,” featuring Emmy Award-nominated host Keke Palmerand starring Jimmy Fallon, returns with a special holiday-themed editionof the iconic celebrity word game ahead of the season two premiere.

Dolly Parton’s Magic Mountain Christmas

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Thursday, Dec. 21, 9-11 p.m.

Join Dolly Parton and friends as she draws on holidays past,guided by her personal Three Wise Mountain Men, to find the unique”mountain magic” of Christmas.Musical performances by Jimmy Fallon,Willie Nelson, Miley Cyrus and more.

Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love

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Friday, Dec. 22, 8-10 p.m.

Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love” isthe next chapter in the life of young Dolly Parton. The film deliversChristmas joy and peril as an unexpected blizzard threatens the Partonfamily, while at the same time Dolly’s father (and his kids) makesacrifices to raise enough money to finally buy his loving wife thewedding ring he could never afford to give her. Meanwhile, an importantperson in little Dolly’s life begins to see that her amazing voice andmusical gift might just be made for something bigger than ruralTennessee.

It’s a Wonderful Life

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Saturday, Dec. 24, 8-11 p.m.

NBC again presents this Frank Capra classic starring JimmyStewart, an angel is sent from heaven to help a desperately frustratedbusinessman by showing him what life would have been like if he hadnever existed.

Christmas Eve Mass

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Sunday, Dec. 24, 11:30 p.m.-1 a.m.

Viewers will be able to watch the Pope Francis-led mass from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

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Monday, Dec. 25, 8:30-11 p.m. (available on Peacock between Dec. 20-31)

Jim Carrey stars as the mean green baddie in this 2000 box office smash.

135th Rose Parade Presented by Honda

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Monday, Jan. 1, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. ET / 8-10 a.m. PT (simulcast on Peacock)

The streets of Pasadena, Calif., are lined with thousands ofparade fans as gorgeous rose-covered floats and marching bands partakein their annual New Year’s holiday festivities. Hosted by “TODAY”anchors Hoda Kotb and Al Roker.