ABC’s 2026 holiday schedule runs from Wednesday, November 25 through New Year’s Eve and is packed with Disney. The three biggest nights are The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular on Monday, November 30, the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade on Christmas morning, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2027, which simulcasts on Disney+ for the first time.
ABC also has broadcast premieres of Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Mufasa: The Lion King, holiday episodes of Abbott Elementary and Scrubs, and the return of Home Alone on Christmas Eve. All times below are Eastern and Pacific unless noted. We will update this page as hosts and performers are announced.
The Big Three: Holiday Spectacular, Christmas Day Parade and Rockin’ Eve
The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular airs Monday, November 30 from 8 to 10 p.m. with new musical performances from Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade airs Friday, December 25 at 10 a.m. ET and 9 a.m. CT, with performances from Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2027 airs Thursday, December 31 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. on ABC and Disney+, with Rita Ora, Julianne Hough, Rob Gronkowski and Druski joining Seacrest.
Full ABC Holiday Schedule 2026
- Wednesday, November 25: The Wonderful World of Disney presents Mickey’s Christmas Carol from 8 to 8:30 p.m.
- Thursday, November 26: Mary Poppins airs on The Wonderful World of Disney from 8 to 11 p.m. on Thanksgiving night.
- Sunday, November 29: The Sound of Music, starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, airs from 7 to 11 p.m.
- Monday, November 30: The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular airs from 8 to 10 p.m., followed by the 1970 Rankin-Bass classic Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town, narrated by Fred Astaire, from 10 to 11 p.m.
- Tuesday, December 1: Dancing with the Holidays brings 12 new festive routines from 8 to 9 p.m., followed by the 17th annual CMA Country Christmas, filmed in Nashville, from 9 to 10:01 p.m.
- Thursday, December 3: Celebrity Family Feud pits American Idol men against American Idol women from 8 to 9 p.m. ET.
- Sunday, December 6: America’s Funniest Home Videos airs a holiday episode from 7 to 8:02 p.m. ET, followed by Die Hard from 8:02 to 11 p.m.
- Tuesday, December 8: The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony airs from 8 to 11 p.m. Performer inductees include Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Sade, Luther Vandross and Wu-Tang Clan.
- Wednesday, December 9: The Scrubs season finale airs at 8 p.m., followed by the Abbott Elementary midseason finale, a holiday episode where Jacob’s parents come to visit, at 8:31 p.m.
- Thursday, December 10: Press Your Luck: Holiday Extravaganza IV, hosted by Elizabeth Banks, airs from 8 to 9 p.m.
- Sunday, December 13: Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps makes its broadcast premiere from 8:33 to 11 p.m.
- Thursday, December 17: iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2026 airs from 8 to 10 p.m.
- Sunday, December 20: Father of the Bride celebrates its 35th anniversary from 8:33 to 11 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 23: The Santa Clause, starring Tim Allen, airs on The Wonderful World of Disney from 9 to 11 p.m.
- Thursday, December 24: Home Alone airs on Christmas Eve from 8 to 10:15 p.m. ABC says it has been the highest-rated movie among adults 18 to 49 on any network every year since 2022, and it was the most-watched movie of 2025 among total viewers.
- Friday, December 25: The Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade airs at 10 a.m. ET and 9 a.m. CT. ABC lists a 5 a.m. start for Mountain and Pacific time, so West Coast viewers should check local listings.
- Sunday, December 27: The AKC National Championship Dog Show Special, held in Orlando, airs from 7 to 8 p.m., followed by the broadcast premiere of Mufasa: The Lion King on The Wonderful World of Disney from 8:32 to 11 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 30: The Year: 2026, hosted by Robin Roberts, looks back at the year from 9 to 11 p.m.
- Thursday, December 31: Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2027 airs from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. on ABC and Disney+.
We will keep this ABC holiday schedule updated as Disney announces hosts and performers for the Holiday Spectacular, the Christmas Day Parade and Rockin’ Eve. For more Disney and entertainment news, stay with Fantasy Land News.
