Best Holiday

"A Child's Christmas in Wales" is a nostalgic prose work by the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, originally recorded for BBC radio in 1952 and subsequently published in print. The piece recounts a festive, idealized Christmas from the perspective of a young boy in a small Welsh town, focusing on memories of...

Patrick Stewart's A Christmas Carol is an audiobook recording of Charles Dickens's 1843 novella, performed by the British actor as a solo narration. Stewart first developed the material as a one-man stage show, which he performed on Broadway and in theatres in London and Los Angeles beginning in the...

This audiobook features British actor Simon Callow narrating Charles Dickens's classic 1843 novella *A Christmas Carol*. Callow is an accomplished stage and screen actor known for his portrayals of Dickens, including a one-man stage show about the author's life. In this recording, he utilizes distin...

The 1965 television special A Charlie Brown Christmas adapts the beloved Peanuts comic strip. It’s recognized for its poignant exploration of the true meaning of Christmas, contrasting commercial celebrations with sincere reflection. The soundtrack, featuring jazz music, adds to its enduring appeal....

"Dick in a Box" is a comedy music video and digital short that aired on Saturday Night Live in December 2006. Created by the comedy trio The Lonely Island—Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, and Jorma Taccone—the short features Samberg and guest host Justin Timberlake as two R&B singers. They present a st...

“Miracle on 34th Street is a beloved 1947 film exploring themes of faith and belief during Christmas. The story follows an elderly man who insists he is Santa Claus, sparking a legal battle that tests the community’s perceptions of truth and wonder. It resonates with families and individuals seeking...

The Grinch Stole Christmas! is a beloved 1966 animated television special based on Dr. Seuss’s classic story. Chuck Jones directed this adaptation featuring iconic voice acting by Boris Karloff. It tells the tale of the grumpy Grinch who attempts to ruin Christmas for the Whos of Whoville, highlight...

"Schweddy Balls" is a comedy sketch from the NBC television program Saturday Night Live, which originally aired in December 1998. The sketch is a parody of National Public Radio shows, featuring hosts Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon interviewing Pete Schweddy, a fictional baker played by host Alec Ba...

The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is a beloved animated television special originating from the Peanuts comic strip. Created in 1966, it depicts Charlie Brown’s persistent hope for the Great Pumpkin to rise from the pumpkin patch on Halloween night. This story resonates with children and adults who a...

Christmas Eve on Sesame Street is a 1978 holiday television special featuring the human and Muppet characters of Sesame Street. Its linked stories include Big Bird questioning how Santa Claus can fit through a chimney, Bert and Ernie exchanging prized possessions for gifts, and Cookie Monster repeat...

The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show is an annual touring drag comedy and musical revue co-created and performed by Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme, both former contestants on RuPaul's Drag Race. The show was first mounted as a joint tour in 2018 and has subsequently run during the winter holiday season eac...

Hercule Poirot's Christmas is a 1938 detective novel by Agatha Christie featuring the Belgian private detective Hercule Poirot. During a Christmas gathering, wealthy and domineering Simeon Lee is found murdered in a locked room after summoning his estranged family to his home. Poirot investigates a...

Plum Pudding is a dense, dark British steamed pudding made with dried fruits and suet, historically associated with Christmas and documented as far back as the 15th century in English culinary tradition.

It is almost the end of the year, and Houkago Tea Time has been invited to participate in a live house on New Year's Eve! The iconic band members are Yui Hirasawa, the carefree guitarist who is enthusiastic to play music; Mio Akiyama, the shy bassist who gets embarrassed easily; Tsumugi Kotobuki, th...

The Rankin/Bass television special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, tells the story of an outcast young reindeer who discovers his unique nose is actually a gift. Premiered in 1964, this animated classic became a beloved holiday tradition through its imaginative depiction of Santa’s workshop and exp...

Nutcracker Rouge is a New York City burlesque performance by Company XIV. The show reimagines Tchaikovsky’s *The Nutcracker* through a baroque lens, incorporating elaborate costumes and theatrical staging. It's notable for its unique artistic interpretation and explores themes of decadence and spect...

Sweet potato pie is an American dessert characterized by its rich flavor and dense texture. It typically combines mashed sweet potatoes with spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg within a custard filling. This pie is particularly popular during holidays and celebrations, frequently associated with Sout...

A Muppet Family Christmas is a 1987 television special featuring the beloved Muppets celebrating Christmas. The show presents a heartwarming narrative centered around family and generosity with iconic musical performances and comedic moments. It’s notable for its enduring appeal and remains popular...

“The Snowman is a cherished 1982 Channel 4 television special featuring wordless animation. Its enduring appeal lies in its poignant story of friendship conveyed solely through movement and music. The film’s distinctive orchestral score by James Horner has become synonymous with the Christmas season...

The 1987 television special *A Muppet Family Christmas* brings together characters from across the Muppets’ universe—including Sesame Street and Fraggle Rock—for a festive celebration. This unique production highlights the interconnectedness of the various Muppet franchises and offers a heartwarming...

“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” is an animated television special created by Charles M. Schulz featuring the beloved characters from the Peanuts comic strip. Originally broadcast in 1973, it’s recognized for its nostalgic portrayal of a simple Thanksgiving celebration and remains popular during holid...

The Christmas Jolly Postman is Janet and Allan Ahlberg's 1991 festive sequel, whose removable cards helped Janet Ahlberg win a second Greenaway Medal.

Company XIV’s Nutcracker Rouge presents a unique burlesque performance rooted in baroque aesthetics and contemporary storytelling. Austin McCormick directs this Brooklyn-based troupe, known for its elaborate costumes and theatrical staging. The show explores themes of desire and transformation throu...

Jim Henson’s *Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas* is a beloved 1977 television special. The production utilizes handcrafted puppets to tell a heartwarming story inspired by O. Henry's “The Gift of the Magi.” It explores themes of family, generosity, and embracing the spirit of the holiday season. This...

This 1987 holiday compilation album is notable for featuring major music stars performing Christmas songs, raising millions of dollars for the Special Olympics since its release.

Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol is a 1962 animated television musical that adapts Charles Dickens's novella A Christmas Carol around the nearsighted cartoon character Mr. Magoo. The story is presented as a theatrical production in which Magoo plays Ebenezer Scrooge, with songs by Jule Styne and Bob Merr...

A Charlie Brown Christmas is a 1965 American animated television special based on Charles M. Schulz's Peanuts comic strip. The story follows Charlie Brown as he becomes discouraged by the commercialization of Christmas and searches for a more meaningful understanding of the holiday. It is distinguis...

A Garfield Christmas is an animated television special that aired on CBS on December 21, 1987. Based on Jim Davis's Garfield comic strip, the story follows Garfield, Odie, and Jon Arbuckle traveling to the Arbuckle family farm for Christmas. The special features the voice of Lorenzo Music as Garfiel...

A Christmas Story chronicles Ralphie Parker’s fervent desire for a Red Ryder BB gun during the 1940s. This classic comedy-drama explores childhood ambition and family dynamics with enduring warmth. The film resonates particularly with adults who experienced similar holiday traditions or those seekin...