Apple TV Kicks Off the Holiday Season with a Festive Spread of Animated Favorites

Apple TV celebrates ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ with an expansive line-up of holiday programming for the whole family, including a festive flurry of new specials from Fraggle Rock and beloved Peanuts animated classics (streaming for free) as well as an array of live-action offerings. Viewers can also revisit festive Apple Originals like the BAFTA-winning The Velveteen Rabbit and the Academy Award-winning animation The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, plus seasonal installments from Frog and Toad, Shape Island and more.

The animated and puppetry highlights include:

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving — Free to Stream Sat., Nov. 15 – Sun., Nov. 16

Celebrating 50 years of this Peanuts classic, Peppermint Patty invites everyone to Charlie Brown’s for Thanksgiving, even though he’s going to see his grandmother. Snoopy decides to cook his own version of a Thanksgiving meal with help from his friends.

The First Snow of Fraggle Rock — Premieres Fri., Dec. 5

The Fraggles eagerly await the start of the holidays—but when only a single snowflake arrives and Gobo has writer’s block, the season is thrown off course. The special also features internet sensation Lele Pons in a cameo role including a musical performance alongside Gobo for “Our Melody.” A journey to Outer Space leads to unexpected musical inspiration, while back at the Gorgs’ castle, Junior is overwhelmed by the surprise arrival of a baby sister. Together, the Fraggles and Gorgs learn that the most meaningful moments aren’t perfect—they’re unique, like snowflakes.

From the Jim Henson Company, The First Snow of Fraggle Rock is executive produced by Lisa Henson, Halle Stanford, John Tartaglia, Matt Fusfeld, Alex Cuthbertson, Arnon Milchan and Yariv Milchan. Dave Goelz and Karen Prell co-executive produce. Harvey Mason Jr. serves as the executive music producer. The special is produced by Chris Plourde.

A Charlie Brown Christmas — Stream for Free Sat., Dec. 13 – Sun., Dec. 14

In this beloved Peanuts special, feeling down about the commercialism of Christmas, Charlie Brown becomes the director of the gang’s holiday play. Can he overcome his friends’ preference for dancing over acting, find the “perfect” tree and discover the true meaning of Christmas?

Now Streaming on Apple TV

The Velveteen Rabbit

Based on the treasured, classic children’s book by Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit celebrates the magic of unconditional love. When seven-year-old William receives a new favorite toy for Christmas, he discovers a lifelong friend and unlocks a world of magic.

The 40-minute special from Apple TV and produced by Magic Light Pictures introduces Phoenix Laroche (The Royal Nanny) starring as William alongside an all-star cast including the voices of Alex Lawther (Andor) as the Velveteen Rabbit, Helena Bonham Carter (The Crown) as Wise Horse, Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton) as Playroom Fairy, Bethany Antonia (House of Dragon) as Female Rabbit, Lois Chimimba (Still Up) as Car, Paterson Joseph (Vigil) as King, Clive Rowe (So Awkward) as Lion, Nathaniel Parker (The Inspector Lynley Mysteries) as Male Rabbit, Tilly Vosburgh (Inside Man) as Momo and Samantha Colley (Genius) as Mother.

Magic Light Pictures co-founder Martin Pope produces (Academy Award nominee The Gruffalo and BAFTA & International Emmy winning Revolting Rhymes) with a screenplay by Tom Bidwell, creator of the BAFTA- and International Emmy-nominated My Mad Fat Diary and the Oscar-nominated short Wish 143.

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

A story of kindness, friendship, courage and hope for viewers of all ages in a heart-warming, classically animated Academy Award-winning film based on Charlie Mackesy’s book. The poignant and heartfelt journey follows the unlikely friendship of a boy, a mole, a fox and a horse traveling together in the boy’s search for home.

The film, featuring Mackesy’s distinctive illustrations brought to life in full color with beautiful hand-drawn animation, stars BAFTA Award winner Tom Hollander (The Night Manager) as The Mole, Golden Globe and SAG Award winner Idris Elba (Luther) as The Fox, Golden Globe winner Gabriel Byrne (All Things Bright and Beautiful) as The Horse, and newcomer Jude Coward Nicoll as The Boy.

Matthew Freud presents a Charlie Mackesy film, produced by Emmy winner and Academy Award nominee Cara Speller (Love, Death + Robots; Pear Cider and Cigarettes; Rocket & Groot) of NoneMore Productions and Emmy winner J.J. Abrams and Hannah Minghella of Bad Robot Productions. Directed by Peter Baynton (The Tiger Who Came To Tea) and Charlie Mackesy, the film was adapted in collaboration with Jon Croker (Paddington 2). The film is executive produced by Jony Ive and Academy Award nominee Woody Harrelson. Original score by composer Isobel Waller-Bridge, performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra and conducted by Geoff Alexander.

Frog and Toad – Christmas Eve

In “Christmas Eve”, Frog and Toad are looking forward to spending the winter holiday together, but a last-minute errand into town sidetracks Frog, causing Toad to wonder if his best friend will make it home in time. An Apple TV original series based on the beloved book series by Arnold Lobel, Frog and Toad are not at all alike. Frog likes new adventures. Toad likes the comforts of home. Yet despite their differences, Frog and Toad are always there for each other — as best friends should be.

The voice cast includes Academy Award winner Nat Faxon (Our Flag Means Death) and Emmy nominee Kevin Michael Richardson (The Simpsons) as Frog and Toad, as well as appearances by Ron Funches (Trolls), Fortune Feimster (Good Fortune), Cole Escola (At Home with Amy Sedaris), Aparna Nancherla (The Great North), John Hodgman (Up Here), Yvette Nicole Brown (Disenchanted), Stephen Tobolowsky (The Goldbergs), Emmy nominee Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants), Selene Luna (Coco), Emmy nominee Margaret Cho (Fire Island) and Betsy Sodaro (Duncanville).

Shape Island – The Winter Blues

Shape Island, the acclaimed stop motion series for kids and families based on the internationally bestselling trilogy of Shapes picture books written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen, presents The Winter Blues: The chilly season leaves Square feeling sad, so Circle and Triangle try to cheer him up by creating a new holiday: Yeti Night.

The clever, funny and inspiring stop-motion animated series from Apple TV takes place on a charming island and invites viewers to join serious Square, intrepid Circle and tricky Triangle on their silly adventures as they dig up some fun, search for answers and build on their friendship — all while learning how to navigate each other’s differences. Shape Island shows kids that friendship can take many shapes.

The series features the voices of Gideon Adlon (Blockers), Scott Adsit (30 Rock), Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows) and Yvette Nicole Brown (Disenchanted). Shape Island was co-created by Barnett and Klassen, who serve as executive producers alongside Bix Pix Entertainment’s Emmy Award-winners Kelli Bixler and Drew Hodges. Ryan Pequin serves as co-executive producer and head writer.

The Snoopy Show – Happiness Is Holiday Traditions

In Happiness Is Holiday Traditions, Snoopy searches for the perfect tree topper; Woodstock gets trapped in a window display; and Snoopy and Woodstock visit Spike for Christmas.

An Apple TV original series from Peanuts and WildBrain, The Snoopy Show gives the world’s most iconic dog his close-up and dives into new adventures with the happy-dancing, high-flying, big-dreaming beagle, who’s joined by best friend Woodstock and the rest of the Peanuts gang.

Josh Scherba, Anne Loi, Stephanie Betts, Paige Braddock, Craig Schulz and Mark Evestaff serve as executive producers. Alex Galatis serves as executive story editor.

Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tales

Celebrate the merriest time of the year with the Peanuts gang. Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, and Sally each star in a collection of Christmastime tales from the original Peanuts comic strips.

The Snoopy Show – Happiness Is the Gift of Giving

In Happiness Is the Gift of Giving, Snoopy adapts a Christmas poem to help Sally sleep, Charlie Brown makes gifts for his pals, and Snoopy finds waiting to open his presents a challenge.

I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown

All Rerun wants from Santa is a dog, but his mother won’t let him have one. Spending time with Snoopy provides the perfect pick-me-up. But when Snoopy gets too busy to play with Rerun, they call in a substitute — Snoopy’s brother Spike.

It’s Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown

It’s Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown is a collection of Christmas-themed vignettes, including: Charlie Brown tries to sell wreaths; Peppermint Patty worries about her Christmas book report; Charlie Brown tries to buy gloves for Peggy Jean; and the gang is in a Christmas play, where Sally worries about her single line and Peppermint Patty plays a sheep.

It’s Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown is created and written by Charles M. Schulz. It is executive produced by Lee Mendelson, Bill Melendez serves as director and producer.

Sago Mini Friends – New Year’s Steve

In New Year’s Steve, Harvey makes a wish to stay awake until midnight when a firefly swoops in to help—and kickstarts a scavenger hunt for the whole crew. The series is an adorable nod to gratitude, featuring Harvey the floppy-eared dog and his best friends, Jinja the cat, Jack the rabbit, and Robin the bird. Along with a unique cast of residents as colorful as their own whimsical world, the four friends play, explore, imagine and celebrate daily in their joyful town of Sagoville. In each episode, Harvey and all his friends express their true thankfulness for all things, big and small, through optimism, kindness, preschool-friendly humor and unforgettable original songs! “

Sago Mini Friends is executive produced by Daytime Emmy nominees Jennifer Dodge (PAW Patrol), Ronnen Harary (PAW Patrol), Tone Thyne (Wonder Pets!) and Dustin Ferrer (Esme & Roy). Daytime Emmy nominees Laura Clunie (PAW Patrol) and Toni Stevens (PAW Patrol) serve as co-executive producers, with Chad Hicks (Kingdom Force) as series director. The series is produced by Daytime Emmy-nominated Spin Master Entertainment (PAW Patrol) and animated by 9 Story Media Group’s Emmy-winning studio Brown Bag Films. Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, distinguished professor of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside and expert in the science of happiness, serves as the gratitude expert on the series through Apple TV’s changemakers initiative.

Eva The Owlet Holiday Special – Eva’s Moon Wish

Eva the Owlet, the animated series based on the New York Times bestselling Scholastic book series Owl Diaries by award-winning author Rebecca Elliott, stars Eva, a creative, cheeky owlet who lives next door to her best friend Lucy in the woodland world of Treetopington. With big ideas and an even bigger personality, Eva goes on high-flying adventures, expressing herself in her diary along the way! In Eva’s Moon Wish, as Treetopington celebrates a special holiday, Eva helps a lost oriole look for his family — and learns the true meaning of community.

Produced by award-winning Scholastic Entertainment (Clifford the Big Red Dog) with production services and 4K animation by 9 Story Media Group’s Emmy-winning and Academy Award-nominated studio Brown Bag Films in Dublin and Bali (Doc McStuffins), Eva the Owlet voice talent includes Vivienne Rutherford (Eureka!) as Eva, Jessica DiCicco (The Loud House) as Eva’s mom, Dino Andrade (We Baby Bears) as Eva’s dad, and more.

Eva the Owlet is executive produced by Scholastic Entertainment’s Peabody and Daytime Emmy-winning team including Iole Lucchese, Caitlin Friedman and Jef Kaminsky. Head series writers and Daytime Emmy Award nominees Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor White serve as co-executive producers, and Daytime Emmy Award nominee Damien O’Connor serves as supervising director. The late Dr. John F. Evans, a writing clinician, National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach at Duke Integrative Medicine, and the Founder and Executive Director of Wellness & Writing Connections, LLC served as the expressive writing expert on the series through Apple TV’s changemakers initiative.

Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock – Night of the Lights

Jim Henson’s fun-loving and musical Fraggles — Gobo, Red, Wembley, Mokey, Boober and new Fraggle friends — star in a holiday special for all-new adventures about the magic that happens when we celebrate and care for our interconnected world.

It’s the Night of the Lights, the most Fraggily holiday of the year, and the Rock is filled with songs and cheer. When Jamdolin (voiced by Emmy nominee Daveed Diggs, Hamilton) encourages Wembley to make a special wish, the Fraggles head out on an adventure to find the brightest light and, maybe, the true meaning of the holiday.

Get Rolling with Otis – A Winter’s Cow Tale

In A Winter’s Cow Tale, it’s Christmas Day and Rosalie is due to have her baby. Daisy can’t wait to be a big sister, but she’s disappointed when she can’t decorate the tree with her mama. Otis rolls into action to help Daisy decorate the tree and when the snow builds up too high, he plows his way through the snow, so Daisy can meet her new baby sister.

Based on the popular books by New York Times best-selling author-illustrator Loren Long, this animated adventure series from 9 Story Media Group and Brown Bag Films welcomes young viewers to Long Hill Dairy Farm, home to Otis the Tractor (voiced by Griffin Robert Faulkner) and all his friends. Otis may be little, but he has a big heart. Whenever he sees a friend in need, he hits the brakes, asks how they’re feeling, and rolls into action to help! The series is executive produced by Vince Commisso, Wendy Harris, author Loren Long, Darragh O’Connell, Angela C. Santomero, and Jane Startz.

Interrupting Chicken – A Chicken Carol

In the holiday special, A Chicken Carol, Ebenezer Wolf decides to cancel the holidays so, Piper teams up with the Three Little Pigs and some ghostly friends to change his mind.

The animated preschool series Interrupting Chicken is based on the 2011 Caldecott Honor-winning book series written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein, and introduces children to the joy of storytelling — starting with a young little chicken named Piper who has a habit of interrupting story time! Every time Piper hears a story, she can’t help but jump in, ask questions and let her imagination run wild as she tries to fill in details, guess what happens next or insert herself in the middle of the action to help save the day.

In partnership with Mercury Filmworks, Interrupting Chicken is executive produced by Ron Holsey, David Ezra Stein, Loris Kramer Lunsford, Clint Eland and Chantal Ling, and stars the voice talents of Sterling K. Brown. Dr. Lucy Calkins serves as reading and writing expert through the Apple TV changemaker initiative.

Pretzel and the Puppies – Merry Muttgomery!

In Merry Muttgomery!, when a heavy snowfall jeopardizes the annual holiday festival, the pups find unique ways to celebrate with all the snowed-in dogs in the city.

Based on the beloved canine from the classic book Pretzel by award-winning authors Margret and H.A. Rey, creators of Curious George, the original series follows a modern dog family led by stay-at-home dad Pretzel, his five adorable Dachshund puppies, and mom Greta, the mayor of Muttgomery. Together, the Doxies are always sniffing out ways to “make their bark” on their doggie hometown and make it a better place for their four-legged friends and neighbors. Pretzel and Greta encourage their pups to try to solve their own problems, often reminding them to “Get those PAWS UP!” whenever they face a challenge.

Voice talent includes Mark Duplass, Nasim Pedrad and many more. Hailing from HarperCollins Productions and animated by House of Cool and Saturday Animation, the series is executive produced by Caroline Fraser, Ricardo Curtis, Wes Lui and Steve Altiere; Jennifer Contrucci co-executive produces. Dr. Tony Wagner serves as the play, passion, purpose expert through the Apple TV changemaker initiative.

Stillwater – The Way Home

In The Way Home, while helping Stillwater make treats to celebrate the winter solstice festival, the kids learn he plans to share some with a neighbor they’re wary of.

Recognized with a Peabody Award for excellence in storytelling and for work that encourages empathy, Stillwater is a beautiful and engaging series for kids and families. It highlights mindfulness and has charmed young viewers with its tales of friendship while providing kids with a new perspective on the world around them. The series centers on siblings Karl, Addy, and Michael, who encounter everyday challenges – big and small – which sometimes feel insurmountable. Fortunately for these three, they have Stillwater, a wise panda, as their next-door neighbor. Through his example, stories and gentle humor, Stillwater gives the children a deeper understanding of their feelings as well as tools that help them face their own day-to-day challenges.

Stillwater is based on the Scholastic book series Zen Shorts by Jon J Muth and is produced by Gaumont and Scholastic Entertainment. The series is executive produced by Sidonie Dumas, Christophe Riandee, Nicolas Atlan, Terry Kalagian, Iole Lucchese, Caitlin Friedman, Jef Kaminsky, and Rob Hoegee and features the voice talents of James Sie, Eva Ariel Binder, Tucker Chandler, and Judah Mackey.