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The Paley Center's must-see holiday extravaganza fills five floors of the Paley with holiday fun and winter wonderland magic. Enjoy free hot chocolate, watch past and present holiday family specials on the big screen, discover the magic of a classic model railroad display, and so much more.
The holiday spirit bubbles up during screenings of family classics, like :
12:30pm - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
The stop-motion Arthur Rankin and Jules Bass–produced special follows the story of Rudolph on the night he saved Christmas. (1964; NBC)
1:20pm - Frosty the Snowman
Inspired by the holiday tune “Frosty the Snowman,” this classic animated Arthur Rankin and Jules Bass special follows the Snowman after he’s brought to life the day before Christmas. (1969; CBS)
1:45pm - A Charlie Brown Christmas
Charlie Brown learns the true meaning of Christmas with a little help from the Peanuts gang. (1965; CBS)
2:10pm- A Rugrats Chanukah
In the first Chanukah special in a children’s series, the characters of Rugrats transport themselves into the story of Judah and the history behind the Jewish holiday. (1996; Nickelodeon)
2:35pm - Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Looney Tunes alum Chuck Jones animates this classic Dr. Seuss story narrated by actor Boris Karloff. (1966; CBS)
3pm - Mister Magoo’s Christmas Carol The first animated Christmas special follows Mister Magoo in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in a Broadway production of “A Christmas Carol” featuring the music of Jule Styne. (1962; NBC)
3:55pm - Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
This stop motion Arthur Rankin and Jules Bass classic narrated by Fred Astaire explores the origins of Santa Claus. (1970; ABC)
4:45pm - Mickey Saves Christmas
Mickey Saves Christmas is a stop-motion holiday special that follows Mickey, Minnie and their pals as they discover the true meaning of Christmas. (2022; Disney+)
5:15 pm - Firebuds: Hanukkah Hullabaloo, The Christmas Car-Sled Race
Bo gets into the holiday spirit in these two episodes of the new Disney+ series, Firebuds. (2022; Disney+)
Non-traditional (but very cool) screenings include:
12:10pm and 4:50pm - Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special
Reubens’s prime-time Christmas special (which he also directed and cowrote) featured Playhouse regulars like Cowboy Curtis (Laurence Fishburne) and Reba the Mail Lady (S. Epatha Merkerson), and well as cameos from Whoopi Goldberg, Magic Johnson, Cher, Little Richard, Grace Jones (who sings “Little Drummer Boy”), and Oprah Winfrey—among many others.
1:40pm - The Star Wars Holiday Special
Perhaps the most notorious holiday special of all time, The Star Wars Holiday Special was broadcast just once: on November 17, 1978. It has been the stuff of legend ever since, with Star Wars fans trading bootleg copies and scratching their heads over the bizarre combination of Star Wars cast members Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher—in a story line featuring Chewbacca and Han Solo’s attempt to visit the Wookiee home planet to celebrate “Life Day,” with the Empire fast on their heels—with variety show performances from Bea Arthur, Diahann Carroll and Jefferson Starship. The program, which George Lucas has never allowed to be legally available, also features the franchise’s very first appearance of Boba Fett, who appears in an animated segment, "The Faithful Wookiee.”
Santa and Rudolph are in the house for photos and meet-and-greets, too!
Reserve tickets online in advance.
** Activity dates/times are subject to change. Please click through to the activity website to verify.