Holiday TV schedule: New and old favorites

It's time to prepare for the annual onslaught of holiday visitors. What would the Thanksgiving-to-New Year's season be without a healthy serving of auld acquaintance?

You remember little Ralphie Parker. He's making the trip, his sights set on a certain Red Ryder BB gun. George Bailey is on his way from Bedford Falls, and he's bringing the family.

There will be new faces making the holiday scene, as well. They include everyone from John Goodman as Santa Claus to Jenny McCarthy as Santa's daughter. All in all, it will be quite a crowd.

Each year, television's parade of holiday fare gets longer and more packed. So we've made a list and checked it more than twice. It's a long list, yet by no means complete. To name every holiday program airing over the next six weeks, we'd need more room than there is in Santa's magic bag. But if you're dreaming of "White Christmas" or hoping for a "Miracle on 34th Street," you'll find them in this merry mix.

What's new

"Home for the Holidays" (8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, CBS) — The special blending performances and stories about adoption features Five for Fighting, John Legend, Katharine McPhee, Cedric the Entertainer, Miley Cyrus, Laura Dern and more.

"Holiday Wishes" (9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24, Lifetime) — Amber Benson is a party planner who helps a spoiled girl discover the meaning of Christmas.

"Home for Christmas" (9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24, Lifetime) — Linda Hamilton is a divorced woman trying to patch her life back together.

"Live from Lincoln Center: New Year's Eve with Audra McDonald and the New York Philharmonic" (Sunday, Dec. 31, PBS; check local listings) — The Tony-winning actress presents an evening of Broadway tunes.

"Great Performances: Garrison Keillor's New Year's Eve Special" (10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, PBS; check local listings) — Keillor hosts the live "Prairie Home Companion" special from Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.

"Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" (10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, ABC) — Ryan Seacrest joins Clark for the festivities.

"NBC's New Year's Eve with Carson Daly" (11:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, NBC) — Daly is back for a third year.

Old favorites

"A Chanukah Celebration" (9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, PBS; check local listings) — Fran Drescher hosts this holiday special.

"Eloise at Christmastime" (8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, ABC Family) — It's Christmas at the Plaza Hotel in this TV movie based on the children's books. Julie Andrews stars.

"Christmas Marathon" (6 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 24, The Disney Channel) — The 24-hour marathon includes encore showings of holiday-themed episodes and Christmas movies.

"34th on the 24th" (Noon Sunday, Dec. 24, AMC) — "Miracle on 34th Street" will be shown eight times, alternating between the black-and-white and colorized versions.

"Christmas Marathon" (Noon Sunday, Dec. 24, ABC Family) — The 12-hour marathon includes 15 Rankin/Bass holiday favorites.

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24, TBS) — Boris Karloff narrates the original animated special.

"A Christmas Story" (8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24, TBS) — The annual 24-hour marathon of the holiday gem.

"A Christmas Carol" (6:15 a.m. Monday, Dec. 25, TCM) — The 1938 version with Reginald Owen.