When Is ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ On TV This Year?
What To Know
- This year, A Charlie Brown Christmas will not air on traditional TV and is available exclusively on Apple TV+.
- Non-subscribers can stream the special for free on Apple TV+ during a special window on December 13 and 14, 2025.
- The classic 1965 special remains beloved for its heartfelt message about the true meaning of Christmas and its iconic Vince Guaraldi jazz soundtrack.
The holidays are near, and it’s the perfect time to cozy up with a Christmas movie — and for many people, that means it’s time to rewatch 1965’s A Charlie Brown Christmas, snuggled up with the nostalgia for the Peanuts gang. This year, the beloved holiday special will not be airing on traditional television at all, due to a deal Apple+ made in 2020 to have exclusive rights to all Peanuts cartoons. Instead, it will be available exclusively on Apple TV+, where subscribers can stream it anytime, and non-subscribers can watch it free during a special window on December 13 and 14, 2025.
First released on December 9, 1965, A Charlie Brown Christmas was the first animated special based on Charles M. Schulz‘s Peanuts comic strip. It begins with poor Charlie Brown feeling down, despite the holiday cheer surrounding him. His friend Lucy encourages him to direct the neighborhood Christmas play, hoping it will lift his spirits. But even that turns frustrating when his friends cannot focus and Charlie Brown’s choice of a scrawny little tree earns ridicule from the group. It is only when Linus delivers his simple but powerful speech about the true meaning of Christmas that everyone’s hearts soften, and they come together to decorate the tiny tree after all.
Everett Collection
The half-hour special has become a timeless reflection on what Christmas is really about. Its sincerity and message of hope stand out even decades later, especially in an era of endless holiday marketing. The jazzy score by Vince Guaraldi, featuring “Linus and Lucy” and “Christmas Time Is Here,” adds to its nostalgic magic.
So if you are searching for A Charlie Brown Christmas on your TV listings this year, you will not find it there. Instead, head to Apple TV+ and mark your calendar for December 13 and 14, when everyone, subscriber or not, can stream this cozy classic for free for a 48 hour period, at any time. Tell us, will you be watching it this year?
Remind 
Home For The Holidays
November 2021
Celebrate the holidays with your favorite classic stars!
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