Tim Allen in “The Santa Clause” (1994). | Walt Disney Pictures

For many, the Christmas season doesn’t start until after Thanksgiving, and for others, it kicks off after Halloween. No matter how you countdown, Freeform is ready to help you celebrate with their annual Kickoff to Christmas holiday programming slate …which officially kicks off on November 1st!

The network, known for their 25 Days of Christmas event, will be pregaming all of November with family favorites, festive episodes of your go-to shows, a few Christmas classics — including ALL THREE films in Tim Allen’s “The Santa Clause” series, an original Thanksgiving-themed film, “Turkey Drop”, and the premiere of the new holiday gift-wrapping reality competition, “Wrap Battle”.

Check out the full 2019 Kickoff to Christmas schedule below!

Will Ferrell in “Elf” (2003). | Photo: New Line Cinema

It may be only October 2nd, but SANTA’S COMING! Are you ready for the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER?

AMC Networks has announced the return of their holiday season programming event, which has been dubbed ‘Best Christmas Ever’. The network debuted the lineup last year and, safe to say, it was a hit with viewers so, beginning Monday, November 25 through Christmas Day, you can look forward to festive programming including holiday-themed movies, specials and family favorite films across all of AMC Networks* — more than 700 hours worth!

“We are delighted for the return of ‘Best Christmas Ever,’ which quickly resonated with viewers last year and has become a new holiday tradition in celebration of the season as we showcase 31 days and nights of Christmas movies and specials all-month long,” Tom Halleen, executive vice president of programming strategy, acquisitions and scheduling for AMC Networks, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to extend our largest ever holiday slate to all five of our networks so that viewers can easily access their favorite holiday movies all-month long.”

Among the lineup will be Christmas favorites, such as: Elf, The Polar Express, Christmas with the Kranks, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Miracle on 34th Street (1994), Four Christmases, and tons more — check out the list below and WATCH A TEASER HERE!

Happy October!  There are exciting weeks ahead of us! There’s a lot happening this month — whether you observe Yom Kippur, Thanksgiving in Canada and/or Halloween or Día de Muertos, I’m sure your month will be filled with lots of celebration. I have many family birthdays in October to get ready for and, of course… THE CHRISTMAS MOVIES START!!

That’s right, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and Lifetime will all begin their holiday programming on October 25th – can you believe the time has already come!?

Like I said, there is A LOT going on in October but, I’m excited.

I hope you all have a healthy, safe, festive, and fun month!

Stay merry!

Photos: Epic

A few weeks ago, there was speculation that Mariah Carey would be releasing new holiday music to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her iconic album, 1994’s Merry Christmas. While it turns out that a new record out this holiday season, there will be a special edition version of the fan-favorite featuring bonus tracks — including a brand-new, festive rendition of the “Sugar Plum Fairy”!

Additionally, Mariah will be embarking on the All I Want For Christmas Is You Tour presented by Hallmark Channel and produced by Live Nation. This limited engagement concert tour will be coming to select cities across the U.S. this winter following a slate of dates at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, which I mentioned in my post over the summer.

To celebrate the 25 Days of Christmas holiday programming that is spanning across the ABC, Freeform and Disney Channel networks, Reba McEntire is returning as host again this year for the annual “CMA Country Christmas” special!

The iconic entertainer will also perform on the beloved 2-hour holiday event, which will also feature performances from top country acts and legendary favorites, including:

Photo: Archie Music

If you’re like me and can’t wait for David Archuleta to release his brand new Christmas album, Winter in the Air, you’ll be happy to know he dropped the official music video for the first single, “Christmas Every Day”! Check out the video, which was directed by Dusty Barker, below.

Winter in the Air will be available on November 2nd!

Stay merry!

Photo: We The Kings

We’ll be ‘rockin’ around the Christmas tree this year thanks to We The Kings!

The American rock band who hit the music scene back in 2007 with their single, “Check Yes Juliet” has released several albums in the last decade, but now WTK is ready to spread some holiday cheer with their first Christmas record, Season’s Greetings From The Sandbar.

The album will feature two original songs (“There Is a Light”, “One People”) as well as eight holiday classics. The band collaborates with Elena Coats on “Baby It’s Cold Outside”, Anna Maria Island on their rendition of “Silent Night” and indie pop musician, Frankie, lends her vocals for “Jingle Bells”.

In a sea of songs centered around the chilly holiday season on most traditional holiday records, the band wanted to create something that Christmas lovers in warmer climates could relate to.

Pictured: (l-r) Chrissy Teigen, John Legend — (Photo by: F. Scott Schafer/Columbia Records/NBC)

John Legend is following in the festive footsteps of Michael Bublé, Pentatonix and Gwen Stefani …he’s getting his own NBC Christmas special!

The network announced today that the recent EGOT winner and his wife, Chrissy Teigen (model, author of “Cravings by Chrissy Teigen” and co-host of “Lip Sync Battle”) would be getting us into the holiday spirit this season with NBC’s “A Legendary Christmas with John and Chrissy”.

In the hour-long special, Legend will perform songs from his upcoming Christmas album, “A Legendary Christmas,” as the beloved duo is joined by friends and family, as well as other well-known personalities who will be announced at a later date.

“A Legendary Christmas with John and Chrissy” airs Wednesday, November 28 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

 
Stay merry!

Photo/Screencaps: Crown Media

As Christmas music and a crackling fire set the mood, Kellie Pickler took on hosting duties once more as she hosted Hallmark Channel’s “2018 Countdown to Christmas Preview Special” over the weekend.

Both Kellie and Lacey Chabert gave us sneak peeks over the past few months as they hosted separate preview specials for the network, but with the slate of highly-anticipated holiday programming kicking off THIS FRIDAY, I think it’s safe to say this hour-long special was the final step in our journey on the Countdown to Christmas! I’m so excited–is it Friday yet?!

As with my previous recaps, I’ve included the scoop on the movies spotlighted during the special.

L-R: Adelaide Kane & Jonathan Bennett | Photos: IMDb

A few weeks ago it was revealed that, real-life couple, Carlos and Alexa PenaVega would be returning to the Hallmark Channel for new Christmas movies, however–unlike last year, they would lead separate films. We got a few details about each film, but Entertainment Tonight has officially confirmed each of their co-stars!

Jonathan Bennett, known for his role “Mean Girls”, will star opposite Alexa in “Christmas Made to Order”, which premieres Sunday, Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Synopsis: When architect and Christmas amateur Steven (Bennett) finds himself hosting his family for Christmas, he recruits holiday coordinator Gretchen (PenaVega) to bring holiday joy to his home. Gretchen’s expert Christmas spirit brings Steven’s family together, but neither expected it to bring them closer to each other. After a great opportunity presents itself to Gretchen, she and Steven must decide what’s really important in life.

Carlos has found his leading partner for “A Midnight Kiss” with Adelaine Kane, former star of the CW’s “Reign”. Their New Year’s Eve-themed film will premiere Saturday, Dec. 29 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.