TV schedule is full of holiday spirit

The holidays are here, and TV is aglow with seasonal programming.

Frosty the Snowman will be back. So will Charlie Brown and the Grinch and, of course, Santa, along with some new shows that may join the list of traditional favorites.

The roster of holiday specials is longer than a cash register line on Black Friday, so we can't list them all. Keep in mind, too, that times are subject to change and many of these programs are repeated several times. Here are some of the highlights:

Boscov's Thanksgiving Day Parade

(8:30 a.m., 6ABC): Philadelphia, Dave Roberts and Cecily Tynan welcome Santa.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

(9 a.m., NBC10):

Today

hosts Meredith Vieira, Matt Lauer and Al Roker cover the New York parade.

Miracle on 34th Street

(2 p.m., NBC10): A Macy's Santa named Kris Kringle tries to convinced a disillusioned little girl that he is the real Santa in this 1947 gem.

The Christmas Visitor

(7 p.m., Hall mark): An unexpected visitor helps grieving parents remember the joys of Christmas.

White Christmas

(8 p.m., ABC Family): Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney try to save a country inn.

Elf

(9 p.m., USA): A man raised as an elf at the North Pole searches for his true identity in New York. Will Ferrell, James Caan and Mary Steenburgen star.

A Season for Miracles

(9 p.m., Hallmark): An angel helps a homeless family. Patty Duke and Laura Dern star.

The Christmas Card

(7 p.m., Hallmark): A soldier home from Afghanistan searches for the person who sent him a Christmas card addressed simply to "a member of the U.S. Army."

The Nativity Story

(8 p.m., HBO): Mary and Joseph are real human beings, not fresco icons in this simply told story of Jesus' birth. TV premiere of a movie that was in theaters last year.

A Grandpa for Christmas

(9 p.m., Hallmark): An octogenarian takes the granddaughter he has never met under his wing after her mother is hospitalized

Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus

(5 p.m., Hallmark): Santa's heir has to find a wife.

Meet the Santas

(7 p.m., Hallmark): The sequel to

Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus

.

A Christmas Story

(8 p.m., TNT): A boy in the 1940s Midwest badly wants a Red Ryder BB rifle for Christmas in this tale from 1983. Darren McGavin stars.

A Boyfriend for Christmas

(9 p.m., Hallmark): A young girl tells Santa that she wants a boyfriend for Christmas.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

(8 p.m., 6ABC ): The 1965 Peanuts classic tells the story of Charlie Brown and the scrawny little tree that the gang makes into something beautiful.

The Christmas Gift

(9 p.m., Hallmark): A family learns the meaning of Christmas in an unexpected place.

Christmas in Rockefeller Center

(8 p.m., NBC10): Al Roker hosts the 75th annual tree lighting from Rockefeller Center, with performances by Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Taylor Swift, Ashley Tisdale and Carrie Underwood.

Shrek the Halls

(8 p.m., 6ABC): It's not easy being an ogre at Christmas.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

(8:30 p.m., 6ABC): The cartoon version of the Dr. Seuss story, narrated by Boris Karloff.

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular

(8 p.m., NBC10): A one-hour special from Radio City Music Hall, hosted by Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira.

All I Want for Christmas

(9 p.m., Hallmark): A 9-year-old boy tries to help his widowed mother find a new husband.

Holiday Switch

(9 p.m., Lifetime): As an unhappy Christmas approaches, a woman wonders if she married the wrong guy.

The Spirit of Christmas

(7:25 p.m., WHYY TV12): Marionettes dramatize "'Twas The Night Before Christmas" and the Nativity story in a vintage production from the 1950s.

Rudolph's Shiny New Year

(7 p.m., ABC Family): The red-nosed reindeer looks for the baby New Year.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

(8 p.m., 6ABC ): The 1965 Peanuts classic again.

Santa's Funniest Moments

(8 p.m., MYPHL17): Erik Estrada and Laura McKenzie host this look at Christmas bloopers.

Holidaze: The Christmas That Almost Didn't Happen

(9 p.m., MPHL17): Rusty Reindeer joins a support group for depressed holiday icons in search of the true meaning of Christmas.

The Year Without a Santa Claus

(8 p.m., ABC Family): Santa takes a Christmas off.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys

(9 p.m., ABC Family): The Evil Toy Taker takes Santa's toys.

Nestor, the Long-eared Christmas Donkey

(7:30 p.m., ABC Family) Back in the days of the Roman Empire, a donkey gets in trouble because he has big ears.

Snow

(7 p.m., ABC Family): A new Santa takes over the family business.

Christmas Glory: In the Key of Love

(8 p.m., MYPHL17): Marvin Winans hosts an hour of jazzy holiday tunes from the likes of Al Jarreau and Wynton Marsalis.

Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer

(8 p.m., CBS3): The longest running holiday special in television history celebrates its 43d anniversary. Burl Ives narrates.

Santa Baby

(9 p.m., ABC Family): Santa's daughter, a hard-charging businesswoman, comes home to take over when Dad gets sick.

Christmas at the Cathedral

(9 p.m., MYPHL17): Comedian George Wallace hosts this celebration of Christmas through music with gospel artists, including Mary Mary, Smokie Norful, Martha Muzinni and Tye Tribett.

Northern Lights: An Evening with Sissel and Friends

(10:45 p.m., WHYY TV12): Norwegian vocalist Sissel and renowned tenor Jose Carreras perform holiday-inspired music in Norway.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

(7 p.m., ABC Family): A mouse's nasty letter to Santa has dire consequences for mice and humans.

The Story of the First Christmas Snow

(7:30 p.m., ABC Family): A blind shepherd boy portrays an angel in a Christmas play. Narrated by Angela Lansbury.

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

(8 p.m., ABC Family Channel): A boy wages war against Santa for kissing his mom.

A Carol Christmas

(Hallmark, 9 p.m.): A hard-driving talk-show host gets an unexpected visit from the three ghosts of Christmas.

Once Upon a Christmas

(7 p.m., ABC Family) – Santa's daughter faces a challenge.

Twice Upon a Christmas

(8 p.m., ABC Family) – Santa's daughter fields a marriage proposal.

Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town

(7 p.m., ABC Family): Fred Astaire narrates the classic cartoon about Kris Kringle (given voice by Mickey Rooney).

Frosty the Snowman

(8 p.m., CBS3): Jackie Vernon gives voice to the living snow sculpture. Jimmy Durante narrates.

The Polar Express

(8 p.m., ABC Family) – All aboard for the North Pole, with conductor Tom Hanks.

Frosty Returns

(8:30 p.m., CBS3): The magic is still in the old silk hat as Frosty comes back for more winter fun.

Toy Test

(7:30 p.m., CW57): Ukee Washington, Liz Keptner and Jim Donovan host a look at the hottest toys of the season

The Lawrence Welk Show: Christmas Reunion

(7 p.m., WHYY): A one and a two and a . . . holiday show from Welk and his Champagne music-makers.

Santa Clause 2

(7 p.m., ABC Family): Tim Allen returns as Santa.

The Three Tenors Christmas

(8 p.m., WHYY TV12): Pavarotti, Carrera and Domingo capture the holiday spirit.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

(9 p.m., 6ABC): Live-action film version of the Dr. Seuss tale, starring Jim Carrey.

Holiday in Handcuffs

(8 p.m., ABC Family): A young woman has a breakdown and kidnaps a guy to take home to her parents at Christmas. Melissa Joan Hart and Mario Lopez star.

Rugrats Hanukkah Special

(4 p.m., Nickelodeon): The Rugrats have their own pint-size understanding of the the Festival of Lights.

I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!

(8 p.m., 6 ABC): ReRun wants a dog of his own. Will it be Snoopy's brother, Spike?

Live from Lincoln Center: Red Hot Holiday Stomp

(9 p.m., WHYY TV12): Tumpeter Wynton Marsalis and special guests ring in the season with music and storytelling Big Easy-style.

Jack Frost

(7 p.m., ABC Family) A groundhog tells how Jack Frost once took human form.

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

(10 p.m., ABC Family): Santa Claus becomes immortal.

Frosty's Winter Wonderland

(7 p.m., ABC Family): Kids try to make a wife for Frosty, featuring the voices of Andy Griffith and Shelley Winters.

The Little Drummer Boy

(7 p.m., ABC Family): A bitter young drummer learns a lesson from the three wise men.

Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too!

(7:30 p.m., 6ABC): Pooh loses the gang's letter to Santa and tries to stand in for St. Nick in this Emmy winner from 1992.

The Little Drummer Boy Book II

(7:30 p.m., ABC Family): The drummer boy tries to save some silver bells from Roman soldiers.

It's a Wonderful Life

(8 p.m., NBC10) George Bailey finds out again that his life really does have meaning as the great Frank Capra movie returns.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

(8 p.m., ABC Family): Live-action film version of the Dr. Seuss tale, starring Jim Carrey.

Christmas in Washington

(10 p.m., TNT) – Ne-Yo, Vanessa Hudgens, Alan Jackson, Andrea Bocelli, Colbie Caillat, Heather Headley and Katharine McPhee perform.

Snowglobe

(8 p.m., ABC Family): A mystical Snowglobe helps a young woman (Christina Milian) find her perfect Christmas.

Christmas in Paradise

(9 p.m., Lifetime) A visitor from the past shatters the holiday vacation of two families.

White House Christmas 2007

(8:30 p.m., HGTV): A holiday tour of the Executive Mansion.

Pinocchio's Christmas

(7 p.m., ABC Family) – The wooden boy gets into trouble on his first Christmas.

Jingle All the Way

(8 p.m., ABC Family) – Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as a father who makes the mistake of promising his son anything he wants for Christmas.

Olive the Other Reindeer

(8 p.m., MYPHL17) – From Matt Groening, the story of Olive the dog stepping in when a reindeer breaks a leg.

Celebrating the Season

(7 p.m., CBS3) – Larry Mendte and Alycia Lane host host a look at the Philadelphia area's most popular holiday persons, places and things.

The Nutcracker with Mikhail Baryshnikov

(7:30 p.m., WHYY TV12): Clara (Gelsey Kirkland) and her Nutcracker/Prince (Baryshnikov), in a performance filmed at the height of their careers, dance through an enchanted land in the great Tchaikovsky ballet.

The Santa Clause

(8 p.m., Disney): A man who inadvertently kills Santa has to take over as the new St. Nick. Tim Allen stars.

Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Featuring Sissel

(9 p.m., WHYY TV12) The celebrated choir and the Norwegian singer join voices in a holiday performance.

Christmas at St. Olaf: Where Peace and Love and Hope Abide

(10 p.m., WHYY TV12): The choirs and orchestra of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., perform.

Silent Night

: (9 p.m., Hallmark): Injured American soldiers find themselves in a German cabin sharing Christmas with enemies.

9th Annual at Home for the Holidays, with Sheryl Crow

(8 p.m., CBS3) – Inspirational stories about adoption, with performances by James Blunt, Carol King, Reba McEntire and others.

Elf

(8 p.m., CBS3): A man raised as an elf at the North Pole searches for his true identity in New York. Will Ferrell, James Caan and Mary Steenburgen star.

Elmo's Christmas Countdown

(7 p.m., 6ABC): Little Elmo has to find 10 numbered boxes so everyone can count down to Christmas.

The Story of Santa Claus

(8 p.m., CW57): A heartless landlord evicts a toymaker and his wife. Ed Asner, Betty White and Tim Curry provide the voices in this animated special.

Nature: "'Christmas in Yellowstone"

(8 p.m., WHYY TV12): The great national park is a winter wonderland. (Repeats Dec. 26, 1 a.m.)

Christmas in Connecticut

(8 p.m., TCM): A magazine writer has to entertain a veteran and her boss for Christmas in this 1945 film starring Barbara Stanwyck.

It's a Wonderful Life

(8 p.m., NBC10): One more time around for James Stewart as the despairing George Bailey in this classic.

Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade 2007

(10.m., 6ABC): Hosted by Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa at Disney World and Ryan Seacrest at Disneyland.

Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas

(8:15 p.m., Disney): Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Daisy and Pluto recall Christmases past.