Iconic ‘Peanuts’ and Apple Original series specials set to stream include selected classics that will be free for non-subscribers.
Apple TV+ is ready to help kids and families trick or treat, give thanks, and spread holiday cheer with a joyous lineup of new special episodes of Apple Original series along with the streaming debut of classic holiday Peanuts specials.
New festive programming of beloved series includes the Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock “Night of the Lights” holiday special and Sago Mini Friends “Thanksgiving” special premiering on Friday, November 18, and holiday specials from Interrupting Chicken, Pretzel and the Puppies, and The Snoopy Show, all debuting on Friday, December 2. Two classic Peanuts holiday specials from Mendelson/Melendez Productions and Peanuts Worldwide, I Want a Dog for Christmas and Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tales, will be added December 2.
Apple TV+ will also provide special free windows for non-subscribers to stream the Peanuts iconic holiday specials It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown available October 28 through October 31; A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving available November 23 through November 27; and A Charlie Brown Christmas available December 22 through December 25. These specials are available to subscribers now.
The full line-up for Apple TV+ kids and family holiday fare is as follows:
It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Costumes, candy, this classic special - some things just scream Halloween. Join the Peanuts gang for a timeless adventure as Charlie Brown preps for a party, Snoopy sets his sights on the Red Baron, and Linus patiently awaits a pumpkin patch miracle.
Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock “Night of the Lights” Holiday Special
It’s the Night of the Lights, the most Fraggily holiday of the year, and the Rock is filled with songs and cheer. When Jamdolin, voiced by Emmy Award-nominee Daveed Diggs, (Hamilton) encourages Wembley to make a special wish, the Fraggle head out on an adventure to find the brightest light and, maybe, the true meaning of the holiday. Jim Henson’s fun-loving and musical Fraggles - Gobo, Red, Wembley, Mokey, Boober, and new Fraggle friends - have returned for all new adventures about the magic that happens when we celebrate and care for our interconnected world. From The Jim Henson Company, the series is executive produced by Lisa Henson, Halle Stanford, John Tartaglia, Matt Fusfeld, and Alex Cuthbertson; Dave Goelz and Karen Prell co-executive produce; Harvey Mason Jr. is the executive music producer. The special is produced by Ritamarie Peruggi.
Sago Mini Friends “Thanksgiving Special”
In “Happy Thankful Day,” while preparing for a special Sagoville festival, Harvey and Robin accidentally end up in Loomington - a town without gratitude. Based on the award-winning Sago Mini World app, developed by Sago Mini, the Sago Mini Friends series is an adorable nod to gratitude, featuring Harvey the floppy- eared dog and his best friends, Jinja the cat, Jack the rabbit, and Robin the bird. Along with a unique cast of residents as colorful as their own whimsical world, the four friends play, explore, imagine, and celebrate daily in their joyful town of Sagoville. In each episode, Harvey and all his friends express their true thankfulness for all things, big and small, through optimism, kindness, preschool-friendly humor and unforgettable original songs! Produced by Spin Master Entertainment, animated by 9 Story Media Group’s Brown Bag Films – Toronto, the animated preschool series is executive produced by Jennifer Dodge, Ronnen Harary, Tone Thyne, Dustin Ferrer, Laura Clunie and Toni Stevens, with Chad Hicks as series director. Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky serves as the gratitude expert on the series through Apple TV+’s changemakers initiative.
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
In this Peanuts classic, Peppermint Patty invites everyone to Charlie Brown's for Thanksgiving, even though he's going to see his grandmother. Snoopy decides to cook his own version of a Thanksgiving meal with help from his friends.
Interrupting Chicken “A Chicken Carol” Holiday Special
In the holiday special “A Chicken Carol,” Ebenezer Wolf decides to cancel the holidays so, Piper teams up with the Three Little Pigs and some ghostly friends to change his mind. This animated preschool series, based on Interrupting Chicken, the 2011 Caldecott Honor-winning book series written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein, introduces children to the joy of storytelling - starting with a young little chicken named Piper who has a habit of interrupting storytime! Every time Piper hears a story, she can’t help but jump in, ask questions and let her imagination run wild as she tries to fill in details, guess what happens next or insert herself in the middle of the action to help save the day. In partnership with Mercury Filmworks, Interrupting Chicken is executive produced by Ron Holsey, David Ezra Stein, Loris Kramer Lunsford, Clint Eland, and Chantal Ling, and stars the voice talents of Sterling K. Brown. Dr. Lucy Calkins serves as reading and writing expert through the Apple TV+ changemaker initiative.
Pretzel and the Puppies “Merry Muttgomery!” Holiday Special
In “Merry Muttgomery!” when a heavy snowfall jeopardizes the annual holiday festival, the pups find unique ways to celebrate with all the snowed-in dogs in the city. Based on the beloved canine from the classic book “Pretzel” by Curious George creators Margret and H.A. Rey, the original series follows a modern dog family led by stay-at-home dad Pretzel, his five adorable Dachshund puppies, and mom Greta, the mayor of Muttgomery. Together, the Doxies are always sniffing out ways to “make their bark” on their doggie hometown and make it a better place for their four-legged friends and neighbors. Pretzel and Greta encourage their pups to try to solve their own problems, often reminding them to “Get those PAWS UP!” whenever they face a challenge. Voice talent includes Mark Duplass and Nasim Pedrad among others. Hailing from HarperCollins Productions and animated by House of Cool and Saturday Animation, the series is executive produced by Caroline Fraser, Ricardo Curtis, Wes Lui, and Steve Altiere; Jennifer Contrucci co-executive produces. Dr. Tony Wagner serves as the play, passion, purpose expert through the Apple TV+ changemaker initiative.
The Snoopy Show “Happiness Is the Gift of Giving” Holiday Collection
In “Happiness Is the Gift of Giving,” Snoopy adapts a Christmas poem to help Sally sleep, Charlie Brown makes gifts for his pals, and Snoopy finds waiting to open his presents a challenge. An Apple TV+ original series from Peanuts and WildBrain, The Snoopy Show gives the iconic dog his close-up and dives into new adventures with the happy-dancing, high-flying, big-dreaming beagle, who’s joined by best friend Woodstock and the rest of the Peanuts gang. Josh Scherba, Anne Loi, Stephanie Betts, Paige Braddock, Craig Schulz, and Mark Evestaff serve as executive producers. Alex Galatis serves as story editor.
I Want a Dog for Christmas
All Rerun wants from Santa is a dog, but his mother won’t let him have one. Spending time with Snoopy provides the perfect pick-me-up. But when Snoopy gets too busy to play with Rerun, they call in a substitute—Snoopy’s brother Spike.
Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tales
Celebrate the merriest time of the year with the Peanuts gang. Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, and Sally each star in a collection of Christmastime tales from the original “Peanuts” comic strips.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
In this beloved Peanuts special, feeling down about the commercialism of Christmas, Charlie Brown becomes the director of the gang's holiday play. Can he overcome his friends’ preference for dancing over acting, find the “perfect” tree, and discover the true meaning of Christmas?
Additionally, the animated short film The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, based on Charlie Mackesy’s award-winning book of the same name, will arrive on Apple TV+ Christmas Day.
Source: Apple TV+
Whitney is a freelance writer focusing on VFX-driven fantasy film & TV as well as preschool animation.
