With the holiday season just around the corner, Apple TV+ is planning a family-friendly lineup that includes a first look at a new live-action animated hybrid special of The Velveteen Rabbit.
Along with the Apple Original rendition of the classic children’s book by Margery Williams, which debuts on November 22, the platform has a host of holiday-themed episodes from fan-favorite series. Starting December 1, Apple TV+ members can catch The Snoopy Show, Frog and Toad, and Shape Island. Apple finishes the festive marathon with a New Year’s Eve-themed episode of Sago Mini Friends on December 22.
For a limited time, those without an Apple TV+ subscription can watch It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown from Saturday, October 21, through Sunday, October 22. From November 18 to 19, A Charlie Brown Christmas will be available to nonmembers, followed by A Charlie Brown Christmas available on December 16 and 17.
To see the entire holiday collection, sign up for Apple TV+. Plans start at $6.99 a month, but those who recently activated a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, and other supported devices are eligible for three free months.
The entire Apple TV+ kids and family holiday schedule:
October 21-22: “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” streams for free
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.
November 18-19: “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” streams for free
Celebrating 50 years of 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.
November 22: “The Velveteen Rabbit”
When seven-year-old William receives a new favorite toy for Christmas, he discovers a lifelong friend and unlocks a world of magic. Produced by Magic Light Pictures, Phoenix Laroche (The Royal Nanny) stars as William, Alex Lawther (Andor) as the Velveteen Rabbit, Helena Bonham Carter (The Crown, Harry Potter) as Wise Horse, Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton) as Playroom Fairy, Bethany Antonia (House of Dragon) as Female Rabbit, Lois Chimimba (Still Up) as Car, Paterson Joseph (Vigil) as King, Clive Rowe (So Awkward) as Lion, Nathaniel Parker (The Inspector Lynley Mysteries) as Male Rabbit, Tilly Vosburgh (Inside Man) as Momo, and Samantha Colley (Genius) as Mother.
December 1: “Frog and Toad” Christmas Special
Frog and Toad look forward to spending the holiday together on Christmas Eve. When a last-minute errand delays Frog, Toad wonders if his best friend will make it home in time. This Apple TV+ original series is based on the books by Arnold Lobel. Starring Nat Faxon (Our Flag Means Death, The Connors) as Frog, and Kevin Michael Richardson (The Simpsons, Family Guy) as Toad, the cast rounds out with Ron Funches (Trolls), Fortune Feimster (Good Fortune), Cole Escola (At Home with Amy Sedaris), Aparna Nacheria (The Great North), John Hodgman (Up Here), Yvette Nichole Brown (Disenchanted), Stephen Tobolowsky (The Goldbergs), Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants), Selene Luna (Coco, Mayans M.C.), Margaret Cho (Fire Island), and Betsy Sodaro (Duncanville, Tiny Toons).
December 1: “The Snoopy Show” Christmas Special
Snoopy searches for the perfect tree topper in “Happiness is Holiday Traditions,” while Woodstock is trapped in a window display. The Snoopy Show is an Apple TV+ original series centering around the crafty beagle as he dives into new adventures with Woodstock and the rest of the Peanuts gang.
December 1: “Shape Island” Winter Special
This stop-motion series is based on the internationally bestselling trilogy Shapes, written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen. In “The Winter Blues,” a chilly season leaves Square feeling sad, so his friends Circle and Triangle cheer him up by founding a new holiday: Yeti Night. Shape Island features the voices of Gideon Adlon (Blockers), Scott Adsit (30 Rock), Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows), and Yvette Nicole Brown (Disenchanted).
December 16-17: “A Charlie Brown Christmas” streams for free
In an episode that has resonated with fans for decades, Charlie Brown is discouraged by the commercialism of Christmas and becomes the director of the group’s holiday play. He struggles to get his friends to stop dancing to practice, searches for the perfect tree, and discovers the true meaning of Christmas.
December 22: “Sago Mini Friends” New Year’s Eve SpecialIn the new holiday special “New Year’s Steve,” Harvey wishes to stay awake until midnight. Inspired by a helpful firefly, the friends embark on a scavenger hunt. The series focuses on gratitude and friendship and is produced by Jennifer Dodge (Paw Patrol), Ronnen Harary (PAW Patrol), Tone Thyne (Wonder Pets!), and Dustin Ferrer (Esme & Rory). Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, professor of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside, and expert in the science of happiness, serves as the gratitude expert on the series through Apple TV+’s changemakers initiative.