The Ultimate CET & ThinkTV Holiday Programming Guide

Need a break from your Hallmark-movie marathon? We have some great holiday specials coming up the whole family can enjoy! From exploring Christmas traditions around the world with Luna to celebrating the music of the holidays, we know you’ll find something to love. Plus, we’ve put together a quick list of activities, games and recipes too! Check it out below:

*NOT ALL SHOWTIMES ARE LISTED BELOW. PLEASE VISIT https://thinktv.org/schedule/ OR http://cetconnect.org/schedule/ TO VIEW THE ENTIRE SCHEDULE.

Kids Programming:

Wild Kratts: A Creature Christmas
Friday, December 4, at 7am and 5pm on CET and Think^TV16
Tuesday, December 15, at 7:30am on CET and Think^TV16
Thursday, December 24, at 7am, 8am, and 4pm on CET and Think^TV16
Friday, December 25, at 7am, 8am, and 4pm on CET and Think^TV16

The Wild Kratts are celebrating their annual Christmas party, when they receive alerts that Zach Varmitech, Donita Donata, and Gourmand are capturing infant animals from all over the world. Check on the Wild Kratts’ site to view their interactive holiday calendar!

Nature Cat: A Nature Carol
Friday, December 4, at 8am on CET and Think^TV16
Friday, December 18, at 3:30pm on CET and Think^TV16
Thursday, December 24 and Friday, December 25 at 3pm on CET and Think^TV16

In the tradition of the Dickens holiday classic, Nature Cat is visited by the spirits of Nature Past (Daisy), Present (Squeeks) and Future (Hal) on Christmas Eve. Check out the Nature Cat site for more activities.

Let’s Go Luna!  Luna’s Christmas Around The World
Monday, December 7, at 12pm on CET and Think^TV16
Thursday, December 24 and Friday, December 25 at 9am on CET and Think^TV16

When the Circo gets stuck at the South Pole on Christmas eve, Leo, Andy, and Carmen are convinced that Santa will never find them. With the help of their friend Luna, the kids endeavor to save Christmas, learning about holiday traditions from around the world along the way. Find more activities on the Let’s Go Luna! site.

Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About Christmas
Friday, December 4, at 11am on CET and Think^TV16
Monday, December 14, at 5:30pm on CET and Think^TV16
Thursday December 24 at 10am and 5pm on CET and Think^TV16
Friday, December 25, at 10 and 5pm on CET and Think^TV16

This adventure finds the Cat in the Hat, Nick and Sally on a journey around the world to help a lost reindeer find his way home to Freezeyourknees Snowland in time for Christmas. On the way, the Thingamajigger breaks down and they depend on a variety of animals — from African bush elephants to bottlenose dolphins to red crabs — and their remarkable abilities to help them make an amazing journey home. View various activities and games based on the Cat In the Hat Knows A Lot About That! show here.

Peg + Cat + Holidays
Friday, December 4, at 12pm on CET
Friday, December 18, at 10:30am on CET and Think^TV16
Thursday, December 24 and Friday, December 25 at 12pm on CET and Think^TV16

This is a special holiday episode of Peg + Cat featuring “The Christmas Problem,” “The Hanukkah Problem,” and “The Penguin Problem.” This series is designed to engage preschool children and teach them how to solve math-based problems with Peg, a chatty and tenacious five year-old, her feline pal, Cat, and her smart, handsome, cool friend Ramone. Learn more about the show and play games here.

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas
Tuesday, December 8, at 9am on CET and Think^TV16
Thursday, December 24 and Friday, December 25 at 5pm on CET and Think^TV16

Curious George and The Man with the Yellow Hat are having a wonderful time getting ready for Christmas. There’s only one dilemma – neither of them can figure out what to give the other for a present! In the end, both gift-giving predicaments are simply and beautifully resolved, revealing the true spirit of the holiday season. Find more activities and games for the show here.

A Charlie Brown Christmas
Sunday, December 13, at 7:30pm on CET and Think^TV16

Feeling down about 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? Watch a preview.

General Holiday Programming:

Lucy Worsley’s 12 Days of Tudor Christmas
Thursday, December 3, at 9:30pm on Think^TV14
Friday, December 5, at 5pm on CET
Friday, December 5, at 6:30pm on Think^TV16

Join Lucy Worsley on a 12-day extravaganza as she discovers that much of what we enjoy in contemporary Christmas – from carols to turkey, gift-giving to mistletoe and mulled wine – has surprising Tudor origins, rooted in devotion and charity. Watch a preview.

Classic Christmas (My Music)
Saturday, December 5, at 8pm on CET
Sunday, December 6, at 7pm on Think^TV16

Join hosts Gavin MacLeod (The Love Boat) and Marion Ross (Happy Days) for this festive, all-star special of favorite carols and popular standards. Performers include Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Judy Garland, Nat King Cole, The Carpenters and many more. Watch a preview.

Great British Baking Show “Christmas Masterclass”
Tuesday, December 8, at 8pm on Think^TV14
Tuesday, December 22, at 8pm on Think^TV14

In the countdown to Christmas, Paul bakes St. Lucia buns and mincemeat and marzipan couronne. Mary tackles French galette, Genoa cake, and white chocolate and ginger cheesecake. Paul’s showstopper kranskake is a spectacular tower of delicate rings.

Ornament of the World
Tuesday, December 8, at 8pm on CET
Tuesday, December 8, at 8pm on Think^TV16
Wednesday, December 9, at 8pm on CET Arts
December 25, at 9pm on Think^TV14

The Ornament of the World tells the story of a remarkable time in history when the Muslims, Christians and Jews forged a common cultural identity that frequently transcended their religious differences. Watch a preview.

Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas
Thursday, December 10, at 8pm on CET
Saturday, December 12, at 9pm on CET Arts
Tuesday, December 15, at 8pm on CET Arts

The irreverent documentary Dreaming of A Jewish Christmas tells the story of the unlikely Jewish immigrants who, enamored with Broadway and Hollywood, wrote some of the most popular songs in America: Christmas music. The doc features rarely-seen archival footage, musical performances and interviews.

A Charlie Brown Christmas
Sunday, December 13, at 7:30pm on CET and Think^TV16

Feeling down about 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? Watch a preview.

Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir featuring Kelli O’Hara and Richard Thomas
Monday, December 14, at 9pm on CET
Monday, December 14, at 9pm on Think^TV16
Friday, December 18, at 9pm on CET Arts
Saturday, December 19, at 9pm on Think^TV14

Tony Award winner Kelli O’Hara and renowned actor Richard Thomas join The Tabernacle Choir, Orchestra at Temple Square and Bells at Temple Square for an Americana-themed Christmas special that exudes the warmth and peace of the season. Watch a preview.

Ella Wishes You A Swingin’ Christmas
Tuesday, December 15, at 8pm on CET
Tuesday, December 15, at 8pm on Think^TV16
Thursday, December 17, at 9pm on CET Arts

Enjoy an evening celebrating Ella Fitzgerald’s entire iconic album of holiday classics presented by the American Pops Orchestra. Featuring appearances by Dee Dee Bridgewater, Norm Lewis, Carmen Ruby Floyd, Nova Payton, Dave Detwiler and Morgan James. Watch a preview.

Christmas at Belmont
Tuesday, December 15, at 9pm on CET
Tuesday, December 15, at 9pm on Think^TV16
Saturday, December 19, at 9pm on CET Arts

Christmas at Belmont 2019 features Belmont University students along with Michael W. Smith, CeCe Winans and the Nashville Children’s Choir. Taped in Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the show includes classic holiday songs and festive tunes. Watch a preview.

St. Olaf Christmas Festival: A New Song of Love and Hope
Tuesday, December 19, at 8pm on Think^TV14
Thursday, December 21, at 9pm on CET Arts

Experience the St. Olaf Christmas Festival, one of the oldest musical celebrations of Christmas in the United States. Led by five conductors, it features more than 500 student musicians who are members of the college’s world-renowned choirs and orchestra. The festival features a rich repertoire of classic Advent and Christmas compositions, familiar carols, hymns from around the world, and contemporary pieces from a diverse range of composers and cultures.

Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2020
Friday, December 25, at 9pm on CET and Think^TV16

Everyone at Nonnatus House looks forward to a traditional holiday, but nothing goes quite to plan. Meanwhile, the Circus arrives in Poplar, bringing new friendships, new experiences and an exciting adventure for Nurse Crane.

Crafts:

Recycled Gingerbread Village

Build your own winter wonderland by turning cardboard boxes into a gingerbread village with this PBS craft: https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/recycled-gingerbread-village.

Star Holiday Garland

Bring out the holiday spirit with this fun and easy to make star garland: https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/star-holiday-garland!

Cardboard Menorahs

Celebrate Hanukah with this cute DIY craft: https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/cardboard-menorahs!

Thumbprint Holiday Lights

Deck the halls of your holiday celebration with these easy to make painted paper lights: https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/thumbprint-holiday-lights!

SELFie Holiday Card

Turn yourself into an elf on your holiday cards to inject a little festive fun into the holiday season: https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/selfie-holiday-card!

Brain Lighting the Kinara Coloring Page

Celebrate the holidays by printing out and coloring this picture of Brain lighting the kinara for Kwanzaa: https://www.pbs.org/parents/printables/brain-lighting-the-kinara-coloring-page!  

Games:

Link to PBS Holiday Games: https://pbskids.org/games/holiday/!

Recipes:

Sugar Plum Fairy Cakes: https://www.pbs.org/food/recipes/sugar-plum-fairy-cakes/.

Peppermint Fudge Brownies: https://www.pbs.org/food/recipes/peppermint-fudge-brownies/.

Hot Chocolate Hacks (from Hobby Hunting): https://thinktv.org/hot-chocolate-hacks/.