AARP Hearing Center
![Wynonna Judd and Hannah Waddingham Wynonna Judd and Hannah Waddingham](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/entertainment/movies-for-grownups/info-2023/holiday-tv-music-specials/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/container_image/articlecontentfragment/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/entertainment/television/2023/11/1140-holiday-tv-music-specials.jpg)
Holiday TV specials used to mean nostalgic classics like 1965’s animated A Charlie Brown Christmas and marathon airings of A Christmas Story. Then singers began muscling into the seasonal offerings, and soon TV programming with caroling crooners, folkies, rockers and yodelers grew as bloated as the Grinch’s bag of booty. This year, the small screen is home to a host of music specials spotlighting a variety of genres and artists. Here are eight bell-jingling options.
Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas
Why it’s special: The Emmy-winning actress, who plays soccer team owner Rebecca Welton on Ted Lasso, sings and vamps in a festive black-tie hour of live musical theater at the 1904 London Coliseum.
![member card Image Alt Attribute](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/experience-fragments/uxdia-folder-structure/en/features/membership/inline-membership-promo/default/master5/_jcr_content/root/responsivegrid/container_copy/container/articleimage.coreimg.75.1140.png/content/dam/uxdia/membership-card-d-and-t.png)
LIMITED TIME OFFER: Labor Day Sale!
Join AARP for just $9 per year with a 5-year membership and get a FREE Gift!
Star power: Waddingham is joined on stage by Leslie Odom Jr., Sam Ryder, Luke Evans and a few of her Lasso castmates, including Phil Dunster (Jamie Tartt on the show), who sings and dances. And she’s accompanied by an 18-piece band, the English National Opera, the Fabulous Lounge Swingers and the London Gay Men’s Chorus.
Watch: Streaming on Apple TV+
![Michael Bolton and Mickey Guyton on the set of “The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration” Michael Bolton and Mickey Guyton on the set of “The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration”](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/entertainment/movies-for-grownups/info-2023/holiday-tv-music-specials/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/body_one_cf_one/par5/articlecontentfragme/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/entertainment/television/2023/11/1140-michael-bolton-mickey-guyton.jpg)
The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration
Why it’s special: In addition to a sleigh-load of musical guests, the two-hour revue touts an appearance by DJ Khaled and Ariana DeBose delivering “This Wish” from Walt Disney’s new animated Wish movie. The show also revives the 2016 performance of “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey.
Star power: Expect plenty of yuletide warbling, including Michael Bolton and Mickey Guyton on “Christmas Isn’t Christmas,” Andra Day and Adam Blackstone on “Someday at Christmas” and “Legacy Christmastime,” Chris Janson on “Holiday Road” and Tori Kelly on “This Christmas” and “Winter Wonderland.”
Watch: 8 p.m. ET/PT Nov. 26 on ABC. Streaming on Hulu and Disney+ starting Nov. 27.
!["Christmas at Graceland" Key Art "Christmas at Graceland" Key Art](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/entertainment/movies-for-grownups/info-2023/holiday-tv-music-specials/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/body_one_cf_one/par9/articlecontentfragme/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/entertainment/television/2023/11/1140-christmas-at-graceland.jpg)
Christmas at Graceland
Why it’s special: The live show is the first televised concert to air from the Graceland estate. Elvis Presley’s granddaughter, Riley Keough, is executive producer and will appear on the special, which also promises previously unreleased broadcast footage of Presley.
Star power: Among those performing in tribute to the King are John Legend, Kacey Musgraves, Alanis Morissette, Kane Brown, Lainey Wilson, Lana Del Rey, Post Malone and the War and Treaty.
Watch: 10 p.m. ET/PT Nov. 29 on NBC, simulcast on Peacock. Airs again at 8 p.m. ET/PT Dec. 21 on NBC, simulcast on Peacock.
More From AARP
The Best Hallmark Christmas Movies to Watch This Year
40 new films to warm up your holiday season
Holiday Movie Preview Guide
See 13 films to make your season bright
The Best Family Christmas Movies
Gather the kids and grandkids for these classics, from Rudolph and Zuzu to Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah
Recommended for You