While jolly Santas, beautiful trees, expensive gifts and pretty lights are synonymous with the holiday season, hilarious television specials also feed into the festive vibes.
If you ever find yourself needing something to watch in between get-togethers or while wrapping presents, we put together a list of holiday episodes from some of the most classic sitcoms in television history. From “The Office” to “Seinfeld,” we have you covered.
This is in no way comprehensive. There are so many great shows out there. But it’s a start, especially for those people trying to track down specific episode numbers.
Take a look below. Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments, and maybe just maybe, we will add them to the list.
Classic holiday sitcom episodes to watch this year and every year
‘Community’
“Community” wasn’t afraid to take risks during its six-season run. (We’re still waiting on that movie, though). And it certainly had a different mix of holiday episodes. “Community” is available on Hulu and Netflix.
Season 1, episode 12: ‘Comparative Religion’
Shirley, a devout Christian, attempts to throw a party for the study group, which is filled with people of several different religions and faiths. Jeff then faces off against a school bully in an epic group vs. group fight.
IMDb rating: 8.3/10.
Season 2, episode 11: ‘Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas’
This one is … interesting, as the characters take claymation form, similar to “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” The group then helps Abed discover the true meaning of Christmas.
IMDb rating: 8.6/10.
Season 3, episode 10: ‘Regional Holiday Music’
A parody of “Glee,” the “Regional Holiday Music” episode follows the hilarious journey of the friends getting hypnotized into joining the school’s glee club, attempting to qualify for regionals.
IMDb rating: 8.5/10.
Season 4, episode 10: ‘Intro to Knots’
Jeff throws a suspicious holiday party for the study group, as Professor Cornwalis was also invited. Everyone then tries to convince their teacher to give them a better grade.
IMDb rating: 7.5/10.
‘Friends’
“Friends” has several great holiday-themed episodes, and maybe even helped popularize the term “Christmas Eve Eve” for Dec. 23. You can watch “Friends” on Max.
Season 2, episode 9: ‘The One with Phoebe’s Dad’
Phoebe finds out her mother lied to her about who her real father is. That sets her, Joey and Chandler on a journey to Upstate New York to meet her mysterious pharmacist father, but she ends up bailing, afraid of being disappointed. All the while a Christmas party is going on at Monica and Rachel’s apartment.
IMDb rating: 7.8/10.
Season 3, episode 10: ‘The One Where Rachel Quits’
Fed up with her job at the local coffeehouse, Central Perk, Rachel quits. Christmas comes to town when Joey decides to start selling Christmas trees, but Phoebe objects because she hates seeing trees get “killed.”
IMDb rating: 8/10.
Season 4, episode 10: ‘The One with the Girl from Poughkeepsie’
The Christmas theme in this episode is entangled in drama in the friends’ relationships. As Ross tries to break up with two women, Rachel is going on a date. And Phoebe is spending the holiday with her guitar to write the perfect Christmas song.
IMDb rating: 7.9/10.
Season 5, episode 10: ‘The One with the Inappropriate Sister’
Phoebe again brings the Christmas spirit in this episode after taking to the streets to collect money for charity. When trash gets dumped in the money bin numerous times, Phoebe unleashes her tough side to ward off the troublemakers.
IMDb rating: 8/10.
Season 7, episode 10: ‘The One with the Holiday Armadillo’
Ross wants to celebrate his Jewish heritage with his son, Ben, on Hanukkah, but Ben is disappointed there’s no Santa Claus equivalent for the holiday. So Ross dons an armadillo suit to satisfy his son with a secular character he invented: the Holiday Armadillo.
IMDb rating: 8.4/10.
Season 8, episode 11: ‘The One with Ross’s Step Forward’
Ross gets freaked out when his new girlfriend Mona wants to send out Christmas cards after just two months of dating. Ross tries to talk to Mona about slowing down their relationship, but the conversation goes the wrong way and Mona thinks they are more serious than he wants to be. Meanwhile, Monica hates Chandler’s coworkers, so Chandler tells them they broke up so Monica can skip the dinner she was invited to.
IMDb rating: 7.8/10.
Season 9, episode 10: ‘The One with the Christmas in Tulsa’
Chandler is working away from New York in Tulsa, Oklahoma, when he randomly shows back up in New York at Christmas to announce he quit his job. Monica, excited about his decision to return home, shares memories with him as they celebrate the holiday.
IMDb rating: 7.2/10.
‘How I Met Your Mother’
Ted, Barney, Robin, Marshall and Lily always take viewers on an adventure, especially during the holidays. “How I Met Your Mother” is on Hulu.
Season 2, episode 11: ‘How Lily Stole Christmas’
Ted and Lily get into a fight after Lily heard an old answering machine message in which Ted called her a bad name. Ted later spends the holiday with his religious cousin, but everything works out in the end.
IMDb rating: 8/10.
Season 4, episode 11: ‘Little Minnesota’
Robins misses her home country, Canada, so Marshall takes her to a Minnesota-themed bar that he visits when he’s homesick. However, things get weird when she eventually starts visiting it a little too much. Ted’s sister also comes to town, teaming up with Barney to mess with Ted.
IMDb rating: 8/10.
Season 6, episode 12: ‘False Positive’
Lily had a two-day period in which she thought she was pregnant, which forces everyone to evaluate their lives. All Ted wanted to do, though, was watch “It’s A Wonderful Life” with his friends.
IMDb rating: 8.1/10.
Season 7, episode 12: ‘Symphony of Illumination’
Robin learns she can’t have children. Not knowing what is wrong with her, Ted cheers her up by creating an epic holiday lights display in the apartment. Marshall, meanwhile, gets stuck on the roof of his home while trying to put up Christmas lights.
IMDb rating: 8.7/10.
Season 8, episode 10: ‘The Over-Correction’
Frustrated by Barney dating Patrice, Robin searches for the Playbook in Barney’s apartment to prove his true manipulative nature.
IMDb rating: 7.9/10.
Season 8, episodes 11 and 12: ‘The Final Page’
“The Over-Correction” continues with a two-parter in episodes 11 and 12. Without giving too much away, since the storyline is a massive part of the series as a whole, it ends with the final page of Barney’s Playbook being discovered.
IMDb rating: Episode 11: 8.4/10. Episode 12: 9.3/10.
‘The Nanny’
If you ever need some inspiration for a fashionable holiday fit, look no further than Fran Fine. “The Nanny” is on Max.
Season 1, episode 8: ‘Christmas Episode’
Maxwell has to be in Washington, D.C. on Christmas. Fran goes on an ill-fated shopping spree.
IMDb rating: 7.6/10.
Season 6, episode 10: ‘The Hanukkah Story’
Fran is excited to celebrate her first Hanukkah with Maxwell, but he gets stranded in a snow storm while on a drive to Boston with CC and Gracie.
IMDb rating: 7.5/10.
‘New Girl’
Zooey Deschanel-led “New Girl” has several great holiday episodes perfect for your sitcom rotation. You can stream the show on Peacock.
Season 1, episode 9: ‘The 23rd’
Everyone attends Schmidt’s work holiday party during this episode. Jess also confronts her true feelings for Paul, while Schmidt gives Cece a personalized perfume that leads to the classic line, “Sandalwood, always up to no good.” The show ends on Candy Cane Lane, which is a chef’s kiss to a great holiday special.
IMDb rating: 7.6/10.
Season 2, episode 11: ‘Santa’
The friends don’t just visit one holiday party in this one, but several. Jess also keeps running into Sam, which leads to everyone bombarding his work, acting as Christmas carolers. Olivia Munn stars in this episode, playing the role of Angie, Nick’s new girlfriend.
IMDb rating: 8.1/10.
Season 4, episode 11: ‘LAXmas’
Jess and company go to the airport to depart to different locations for the holidays. Things, of course, don’t quite go as planned. This episode also has another big cameo from Billy Eichner.
IMDb rating: 7.5/10.
Season 6, episode 10: ‘Christmas Eve Eve’
Everyone participates in Secret Santa, which results in a miscommunication between Jess and Nick. The gift exchange is later derailed, but Nick makes up for it. The star-studded holiday cameos continued in this one. Megan Fox was amid her run as her reoccurring character, Reagan. Darlene Love also sings “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).”
IMDb rating: 7.5/10.
‘The Office’
Nothing says holiday specials like “The Office,” as Michael Scott always knew how to make parties a little weird. “The Office” is on Peacock.
Season 2, episode 10: ‘Christmas Party’
Michael is disappointed when he gets a homemade oven mitt from Phyllis for Secret Santa. Jim gives Pam a personal Christmas gift.
IMDb rating: 8.7/10.
Season 3, episodes 10 and 11: ‘A Benihana Christmas: Part 1 & 2’
Reeling from his recent breakup with Carol, Michael goes to Benihana for a pre-Christmas party pick-me-up with Andy, Jim and Dwight. Michael and Andy invite two special guests to the office party. Karen and Pam throw their own party that rivals Angela’s.
IMDb rating: 8.6/10.
Season 5, episode 11: ‘Moroccan Christmas’
With Phyllis in the driver’s seat, the Party Planning Committee shakes things up with a Moroccan-themed Christmas party. Michael stages an intervention for Meredith. Dwight gets rich selling a popular Christmas toy. Phyllis makes a big discovery involving Angela and Dwight.
IMDb rating: 8.2/10.
Season 6, episode 13: ‘Secret Santa’
Phyllis gets to play Santa, making Michael jealous. Andy’s attempt to impress Erin with the “12 Days of Christmas” goes awry.
IMDb rating: 8.4/10.
Season 7, episodes 11 and 12: ‘Classy Christmas: Part 1 & 2’
Michael forces the Party Planning Committee to switch gears after he learns Holly is returning to Scranton.
IMDb rating: 8.8/10.
Season 8, episode 10: ‘Christmas Wishes’
Andy, now the branch manager, invites his new girlfriend Jessica to the office Christmas party. Erin tries to grapple with her lingering feelings for Andy.
IMDb rating: 7.7/10.
Season 9, episode 9: ‘Dwight Christmas’
It’s Dwight’s turn to spread Christmas cheer. Dwight’s co-workers react as he brings his idea of a traditional Schrute Christmas to the office, resulting in a series of hijinks.
IMDb rating: 8.2/10.
‘Seinfeld’
One of the most popular sitcoms of all time, “Seinfeld” has multiple classic holiday episodes. You can watch “Seinfeld” on Netflix.
Season 3, episode 12: ‘The Red Dot’
George buys Elaine a nice sweater for Christmas. However, it was marked down due to a particular flaw.
IMDb rating: 8.3/10.
Season 4, episode 13: ‘The Pick’
George comes to terms with his and Susan’s breakup. Elaine, on the other hand, has Kramer take her picture for her Christmas card. After sending the cards out, she realizes she accidentally showed a little too much of herself in the photo.
IMDb rating: 8.5/10.
Season 6, episode 10: ‘The Race’
Jerry and one of his peers from high school decide to redo a race from back in the day. Elaine’s boyfriend inspires Kramer, who is also working as Santa Claus in a department store, to become a communist.
IMDb rating: 8.9/10.
Season 9, episode 10: ‘The Strike’
Perhaps the most iconic holiday episode in TV history, George finds a way out of buying Christmas gifts for his co-workers by giving donations in their names to a fake charity. Everyone then participates in Frank’s Costanza’s holiday, Festivus, which is celebrated with an airing of grievances, a Festivus pole (instead of a tree) and feats of strength.
IMDb rating: 8.7/10.
