Cavalcade of Christmas programming set to come from all channels

Middle America’s first family will take part in a Nativity, complete with Willie Robertson as Joseph and, irony of ironies, Uncle Si as a wise man — with, naturally, a chalice full of iced tea — in the “Duck Dynasty” Christmas special (10 p.m. Dec. 11, A&E).

Not to be outdone, E!’s first family will share intimate video moments as well as its traditional white elephant gift exchange in “Keeping Up with the Kardashians: A Very Merry Christmas” (8:30 p.m. Sunday, E!).

We know what you’re thinking: The Kardashians don’t exactly have the best track record when it comes to sharing “intimate video moments.”

And, while we assume their “traditional white elephant gift exchange” involves that nonsensical party game, knowing the Kardashians, there’s the very real possibility that they’ll be exchanging actual white elephants.

Those are just two of the hundreds of holiday specials that will flood the airwaves during the next month.

And while you couldn’t possibly watch them all — just like we couldn’t possibly list them all — here’s a look at some of the highlights.

And, as always, times and dates are subject to change.

SPECIALS

The 15th annual “A Home for the Holidays” (8 p.m. Dec. 18, KLAS-TV, Channel 8) will have a decidedly local flavor. The special, which draws attention to foster care adoptions, will be hosted by Celine Dion, who’ll also perform. Rancho High grad Ne-Yo will be among the other performers. And Las Vegans Jason and Tammy Gerber, who adopted three siblings who had been separated in foster care, will be profiled.

The most ambitious of the new offerings would have to be NBC’s live (at least on the East Coast) version of “The Sound of Music” (8 p.m. Dec. 5, KSNV-TV, Channel 3), starring Carrie Underwood and “True Blood’s” Stephen Moyer alongside Tony winners Audra McDonald, Christian Borle and Laura Benanti.

NBC has so many other holiday specials, the network gave up trying to name them all. Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, Mariah Carey and Kelly Clarkson are among the performers set for “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” (8 p.m. Wednesday, Channel 3). Clarkson will return in “Kelly Clarkson’s Cautionary Christmas Music Tale” (10 p.m. Dec. 11, Channel 3), featuring Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, Blake Shelton, Reba McEntire and William Shatner. Blige and Carey also will do double duty, turning up on the just-the-facts titled “Michael Buble’s 3rd Annual Christmas Special” (10 p.m. Dec. 18, Channel 3).

“Duck Dynasty’s” Robertsons also can be seen on “CMA Country Christmas” (9 p.m. Monday, KTNV-TV, Channel 13). The special, hosted by Jennifer Nettles, will include performances by Trace Adkins, Rascal Flatts, Sheryl Crow, Kellie Pickler, Darius Rucker and Luke Bryan.

In addition to its hosts, Elton John, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and RuPaul will perform as part of “Lady Gaga &The Muppets’ Holiday Spectacular” (9:30 p.m. Thursday, Channel 13).

Hugh Jackman will host “Christmas in Washington” (8 p.m. Dec. 20, TNT), with performances by the Backstreet Boys, Sheryl Crow, Anna Kendrick, Janelle Monae and Pat Monahan.

Taylor Swift and Fall Out Boy will perform on the we-still-can’t-believe-this-is-a-Christmas-special Christmas special “The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show” (10 p.m. Dec. 10, Channel 8).

Speaking of things your children probably shouldn’t see, Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke will reunite on “The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2013” (8 p.m. Dec. 18, KVCW-TV, Channel 33), alongside Pitbull, Enrique Iglesias, Macklemore &Ryan Lewis and Selena Gomez.

CBS dusted off and colorized two vintage episodes — an actual Christmas episode and the one with all the grape-stomping — to create the “I Love Lucy Christmas Special” (8 p.m. Dec. 20, Channel 8).

In each episode of “The Great Christmas Light Fight” (9 p.m. Dec. 9, Channel 13), four families will compete for $50,000 as well as bragging rights for having the most over-the-top decorations.

And for fans of people walking in straight lines, there’s the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (9 a.m.-noon and 2-5 p.m. Thursday, Channel 3), the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade (10 a.m. Dec. 25, Channel 13) and the Hollywood Christmas Parade (5 p.m. Dec. 20. Hallmark Movie Channel).

Among the returning specials:

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” — 8 p.m. Monday, Channel 13

“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” — 8 p.m. Thursday, Channel 13

“Disney Prep &Landing” — 10:30 a.m. Dec. 15 and 1 a.m. Dec. 17, ABC Family; 8 p.m. Dec. 16, Channel 13

“Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas” — 8 p.m. Friday and 8 p.m. Dec. 24, Channel 13; 3 p.m. Dec. 8 and 8 p.m. Dec. 13, TBS

“The Elf on the Shelf: An Elf’s Story” — 8:30 p.m. Friday, Channel 8

“The Flight Before Christmas” — 8 p.m. Dec. 7, Channel 8

“Frosty Returns” — 9:30 p.m. Dec. 14, Channel 8

“Frosty the Snowman” — 8 p.m. Dec. 6, Channel 8

“Frosty’s Winter Wonderland” — 6 p.m. Dec. 6, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 20 and 7 a.m. Dec. 25, ABC Family

“Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas” — 9 p.m. Dec. 16 and 8 p.m. Dec. 25, KVVU-TV, Channel 5

“I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!” — 8 p.m. Dec. 21, Channel 13

“Jack Frost” — 7 p.m. Monday, 7 a.m. Dec. 8 and 5 p.m. Dec. 23, ABC Family

“The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus” — 9 a.m. Dec. 21, ABC Family

“The Little Drummer Boy” — 7:30 a.m. Dec. 21, ABC Family

“Mickey’s Christmas Carol” — 6:30 p.m. Monday, 1 p.m. Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 and 11:30 a.m. Dec. 15, ABC Family

“The Muppet Christmas Carol” — 9 p.m. Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6, 11:30 p.m. Dec. 14, 6 p.m. Dec. 15, 8 p.m. Dec. 23, 3 p.m. Dec. 24 and 11 a.m. and midnight Dec. 25, ABC Family

“Prep &Landing 2: Naughty vs. Nice” — 11 a.m. Dec. 15 and 1:30 a.m. Dec. 17, ABC Family; 8:30 p.m. Dec. 16, Channel 13

“Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July” — 11:30 a.m. Dec. 21, ABC Family

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys” — 7 a.m Dec. 7, 7 p.m. Dec. 19 and 4 p.m. Dec. 20, ABC Family

“Rudolph’s Shiny New Year” — 6 p.m. Dec. 5 and 10:30 a.m. Dec. 21 ABC Family

“Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” — 8 p.m. Dec. 9, Channel 13; 10 p.m. Dec. 10, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 21, 8 a.m. Dec. 22, 6 p.m. Dec. 23 and 8:30 a.m. Dec. 25, ABC Family

“Shrek the Halls” — 8:30 p.m. Friday and 8 p.m. Dec. 23, Channel 13

“Twas the Night Before Christmas” — 10 a.m. Dec. 21 and 9 a.m. Dec. 24, ABC Family

“Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too” — 6 p.m. Tuesday, 4 p.m. Dec. 13, 9:30 a.m. Dec. 14 and 7 p.m. Dec. 18, ABC Family

“The Year Without a Santa Claus” — 9 p.m. Dec. 10, 1:30 p.m. Dec. 21, 7 a.m. Dec. 22, 7 p.m. Dec. 23 and 7:30 a.m. Dec. 25, ABC Family

“Yes, Virginia” — 8:30 p.m. Dec. 6, Channel 8

MOVIES

You could rot your teeth with all the original sugary confections trotted out virtually around the clock this time of year by the likes of ABC Family, Lifetime, Lifetime Movie Network, the Hallmark Channel and the Hallmark Movie Channel.

Given their popularity, it’s honestly surprising no one has created a year-round Christmas Channel.

But while there are way too many to list, the classiest of the newcomers is sure to be The Hallmark Hall of Fame’s holiday love story “Christmas in Conway” (9 p.m. Sunday, Channel 13), starring Andy Garcia and Mary-Louise Parker.

Returning favorites include:

“Babes in Toyland” — 8:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and 11 a.m. Dec. 25, Hallmark Movie Channel

“The Bells of St. Mary’s” — 10 p.m. Dec. 23, Turner Classics

“The Bishop’s Wife” — 8:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and 1:30 p.m. Dec. 25, Hallmark Movie Channel; 1:15 a.m. Dec. 25, Turner Classics

“A Christmas Carol” (1938) — 1 a.m. Dec. 20, Turner Classics

“A Christmas Carol” (1948) — 1:15 p.m. Dec. 24, Turner Classics

“A Christmas Carol” (1951) — 10 p.m. Dec. 19, Turner Classics

“A Christmas Carol” (1999) — 9 p.m. and midnight Dec. 20, TNT

“Christmas in Connecticut” — 8:30 p.m. Thursday and 4 p.m. Dec. 25, Hallmark Movie Channel; 8 p.m. Dec. 24, Turner Classics

“Disney’s A Christmas Carol” — 3 p.m. Sunday, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 7 and 3 p.m. Dec. 23, ABC Family

“Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas” — 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Monday, 8:30 p.m. Dec. 6, 4:30 p.m. Dec. 7, 8 p.m. Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10, 8:30 p.m. Dec. 19, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 20 and 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 22, ABC Family; 8:30 p.m. Dec. 24, Channel 13

“Eloise at Christmastime” — 7 a.m. Dec. 19, ABC Family

“The Family Man” — noon Monday, 4 p.m. Dec. 19 and 1 p.m. Dec. 20, ABC Family

“Four Christmases” — 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Monday, 8 p.m. Dec. 6 and 6 p.m. Dec. 8, TBS; 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Dec. 22, TNT

“Fred Claus” — 10 p.m Dec. 6, 3:30 p.m. Dec. 8, 8:30 p.m. Dec. 13 and 12:30 p.m. Dec. 14, TBS; 4:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and 11:30 p.m. Dec. 21, TNT

“The Holiday” — 5:15 p.m. and midnight Sunday, TBS; 5:15 p.m. Dec. 22 and 2 a.m. Dec. 23, TNT

“Home Alone” — 8 and 10:30 p.m. Dec. 8, 8 and 10:30 p.m. Dec. 10, 8 and 10:30 p.m. Dec. 16, 8 and 10:30 p.m. Dec. 18, 3 p.m. Dec. 22 and 9 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. Dec. 24, AMC

“It’s A Wonderful Life” — 8 p.m. Dec. 14 and 8 p.m. Dec. 24, Channel 3

“Love Actually” — 8 p.m. Dec. 12, 1:30 p.m. Dec. 13, 3 p.m. Dec. 16 and 11 a.m. Dec. 17, AMC

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” — 10 p.m. Tuesday, 8 p.m. Wednesday, 9 p.m. Dec. 11, 7 p.m. Dec. 12, 8 p.m. Dec. 15, 9 p.m. Dec. 20, 4 p.m. Dec. 21, midnight Dec. 24 and 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. Dec. 25, ABC Family

“Nothing Like the Holidays” — 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Dec. 8, TBS; 1 p.m. Dec. 21, TNT

“The Polar Express” — 5 p.m. Monday, 7 p.m. Dec. 5, 9 p.m. Dec. 17, 5 p.m. Dec. 18, 10 p.m. Dec. 23 and 1 p.m. Dec. 24, ABC Family

“The Santa Clause” — 8 p.m. Monday, 6 p.m. Tuesday, 7 p.m. Dec. 7, 7 p.m. Dec. 16, 5 p.m. Dec. 17, 6 p.m. Dec. 21, 1 p.m. Dec. 22, 5 p.m. Dec. 24 and 3 p.m. Dec. 25, ABC Family

“The Santa Clause 2” — 9 p.m. Dec. 16, 7 p.m. Dec. 17, 8 p.m. Dec. 21, 3 p.m. Dec. 22, 7 p.m. Dec. 24 and 5 p.m. Dec. 25, ABC Family

“The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause” — 10 p.m. and midnight Monday, 9 p.m. Dec. 7, 11 p.m. Dec. 16, 10 p.m. Dec. 21, 5 p.m. Dec. 22, 9 a.m. Dec. 24 and 7 p.m. Dec. 25; ABC Family

“Scrooge” (1935) — 11:30 p.m. Dec. 19, Turner Classics

“Scrooge” (1970) — 8 p.m. Dec. 19, 6 p.m. Dec. 23, Turner Classics

“Scrooged” — 8 p.m. Tuesday, 6 p.m. Wednesday, 9 p.m. Dec. 12, 10 p.m. Dec. 15, midnight Dec. 23 and 11 a.m. Dec. 24, ABC Family

“This Christmas” — 10 p.m. Friday, 2 a.m. Saturday, 6 p.m. Dec. 15 and 1 a.m. Dec. 16, TBS

“White Christmas” — 7 and 9:45 p.m. Dec. 13, 7 and 9:45 p.m. Dec. 14, 4:15 p.m. Dec. 15, 1 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. Dec. 19, 2 p.m. Dec. 23 and 12:15 a.m. Dec. 24, AMC

“A Very Brady Christmas” — midnight Wednesday and 7 a.m. Dec. 24, ABC Family

MARATHONS

Starting at noon Christmas Eve, catch 24 straight hours of “Elf” (Starz), “Bad Santa” (Starz Comedy) and “Arthur Christmas” (Starz Family).

TBS will air all 10 Thanksgiving episodes of “Friends” starting at 10 a.m. Thursday, followed by a daylong roundup Dec. 24 of Christmas episodes including “Friends,” “The King of Queens,” “Family Guy” and “Seinfeld,” with the Festivus episode set for 7 p.m.

That, of course, only sets the stage for the granddaddy of all Christmas marathons, the 17th annual installment of “24 Hours of ‘A Christmas Story’ ” (8 p.m. Dec. 24, TBS).

Contact Christopher Lawrence at clawrence@ reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4567.