Whether you’ll be with family, friends, or kicking it solo, the holidays are a wonderful time to treat yourself to some much-needed rest and relaxation. If you’re the type who likes to unwind by marathoning your favorite shows, you’re probably wondering what holiday TV marathons are on Christmas weekend. Let me tell you, there are plenty. There are, of course, your standard dose of Christmas specials and reruns. You can find just about every holiday-themed movie imaginable on-air, and A Christmas Story will be back for its traditional 24-hour rotation. But there are a number of other titles to choose from, too.
If you want something festive but not totally holiday centric, many networks have planned to air Christmas-themed episodes of classic shows. Or, if you’re on holiday overload, broadcasters have you covered with totally unrelated-to-the-holiday options. Whatever the case may be, you won’t want to spend a lot of time flipping through the channel guide, so I’ve rounded up the 12 best TV marathons happening over the weekend. There’s something for just about everyone, so all you have to do is put on your favorite sweats, grab a cozy blanket, and settle in for the long haul.
(All items are listed in Eastern time zone.)
'A Christmas Story'
Airing A Christmas Story for a full 24 hours has been a holiday tradition since 1999, and this year will be no different. The marathon begins on TNT and TBS at midnight on Christmas Eve and continues to 8 p.m. on Christmas Day.
'Doctor Who'
Doctor Who has been running Christmas specials for over a decade. This year’s entry, “The Return of Doctor Mysterio,” will be bookended by a days-long marathon that begins at 11 a.m. on Dec. 21 and wraps at 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 26. The special itself airs at 9 p.m. on Christmas Day.
'Mythbusters'
If you’re missing this Science Channel favorite in your TV lineup, this weekend marks the beginning of a gift that keeps on giving. A Mythbusters mega-marathon will be airing back-to-back episodes from midnight on Dec. 23 to 5 a.m. on Jan. 3. Yep, that’s just over 10 days of back-to-back myth-busting, all the way through the series’15 seasons.
'Lethal Weapon'
On Dec. 24, IFC will be rotating through all four films from Richard Donner’s action franchise. Oddly, it begins with the fourth and final movie at 8:15 a.m., then runs from the first through the fourth before ending at 9:30 p.m.
'NCIS'
Long-running procedural NCIS will overtake USA’s lineup for a full 13 hours. Gibbs and the team will be on the case from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Dec. 24.
'Shameless'
Psyched that Shameless will officially be back for an eighth season? Celebrate with an entire 12 hours of theShowtime dramedy, which appropriately follows the dysfunctional Gallagher family. Its entire seventh season will air from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 24.
'Cops'
Watchcha gonna do, watcha gonna do when your family drives you up a wall? Bingewatch Cops on Spike from 6 p.m. on Dec. 23 to midnight on Christmas Eve.
'Criminal Minds'
If you want to spend your weekend living vicariously through this FBI team’s high-thrill criminal smackdowns, there are a couple of options. ION is airing a marathon from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Dec. 23, while A&E will grab the torch from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Day.
'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'
There may never be a Fresh Prince reboot, but you can re-live Will Smith’s ‘90s antics with VH1’s seven-hour marathon on Dec. 24. A grab bag of episodes from its six seasons will be airing from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., including several that are Christmas-themed.
'Say Yes To the Dress'
The holidays are a joyful time, and TLC will be spreading some pre-wedding bliss with a marathon of Say Yes To the Dress on Christmas Day from noon to 8 p.m.
'Will & Grace'
If you’re in need of a go-to sitcom to watch with the fam, WEtv will be airing Will & Grace throughout the weekend. It’ll be on from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 23, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 24, and 10 a.m. to noon on Dec. 25.
'The Golden Girls'
Some of television’s favorite ladies will be gracing the screen for back-to-back episodes on TV Land. The network will air selections from the sitcom’s second, fifth, and sixth seasons on Dec. 24 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Dec. 25 from 8:24 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Whatever you choose to watch, TV's got you covered in th entertainment department this holiday weekend.
