What to Watch This Week: December 9 to 14

From a cappella wonders to Santa’s Hollywood arrival, we round up the holiday episodes and specials airing this week

1. Home Alone – Sunday, December 9, 8 p.m., CBC

A precocious kid, a neglectful family, two hardened criminals: these are the ingredients for holiday magic, as young Kevin McAllister (Macaulay Culkin) is accidentally left behind in Chicago by his Paris-bound parents (John Heard and Catherine O’Hara) and must defend his house from a pair of prat-falling burglars (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern).

2. The Simpsons – Sunday December 9, 8 p.m., City & Fox

When Marge’s Black Friday shopping expedition is a big flop, she resolves to do whatever it takes to salvage Christmas. But Homer and the kids have some yuletide schemes of their own: surprising Marge with a trip to a swanky Florida resort. Somewhere along the way, Glee‘s Jane Lynch drops by as a guest voice.

3. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Sunday, December 9, 9 p.m., CBC

Some things never get old, and this heartwarming 1964 tale is one of them. Who could get tired of watching the triumph of a bullied reindeer whose greatest shame—that nose!—ends up saving the day when a blizzard threatens to cancel Christmas.

4. CMA Country Christmas – Monday, December 10, 8 p.m., ABC

Reba McEntire had such a good time hosting CMA Country Christmas last year, she’s back to do it again—with some very famous friends along for the sleigh ride. Fellow country-music superstars Martina McBride and Brad Paisley are on the bill—as are the legendary Tony Bennett and B.C. native Diana Krall—as ABC airs the special’s ninth annual edition.

5. Pentatonix: A Not So Silent Night – Monday, December 10, 10 p.m., NBC

The wildly popular a cappella group is featured in this one-hour Christmas special, including a holiday blend of familiar classics and modern jams. In addition to an array of performances, the group will be joined by some celebrity guest stars, including Kelly Clarkson and Maren Morris. However, the special’s biggest selling point is Pentatonix’s stirring, soulful take on “Silent Night,” taking the iconic yuletide tune in some bold new vocal directions.

6. Darci Lynne: My Hometown Christmas – Tuesday, December 11, 9 p.m., NBC

13-year-old Darci Lynne, the 2017 America’s Got Talent winner, is set to take her puppet act to the next level with this holiday special. Her magical voice is obviously the main attraction, but this time she’s joined by some spectacular human guests too, like Kristin Chenoweth, Toby Keith, Hunter Hayes and Pentatonix.

7. Ken Jeong Cracks Christmas – Wednesday, December 12, Youtube Premium

Holiday fanatic Ken Jeong (Community) seeks the help of his celebrity friends Angela Kinsey, Joel McHale and Harry Shum, Jr. as he journeys into a series of yuletide-crazy worlds filled with Santas, carollers and ballerinas, in order to uncover the real story behind Christmas.

8. The Goldbergs – Wednesday, December 12, 8 p.m., CTV2 & ABC

After spending his life up to this point observing Hanukkah, Barry’s engagement to Lainey means that he finally gets to experience Christmas, which thrills him but horrifies his mother. Meanwhile, Murray’s brother Marvin (guest star Dan Fogler) is in town for the holidays.

9. Ellen’s Game of Games – Wednesday, December 12, 8 p.m., CTV & NBC

Although the new season of Ellen DeGeneres’ over-the-top game show won’t bow until January, NBC is serving up this special holiday edition, in which contestants avoid obstacles, answer questions under crushing time pressure and face gigantic plunges into the unknown.

10. The 87th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade – Friday, December 14, 8 p.m., The CW

Here in Canada we’re used to Santa marching his way down the parade routes in November—an unofficial announcement of his arrival at malls across the country, where screaming children and their frazzled parents will line up to take pictures with him for the next month-and-a-half. This particular parade feels more Christmasy though. For one, it actually airs in December (even though it took place November 25), but it also comes with a certain flair that only Hollywood can offer. Tune in for musical performances by Ashanti, Ruben Studdard and Blake Lewis.