The Season of Live: Unmissable Holiday TV Events for Ad Success
When the holidays roll around, television turns into one big gathering place — like a cozy living room that somehow fits a thousand people at once. Families settle in for their favorite seasonal specials, classic movies, and big end-of-year events, which means there’s no better time for local businesses to join the celebration. Holiday TV audiences are larger, happier, and wonderfully ready to discover something new, making it a perfect moment for your message to shine. Think of it as hopping onto a brightly lit sleigh ride where everyone’s already in a festive mood — and your ad gets to be part of the sparkle!
It’s easy to fall into the cozy end-of-year trap — the one where you assume that with only six weeks left on the calendar, the ship has basically sailed and all that’s left to do is coast into January. But the truth is, this stretch of the season is packed with some of the biggest television moments of the year, and they offer a golden chance for one last energetic push before 2026 arrives.
While many businesses start winding down, the smart ones lean in, using those major TV events as a spotlight to boost visibility, capture holiday-season enthusiasm, and close the year with momentum instead of a nap. And the best part? Audiences are already tuned in — you just have to show up. Here’s a breakdown of some of the top live and holiday television events, live sports, and more to bring us out of 2025 strong:
HOLIDAY
Lifetime’s “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” — 25 continuous days of holiday-themed programming for the whole family, from classic movies, animated specials, and new premieres!
Freeform’s “25 Days of Christmas” — Lifetime’s annual holiday event kicks off each November with all-new movies to put viewers in the holiday spirit.
Hallmark’s “Countdown to Christmas” — Hallmark Channel kicks off new holiday movies every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Great American Family’s “Great American Christmas” — GAC brings the holiday cheer with 20 feel-good original movies starting every weekend in October.
LIVE SPORTS
2025 NCAA College Football Bowl Season: December 13th-January 19th
2025-26 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Season
2025 NFL Football Season Wraps: January 7th
2025-26 NHL Regular Season Games
2025-26 NBA Regular Season Games
ENTERTAINMENT
Kennedy Center Honors — December 7th
Billboard Music Awards — December 12th
If you’re feeling inspired to jump into the holiday excitement, now’s the perfect moment to make your move. Contact us about getting your business in front of viewers through both live TV and streaming opportunities, or for a further look ahead into the 2026 world of advertising. With so many big moments still ahead, you don’t want to miss your chance to be part of the action. The season is buzzing, the audiences are ready, and your message deserves a spot in the spotlight!