Apple TV+ Unveils Holiday Slate Including “Charlie Brown” and “The Velveteen Rabbit” (Exclusive)

Esther Kang

October 3, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.·6 min read

Beloved 'Charlie Brown' holiday specials will also be free for non-subscribers to stream for a limited time

<p>Courtesy of Apple</p> Stills from — Courtesy of Apple
Stills from 'The Velveteen Rabbit' and 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'

Apple TV+ is getting into the holiday spirit with new programming!

PEOPLE can exclusively reveal the streaming service's festive lineup of kids and family programming in celebration of the upcoming holiday season.

In addition to holiday classics like It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas, Apple TV+ will also debut a new original special titled The Velveteen Rabbit, based on the classic children’s book by Margery Williams.

<p>Courtesy of Apple</p> — Courtesy of Apple

According to a press release, the 40-minute special will celebrate "the magic of unconditional love" and tell the story of a seven-year-old boy named William who receives a new favorite toy for Christmas. In his velveteen rabbit, William will discover a "lifelong friend" and unlock a "world of magic." The short episode will be a “hybrid” of live-action and animation.

The special will feature a star-studded cast that includes: Phoenix Laroche (William), Alex Lawther (the Velveteen Rabbit), Helena Bonham Carter (Wise Horse), Nicola Coughlan (Playroom Fairy), Bethany Antonia (Female Rabbit), Lois Chimimba (Car), Paterson Joseph (King), Clive Rowe (Lion), Nathaniel Parker (Male Rabbit), Tilly Vosburgh (Momo) and Samantha Colley (Mother).

The new series will premiere on Nov. 22.

<p>Courtesy of Apple</p> A still from 'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown' — Courtesy of Apple
A still from 'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown'

Apple TV+ will also provide “special free windows” for non-subscribers to stream the iconic holiday specials from the Peanuts universe.

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown will be available on the streamer from Saturday, Oct. 21 through Sunday, Oct. 22. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving available Saturday, Nov. 18 through Sunday, Nov. 19 and A Charlie Brown Christmas will be available from Saturday, Dec. 16 through Sunday, Dec. 17.

For subscribers, the specials will be available now and every day.

Below, see Apple TV+'s full lineup of new holiday specials below, along with the streamer's descriptions.

<p>Courtesy of Apple</p> A still from 'A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Holiday Special' — Courtesy of Apple
A still from 'A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Holiday Special'

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, stream for free Saturday, Oct. 21 to Sunday, Oct. 22: Join the Peanuts gang for a timeless adventure as Charlie Brown preps for a party, Snoopy sets his sights on the Red Baron and Linus patiently awaits a pumpkin patch miracle.

50th Anniversary of A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, stream for free Saturday, Nov. 18 to Sunday, Nov. 19: Celebrating 50 years of this Peanuts classic, Peppermint Patty invites everyone to Charlie Brown's for Thanksgiving, even though he's going to see his grandmother. Snoopy decides to cook his own version of a Thanksgiving meal with help from his friends.

<p>Courtesy of Apple</p> A still of from the 'Frog and Toad' Christmas Special — Courtesy of Apple
A still of from the 'Frog and Toad' Christmas Special

The Velveteen Rabbit, premieres Wednesday, Nov. 22: Based on the treasured, classic children’s book by Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit celebrates the magic of unconditional love. When seven-year-old William receives a new favorite toy for Christmas, he discovers a lifelong friend and unlocks a world of magic.

Frog and Toad Christmas Special, premieres Friday, Dec. 1: In “Christmas Eve”, Frog and Toad are looking forward to spending the winter holiday together, but a last-minute errand into town sidetracks Frog, causing Toad to wonder if his best friend will make it home in time. An Apple TV+ original series based on the beloved book series by Arnold Lobel, Frog and Toad are not at all alike. Frog likes new adventures. Toad likes the comforts of home. Yet despite their differences, Frog and Toad are always there for each other—as best friends should be.

<p>Courtesy of Apple</p> A still from 'The Snoopy Show' Christmas special — Courtesy of Apple
A still from 'The Snoopy Show' Christmas special

The Snoopy Show Christmas Special, premieres Friday, Dec. 1: In “Happiness is Holiday Traditions,” Snoopy searches for the perfect tree topper; Woodstock gets trapped in a window display; and Snoopy and Woodstock visit Spike for Christmas. An Apple TV+ original series from Peanuts and WildBrain, The Snoopy Show gives the world’s most iconic dog his close-up and dives into new adventures with the happy-dancing, high-flying, big-dreaming beagle, who’s joined by best friend Woodstock and the rest of the Peanuts gang.

<p>Courtesy of Apple</p> A still from the 'Shape Island' winter special — Courtesy of Apple
A still from the 'Shape Island' winter special

Shape Island Winter Special, premieres Friday, Dec. 1: Shape Island, the acclaimed stop motion series for kids and families based on the internationally bestselling trilogy of Shapes picture books written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen, is back on December 1 with an all-new holiday special titled “The Winter Blues.” The chilly season leaves Square feeling sad, so Circle and Triangle try to cheer him up by creating a new holiday: Yeti Night. The clever, funny and inspiring stop-motion animated series from Apple TV+ takes place on a charming island and invites viewers to join serious Square, intrepid Circle and tricky Triangle on their silly adventures as they dig up some fun, search for answers and build on their friendship — all while learning how to navigate each other’s differences. Shape Island shows kids that friendship can take many shapes.

<p>Courtesy of Apple</p> A still from the 'Sago Mini Friends' holiday special — Courtesy of Apple
A still from the 'Sago Mini Friends' holiday special

A Charlie Brown Christmas, stream for free Saturday, Dec. 16 to Sunday, Dec. 17: In this beloved Peanuts special, feeling down about the commercialism of Christmas, Charlie Brown becomes the director of the gang's holiday play. Can he overcome his friends’ preference for dancing over acting, find the “perfect” tree and discover the true meaning of Christmas?

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Sago Mini Friends New Year’s Eve Special, premieres Friday, Dec. 22: In an all-new holiday special titled “New Year’s Steve,” Harvey makes a wish to stay awake until midnight when a firefly swoops in to help—and kickstarts a scavenger hunt for the whole crew. The series is an adorable nod to gratitude, featuring Harvey the floppy-eared dog and his best friends, Jinja the cat, Jack the rabbit, and Robin the bird. Along with a unique cast of residents as colorful as their own whimsical world, the four friends play, explore, imagine and celebrate daily in their joyful town of Sagoville. In each episode, Harvey and all his friends express their true thankfulness for all things, big and small, through optimism, kindness, preschool-friendly humor and unforgettable original songs!

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