2016 Christmas TV Schedule: Countdown to the Big Day

As you try to remember where you stashed wrapping paper and shop for the office grab-bag gift — or just need something to watch while you sip some mulled wine or egg nog — you can add to the holiday spirit by watching holiday classics on the TV machine.

And for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, you can indulge your inner Ralphie by watching "A Christmas Story" over and over again on TBS or reacquaint yourself with such Christmas-themed classics as "Meet Me in Saint Louis" or "The Man Who Came to Dinner" on TCM.

Patch has pulled together these highlights for holiday shows for today and tomorrow, courtesy of Freeform (formerly ABC Family) and a holiday TV website.

»What are your must-see holiday movies? Let us know in the comments.

Listings are subject to change; check each network’s website for updates.

Here’s the schedule of evening shows, all times Eastern unless otherwise noted:

Saturday, December 24

• 6:45am - Tenth Avenue Angel | TCM
• 8 am- Meet John Doe | TCM
• 10:15am - Scrooge | TCM
• 12:15pm - It Happened on 5th Avenue | TCM
• 2:15pm - Holiday Affair | TCM
• 3:30pm - The Polar Express | Freeform
• 4 pm- The Shop Around the Corner | TCM
• 5:35pm - The Santa Clause | Freeform
• 6 pm- Meet Me in St. Louis | TCM
• 7:40pm - Elf | Freeform
• 8 pm- It's a Wonderful Life | NBC
• 8 pm- A Christmas Story | TBS
• 8 pm- Christmas in Connecticut | TCM
• 9:45pm - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation | Freeform
• 10 pm- A Christmas Story | TBS
• 10 pm- The Dolly Sisters | TCM
• 11:55pm - Scrooged | Freeform
• 12 am- A Christmas Story | TBS
• 12 am- In the Good Old Summertime | TCM
• 2 am- A Christmas Story | TBS
• 2 am- The Man Who Came to Dinner | TCM
• 4 am- A Christmas Story | TBS
• 4 am- Bell Book and Candle | TCM

Sunday, December 25

• 6 am- A Christmas Story | TBS
• 6 am- Going My Way | TCM
• 7 am - The Search for Santa Paws | Freeform
• 8 am- A Christmas Story | TBS
• 8:30am - Boys Town | TCM
• 9 am - The Disney Parks' Magical Christmas Celebration | ABC
• 9:10 am - Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws | Freeform
• 10 am- A Christmas Story | TBS
• 11:20 am - Arthur Christmas | Freeform
• 12 pm- A Christmas Story | TBS
• 1:25 pm - The Polar Express | Freeform
• 2 pm- A Christmas Story | TBS
• 3:30 pm - Santa Claus is Comin' to Town | Freeform
• 4 pm- A Christmas Story | TBS
• 4:35 pm - The Year Without a Santa Claus | Freeform
• 5:40 pm - Elf | Freeform
• 6 pm- A Christmas Story | TBS
• 7:45 pm - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation | Freeform
• 9 pm - When Calls the Heart | Hallmark
• 9:55 pm - Scrooged | Freeform

Written by Deb Belt (Patch Staff)

»Patch file photo of "A Christmas Story" house in Cleveland