The holidays are slowly inching upon us, and no one was better at getting us pumped to see Santa than Disney Channel. While a handful of holiday DCOMs have been released over the years, it’s the Disney Channel holiday episodes that remain classics to this day. From major crossover events to episodes that highlighted other holidays celebrated this time of year outside of Christmas, Disney knew how to ring in the festivities better than anyone else.
With so many shows under the Disney Channel catalogue, it’s hard to choose the best of the best, but in the end, it was clear that there were a select 12 that absolutely sleighed the competition. So without further ado, let us hop into Santa’s sleigh and count down the 12 Days of the best Disney Channel holiday episodes of all-time!
12. Hannah Montana – It’s the End of the Jake as We Know It
This “Hannah Montana” episode has everything: romance, heartbreak, Miley Cyrus dressed up as a vengeful Mrs. Claus and the incredible Sheryl Crow. Miley’s excitement for a Hannah Montana Holiday Special quickly turns sours when Oliver reveals that her boyfriend Jake is cheating on her. It was a bit of a shock to see this couple who everyone thought would be end game come to an end on what is typically a happy go-lucky, festive episode. Seeing Miley deal with this heartbreak through a whirlwind of emotion from sadness to anger is also super relatable for so many during the holidays.
11. The Proud Family – Seven Days of Kwanzaa
The first ever Disney show to celebrate Kwanzaa, this episode was a nice little lesson for young kids like myself who didn’t know much about any other holidays celebrated this time of year besides Christmas. Even for those who don’t know anything about Kwanzaa, this episode represents a lot of families during the holidays. There’s that one grouch who gets a little too greedy (in this case it’s patriarch Oscar Proud) and needs to be retaught the true meaning of the holidays, that it’s better to give than receive. It’s a lovely episode that can warm any old Scrooge’s heart.
10. Lizzie McGuire – Aaron Carter’s Coming to Town
Everyone who grew up in the 2000s remembers the IRL relationship between Hilary Duff and Aaron Carter, it was such a wild time. This episode that isn’t technically set during the Christmas season, but does take place on the set of a Christmas music video, gave us all the chance to see the former couple share a smooch on-screen. Of course, a bunch of shenanigans happens beforehand with Lizzie and friends trying to figure out the best way to sneak onto the music video set, but it all ends with the classic song “I Want Candy”. It’s truly a holiday treat.
9. Even Stevens – Heck Of A Hanukkah
Before “The OC” coined the term Christmukkah, it was the Stevens family who first attempted celebrating both holidays. As expected, Louis finds himself in deep trouble when he decides to ignore his grandmother’s retelling of the story of Hanukkah and instead tries to sneak a peek at his gifts. He ends up pushing the gifts out of the window and is sent to his room where a ghost of a long lost relative appears to show him what the Stevens household would look like without him. Like Oscar, Louis is reminded that the importance of the holidays isn’t gifts, but it’s spending time with your loved ones.
8. Kim Possible – A Very Possible Christmas
If you’re looking for a holiday that combines elements of “Die Hard” action with “Elf” humour, look no further than “A Very Possible Christmas!” As his holiday present to Kim, Ron takes her place on a mission to stop Dr. Drakken without her knowing. Ron and Drakken end up getting stuck in the arctic together and it’s up to Kim and the entire Possible family to save them. It’s such a funny episode that highlights why Kim and Shego are very much needed by Ron and Drakken, but fortunately they’re all able to put their differences aside and come together for this hilariously festive tune.
7. Jessie – Good Luck Jessie: NYC Christmas
Somehow “Jessie” got super lucky each and every holiday and hosted some epic crossover events. This one brings Teddy and PJ Duncan to New York where they all wake up dazed and confused about what happened (we’ve all had those nights). Jessie, the Duncans and the Ross kids work together to not just piece together what happened on Christmas Eve, but to also find the missing Christmas presents. Of course, Zuri and the other Ross kids come to realize that they don’t need presents to have a special Christmas and donate their gifts to those in need. It’s pure wholesome holiday fun.
6. Phineas and Ferb – Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation
This extra long Christmas special sees the brothers use their creative thinking to turn the city of Danville into a giant thank you card for Santa. However, things take a turn when Doofenshmirtz successfully uses the “Naughty-inator” to put the city of Danville on Santa’s naughty list. When Candace points the blame at Phineas, he must take a closer look at everything his wild imagination has done over the summer to get him and his friends in trouble. Of course, Phineas can’t help but concoct another crazy plan and does his part to save Christmas. It’s an epic holiday adventure!
5. Austin & Jessie & Ally All Star New Year
Somehow “Jessie” scored another major holiday crossover but this time with the entire cast of “Austin & Ally”. Austin and the group are first embroiled in a sticky situation in which they must find a way to get Austin to perform at Times Square. After Jessie manages to help them, she tries to get the tween pop star to record one of her songs, but in the end, it’s Zuri’s poem that wins Austin and Ally’s heart, and more hijinks ensue. With great music and a fun new dynamic between the two shows’ characters, it’s definitely the most exciting new year’s celebration of the last decade.
4. Girl Meets World – Girl Meets Home For The Holidays
Since the show first premiered, everyone had been waiting to see their favourite “Boy Meets World” characters return. “Girl Meets World” would deliver that gift to longtime fans and reunite the Matthews parents with their son and also give us the long anticipated reunion of Corey and Shawn. Having Shawn and Corey see their likeness in the friendship of Maya and Riley, while also seeing Riley and Shawn repair their own relationship perfectly brought a balance of comedy and heartfelt emotion. The show had been struggling to find its footing, but this holiday episode helped launch what “Girl Meets World” would become for the rest of the series.
3. The Suite Life of Zack & Cody – Christmas at the Tipton
If Suite Life knows how to do anything, it’s deliver excellent holiday episodes. This one sees everyone’s Christmas plans cancelled and forced into the Tipton due to a severe snowstorm. From Maddie’s selfish attempt to try to get London as her Secret Santa to Cody devising a plan to try and get his parents back together, there is a lot to love about this episode. However, what makes it extra special is its hilarious take on the nativity story, as a pregnant woman named Mary and her husband Joseph must wait out in the Tipton lobby as there are no more rooms and eventually she gives birth to her son in the elevator. This Christmas episode isn’t like any others on this list, which is why it’s so perfect.
2. That’s So Raven – Escape Claus
For nearly every teenager, the best part of Christmas is definitely the presents, and for Raven she can’t help but do everything she can to sneak a peek when she gets a vision of a beautiful necklace. Of course, Raven being Raven ends up breaking the necklace and skips school with her friends in an attempt to try and replace it, but ends up missing out on all of her favourite family traditions in the process. In classic Disney fashion, Raven learns the hard way the true meaning of Christmas isn’t presents, but spending time with loved ones. The story is traditional, but Raven’s antics are just so hysterical that it’s a joy to watch this episode every Christmas.
1. Recess – Yes, Mikey, Santa Does Shave
Watching this “Recess” episode on repeat as a kid during the holidays would always get me pumped, and also a little emotional about the holidays. As per “Recess” tradition, there is something we can all relate to as kids during this episode, whether it be a holiday pageant or trying to prove the existence of Santa Claus to your friends. It’s a real rollercoaster of emotions in this episode, as you’re devastated for Mikey when his Christmas spirit and belief in Santa starts to dwindle as his efforts to prove Santa exists to his friends goes sideways. A talk with a kind old man (who is totally Santa in disguise) brings Mikey back to the pageant to sing the most gorgeous rendition of White Christmas you’ll ever hear. It ends with snow and Santa in the sky, leaving you in a puddle of tears and ready for the holidays!
Which Disney Channel Holiday episode is your absolute favourite? Let us know in the comments below or on one of our social media channels. Also, make sure to follow Frozen Mouse Fever for all your Disney needs.
Happy Holidays!
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