Apple TV+ is broadcasting “A Charlie Brown Christmas” free of charge to all viewers (not just subscribers) on Dec. 13 and 14, 2025.
Apple TV+ owns the rights to all the Charlie Brown holiday specials and normally you must be a paid subscriber to view these specials. However, Apple said that this year, all viewers – including non-subscribers – can see all the Charlie Brown Holiday specials on select dates.
The date for the free showings on Apple TV+ are listed below. You need to sign into an Apple account to view, but a subscription is not required.
- “A Charlie Brown Christmas” can be streamed by all viewers on December 13-14, 2025. Apple TV+ subscribers can view anytime on Apple TV+ HERE.
- A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” was free for all viewers on November 15-16, 2025. Apple TV+ subscribers can view anytime on Apple TV+ HERE.
- “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” was free for all viewers on October 18-19, 2025. Subscribers can view it anytime on Apple TV+ HERE.
Apple TV’s announcement of the free Charlie Brown viewings is on the Apple TV Press page.
Charlie Brown Christmas
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” was first broadcast in 1965, and is the first TV special based on the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz.
“It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” followed in 1966 and “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” was first broadcast in 1973.
In 2020, Apple TV+ acquired the rights to the Peanuts television specials and initially planned to offer them only to Apple TV+ subscribers. After relentless public pressure, the streaming service gave PBS the rights to broadcast them as well.