Festive Fun CMA Nightmare & Sound of Music

We’ve got a veritable “sampler platter” of merriment and mirth to watch from around the worlds of Disney this weekend… some new, some classic, and some delightfully in-between—but all of it sure to bring you glad tidings! Country music fans will have a lot to cheer about, as will those who enjoy traditions of the musical-theater variety. And there’s more where that came from, so read on for what to expect:

CMA Country Christmas—Thursday, December 14, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC / next day on Disney+ and Hulu
’Tis the holiday season, and time for some jingle-bell rock! Hosted by Amy Grant and Trisha Yearwood, CMA Country Christmas was filmed in Nashville in front of a live audience and showcases one-of-a-kind musical performances of festive classics from country music’s biggest stars—including Jordan Davis, Lady A, Ashley McBryde, Jon Pardi, Lindsey Stirling, The War And Treaty, Zach Williams, Lainey Wilson, and (of course) Grant and Yearwood themselves. This 14th annual shindig will be available for streaming on Disney+ and Hulu after it airs on ABC, so you can enjoy it all weekend long (and beyond!)…

Firebuds—Friday, December 15, at 12 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and Disney Junior
The episode’s two stories include “Annie Spokely,” in which the Firebuds get a rescue call from an old western town; guest voices include Leisha Hailey as Annie Spokely, Punkie Johnson as Cousin Fanny, and Ariel Winter as Calamity Train… and “Ingrid on Ice,” where the Firebuds help a young ice cream truck sell frozen treats on a cold day.

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas—now streaming on Disney+
This is one of those movies that works for two different holidays—so if you didn’t catch it back in October, or even if you did, fire up your device of choice and confidently enjoy this weekend! (Plus, it’s celebrating its incredible 30th anniversary this year, so it deserves a repeat viewing.) Jack Skellington (voiced by Chris Sarandon), the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown, decides to take over Christmas—and mayhem ensues! His obsession extends to kidnapping Santa Claus and giving terrifying toys to the children of the world… but when Jack sees the horrified reaction to his creepy Christmas, he realizes the true way to be himself is to embrace his love of Halloween.

The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special—now streaming on Disney+
Having premiered last year, as a lead-up to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, this Marvel Studios’ Special Presentation remains chock-full of yuletide cheer! The Guardians are on a mission to make Christmas unforgettable for Peter Quill/Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), so they head to Earth in search of the perfect present: Kevin Bacon, star of Footloose. Yes, really. Also featuring Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Pom Klementieff as Mantis, Vin Diesel as Groot, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, and Sean Gunn as Kraglin.

The Sound of Music—Sunday, December 17, at 7 p.m. ET/PT on ABC (check local listings)
This 1965 film version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s seminal musical—based on a true story—is a holiday staple on ABC… so gather the fam and settle in for some “raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens” (and so much more!). Winner of five Oscars®, including Best Picture, The Sound of Music stars Disney Legend Julie Andrews as Maria, a postulant in late ’30s Austria who is sent to the home of widower Captain Von Trapp (Christopher Plummer) to be governess to his seven precocious children. Eventually, Maria and Von Trapp fall in love and marry before being forced to flee with their family across the Alps towards freedom.