ABC announces its holiday program schedule for Christmas

ABC continues to celebrate the holidays with The Great Christmas Light Fight, Shrek the Halls, The Sound of Music and The Greatest Showman.

All times Eastern

WEDNESDAY, DEC 16 
 8:00-10:00 p.m. "The Great Christmas Light Fight" 

FRIDAY, DEC. 18
 8:30-9:01 p.m. "Shrek the Halls"

SUNDAY, DEC. 20
 7:00-11:00 p.m. "The Sound of Music" 

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 23
 2:00-3:00 p.m. "General Hospital" (check local listings) – *new holiday-themed episode
 9:00-11:00 p.m. "The Great Christmas Light Fight" – *season finale 

THURSDAY, DEC. 24
 8:00-10:00 p.m. "The Greatest Showman" – *network broadcast premiere

FRIDAY, DEC. 25
10:00 a.m-12:00 p.m. "Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Celebration"

WEDNESDAY, DEC 16 

"The Great Christmas Light Fight" - It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas as ABC's tree-mendously popular decorating competition series, "The Great Christmas Light Fight," takes over Wednesdays in December as it returns for its eighth season with back-to-back episodes. America's brightest houses bring joy to the world with the help of celebrity judges – lifestyle expert Carter Oosterhouse and famed interior designer Taniya Nayak. All isn't always calm, but all is definitely bright as the Christmas classic takes viewers across the country to the most elaborate and awe-inspiring holiday displays in the nation. This holiday season, we will once again see four fantastic families face off in each one-hour episode and compete to win $50,000 should they "sleigh" the competition. (8:00-10:00 p.m.)

FRIDAY, DEC. 18

"Shrek the Halls" – DreamWorks Animation's "Shrek the Halls," a half-hour of entertainment starring America's favorite ogre and his friends, features the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderas. Just when Shrek thought he could finally sit back, relax and enjoy his happily ever after with his new family, the most joyous of all holidays arrives. It's Christmas Eve and everyone is filled with holiday cheer – except for Shrek. He isn't exactly the picture of yuletide joy, but for the sake of Fiona and the kids, he tries to get into the spirit of things as only an ogre can. Unfortunately, everyone seems to have their own ideas about what Christmas is all about, so when Donkey, Puss In Boots, Gingerbread Man and the whole gang try to join in on the fun, Shrek's plans for a cozy family celebration end up spiraling into one truly unforgettable Christmas. (8:30-9:01 p.m.)

SUNDAY, DEC. 20

"The Sound of Music" – ABC will air the Rodgers & Hammerstein cinematic treasure "The Sound of Music." Celebrate the Oscar^®-winning classic with popular favorites "Edelweiss," "My Favorite Things," "Climb Every Mountain," "Do-Re-Mi," "Sixteen Going on Seventeen," "The Lonely Goatherd" and "The Sound of Music." (7:00-11:00 p.m.)

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 23

"General Hospital" – As holiday celebrations begin in Port Charles, Carly and Jason return to Sonny's house to find that in her absence Michael and Joss have stepped up and added all the finishing traditional touches for a beautiful multigenerational family Christmas at home. The holidays make various losses felt in new ways, and Maxie looks to honor someone who can't be with them. Consequences from past decisions are coming to bear – and several of our PC residents hope for the best but fear the worst. However, the holidays also provide opportunities for heart-to-heart talks, forgiveness, unexpected connections and long-awaited reunions. (2:00-3:00 p.m., check local listings)

"The Great Christmas Light Fight" (9:00-11:00 p.m.) – Season Finale

THURSDAY, DEC. 24

"The Greatest Showman"– Network Broadcast Premiere – An original musical inspired by the life of P.T. Barnum, starring Hugh Jackman. Barnum was a visionary who rose from nothing to create the "Greatest Show on Earth," a spectacle and celebration of his larger-than-life imagination that captivated audiences around the globe. (8:00-10:00 p.m.)

FRIDAY, DEC. 25

"Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Celebration" –Disney's annual Christmas celebration airs Christmas morning on ABC and features heartwarming stories and amazing celebrity performances. (10:00 a.m-12:00 p.m.)