All The Simpsons Christmas Episodes

No Christmas is complete without some classic Simpsons Christmas episodes. Here are all the show's holiday specials, in chronological order.

Summary

• The Simpsons Christmas episodes offer entertaining holiday adventures for fans, showcasing the show's festive spirit.
• From the very first glimpse of a Simpson family Christmas to heartwarming moments and humorous mishaps, there's a variety of episodes to choose from.
• While some Simpsons Christmas episodes excel in storytelling and humor, others fall flat, but overall, fans can find the perfect episode to celebrate the holiday season.

The Simpsons Christmas episodes provide a lot of great holiday adventures for one of television's most iconic and dysfunctional families. While The Simpsons might be better known for their Halloween specials, there are plenty of Christmas offerings that are perfect for this time of year. Of course, like many episodes of the show, some are more entertaining than others. However, fans should have no trouble finding the right episode to help celebrate the holiday season.

The Simpsons remains one of the most beloved shows of all time with over 30 seasons of episodes and no sign of it slowing down. It makes sense that so many fans are excited to share the holiday season with these characters as they find unique ways to celebrate Christmas. From the return of an iconic Simpsons villain to a glimpse at Christmases of the future to Bart's Christmas misdeeds to the very first Simpsons episodes, the long list of Simpsons Christmas episodes shows few television families can match the Simpsons in terms of festive spirit.

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1 Simpson Xmas

The Tracey Ullman Show, Season 3, Episode 5

Since it is not part of the actual series, it's not a full Simpsons Christmas episode, but the first glimpse at a Simpson family Christmas cannot be ignored. The short sketch from The Tracey Ullman Show gives fans a look at the earliest iteration of these characters while also establishing their dynamics. The short is a retelling of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas with a Simpsons approach. Bart narrates the poem, detailing his mischievous attempts to get into his presents early.

2 Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire

Season 1, Episode 1

It's strange to think that the record-breaking run of this show all started with a Christmas episode. When Homer and Marge run into some unexpected financial trouble around the holidays, Homer secretly takes a job as a mall Santa Claus to make ends meet. Season 1 of The Simpsons is unrecognizable to many fans now, but this Simpsons Christmas episode immediately sells the charm and humor of the show. And while the irreverent jokes are still funny, the episode packs a satisfying amount of heart in the end as the beloved family pet Santa's Little Helper is introduced.

3 Marge Be Not Proud

Season 7, Episode 11

Once again, Bart finds himself in a controversy that threatens to ruin the family's Christmas in "Marge Be Not Proud." After shoplifting a video game just before Christmas, Marge begins feeling like she has lost touch with Bart, and he is left guilt-ridden during the holidays. This Simpsons Christmas episode is filled with hilarious moments like the gruff mall cop and Homer's failed disciplinary speech. It is also somewhat heartbreaking seeing Bart emotionally abandoned, but it all leads to an emotionally satisfying end.

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4 Miracle On Evergreen Terrace

Season 9, Episode 10

There seems to be a running theme in the Simpsons Christmas episodes that Bart or Homer is responsible for ruining the holidays. In "Miracle on Evergreen Terrace," it's Bart's turn as his attempt to open his presents early results in all the presents getting destroyed. When he lies and says it was a burglar, the town rallies around the family. There are a lot of great moments in this episode as well as some fun messages with a unique Simpsons twist. It is a great look at how this flawed family can have an equally flawed holiday season.

5 Grift Of The Magi

Season 11, Episode 9

The idea of consumerism around the holidays is often explored in these episodes, but "Grift of the Magi" is the most overt and entertaining of them all. After the children's school is shut down, a toy company takes over and uses the children to help create the ultimate Christmas toy, Funzo. Despite the subject matter, the episode never takes itself too seriously and is more than willing to embrace the weird side of the story. Add to that, a great cameo from Gary Coleman and this Simpsons Christmas episode makes for a unique and hilarious holiday treat.

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6 Skinner's Sense Of Snow

Season 12, Episode 8

"Skinner's Sense of Snow" is another Simpsons Christmas episode that doesn't quite address Christmas as much as fans might like this time of year, but it is a fun winter adventure. On the last day of school before Christmas break, Principal Skinner finds himself snowed in the school with several of his students. The episode is more about the students' revolt against Skinner, but there are some fun Christmas gags, like Skinner's hilariously lame Christmas special. There are also a lot of fun moments between Homer and Ned as they attempt to rescue the children.

7 She Of Little Faith

Season 13, Episode 6

Though the show is mostly focused on delivering laughs, The Simpsons occasionally addresses more controversial topics like religion. In "She of Little Faith," Lisa becomes disillusioned with Springfield's church and becomes a Buddhist, so Marge tries to lure her back to Christianity with the help of Christmas. The episode receives a lower ranking here since it only really turns into a proper Simpsons Christmas episode in the last five minutes. Still, it is a funny and thoughtful look at Lisa as an independent person and teaches about acceptance of others' beliefs.

8 'Tis The Fifteenth Season

Season 15, Episode 7

It seems like no Christmas special is complete without someone learning the true meaning of the holiday. In this case, Homer helps the entire town come to that realization. After selfishly buying himself an expensive present, Homer tries to reform, becoming the nicest man in town, much to the annoyance of Ned Flanders. This Simpsons Christmas episode is another fun example of the show riffing on classic Christmas tales like A Christmas Carol and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It's also fun to see a more envious side of Ned Flanders for a change.

9 Simpsons Christmas Stories

Season 17, Episode 9

"Simpsons Christmas Stories" is another anthology story with a yuletide theme, but this one offers a lot of heart, some genuine laughs, and a good amount of Christmas cheer. The stories involve a retelling of the birth of Jesus, Grampa Simpsons WWII Christmas story, and the Simpsons' rendition of the Nutcracker. While never reaching the heights of the show in its best years, this Simpsons Christmas episode is a bit of holiday fun. Some of the jokes are laugh-out-loud funny, and while the second story is a little shaky, the finale is an inventive and heartwarming musical.

10 Kill Gil, Volumes I & II

Season 18, Episode 9

Yet another guest who is welcome to stay with the Simpsons for Christmas is Gil Gunderson, Springfield's biggest sadsack. After losing his job, Marge takes pity on Gil and brings him in on their holiday celebrations. However, it doesn't take long for Gil to overstay his welcome. Gil is an underrated Simpsons character who can be a lot of fun in small doses. Unfortunately, in this Simpsons Christmas episode, the character is ill-suited for the spotlight. Gill not only annoys the Simpsons by sticking around but the audience as well.

11 The Fight Before Christmas

Season 22, Episode 8

"The Flight Before Christmas" takes a page from the "Treehouse of Horror" episodes by telling three separate Christmas stories. After the family begins to lose some of their Christmas spirit, they all have dreams that help them remember why Christmas is so special. The little stories are cute enough, but like the Halloween episodes in recent years, they feel very rushed. The show seems more interested in making pop culture references, including a random Inglorious Basterds parody, than telling a nice Christmas story.

12 Holidays Of Future Passed

Season 23, Episode 9

"Holidays of Future Past" is not only a solid episode from the 23rd season of the show, but many fans pointed out that it would have made a great series finale. This Simpsons Christmas episode travels into the future to see what Christmas is like once the kids are grown and moved out of the house. It shows Bart as a deadbeat dad, Lisa married to Milhouse, and Maggie as a famous singer. These future episodes are always fun, with this one featuring a particularly sweet bonding story between Bart and Lisa.

13 White Christmas Blues

Season 25, Episode 8

This Simpsons Christmas episode attempts commentary on modern issues as nowhere in the U.S. is going to experience snow in the holiday season due to global warming. Springfield ends up getting snow which turns the town into a tourist hot spot and the Simpsons decide to open up their home to visitors willing to pay. The episode doesn't offer anything that hasn't been seen in the countless other episodes in which The Simpsons open their home to strangers. It also continues a frequent issue with more recent episodes as it is filled with far too many subplots rather than one suitable story.

14 I Won't Be Home for Christmas

Season 26, Episode 9

This Simpsons Christmas episode sees Homer attempting to please Marge by coming home early for Christmas Eve, but he instead stops off at Moe's after getting into a car accident. Marge and Homer have a fight, so he leaves and wanders aimlessly around Springfield as Marge becomes depressed with him gone and neither is happy with his choice to leave. The best Simpsons Christmas episodes have combined heart and humor, and while this episode doesn't entirely succeed in the balance, it serves as a nice family-centric story rather than an outlandish holiday adventure.

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15 The Nightmare After Krustmas

Season 28, Episode 10

Many fans might have forgotten that Springfield's grumpiest clown Krusty actually has a daughter named Sophie. She returns to the show when she comes to visit her dad over the holidays only for Krusty to be shocked to find out that she is being raised as Christian rather than Jewish. Had the show wanted to be bolder and creative with its storytelling, this could have been a great opportunity to look at the humor behind the religious aspects of the holiday. Instead, the result is a dull and predictable offering.

16 Gone Boy

Season 29, Episode 9

Despite opening with a festive and fun Christmas credit sequence, "Gone Boy" is hardly a Christmas episode at all. As the holidays approach, Bart goes missing after finding himself trapped in an underground bunker. This leads to Sideshow Bob breaking out of prison to find his old nemesis. Even with the return of a fan-favorite character like Sideshow Bob, this Simpsons Christmas episode has very little fun to offer. Not only that but it doesn't have anything creative to have with the holidays and the Christmas connection seems pointless.

17 'Tis The 30th Season

Season 30, Episode 10

Marge Simpson puts up with a lot in terms of her wild family and that seems to be especially true over their holiday adventures. This Simpsons Christmas episode highlights the determination Marge has to make everything perfect for her family and all the thanks she is owed because of it. After failing to get the perfect Christmas present for the family, Marge is disappointed and Homer and the kids attempt the do something special to cheer her up. The episode is a sweet and funny look at Marge as one of TV's best moms while also having fun seeing her have a very rare freakout moment.

18 Bobby, It's Cold Outside

Season 31, Episode 10

As one of the most likable villains on The Simpsons, it is fun to see Sideshow Bob become something of a regular fixture in recent Simpsons Christmas episodes. Unfortunately, his other holiday appearance wasn't much more enjoyable than his first. This time, Bob escapes from prison only to get a job as a mall Santa. When he is accused of stealing Christmas presents, he sets out to find the real thief. It is a somewhat messy and muddled story with obvious jokes clumsily set up for underwhelming punchlines. Some fans viewed it as a disappointing use of a great character.

19 The Way Of The Dog

Season 31, Episode 22

"The Way of the Dog" is another episode that might not have been released at Christmas but still delivers those Yuletide vibes. It also features one of the most emotional episodes in the series' iconic run, dealing with Santa's Little Helper and his traumatic past. While it might miss some real Christmas fun in its story, this episode deserves praise for its solid storytelling and focus on a character who doesn't often get the spotlight. As a bonus, it also links to the very first episode of The Simpsons in a way that is clever and emotionally satisfying.

20 A Springfield Summer Christmas For Christmas

Season 32, Episode 10

Hallmark Christmas movies are a popular holiday treat for many audiences but they are also easy targets for parody. This recent Simpsons Christmas episode took an interesting meta approach to poking fun at the genre. The episode focuses on a producer of one of these movies who is forced to go to Springfield for the next production. While there, her life becomes its own Hallmark movie as she falls for Principal Skinner. It is a fun gag for fans of these movies even if the Simpsons take a backseat in the story.