The holidays can mean a lot of different things to people, especially teenagers. While Christmas used to be about Santa, presents, and spending time with family, teenagers often find the holiday to be about two weeks off from school and spending time with their friends. And just like in real life, the Christmas spirit is reflected in teen TV dramas that air holiday-themed episodes

From recent teen drama shows like The Fosters and Riverdale to '90s classics like My So-Called Life, teen dramas have been celebrating the holidays for years in new and exciting ways. The best thing is that the holidays aren't just regulated to family teen dramas but also supernatural TV series, as well.

Updated on December 19th, 2022 by Danielle Bruncati: Usually, by now, there is a handful of teen drama shows that have aired winter holiday-themed episodes. However, there seems to be a shortage of Christmas spirit this year with teen dramas. Most of the shows are on hiatus or are streaming shows that don't indulge in the holiday spirit. While it's unfortunate that fans don't get to see the Outer Banks teens celebrate a Pogue Christmas or even see what a Christmas is like at Wednesday's Nevermore Academy, there are a handful of classic teen drama show holiday episodes that fans can stream to fill the void.

Beverly Hills, 90210: "A Walsh Family Christmas" (Season 2, Episode 18) - 7.4

Stream On Paramount+

The cast of Beverly Hills in front of a Christmas Tree

While Beverly Hills, 90210 aired nine Christmas-themed episodes during its historic run in the 90s, it's the show's first holiday episode that remains a favorite among fans. Though not exploding in Christmas cheerful celebrations, the episode does drive home the importance of family around the holidays and how Christmas is all about giving back.

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One of the main stories of the episode revolves around Steve trying to track down his grandfather to learn more about his biological parents. Meanwhile, in Beverly Hills, Brandon and the gang rally around Cindy, who is missing Minnesota, and Brenda gets a surprise when she takes in an unhoused man for the holiday.

Gossip Girl: "Roman Holiday" (Season 1, Episode 11) - 7.6

Stream On HBO Max

Blair and her family posing for a Christmas picture at dinner in Gossip Girl

Gossip Girl's first-ever holiday special, "Roman Holiday," is such a fan favorite that the series held off on creating another Christmas episode until the fourth season. The episode screams Christmas and dishes out drama and tons of drama, making it one of the most well-rounded Christmas episodes for a teen drama show.

The episode centers on Blair, who is struggling with a change in her family Christmas when her dad brings his new boyfriend to their family affair. Meanwhile, Serena and Dan embark on trying to find each other the perfect Christmas presents while Rufus deals with Alison's former lover.

Good Trouble: "A Very Coterie Christmas" (Season 2, Episode 10) - 7.9

Stream On Hulu

The Coterie residents in pajamas on Christmas morning in Good Trouble

Freeform's Good Trouble has aired two holiday-themed episodes since premiering in 2019, or rather a two-part episode of sorts. However, the second part of the episode, "A Very Coterie Christmas," is the one that has the highest rating on IMDb because of the Christmas spirit and drama it contains.

The episode embodies the happiness and stress that comes with spending Christmas with family, as Callie, Mariana, Gael, and Jazmine all face struggles with their families. The tension is also heightened by the fact that Callie found a ring in Jamie's apartment, which she thinks might be a sign he's going to propose to her.

Pretty Little Liars: "How the 'A' Stole Christmas" (Season 5, Episode 13) - 7.9

Stream On HBO Max

The Liars' significant others in Santa boxers on the stairs in Pretty Little LIars

Christmas isn't synonymous with the eerie drama on Freeform's best original show, Pretty Little Liars, but that didn't stop them from getting into the holiday spirit in season 5. With Spencer out on bail, the liars aren't in the best holiday spirit, but they're determined to pretend while they figure out a way to prove Spencer isn't a murderer. Elsewhere, Alison gets visited by the Ghost of Mona, who shows her glimpses of her past, present, and future.

Using the A Christmas Carol trope really helps elevate this holiday-themed episode. The episode also featured the iconic Ice Ball, but it was the scene with the liar's significant others in Santa-themed underwear that truly made the episode memorable for fans.

The Fosters: "Christmas Past" (Season 2, Episode 11) - 7.9

Stream On Hulu

The Fosters opening presents on Christmas morning in The Fosters

Despite running for five seasons and being centered around the importance of family, The Fosters only aired one holiday-themed episode in its second season. They knocked it out of the park, though, managing to touch upon the complex feelings the holidays bring up depending on the person. Thus, the episode is one of the best episodes of The Fosters.

At the heart of the episode are Callie and Jude, who are trying to keep their emotions about the holidays at bay now that Jude is an official Adam-Foster and Callie is still being fostered. Elsewhere, Stef butts heads with her mother about her holiday spending, and Jesus finds himself on the receiving end of racism from a neighbor during a decorating competition.

One Tree Hill: "At The Bottom Of Everything" (Season 7, Episode 17) - 8.0

Stream On HBO Max, Hulu, & Prime Video

The Scott's celebrating Christmas with Haley's mom and sister in one Tree Hill

Despite being on the air for nine seasons, One Tree Hill never indulged in a true Christmas-centered episode. While "At the Bottom of Everything" is the closet fans got, it actually paints a heartfelt Christmas scene despite airing in February.

After learning that Haley's mom is sick and not doing well, Nathan tries to rally around his family to get them to cherish the moments they have left with her. This leads to Jamie deciding to throw an early Christmas celebration so Lydia can be there with them one more time. It's a heartfelt moment that proves that the Christmas spirit doesn't just come in December.

Riverdale: "Chapter Twenty-Two: Silent Night, Deadly Night" (Season 2, Episode 9) - 8.1

Stream On Netflix

The characters in Riverdale celebrating Christmas in someone's living room

Riverdale's holiday episode had a lot of ground to cover, being the show's first Christmas-themed episode and the season's mid-season finale. In typical Riverdale form, the episode is full of drama and plot twists, which is why fans rate it so highly.

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There's a lot going on in this episode, but Veronica kicks things off when she discovers Hiram has been keeping a major secret from her while she looks for Christmas presents. Elsewhere, Jughead and Cheryl both deal with issues relating to Penny Peabody, and Betty and Archie team up to take down Black Hood once and for all.

Veronica Mars: "An Echolls Family Christmas" (Season 1, Episode 10) - 8.1

Stream On Hulu

Veronica putting an ornament on the tree in Veronica Mars

While the Christmas-themed episode wasn't considered one of Veronica Mars' best episodes when it originally aired in December 2004, it received high praise from critics and has become a cult favorite among fans of the show in recent years. Unlike other holiday-themed episodes, "An Echolls Family Christmas" doesn't focus too much on holiday festivities, which makes it unique.

Instead, the episode follows Veronica as she sets out to track down Logan's stolen poker money that he was supposed to give to Weevil, who won the game. Meanwhile, Lynn Echolls feels like she's being stalked and hires Kieth to help put an end to it.

The Carrie Diaries: "The Second Time Around" (Season 2, Episode 8) - 8.2

Available To Rent On Apple TV & Prime Video

Maggie decorating the tree with her dad in The Carrie Diaries

Despite being based on the beloved Sex and the City character, The Carrie Diaries is an under-appreciated teen drama series with an even more under-appreciated holiday episode. Though it's not screaming with Christmas spirit, it does have a few sweet holiday moments, like the father-daughter duo trimming the tree together.

However, the episode really centers on Carrie, who has been given the chance to interview the CEO of Bongo Jeans. Of course, it's not that easy because if Carrie doesn't nail the interview, she is going to lose her job at Interview Magazine. It's really through Maggie and her father's story that we see the Christmas spirit even though she's been lying to him for months.

Glee: "A Very Glee Christmas" (Season 2, Episode 10) - 8.2

Stream On Disney+ & Hulu

Finn and Santa putting the star on the tree in Glee

Glee cultivated a devoted following during its six-season run, during which the teen musical drama series aired four Christmas-themed episodes. However, it was season two's holiday episode, "A Very Glee Christmas," that has remained a fan favorite among Gleeks.

The episode screams Christmas cheer as Finn makes it his mission to make sure everyone is feeling the spirit at school, Artie learns Brittany still believes in Santa, and the teacher deal with a rigged Secret Santa. However, it's the seven memorable Christmas covers that make this episode so special, including Blaine and Kurt's rendition of "Baby, It's Cold Outside."

My So-Called Life: "So-Called Angels" (Season 1, Episode 15) - 8.4

Stream On Hulu

Ricky and Angela sitting in church pews in My So-Called Life

My So-Called Life may be a show canceled after one-season, but it made the most out of that one season, which is why it's still so iconic to this day. The Christmas-themed episode took a more somber approach than most holiday specials, but that's why it is so memorable. It also showcased that anyone can end up homeless, even teenagers.

The episode opens with Rickie running away from his abusive father after an explosive fight. Worried about him, Angela takes to the streets to find him, where she runs into a mysterious homeless girl who turns out to be an angel. As Angela tries to help Rickie, she finds herself at odds with her mother, Patty.

The OC: "The Best Chrismukkah Ever" (Season 1, Episode 13) - 8.5

Stream On Hulu

The cast of The OC at a Christmas party looking annoyed

Not only was The OC one of the most iconic teen dramas in the early 2000s, but it's also one of the only teen dramas to air a joint Christmas and Hanukkah-themed episode. A theme they kept going for all four seasons of the show's run. The joint holiday episode alone is what makes it such a memorable one for teenagers of every generation.

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Ryan's first holiday with the Cohens is kicked off as Seth introduces him to his family's "Chrismukkah" traditions. The festivities culminate in an epic party put on by Seth's parents but involve all the teenagers of The OC. The teen drama is heightened as Seth juggles his two girlfriends and Ryan deals with a depressed Melissa.

The Vampire Diaries: "O Come, All Ye Faithful" (Season 4, Episode 9) - 8.6

Stream On HBO Max, Peacock, & Prime Video

Caroline looking annoyed at someone offscreen at a holiday party in The Vampire Diaries

With the success of Twilight's book adaptation, it only made sense for Hollywood to make another teen TV show based on a vampire book, which is how The Vampire Diaries came to be. While The Vampire Diaries might not seem like the most festive show for a holiday special, they ended up airing four, beginning with season 4.

Set against the backdrop of their town's winter wonderland party, Caroline and Stefan get into a disagreement with Tyler over the fate of Klaus and his hybrids. Elsewhere, Elena and Damon try to sort out their complex feelings for each other. While it might be hard to watch this episode as a standalone, fans are adamant that it's the best Christmas special they got.

Switch At Birth: "Yuletide Fortune Tellers" (Season 3, Episode 22) - 8.7

Stream On Hulu & Prime Video

The Vasquez and Kennish family celebrating Christmas together in Switched At Birth

It took until season 3 for Freeform's Switched At Birth to air a Christmas-themed episode, but it was well worth the wait. The episode is a fan favorite not only for the holiday theme but also because it created an alternate timeline where Bay and Daphne weren't switched and instead were raised by their biological parents.

While the girls are originally pleased with how their alternative lives are turning out, they release that everything comes with a price. Bay and Daphne might be leading the lives they want, but their families have suffered, leaving Kathryn and John on the verge of divorce and Regina refusing to acknowledge her alcoholic tendencies. In the end, Daphne and Bay release that the switch may not have been ideal, but it was meant to be.

Chasing Life: "Locks of Love" (Season 1, Episode 11) - 9.0

Stream On Hulu

April celebrating Christmas at the hospital in Chasing Life

ABC Family's Chasing Life was a short-lived drama series that deserved more attention than it got, especially since it put out one of the best holiday specials. It's another one of those early Christmas celebrations that really captures the spirit of Christmas and how magical the holiday is, even when it's not actually the right month.

With April's health declining, her family throws her an early Christmas celebration. Though the episode deals with some deep themes, it ends with lots of love and smiles as April embraces her life and decides to spread the Christmas cheer to the other patients at the children's hospital.

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