Nickelodeon has had the advantage of programming some of the best live-action and animated children's shows, which puts it ahead of its competitors like Cartoon Network and Disney Channel. With double the iconic content comes double the iconic holiday specials which is the opposite of a problem as the holiday season begins.
When it comes to Christmas episodes, Nickelodeon shows have something for everyone. From experiencing a first Christmas under the sea to traditional family gatherings, there is a Christmas episode that everyone can relate to. And the best part is that all of these episodes are available to stream, mainly from Paramount+.
Henry Danger: "Holiday Punch" (S5, E28) - 8.0
Christmas isn't Christmas without Christmas trees, which is exactly what "Holiday Punch" centers on. After a new species of moth devastates the Christmas tree population in Swellview, Captain Man and Kid Danger buy more from a local town. However, on the way back, they cross paths with sinister tree dealers who want to take their trees.
This episode maintains the Christmas spirit with an action-style plot as Kid Danger and Captain Man end up in an epic car chase and fight sequence to save the holiday. With plenty of fun gags like using Christmas lights to steer the car, "Holiday Punch" is a fun and spirited episode for the whole family.
The Fairly OddParents: "Christmas Everyday!" (S1, E7) - 8.0
"Christmas Every Day" is perhaps one of the most iconic episodes of The Fairly OddParents of all time. The episode opens with Timmy singing about how much he loves Christmas, leading him to wish that every day was Christmas. While this starts out as a great thing, everyone quickly gets annoyed with Christmas including the armed forces who try to shoot Santa down and other holiday mascots.
The episode is full of fun and hilarious moments, including an epic battle sequence between Santa and the other holiday mascots. It also teaches the lesson that the special thing about Christmas is that it happens only once a year.
Victorious: "A Christmas Tori" (S2, Ep12) - 8.1
It's Christmas season at Hollywood High and not everyone is feeling festive. In order to get everyone in the holiday spirit, Sikowitz forces them to participate in a "Secret Santa" gift exchange. On top of trying to find the perfect gifts, Andre is dealing with his first failing grade and Beck is sleep deprived because of a loud cricket.
"A Christmas Tori" is a fun episode because everyone gets assigned to the person they least like which leads to heartwarming moments between characters. It also features Cat, Tori, and Jade singing Andre's original holiday song "It's Not Christmas With You" which is one of the show's best musical performances.
Kenan & Kel: "Merry Christmas, Kenan!" (S1, E11) - 8.2
As the holiday season approaches, Kenan finds himself just short of the amount of money he needed to buy himself a new bike. Not ready to give up, Kenan takes a job as a department store Santa while Kel signs up to be one of Santa's elves. Though the two originally signed up for the money, they end up learning the true meaning of Christmas as they interact with various kids.
Like all great holiday episodes, "Merry Christmas, Kenan!" ends on a heartfelt note when Kenan realizes that he should use his money to buy a bike for one of the children's sisters who visited him at the mall. It's a great episode for those who need a quick reminder that giving is better than receiving.
Rugrats: "The Santa Experience" (Season 2, Episode 14) - 8.2
Over the years, Rugrats has aired several holiday episodes including a memorable Hanukkah-themed episode. But when it comes to Christmas, the one fans flock to year after year is "The Santa Experience" because it perfectly encapsulates the characters and the true meaning of Christmas.
After an unpleasant experience with the mall Santa, Angelica becomes skeptical that Santa Claus exists. Wanting to keep the magic alive, the families decide to spend Christmas together in a cabin to have a traditional Christmas. Meanwhile, Tommy and Chuckie set out to capture Santa Claus so Chuckie can get over his fear.
Big Time Rush: "Big Time Christmas" (S2, E8&9) - 8.5
While some consider "Big Time Christmas" a made-for-TV movie, it aired during the show's second season which qualifies it as a two-part episode. As the boys get ready to fly home to celebrate Christmas with their families, they are forced to come into the studio to record three new holiday songs. In the end, the boys record the song and spend Christmas in LA together.
The episode is fun and special for a lot of reasons, including the fact that it features two musician guest appearances. Both Miranda Cosgrove and Snoop Dogg appear in the episode to record holiday songs with Big Time Rush. It also included four holiday songs, including two originals.
SpongeBob SquarePants: "Christmas Who?" (S2, E8) - 8.9
The SpongeBob SquarePant episode "Christmas Who" often makes the list of the best Christmas episode of all time. The two-part episode begins with Sandy telling SpongeBob all about Christmas back home in Texas. Her stories inspire him to teach the residents of Bikini Bottom the spirit of Christmas. When it's revealed that Santa didn't stop by, everyone is disappointed which forces Squidward to step up and join in the Christmas fun.
"Christmas Who?" marked a lot of firsts for SpongeBob, including being the first two-part, full-length episode and the first appearance by Patchy the Pirate, SpongeBob's number one fan. It also features the catchy song "Santa's Coming Tonight."
The Casagrandes: "A Very Casagrandes Christmas" (S2, E6) - 9.0
The Casagrandes have a lot going on as they finish up their celebration of Las Posadas and gearing up for a fun Noche Buena celebration. However, their celebrations must be adapted and put on hold as their friendly neighbors keep interrupting asking for various kinds of help.
"A Very Casagrandes Christmas" is a fun Christmas-themed episode because it showcases how other cultures and families celebrate Christmas. It also serves as a nice reminder that sometimes all it takes to have a good holiday is being surrounded by good company.
The Loud House: "11 Louds a Leapin'" (S2, E2) 9.3
While The Loud House has aired several holiday-themed episodes, the most memorable one that screams Christmas the most is the season 2 episode "11 Louds a Leapin.'" As the Loud family prepares for Christmas, Lincoln finds himself in distress when his sleigh crashes into a neighbor's yard leading him to create a plan to rescue it. There are many great animated Christmas TV specials and "11 Louds a Leapin'" is a fun animated episode.
The best part of this episode is that the Louds are all celebrating Christmas in different ways. Luna and Luan are focused on Christmas music but in different ways, Leni is making Christmas outfits, and the other members of the family each have their own tasks from having fun to stressing over gift-giving.
Hey Arnold: "Arnold's Christmas" (S1, E11) - 9.3
An annual tradition in Arnold's boarding house is that everyone participates in the Secret Santa exchange and this year, Arnold draws Mr. Hyunh's name. Always one for thoughtful gifts, Arnold struggles to come up with a gift idea and instead asks Mr. Hyung what he wants. Arnold then learns that Mr. Hyung has a daughter who he hasn't seen or spoken to in decades.
What's so special about "Arnold's Christmas" is that Arnold really helps everyone see that Christmas gift-giving only matters when the gifts come from the heart. It also teaches viewers that material things aren't always the best and that sometimes the most personal gifts are simply being in the presence of loved ones.