How to Watch Father of the Bride on ABC and DIRECTV for Its 35th Anniversary
By American TV editorial team |
"Father of the Bride" airs Sunday, December 20, 2026, from 8:33 to 11 p.m. on ABC to celebrate the movie's 35th anniversary. A father has a hard time letting go of his daughter when she wants to wed. Steve Martin and Diane Keaton star in the 1991 comedy. On DIRECTV, it's on your local ABC station.
Plan more holiday viewing with our Christmas Day parade guide and compare DIRECTV options for local-channel availability.
The movie is part of ABC's 2026 holiday lineup. That same week, ABC airs "The Santa Clause" on Wednesday, Dec. 23, from 9 to 11 p.m., and "Home Alone" on Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24, from 8 to 10:15 p.m.
When and where to watch
| How to watch | When |
|---|---|
| ABC (local station on DIRECTV) | Sunday, Dec. 20, 2026, 8:33 to 11 p.m. ET/PT |
| Later that week on ABC | "The Santa Clause," Wednesday, Dec. 23, 9 to 11 p.m. |
| Christmas Eve on ABC | "Home Alone," Thursday, Dec. 24, 8 to 10:15 p.m. |
ABC lists the time as Eastern and Pacific, so check your local ABC listing if you're in the Central or Mountain time zone. ABC hasn't said whether this broadcast will stream anywhere.
How to watch on DIRECTV
ABC is a local channel on DIRECTV in most markets. The movie starts at 8:33 p.m., so a recording set for 8:30 will catch the opening. To find your station, see what channel ABC is in your area. For the rest of the week, here's how to watch The Santa Clause and how to watch Home Alone on Christmas Eve. For help adding local channels to your DIRECTV package, call American TV at 1-855-690-9884.
Want live TV, local channels and your favorite networks in one place? Check DIRECTV options at your address or call 1-855-690-9884.
Date, time and description are from ABC's 2026 holiday schedule (Oct. 27, 2026). Details may change. Father of the Bride, ABC, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent DIRECTV dealer and resource site.