How to Watch Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town on ABC and DIRECTV in 2026
By American TV editorial team |
"Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" airs Monday, November 30, 2026, from 10 to 11 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. In the perennial favorite created in 1970 by Rankin-Bass Productions, Fred Astaire narrates the story of Kris Kringle, voiced by Mickey Rooney, a young boy with an immense desire to do good things for others. On DIRECTV, it's on your local ABC station.
Plan more viewing with our Mary Poppins Thanksgiving guide and Disney Holiday Spectacular guide.
The special closes out a holiday night on ABC. It follows The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular, which airs from 8 to 10 p.m. with new musical performances from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California.
When and where to watch
| How to watch | When |
|---|---|
| ABC (local station on DIRECTV) | Monday, Nov. 30, 2026, 10 to 11 p.m. ET/PT |
| Earlier that night on ABC | The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular, 8 to 10 p.m. |
| Next night on ABC | Dancing with the Holidays, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 8 to 9 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. Because it starts at 10 p.m. on a school night, you may want to search the guide for "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" and record it for the kids. To find your station, see what channel ABC is in your area. Earlier that night, here's how to watch the Disney Holiday Spectacular. Our Disney+ and Hulu price guide has current streaming plans. 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. Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town, ABC, The Wonderful World of Disney, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent DIRECTV dealer and resource site.