Ah, the holiday season: spending time with friends and families, making cookies, and sitting down to enjoy your favorite television shows' holiday specials. Needless to say, we have come a long way since specials like A Charlie Brown Christmas and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. 1997 brought with it the first South Park Christmas episode, straight from the twisted minds of Matt Stone and Trey Parker. Shortly afterward, the idea of a traditional animated holiday special was never the same.

25 years and 25 seasons later, South Park is as popular as ever and shows no signs of slowing down. It is widely considered to be one of the best modern sitcoms. In the spirit of the season, let us sit back, grab a cup of eggnog, and revisit our favorite South Park Christmas episodes.

Updated December 9th, 2023: This list has been updated with more content and even more classic South Park Christmas episodes.

South Park Christmas Episodes in Chronological Order

11 #HappyHolograms (Season 18, Episode 10)

"#HappyHolograms" is the follow-up to the penultimate episode of season 18, "#REHASH." That being said, it's a definite highlight of South Park's experimental years prior to season 21. A mishmash of pop culture trends and controversial events in the news cycle at the time, "#HappyHolograms" sees Cartman becoming a "let's player" prior to the airing of a massive Christmas special on television, with Randy revealing the truth about Lorde, Kyle attempting to put a stop to the special, and a plethora of celebrity holograms poking fun at their real-life counterparts. The episode was notable for featuring the popular internet personality PewDiePie as a special guest.

#HappyHolograms is #Alright

The brief period where South Park flirted with seasonal plotlines and serialization continues to polarize fans and critics alike. Even "#HappyHolograms" split critical opinions at the time, as some felt it was an inconclusive finale with a bit too much going on. That being said, the individual gags throughout this episode are just as golden as you'd expect from South Park. The obscenely vulgar title of the holiday special itself always gets a laugh, and Cartman's interpretation of ever-popular internet celebrities is surprisingly authentic. To cap it all off, there's a morbidly hilarious sequence involving a Kurt Cobain hologram that has to be seen to be believed.

10 Bike Parade (Season 22, Episode 10)

As of writing, "Bike Parade" is one of the last proper Christmas episodes produced for South Park, taking place towards the tail-end of season 22. Following up on the Amazon storyline that filled a majority of the season, the boys find themselves in a rut when their role in the upcoming bike parade is thrown into jeopardy. As Kenny quits, leaving the remaining few in a bind, the boys attempt to get the parade canceled via manufactured controversy.

A Commercialized Christmas Special

Notice how we didn't mention Santa Claus too much? Though the episode does take place during Christmastime, it purposefully eschews the supernatural elements of the holiday in favor of something more relatable. The rampant commercialization of the holiday, expedited through the implementation of the Amazon Fulfillment Center within the town, takes center stage amid references to previous episodes. It even makes a direct reference to Hankey the Christmas Poo's cancelation, prompting a crass interaction with Santa Claus as he immediately catches onto the boys' ruse. Though it may not be a traditional Christmas-themed episode, there are plenty of laughs to be found throughout, especially whenever Jeff Bezos is on-screen.

9 The Spirit of Christmas (Season 0, Episode 0)

Yes, "The Spirit of Christmas" isn't technically a South Park episode. But, if we're including everything here, we have to give it a spot on this list. "The Spirit of Christmas" is an assemblage of two separate shorts produced by Trey Parker and Matt Stone. "Jesus vs. Frosty" and "Jesus vs. Santa" are the two shorts featured here, each featuring a group of crass children caught in an over-the-top battle between two of Christmastime's most famous figures. While there is a significant difference in quality between the two shorts, both were crudely made with construction paper and aging cameras. The shorts also feature prototypical versions of the main South Park cast, complete with their original voices.

The Spirit of Christmas was Incredibly Important

It goes without saying that, without this pair of shorts, South Park as we know it today simply wouldn't exist. Beyond sketching out the rough formula for the series to come, these shorts would flesh out key characterizations, running gags, and even the famous "they killed Kenny" line. Though it may not match the show's later Christmas episodes in terms of writing, any South Park fan worth their salt will give these shorts a watch.

8 Christmas Snow (Season 23, Episode 10)

The later years of South Park have been, to put it lightly, a mixed bag. But Season 23 was a fine return to form, and "Christmas Snow" felt like it might as well have been a part of Season 13, not Season 23. This season finale follows Santa as he gives a PSA about drunk driving during the holidays (when it's known to be more prevalent). After his advice goes unheeded, Colorado outlaws alcohol until after the festive season. So, naturally, Randy Marsh sees an attempt to capitalize via Tegridy Farms. He creates an extra special blend of "Christmas Snow"...which is basically just flat-out cocaine.

A Christmas Special With Tegridy

Were one to ask most South Park fans, they'd agree that: one, the later seasons are weaker than Season 5 through Season 13; and two, the Tegridy Farms schtick felt more and more played out with each successive season. But yet, "Christmas Snow" works. There's just something palpably South Park about Randy Marsh of all people saving Christmas in a general sense. It hearkens back to other classic Christmas specials, not even necessarily within South Park, and makes for an appropriately-crass viewing session. Toss in the fact that Randy saved the holiday by mass-producing bud-tinged nose candy, and the episode becomes one of season 23's stronger outings.

7 Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics (Season 3, Episode 15)

"Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics" is a delightful holiday episode that plays more as a variety hour as some of our favorite characters entertain us with holiday songs. Such songs include a heartfelt rendition of "O Tannenbaum" sung by Adolf Hitler, a Christmas medley by Santa Claus and Jesus Christ, and a stunning performance of "O Holy Night" by Eric Cartman. The episode was also dedicated to the late Mary Kay Bergman, and features her last official voice performance in the series.

A Song-Filled South Park Special

The songs in the episode are genuinely memorable, but the ace in the hole is just how great Trey Parker and Matt Stone are at incorporating humor into music that not only elicits laughs, but also tells a story. Storytelling isn't a part of all of this episode's songs, though, considering some were pre-existing pieces that were covered, but a few of them are tied directly into the episode's momentum. It's certainly a unique episode from South Park's earlier years, playing more as a compilation CD commercial than as an episode like "Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo." A companion album was even released, so fans could relive their favorites each holiday season.

6 A Very Crappy Christmas (Season 4, Episode 17)

"A Very Crappy Christmas" features Mr. Hankey, a character with quite a backstory, failing to show up during the holiday season. The boys descend into the sewers of South Park to investigate his absence. There, they find Hankey distressed about his family problems, and a surface world lacking in Christmas spirit. The special follows the boys as they attempt to create a Christmas short film, akin to the holiday special created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone that put South Park on the map.

A Not-So-Crappy Christmas Episode

​​​​Where the episode succeeds the most is in its ability to comment on the spirit of Christmas from the point of view of animated, speaking, pieces of feces. This kind of cultural commentary mixed with crass comedy would eventually become a staple of the series' modern years, especially as they started to lampoon current events more efficiently. Toss in a wonderful Lion King reference with Mr. Hankey's "The Circle of Poo" song, and you end up with "A Very Crappy Christmas" being a solid showcase of South Park's early years.

5 Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo (Season 1, Episode 9)

"Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo" is a momentous episode for the series, as it was South Park's first-ever Christmas episode. Kyle, being one of the few Jewish kids, is feeling down around the holiday season.. But in comes Mr. Hankey, the unofficial Christmas mascot of the show, who's there to lift Kyle's spirits and restore the meaning of Christmas to the town of South Park. Will this chunk of feces be enough to save the holiday season for a kid who's feeling a bit left out by his three Christmas-celebrating friends? Things may ultimately work out, provided Kyle sits by the toilet long enough to spot him.

Mr. Hankey's Debut

An episode meant to parody A Charlie Brown Christmas, Mr. Hankey's introduction is one heck of a festive surprise, and he has had an endearing place in South Park ever since. It was a risky place to go so early in the show's run, yet the irony is that even a talking chunk of poo wasn't the worst South Park did in even its debut season (which, for all intents and purposes, is the tamest). Though his presence in the series would diminish the longer the series went on, he would certainly be a crucial part of differentiating South Park from its peers.

4 Merry Christmas, Charlie Manson! (Season 2, Episode 16)

South Park flips Christmas on its head once more in the episode "Merry Christmas, Charlie Manson!" As Stan, Kyle, and Eric travel to visit the Cartman family in Nebraska, it is soon discovered that Eric's Uncle Howard has escaped prison alongside his friend "Charlie" — as in, Charles Manson. As the escapees are soon discovered by the police and Stan's disapproving parents, it is Manson himself that ironically explains the meaning of family. The episode closes with Stan, Kyle, and the entire Cartman family singing a holiday tune to Manson in prison, and it dawns on Stan just how messed up the events of the Christmas episode were, a nod to the audience from Matt Stone and Trey Parker.

One of South Park's Best

The best Christmas episodes include family coming together to celebrate the holiday. Putting aside differences, learning from one another, and believing in the spirit of Christmas. "Merry Christmas, Charlie Manson!" has all of these classic holiday special elements. The level of self-awareness in just the show's sophomore season is wildly impressive and helps cement the episode as one of the show's best holiday pieces. We even get a fun sequence involving a fake Mr. Hankey, who was voiced by a frequent collaborator of Matt and Trey, Dian Bachar.

3 It's Christmas in Canada (Season 7, Episode 15)

"It's Christmas in Canada" focuses on the Broflovski family, being one of the Jewish families residing in South Park. When it is revealed that his adopted brother Ike must be returned to his biological Canadian parents due to a new law set forth by the new Canadian Prime Minister. Kyle, Cartman, Stan, and Kenny embark on a Wizard of Oz-esque adventure through Canada in hopes of getting the Prime Minister to reverse his decision, all while trying to get home in time for Christmas Day. If they don't, Kyle will have to face the wrath of Cartman.

A Comedic Canadian Christmas

This hilarious and different take on the holiday is found in one of the best South Park seasons as a whole. A returning Saddam Hussein plays a key role in this episode, and the Canadian character Scott would reappear in the season 15 episode "Royal Pudding." It's also one of the few genuinely lighthearted episodes of the series, with its end message being particularly beautiful: family is not defined by blood, it's defined by affection.

2 Red Sleigh Down (Season 6, Episode 17)

Santa Claus has been a fixture of South Park from the very beginning. Naturally, it was only a matter of time before he'd be tasked with delivering Christmas to a war-torn Iraq. Meant to be a parody of the film Black Hawk Down, "Red Sleigh Down" sees Stan, Kyle, and Cartman accompanying Santa on his journey to Iraq. Meanwhile, Cartman attempts to do the ultimate nice deed to counter his endless list of naughty ones. Unfortunately, things do not go when planned as Santa's sleigh is shot down by a rocket. The boys will have to enlist Jesus himself in order to rescue Santa, save Christmas, and hopefully get Cartman off the naughty list.

An Action-Filled Christmas Episode

The irony of bringing Christmas to a Muslim country isn't lost on anyone throughout the episode, and that's what makes it so hysterical. The core concept of the episode is ridiculous, so why not try and emulate one of the aughts' most intense and beloved war films in the process? Everything is played completely straight here: Santa's sleigh spins out as if it were a helicopter, Jesus becomes a full-on action hero, and the stakes are ultra-serious throughout. When paired with a running gag involving Jimmy singing the "Twelve Days of Christmas," the resulting episode is a bona fide holiday classic.

1 Woodland Critter Christmas (Season 8, Episode 14)

"Woodland Critter Christmas" follows Stan as he befriends a group of animals in the woods outside of South Park. The critters need Stan's help to defend themselves against a nearby mountain lion, as one of the critters is pregnant. After Stan helps them to kill the lion, he shockingly discovers this troop of woodland critters are Satanists hellbent on birthing the Antichrist, a biblical figure whose birth will bring about the end of the world. Realizing his mistake, and goaded on by the episode's whimsical narrator, Stan attempts to make things right with the help of Kyle.

The Best South Park Christmas Episode

The insanity of the events wrapped in bright holiday lights and a festive bow help make this one of the all-time South Park episodes in general, and the best Christmas episode to date. The twist revealed near the end of the episode makes its graphic conclusion all the more hilarious. There's also just a ton of merit to seeing a group of cute little furry animals excitedly screaming "Blood orgy!" right before engaging in one. Though it would eventually become one of South Park's most controversial episodes, it's easily up there as one of the funniest South Park episodes to date.