Source: Narith_2527 / Gety
Updated: December 8, 2025 5:00 PM
The Christmas season is here, and with it comes the perfect excuse to slow down, curl up in bed, and binge watch all your favorite sitcoms. There’s something comforting about bringing back the shows we grew up on — the laughs, the life lessons, the fashion, and the nostalgic holiday magic that only black TV families can bring. This special ‘Watched’ is about celebrating that nostalgia with a roundup of the best Christmas episodes in black TV history.
Related: Make the holidays bloom: 10 ways to bring back this holiday season
Whether you’re traveling, taking a much-needed break from work, or just trying to stay warm under a blanket, these pieces are guaranteed to lift your holiday spirit. As you begin to spend time with your real-life loved ones around the Christmas tree, don’t forget to draw on the joy of your TV family as well. Iconic shows are the same Bel-Air’s new chief, Martin, Single Life, Family matters, Girls, The game, Everyone hates Chris, Black-ish, A Different World, And many more gave us holiday holidays that still feel good today.
This week’s must-watch highlights 10 memorable Christmas episodes that capture everything we love about the season. From the over-the-top comedy that delivers sweet family mismatches to heartwarming moments that make it a little more accessible, these are our favorite TV moments. Some episodes show our favorite characters tearing up to pull off a well-deserved vacation, while others remind us what the season is all about: love, connection, and lots of laughs.
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What makes these episodes so timeless is their deep resonance. Even if you’re spending this holiday season alone, you’re never truly alone when you can tap into the joy of your TV families. Comedy is still coming to the country, Martin is still working, Khadija is still working, Melanie and Derwin are still fighting as hard as they can, and the Evans family is still believing in miracles in the “good times.” These episodes hit because they feel familiar. Traditions, chaos, culture, and heart all happen in every black home around the holidays.
So, before the holiday break officially begins, take a moment to recap the show we watched. Make some hot cocoa, wrap the last of your presents, and let these classic episodes play in the background while you get into the holiday spirit.
Scroll through and check out some of our favorite Christmas episodes from the best black sitcoms. Then, be sure to comment your favorite holiday episode below. We want to know which episode still gets your attention every year.
Happy holidays and happy broadcasting!
Check out the list of the best dark Christmas episodes in TV history below:
1. One Life – “Let it snow let it snow let it snow… Dammit” (S3, Episode 13)
Source: YouTube
A group of villains take a trip to the Bound Canadian Cabilian Confetion used to live as a child, but cranky Moundu and a series of mishaps dampen the mood. Rebina’s mad at Khadijah for stealing a man She doesn’t want anymore and Kyle and Maxine run around like horny teens until the teen gift giving until the teen gift giving until the teen gift giving until the teen gift giving until the teen gift giving goes wrong. But in the end, everyone is cool and Synclaire helps you realize that the people you love are what make the holidays special.
Self-release: This clip is from another episode.
2. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – “Deck the Halls” (S1, Episode 15)
Source: YouTube
She’ll try to get Ashley in the Christmas spirit, but her rarish decoration annoys the neighbors, especially Ememezali.
3. Girlfriends – “Merry Ex-Mas” (S4, Episode 11)
Source: YouTube
Maya invited her ex-husband and his new wife to a tree-trimming party with the girls.
4. Black-ish – “Black Santa / White Christmas” (S1, Episode 10)
Source: YouTube
The DRE tries to take the role of Santa’s office at the head of the staff; Bow is sick of competing with Ruby for who cooks Christmas dinner.
5. Martin – “Straight Thing” (S4, Episode 13)
Source: YouTube
When I read the Christmas party at the invitation of Gina’s Client, Martin and Tommy read the guests exchange partners.
6. The Bernie Mac Show – “Road to Culture” (S3, Episode 3)
Source: YouTube
When the kids are full of presents, Bernie decides to pay for Christmas. Wanda loses the Christmas Spirit when she tries to get everyone to give her a present.
7. Kenan & Kel – “Merry Christmas, Kenan” (S1, Episode 11)
Source: YouTube
Kenan has been shopping for the coolest mountain bike in the world. He learns the true spirit of Christmas when he takes a job as Santa in a department store.
8. Game “Ghost of Derwin’s Past” (S2, Episode 10)
Source: YouTube
Melanie decides to spend Christmas with Dionne. Dionne learns that the opportunity for synchronicity has not yet been awakened.
9. Family Matters – “It’s Starting to Look Like Urkel” (S4, Episode 10)
Source: YouTube
The bodies of Laura and Steve Change after his guardian angel is the enemy of his wish for Christmas.
10. One on one – “Who does everyone like?” (S2, episode 11)
Source: YouTube
Flex gets jealous when he bumps into his ex-wife and new beau (David David Rampy) at Duane’s Christmas party.
