With over 400 episodes and counting, Seth MacFarlane’sFamily Guyis the gift that keeps on giving. The beloved animated series has been a TV mainstay since 1999, with a total of 10 Christmas episodes produced over 16 seasons. In what’s become an annual TV tradition for fans worldwide, spendingquality time with the Griffin familyduring the holidays has led to some of the most entertaining and unforgettable episodes of the long-running animated series.
With the latest holiday celebration ofFamily Guyslated to air on July 10, 2025, it’s time to reflect and unwrap the show’s all-time best and most festive Christmas episodes on record. After all, while Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Valentine’s Day have been featured on the show, Christmas is the one holiday that allows for MacFarlane’s irreverent and subversive sense of humor to shine through the brightest inFamily Guy. Giggity, here are the best Christmas episodes ofFamily Guythus far.
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8Jesus, Mary, and Joseph — Season 11, Episode 8
The Griffins kick off the episode"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph"by decorating their Christmas tree. When Meg finds an ornament of Jesus' manger, Peter takes the opportunity to relay the story of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in ways that both respect and undermine the classic biblical tale. While honoring the spirit of the story, Peter dramatically revises history and ends the tale with an action-packed climax featuring laser-blasting spacecraft.
What Makes It Great
The best part ofthe rewatchableFamily Guyepisodecomes when Peter, Meg, Stewie, and the others impersonate Biblical figures and reenact the story of Jesus' immaculate conception. It’s always a delight to see theFamily Guycharacters portray iconic historical figures and satirize real-life celebrities, and this episode does not disappoint. However, as one of two Christmas episodes that revolve less around the actual holiday and more around the origin of it, the sheer joy of gift-giving is somewhat lacking in the episode.
7Christmas is Coming — Season 18, Episode 9
In"Christmas is Coming,“Meg and Stewie venture to the mall to meet Santa Claus. When Stewie begins to cry due to the overwhelming happiness and hustle and bustle of the yuletide season, Meg consoles him by holding Stewie while sitting on Santa’s lap. Just when things have settled down, Meg awkwardly expresses orgasmic delight by making contact with Santa. Upon her sexual reawakening, Meg desperately tracks the mall Santa down again, only to learn he is the real St. Nick.
The uproarious holiday episode may seem too racy for some, but it nails the irreverent tone and tenor that has made the show so popular for 25 years. Aside from the scathing indictment of Christmas mall culture and the craven consumerism that the holiday engenders, the ridiculous sexual innuendos and indiscretions are off the charts.
For instance, the bit about Stewie’s bizarre kinship with his stuffed bear, Rupert, gets to the heart of the show’s silly absurdity. Meanwhile, with the real Santa Claus on display, the episode does a great job of instilling a sense of Christmas magic for even the non-believers to enjoy.
6The First No L — Season 19, Episode 9
The Griffin family flat-out refuses to help Lois with her annual Christmas shopping and holiday preparations in"The First Noel.“As a result, Lois storms out of the house and tells the family she’s leaving for Cabo. As the family is left to rescue Christmas, Lois hides out at a nearby hotel and begins spying on their progress. But instead of expressing joy about their charitable actions and ability to organize a traditional Christmas celebration, Lois sabotages the entire ordeal with vengeful ire.
By the time Lois goes full-blown Grinch, the episode reaches a fever pitch of hilarity and holiday festivity. Stewie finds Lois decked out in the Santa Suit, and when he asks about it, she pokes fun at his Cindy Lou Who pink nightie and blonde pigtails.
Aside from the festive decorations and classic Grinch recreation, what Lois teaches the family about respect and responsibility regarding the Christmas spirit is more heartfelt than other holiday episodes ofthe adult animated show. The sweetest touch comes as a medical metaphor when Lois is sent to the hospital with an enlarged heart, suggesting she has three times more love to give than her family members.
5Christmas Guy — Season 12, Episode 8
In"Christmas Guy,“Peter takes his family to Quahog Mall to celebrate the annual Christmas Carnival. When the family learns that Lois' father is the one who canceled the holiday event, Peter does his best to convince the man to resurrect the seasonal gala. Meanwhile, in what is presented as his first Christmas celebration, Stewie morbidly asks the mall Santa to revive his deceased dog, Brian.
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The request leads to a wild time-travel event in which Stewie goes into the past to rescue Brian from being hit by a car. Despite his lack of Christmas spirit, the lengths to which Stewie goes to see his best friend again are genuinely sweet and touching. The emotional send-off for Vinny, who tries his hardest to imitate Brian to make Stewie happy despite knowing he can never take his place, resonates deeply in a message that reminds viewers that family is what matters most around the holidays.
4Don’t Be a Dickens at Christmas — Season 16, Episode 9
Inspired by the timeless Charles Dickens’A Christmas Carol,“Don’t Be a Dickens at Christmas"has nearly everything fans could wish for in a holiday episode. The story finds Peter alone on Christmas after Lois takes the children to her parents' house to celebrate. Peter is visited by the ghost of Patrick Swayze and taken on a tour of his past, present, and future, teaching Peter heartening lessons about what it means to be a responsible father figure.
Between the touching tributeto the late great Patrick Swayze, replete withGhostreferences, and the hilariousSNLskits referencing Chris Farley, the episode captures the essence of the Christmas spirit better than most thanks to the nostalgic Christmas Carol framing. It’s hard not to feel like a kid again while watching Peter visit his childhood home and witness the profound impact he’s had on his family’s life as Quahog developed over the decades. The snowfall, sumptuous Christmas dinner, and ornamental decorations make the episode truly feel like Christmas.
3How The Griffin Stole Christmas — Season 15, Episode 9
During the Griffins' annual Christmas visit to Quahog Mall, Peter takes the family to buy a new sled for the season’s first snow. At the mall, Peter takes Santa Claus' place and becomes intoxicated with his newfound authority as he entertains a slew of children’s wishes. Elsewhere, Brian and Stewie crash a festive office party in search of holiday treats, where their incorrigible tomfoolery leads to wacky mayhem and hijinks.
Although witnessing Peter play Santa and grapple with his outsized ego provides much of the episode’s entertainment, the sense of family unity is what resonates the most in the end. Peter is confronted by the real Santa Claus, who teaches him the true value of giving and sharing after acting so selfishly. Between the rousing family celebration at the end and the stunning sledding sequence to begin the episode,“How the Griffin Stole Christmas"is fun, festive, and unforgettable.
2A Very Special Family Guy Freakin' Christmas — Season 3, Episode 16
“A Very Special Family Guy Freakin' Christmas"marks the very first Christmas episode of the beloved animated series and still holds a special place in many fans' hearts. The plot finds Lois at a breaking point when she fails to organize the perfect Christmas celebration, prompting her to attempt to obliterate the town’s magnificent Christmas tree. Elsewhere, Stewie tries to get in Santa’s good graces by posing as baby Jesus in a school play.
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While much of the episode’s amusement derives from the novelty of being the inaugural Christmas chapter, it’s the expressions of family love and understanding that give it such dramatic weight. The overlooked responsibilities Lois has in keeping her family together are finally seen, appreciated, and ultimately gratified with heartfelt pathos.
As for the holiday celebration itself, fans learn that Joe Swanson’s injury came during Christmastime, which is why he’s sour in December. Meanwhile, Peter rocks out to a holiday special featuring Kiss, which amps up the lively energy in the episode.
By all accounts, the best Christmas episode ofFamily Guybelongs to"Road to the North Pole.“After an underwhelming visit to the Quahog Mall Santa,belovedFamily GuycharactersBrian and Stewie venture to the North Pole on a mission to murder the real Santa Claus. Alas, once they arrive in the frigid Arctic, a shocking twist of fate ensues and forces Stewie and Brian to save Santa from dying and rescue Christmas before it’s too late.
With a 44-minute runtime, “Road to the North Pole” is by far the longest and most complete Christmas special ofFamily Guyon record. The incredibly satisfying episode features a notable cameo by Bruce McGill as Santa Claus, who instills the magical quality of the holiday in the cynical Stewie and Brian just as they’ve given up on the holiday.
Meanwhile, the episode also dovetails into the series' “Road To” motif, making it much more than a one-off holiday special. The festive iconography of the North Pole itself is as majestic as can be, but it’s the essence of what Santa Claus stands for that makes the “Road to the North Pole” so memorable.
