Apple TV Announces Free Peanuts Holiday Specials, And They're Available Now

Published Oct 19, 2026, 1:11 PM EDT

Umair is a contributor for the ScreenRant anime section. He has always been enthusiastic about pop culture. Whether it's anime, movies, TV shows, manga, manhwa, video games, or pop music, he is always tuned in.

From the classic Dragon Ball to the underrated Dororo, he has a broad knowledge of the most.

When he's not writing, you may find him editing on his favorite anime, movie, or pop star on his Instagram.

Apple TV is giving Peanuts fans a pretty good Halloween treat this year, and it doesn't cost a subscription. The streaming service is bringing back It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown for a limited free viewing window, giving families a chance to revisit one of the most beloved Halloween specials ever made. And yes, Linus is still convinced that the Great Pumpkin will show up.

Announced on September 24, the offer is part of Apple's annual holiday lineup, which also includes free streaming windows for A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas. The Halloween special is particularly worth celebrating this year, as the 1966 classic marks its 60th anniversary.

While the official free window for non-subscribers was originally scheduled strictly for the weekend of October 17 to October 18, the beloved Halloween special is still sitting free to stream on the Apple TV app right now for anyone looking to get into the autumn spirit.

It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown Is Shockingly Still Free To Stream On Apple TV Right Now

Ever since Apple secured the exclusive streaming rights to Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts specials, watching Charlie Brown’s holiday adventures has become a little less straightforward for fans without a subscription. The classics no longer air on their traditional broadcast schedule, so anyone hoping to catch them for free has to wait for Apple’s limited-time holiday streaming windows.

Apple confirmed the 2026 dates in its September 24 holiday announcement, and here's when each special will be available to stream for free:

• It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown - October 17-18
• A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving - November 14-15
• A Charlie Brown Christmas - December 12-13

While subscribers have a new special, Snoopy Presents: 12 Days of Snoopy, arriving on November 13, the bigger surprise is that It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is still available to watch for free. Apple's free streaming window was supposed to end on October 18, but the Halloween classic remains accessible on the Apple TV app at the time of writing. Whether Apple has quietly extended the offer or the special simply hasn't been locked behind the paywall yet is unclear.

There's no telling how long it'll stay free, so anyone hoping to revisit this Halloween favorite should check Apple TV before the offer disappears. At just 25 minutes, it's an easy watch, with Linus waiting for the Great Pumpkin, Snoopy imagining himself fighting the Red Baron, and Charlie Brown getting his usual disappointing trick-or-treat haul of rocks.

Free Thanksgiving And Christmas Streams Give Peanuts Fans Two More Viewing Windows This Year

Even if some viewers end up missing out on It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown before this extended free window finally closes, there’s still more specials to look forward to. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas are still coming up in November and December, giving families two more chances to revisit the holiday classics without paying for an Apple TV subscription during their free weekends.

And honestly, Snoopy and the gang seem to be everywhere this season. From Starbucks' fall-themed Snoopy merchandise to Timex's Halloween watches and Crocs' holiday collection, there's no shortage of ways for fans to celebrate Charles M. Schulz's beloved characters. Getting the original animated Peanuts specials for free is a nice bonus, especially for families who want to keep these old holiday traditions alive without adding another streaming bill.