The Great Pumpkin Mystery Solved: Where To Watch 'It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown' In 2025 (Plus Free Dates!)

The annual quest to watch It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is a cherished Halloween tradition, but the way we view this classic has fundamentally changed. As of the current date in December 2025, the beloved Peanuts special has a new, exclusive home, meaning the days of catching it on network television are officially over. If you want to see Linus van Pelt waiting patiently in the Great Pumpkin Patch, you need to know exactly where to look.

The definitive answer for 2025 is that the special is available exclusively on the streaming service Apple TV+. While this requires a subscription for year-round viewing, there is excellent news for traditionalists: Apple continues the tradition of offering a special, limited-time window where you can stream the special for free, no subscription required. This article breaks down the exact dates, the history of the move, and how to ensure your family doesn't miss this iconic holiday cartoon.

The Definitive 2025 Guide: Where to Stream 'The Great Pumpkin'

The era of broadcast television for the classic Peanuts specials has ended. Since the rights were acquired by Apple TV+, this streaming platform has become the sole destination for watching It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. This exclusivity is part of an expanded partnership with WildBrain and the Peanuts Worldwide team, which extends Apple's rights through 2030.

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Here is the breakdown of how to watch the special in 2025:

The Crucial Free Streaming Window on Apple TV+

For fans who do not subscribe to the service, Apple TV+ honors the holiday tradition by making the special available for a short period, allowing everyone to enjoy the nostalgia. This is the only way to watch the special for free without a subscription or a free trial.

• Free Streaming Dates for 2025: Saturday, October 18, and Sunday, October 19.
• How to Access: Simply visit the Apple TV+ website or use the Apple TV app on any compatible device (smart TV, phone, tablet, etc.) during these two days. No sign-up or credit card information is necessary to watch during this window.

Year-Round Viewing with an Apple TV+ Subscription

If you prefer to watch It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown outside of the limited free window, or any time of the year, an Apple TV+ subscription is required. The subscription grants you unlimited access to the special, along with the entire library of *Peanuts* content, including new original specials and series produced by WildBrain.

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• Streaming Service: Apple TV+
• Cost: The standard monthly subscription fee applies (check the current rate, typically around $9.99/month, but always confirm the latest pricing).
• Availability: The special is available to stream on-demand 24/7 with a paid subscription.

The End of an Era: Why 'The Great Pumpkin' is No Longer on Network TV

The shift of the Peanuts holiday classics from broadcast television to a dedicated streaming service marked a significant moment in pop culture history. For decades, specials like It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, and A Charlie Brown Christmas aired annually on major networks like CBS and later ABC.

The change began in 2020 when Apple TV+ secured the exclusive rights to all classic *Peanuts* holiday specials. This move was part of a larger strategy by Apple to build out its content library and establish itself as a major player in the streaming wars. The deal includes the rights to the classic library and the production of new *Peanuts* content, with executive producers like Craig Schulz, Bryan Schulz, and Cornelius Uliano involved in the new projects.

This decision, while initially met with disappointment by some traditional viewers who missed the collective experience of a network airing, cemented Apple TV+ as the permanent home for Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy van Pelt, and the entire Peanuts gang.

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Essential Peanuts Holiday Specials and Their 2025 Free Dates

The exclusivity deal extends to all the major holiday specials created by Charles M. Schulz. For fans looking to complete their holiday viewing, here are the free streaming windows for the other key classics on Apple TV+ in 2025. This information is vital for planning your holiday viewing schedule and ensuring you don't miss a single moment of Peanuts nostalgia.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

This special features the iconic dinner prepared by Snoopy and Woodstock, and the inevitable football gag with Lucy van Pelt. It is a necessary watch before the Christmas season begins.

• Free Streaming Dates for 2025: Typically the weekend before Thanksgiving (confirm dates closer to the holiday).

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Arguably the most beloved of all the specials, featuring Linus van Pelt's famous speech about the meaning of Christmas and the sad little Christmas tree.

• Free Streaming Dates for 2025: Saturday, December 13, and Sunday, December 14.

Other Classic Peanuts Specials

The entire catalog of classic animated specials, including Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown and It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown, is also housed exclusively on Apple TV+. This comprehensive collection makes the service a hub for all things *Peanuts*, providing a deep well of content for fans of all ages.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I buy 'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown' on DVD or Digital?

Yes, while streaming is exclusive to Apple TV+, you can still purchase the special on DVD or Blu-ray, as well as digital retailers like Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, or iTunes. Owning a physical or digital copy provides a permanent, on-demand option outside of the streaming subscription. This is a great alternative for those who prefer not to subscribe to another service.

Will 'The Great Pumpkin' ever return to broadcast television?

It is highly unlikely. Apple TV+ has secured the exclusive streaming rights through an extended partnership that runs until 2030. Unless the terms of this deal change, the special will not air on traditional broadcast networks like ABC or PBS.

What is the story behind 'The Great Pumpkin' special?

The 1966 special follows the *Peanuts* gang as they celebrate Halloween. While Charlie Brown struggles with his trick-or-treating costume, Linus van Pelt, with the naive support of Sally Brown, skips the festivities to wait in the Great Pumpkin Patch, convinced that the mythical "Great Pumpkin" will rise and deliver toys, much like Santa Claus. The special is famous for its gentle humor and the recurring theme of Linus's unwavering, yet ultimately disappointed, faith.