Tricks, Treats & Charlie Brown! Where to Watch It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown This Halloween

Get ready to have a gourd ol’ time with the Peanuts gang!

The leaves are starting to turn, and the air is getting crisp, which means Halloween is right around the corner. With that comes one of the most beloved holiday TV specials, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

This year is the 75th anniversary of the debut of Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip, and the months between Halloween and Christmas are called the “Super Bowl of Peanuts” by the Peanuts Worldwide company.

“It’s a testament to Charles Schulz, Lee Mendelson and Bill Melendez, the three creators of A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Melissa Menta, senior vice president of marketing and communications for Peanuts Worldwide, told PEOPLE. “It truly was destination viewing for the entire U.S. when it debuted [in 1965].”

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown first premiered a year later, in 1966, and aired annually on CBS until 2000, when it switched to ABC. In 2020, Apple TV obtained the rights to the Peanuts specials, which meant the titles became exclusives on the streamer and were no longer available to be broadcast on TV for the holiday season.

Even though it won’t be shown on TV this year, there is still a way to catch the Peanuts Halloween special. Here’s everything to know about where to watch It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

What is It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown about?

The Peanuts kids have some awesome autumnal adventures in It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

In the classic animated special, the titular character prepares for a Halloween party, while the rest of the gang goes trick-or-treating and Snoopy embarks on an imaginary mission to shoot down the Red Baron.

Meanwhile, Linus waits in a pumpkin patch for the Great Pumpkin, a mythical Santa Claus-like figure who supposedly brings gifts every Halloween.

According to the Charles M. Schulz Museum, Schulz explained in 1979 that he came up with the idea of the Great Pumpkin when he was “trying to imagine what would happen if a child suddenly got one holiday ahead of himself and began to wait for presents on Halloween rather than Christmas.”

“Then, of course, he had to wait for someone to bring him these presents. And who would it be on Halloween night other than – obviously – the Great Pumpkin,” he continued. “I really am very proud of this whole idea, and it may be the most original – or unique – of all my ideas during these past thirty years.”

Which streaming service is It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown available on?

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is exclusively available to stream on Apple TV.

Apple TV has been the home of the library of Peanuts specials — including It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, A Charlie Brown Christmas and more — since 2020.

In October 2025, the streamer announced a five-year extension of their partnership with WildBrain, Peanuts Worldwide and Lee Mendelson Film Productions, making Apple the home for Peanuts specials through 2030.

“Our commitment, dedication and passion for Peanuts runs deep,” Tara Sorensen, head of children’s programming at Apple TV, said in a statement. “These beloved characters and stories hold a timeless significance, resonating with people of all ages across the globe. And we are delighted that the iconic holiday specials will be available for everyone to experience, continuing this time-honored, comforting tradition.”

Where can I watch It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown for free?

If you’re not an Apple TV subscriber, no need to yell “Good grief!” just yet.

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown will be available to stream for free on the platform for two days: Saturday, Oct. 18 and Sunday, Oct. 19.

Apple TV subscribers can watch the animated special anytime throughout the year.

Which channel will It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown air on this year?

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown will not air on network TV in 2025. The special is available to stream on Apple TV.