'The Velveteen Rabbit' leads the new Apple TV+ holiday season

Apple TV+ has announced its family and kids lineup for the festive season, starting with "The Velveteen Rabbit" and including new specials.

"The Velveteen Rabbit" is described as a "heartwarming Apple Original Special," which is based on the "beloved children's classic written by Margery Williams." It was a British book about a stuffed rabbit and its hopes of becoming real.

The one-off special written by Tom Bidwell, will stream from November 22, 2023, and marks the start of the Apple TV+ childrens' and family entertainment holiday season. Highlights of the rest of the season include new holiday-themed editions of "The Snoopy Show," "Frog and Toad," and "Shape Island," all streaming from December 1, 2023.

Then there's also new edition of "Sago Mini Friends" which will have a New Year's Eve theme, and debut on December 22, 2023.

Ahead of all the new shows, Apple TV+ has announced "special free windows for nonsubscribers to stream the iconic holiday specials" of "Charlie Brown."

When Apple first bought the rights to "Charlie Brown," it allowed its various specials to still air on network broadcast television station PBS, to keep decades of tradition alive. That ceased two years ago, and once again Apple is keeping the specials on Apple TV+ but allowing them to be seen free for a limited time.

"It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" will be available for the weekend of October 21 and October 22. "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" will be free November 18 and November 19.

The main holiday special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas", will be available to watch for free on December 16 and December 17.