There is nothing quite like a Friends holiday episode. They always just seem to have that extra little bit of magic and humor that is missing from other episodes. While you can binge-watch them any time of year, watching them during the holiday season is extra special. This is why we’ve gathered a comprehensive list of every episode of Friends that features a holiday below. Keep reading for more.
Valentine’s Day episodes of ‘Friends’
“The One With the Candy Hearts” (Season 1, Episode 14)
Chandler (Matthew Perry) ends up with his ex, and Monica (Courteney Cox), Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) try to cleanse themselves of bad relationships.
“The One With Unagi” (Season 6, Episode 17)
Chandler’s attempt to pass off an old mixtape as a gift results in hilarity when Monica realizes it’s from Janice (Maggie Wheeler).
“The One With the Birthing Video” (Season 8, Episode 15)
Valentine’s Day takes a weird turn when the group watches a graphic birthing video—definitely not romantic, at least according to Monica, Chandler and Rachel. But at least it’s better than getting broken up with like Ross (David Schwimmer) and then finding out that your best friend, Joey (Matt LeBlanc), is in love with your pregnant ex.
Halloween episodes of ‘Friends’
Season 8, Episode 6: “The One with the Halloween Party”
Monica and Chandler decide to throw a Halloween Party, where everyone comes dressed up as things like “Doodie,” “Chandler,” a pink bunny and more. Sean Penn guest stars in this episode.
Thanksgiving episodes of ‘Friends’
Season 1, Episode 9: “The One Where Underdog Gets Away”
It was the episode that started it all. In it, Monica tries to cook a Thanksgiving dinner that everyone will like, but after getting locked out of her apartment, it begins to go south rather quickly. Ross also tries and hilariously fails to talk to his unborn son.
Season 2, Episode 8: “The One with the List”
This episode doesn’t highlight Thanksgiving as well as the others, but it does focus on Monica trying to make desserts for the holiday using “mockolate.” The main plot of this episode, though, is Ross trying to choose between Julia (Lauren Tom) and Rachel, but his method for doing so doesn’t end too well.
Season 3, Episode 9: “The One with the Football”
This classic episode features sibling rivalry, playful bickering and some surprisingly intense touch football.
Season 4, Episode 8: “The One with Chandler in a Box”
Instead of summarizing this episode, we’re going to give you its most iconic quote, which showcases the hilarious plot: “Fine, judge all you want to, but [Ross] married a lesbian, [Rachel] left a man at the altar, [Phoebe] fell in love with a gay ice dancer, [Joey] threw a girl’s wooden leg in the fire, [Chandler] lives in a box!” Talk about FUNNY!
Season 5, Episode 8: “The One with All the Thanksgivings”
Flashbacks reveal Chandler insulting Monica in the past—and Monica accidentally cutting off Chandler’s toe.
Season 6, Episode 9: “The One Where Ross Got High”
If we were ranking Friends holiday episodes, this one would definitely be at the top of the list! Similar to season 4, though, instead of summarizing things, we’re going to detail the episode’s most iconic scene below!
Monica: And Dad, you know that mailman that you got fired? He didn’t steal your Playboys. Ross did!
Ross: Yeah, well, Hurricane Gloria didn’t break the porch swing. Monica did!
Monica: Ross hasn’t worked at the museum for a year!
Ross: Monica and Chandler are living together!
Monica: Ross married Rachel in Vegas and got divorced… again!
Phoebe: I love Jacques Cousteau!
Rachel: I wasn’t supposed to put beef in the trifle!
Joey: I wanna go!
Judy Geller [Christina Pickles]: That’s a lot of information to get in thirty seconds!
Season 7, Episode 8: “The One Where Chandler Doesn’t Like Dogs”
While living with Monica and Chandler, Phoebe sneaks in a dog only to learn that Chandler is scared of them. On the other hand, Ross doesn’t care about the dog and is solely focused on mastering Chander’s “stupid states game.” Then, there is Rachel, who is trying to get her assistant to fall in love with her. A fun-filled Thanksgiving episode.
Season 8, Episode 9: “The One with the Rumor”
Brad Pitt guest stars in this fan-favorite episode as a high school friend of Ross who still holds a grudge against Rachel.
Season 9, Episode 8: “The One with Rachel’s Other Sister”
Fans finally meet Rachel’s sister Amy (Christina Applegate) in this hilarious Thanksgiving episode that features the gang trying hard not to hate her while also trying not to ruin Monica’s wedding China. This would be the first of two episodes that Applegate guest-starred in.
Season 10, Episode 8: “The One with the Late Thanksgiving”
After convincing Monica and Chandler to host Thanksgiving, Rachel and Phoebe decide to go to a baby beauty pageant, and Ross and Joey go to a Rangers game instead. What follows is a mean version of Monica and a lot of floating heads.
Christmas and Hannukah episodes of ‘Friends’
Season 2, Episode 9: “The One With Phoebe’s Dad”
Phoebe discovers her dad lives nearby, while Monica hosts a sweaty holiday party.
Season 3, Episode 10: “The One Where Rachel Quits”
After Joey gets a job selling Christmas trees, Phoebe goes with him to harass customers into buying the dead ones instead. Elsewhere, Rachel finally quits her waitressing job at Central Perk and Ross tries to sell holiday cookies after breaking a little girl’s leg.
Season 4, Episode 10: “The One With The Girl From Poughkeepsie”
While some of the episode follows Chandler setting up Rachel, the main holiday portion centers around Phoebe trying to write a holiday song. We won’t spoil how it ends, but trust us when we say it’s just as funny as her hit single “Smelly Cat.”
Season 5, Episode 10: “The One With The Inappropriate Sister”
This episode might be as Christmas-centric as past seasons, but it does feature a lot of decorations scattered around in the background. Plus, there is a hilarious storyline of Phoebe trying and failing to earn money for the Salvation Army.
Season 7, Episode 9: “The One With All The Candy”
Monica might only have two hands to make all her neighbors candy in this holiday installment, but somehow she still manages to carry this entire episode on her shoulders. There is also a subplot about Ross gifting Phoebe her first-ever bike.
Season 7, Episode 10: “The One With the Holiday Armadillo”
Ross dons an armadillo costume to teach his son about Hanukkah. Yes, it’s as ridiculous as it sounds—but also heartwarming.
Season 8, Episode 11: “The One With Ross’ Step Forward”
Sending out a Christmas card with a girl you just started dating might seem a little crazy, but in the season 8 holiday episode, Ross does just that, as well as a lot of other crazy things. Meanwhile, Rachel’s pregnancy hormones start going crazy and Chandler lies to his boss about being with Monica.
Season 9, Episode 10: “The One With Christmas In Tulsa”
Chandler reflects on past Christmases while stuck in Tulsa, bringing nostalgic holiday flashbacks to life.
New Year’s Eve episodes of ‘Friends’
Season 1, Episode 10: “The One With The Monkey”
The gang makes a pact not to bring dates to Monica’s New Year’s Eve party, but things quickly change.
Season 5, Episode 11: “The One With All The Resolutions”
Ross’ attempt to wear leather pants goes hilariously wrong—one of the show’s funniest moments.
Season 6, Episode 10: “The One With the Routine”
Ross and Monica perform their cringy-yet-hilarious dance routine on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.
Whether you’re a fan of Thanksgiving football, Christmas candy or Ross’ New Year’s leather pants, these Friends holiday episodes are guaranteed to deliver laughs. Stream them now on Max to add some nostalgia and humor to your holiday season.
