The best way to spread holiday cheer is… rewatching the Christmas episodes of Gilmore Girls! Some ooze Christmas spirit, and some are just Christmas-ish, but they are all festive in ways as quirky and charming as the show we so love. Of all the 157 episodes, these are the ones I rewatch most, so I’m both listing and ranking them for you.
Whether you’re taking the Rory Gilmore reading challenge with us to read the books on Gilmore Girls (including the Christmas books on Gilmore Girls) or just getting into the season in Stars Hollow fashion, save or share the graphic below for quick reference. Then, keep reading to see how they stack up.
Quick List of the Gilmore Girls Christmas Episodes in Order
- Season 1 Episode 10 “Forgiveness and Stuff”
- Season 2 Episode 10 “The Bracebridge Dinner”
- Season 3 Episode 10 “That’ll Do, Pig”
- Season 4, Episode 11 “In the Clamor and the Clangor”
- Season 5, Episode 11 “Women of Questionable Morals”
- Season 6, Episode 12 “Just Like Gwen and Gavin”
- Season 7, Episode 11 “Santa’s Secret Stuff”
- A Year in the Life: “Winter”
My Definitive Ranking of the Christmas Episodes of Gilmore Girls
But first, refresh your memory with this video compliation of the best Christmas scenes on Gilmore Girls:
#8 Season 6, Episode 12 “Just Like Gwen and Gavin”
Plot: In “Just Like Gwen and Gavin,” Taylor is surprised to find the Winter Carnival thriving without his oversight. At Yale, Paris realizes her harsh management has turned the Daily News staff against her. Lorelai is devastated to learn about Luke’s daughter, April, from someone else instead of Luke himself. Meanwhile, Rory feels conflicted and overwhelmed as Logan showers her with extravagant gifts in an attempt to win her back.
Why It’s Ranked #8: In one word: April. In a few more words, the second Winter Carnival on the show just isn’t as original or as good as the first. And our girls, Rory and Paris, are in limbo. It’s an episode filled with more conflict than charm, and that’s not the Christmas spirit.
#7 A Year in the Life: “Winter”
Plot: After publishing an article in The New Yorker, Rory returns to Stars Hollow to reassess her future while secretly having an affair with her engaged ex, despite dating Paul. Meanwhile, Emily grapples with Richard’s death and convinces Lorelai to join her in therapy, and Lorelai and Michel struggle to find a new chef to replace Sookie at the inn.
Why It’s Ranked #7: Yes, it felt good to return to Stars Hollow in 2016, especially during Winter. And, while I personally don’t hate the reboot, there’s still a lot to be unhappy about in this episode: Richard’s funeral, Rory’s affair with an engaged man, Rory’s dating her doorknob of a boyfriend, Paul, and the lack of Sookie and her charm, to name a few.
#6 Season 3 Episode 10 “That’ll Do, Pig”
Plot: In “That’ll Do, Pig,” Lorelai’s grandmother, Trix, disrupts Richard’s birthday by announcing her return to the United States, leaving Emily scrambling. Rory clashes with Francie over student council politics, while Paris falls for Jamie after the holidays with him. Meanwhile, Rory and Dean cautiously rekindle a friendship, but tensions rise when Jess agrees to go with her to the Winter Carnival.
Why It’s Ranked #6: This is not a bad episode, just not the best of this bunch. The Winter Carnival is so Stars Hollow and so seasonal, and we do get both Jess and Dean. That said, we also get Trix.
#5 Season 4, Episode 11 “In the Clamor and the Clangor”
Plot: In “In the Clamor and the Clangor,” Lane sneaks out for a late-night gig at CBGB, but her double life unravels when Mrs. Kim tells her to move out. The newly repaired church bells drive the town mad, prompting Lorelai and Luke to sabotage them. At Yale, Rory suspects a guy she asked out has been gossiping about her. Lorelai is upset to hear that Luke has “moved in” with Nicole, but after visiting his old apartment, she realizes he hasn’t truly moved after all.
Why It’s Ranked #5: I’ve always thought of this episode as an underrated gem. It’s snowy and wintery and there are bells–lots of them! To me, this episode is one big holiday-themed delight.
#4 Season 5, Episode 11 “Women of Questionable Morals”
Plot: In “Women of Questionable Morals,” Christopher tries to make peace with Rory at Yale, but she rejects him. After learning that his father has died, Lorelai spends the evening comforting Christopher and hides it from Luke. Meanwhile, Emily and Richard briefly reconcile when they take in a lost dog.
Why It’s Ranked #4: This episode almost made the top 3 and is the only one I really debated. It gets bonus points for the most outrageously hilarious Kirk “job” ever– a “woman of the night” at the Revolutionary War Reenactment. It also brings Emily and Richard back together through a little snowball of a dog they find… in the snow, which is oh, so, heartwarming for Emily and Richard fans like me. Last but definitely not least, Luke literally builds an ice skating rink for his snow-smelling girlfriend, Lorelai. A peak moment for them! It all outweighs Christopher’s resurfacing, but it’s just a bit more wintery than Christmas-y to me.
#3 Season 7, Episode 11 “Santa’s Secret Stuff”
Plot: In “Santa’s Secret Stuff,” Lorelai and Christopher celebrate a delayed Christmas with Rory after she returns from London. When Luke asks Lorelai for a character reference in his custody case for April, she struggles until seeing him with April reminds her how much he means to Rory. Inspired, she writes the letter. Meanwhile, Rory decides to apologize to Lucy for hiding her past with Marty.
Why It’s Ranked #3: Really tough call between #4 and #3! Many may not like this episode being in the top 3, given Christopher’s presence, but on the other hand, it also feels festive in its own very Gilmore way, given their after-Christmas Christmas celebrations. It also gives us one of the most tender and poignant moments between Luke and Lorelai in the whole series. Her reference letter is the magic of Christmas. That’s ultimately why it’s here.
#2 Season 1 Episode 10 “Forgiveness and Stuff”
Plot: In “Forgiveness and Stuff,” Richard collapses during a Christmas dinner, leading to a hospital trip that forces one angry Gilmore family to put their differences aside and come together. At the same time, Luke supports Lorelai, both with a Santa burger and a ride to the hospital, and she returns these favors by gifting him his famous blue baseball hat.
Why It’s Ranked #2: “Forgiveness and Stuff” is one of my top 5 episodes of Gilmore Girls. It’s littered with fun food like the Santa burger and the apple tarts, festive decor, and “Will they or won’t they?” moments between Lorelai and Luke.
But the real holiday magic comes in how this feuding family comes together when their patriarch has a medical emergency. Richard’s line to Emily is the most tear-jerking in the entire show: “Yes, Emily, you can go first.”
#1: Season 2 Episode 10 “The Bracebridge Dinner”
Plot: In “The Bracebridge Dinner,” the Independence Inn hosts a traditional 19th-century dinner and “sleepover” for the town of Stars Hollow. This brings everyone to the table, including the feuding duos, Dean and Jess, and Emily and Richard, who surprisingly reveals he has retired.
Why It’s Ranked #1: In my humble opinion, “The Bracebridge Dinner” isn’t just the best Christmas episode of Gilmore Girls–it’s the best episode of Gilmore Girls, period. I know many agree.
It brings us a Christmas celebration that isn’t just festive but also unique and quirky — just like Stars Hollow. And the dinner offers the only scene I can think of that brings together “all walks of life” on the show, from the townspeople to Richard and Emily, Jess, Paris, and even Rune! Did I mention the magically romantic sleigh rides and the snowman contest?! This episode is a 10 out of 10 any day of the year–not just Christmastime.
