Ranking of all 8 Christmas Episodes of Gilmore Girls

Conceived by Amy Sherman-Palladino and set in the small, fictional town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut, Gilmore Girls built a massive following long after its original 20002007 run on the WB and later the CW, boosted further by its streaming popularity and revival series. Across seven seasons and the reboot, the show features several holiday-themed episodes, including memorable takes on Thanksgiving and Valentines Day. Christmas, however, appears more sporadically.

The story centers on young single mother Lorelai Gilmore, portrayed by Lauren Graham, and her bright teenage daughter Rory, played by Alexis Bledel. Many viewers also include Kelly Bishops sharp and commanding Emily Gilmore as an honorary third member of the trio. Thanks to the towns eccentric residents and the shows famously fast dialogue, even the simplest moments like an ordinary grocery run are engaging. While the series does not deliver a Christmas episode every season, the holiday still receives noteworthy attention, often tied to Lorelais well-known love of snow.

Below is a ranking of the eight Gilmore Girls episodes connected to Christmas, ordered from lowest to highest quality.

Santas Secret Stuff (Season 7, Episode 11)

Season seven, widely regarded as turbulent due to the departure of Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, includes the Christmas-centered episode Santas Secret Stuff. The hour unfolds during Lorelais uneasy marriage to Christopher Hayden, played by David Sutcliffe. Because Rory spent Christmas in London with her boyfriend Logan Huntzberger, the family recreates the holiday once she returns home.

Despite the focus on family celebration, the episode leans heavily into Lorelais deep connection with Luke Danes, portrayed by Scott Patterson. This is the episode in which Lorelai writes a heartfelt letter supporting Luke in his upcoming custody case involving his daughter April, contributing to the eventual collapse of her marriage to Christopher. Overall, the episode is widely considered one of the weakest entries in the series.

Just Like Gwen and Gavin (Season 6, Episode 12)

The roots of Lukes later custody battle begin in season six, when Luke learns he has a daughter, April Nardini, portrayed by Vanessa Marano. As he adjusts to this revelation, Luke keeps April a secret from Lorelai, even as the two are preparing for their upcoming wedding.

In Just Like Gwen and Gavin, the closest thing to a Christmas episode in season six, Lorelai unexpectedly encounters April at Lukes Diner and discovers the truth. Meanwhile, the Stars Hollow Winter Carnival pushes on without the usual leadership of Taylor Doose, and Rory receives an extravagant shipment of gifts from Logan as an apology. Although the episode contains seasonal elements, it ranks low due to the tension surrounding Aprils arrival and Lukes secrecy.

In the Clamor and the Clangor (Season 4, Episode 11)

This season four episode includes holiday notes but lacks the warm, united feeling often associated with traditional Christmas installments. Lane Kim, played by Keiko Agena, takes a bold step toward pursuing her dreams by sneaking away to New York City for a show with her band Hep Alien, defying her mothers strict expectations.

Elsewhere, Luke and Lorelai grow increasingly frustrated by the newly repaired church bells and end up breaking them again. At Yale, Paris Geller, played by Liza Weil, overwhelms her staff at the school newspaper. The episode is solid overall but does not capture a strong Christmas atmosphere.

Winter (A Year in the Life)

The 2016 Netflix revival A Year in the Life opens with Winter, which serves as the reboots closest link to Christmas. The episode is tinged with sadness due to the in-story and real-life loss of Edward Herrmann, who portrayed Richard Gilmore. His passing deeply affects Lorelai, Rory, and Emily.

Rory briefly returns to Stars Hollow while living a nomadic lifestyle and frequently visiting London, where Logan now resides and is engaged to someone else. Lorelai manages a rotating list of guest chefs at the Dragonfly Inn in Sookie St James absence. Winter functions mainly as a reintroduction to the world of Stars Hollow and sits comfortably in the middle of the list.

Women of Questionable Morals (Season 5, Episode 11)

This episode stands out as a bright moment for Luke and Lorelais relationship, highlighted by Lukes gift of a homemade ice rink in front of Lorelais home. Within the episode, Christopher reappears, causing friction between Rory and her father.

Meanwhile, Emily and Richard, separated at the time, temporarily reunite when a stray dog brings them back under the same roof. Though Lorelai keeps an ill-considered tequila-filled evening with Christopher from Luke, the ice rink remains a touching and memorable gesture.

Thatll Do, Pig (Season 3, Episode 10)

Taking place just after Christmas, this episode showcases much of what makes the series charming. Rory wants Jess to accompany her to the Stars Hollow Winter Carnival, and though he initially refuses, he reconsiders once he learns she might attend with Dean and his sister Clara. Their tension creates comedic conflict during the outing.

The highlight is the appearance of Lorelais grandmother, Trix Gilmore, whose disapproval of Emily sends the usually composed matriarch into complete disarray. Although not strictly a Christmas episode, it remains a strong holiday-adjacent entry.

Forgiveness and Stuff (Season 1, Episode 10)

One of Richard Gilmores earliest health scares unfolds in this season one episode. After being uninvited from the family Christmas gathering due to a disagreement with Emily, Lorelai ends up at Lukes Diner. When Richard suffers an attack during the party, Lorelai rushes to the hospital with Lukes help.

The incident ultimately brings the family back together, offering a look at how the Gilmore women support each other during crises. The episode balances tension and warmth, marking it as one of the stronger holiday-focused stories in the early seasons.

The Bracebridge Dinner (Season 2, Episode 10)

Widely regarded as the best Christmas-themed episode of the series, The Bracebridge Dinner brings the entire Stars Hollow community together. After a snowstorm prevents a group of guests from attending a grand themed banquet at the Independence Inn, Lorelai and Sookie invite the town to enjoy the event themselves.

The evening includes elaborate costumes, historical reenactments, and plenty of charming chaos. Rory and Jess grow closer during a carriage ride, Richard and Emily temporarily reconcile after a disagreement, and the quirky townspeople create an unforgettable atmosphere. The episode captures the shows humor, warmth, and sense of community, making it the top Christmas entry.