Free Classic Christmas Cartoons in the Public Domain

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When I was a kid, a holiday tradition my family was watching old Christmas cartoons. We had a VHS with a bunch of cartoons from the 1930s and 40s that are in the public domain. We watched it so much, the tape wore out and we had to chuck the video. It’s been years since I’ve seen these charming Christmas cartoons, but thanks to the wonders of YouTube, I’m able to recapture a piece of my childhood.

Because these cartoons are in the public domain, they’re freely distributable. No worries about copyright. I’ve gathered all the cartoons here for you to view. This is a great (and frugal!) way to help get yourself in the Christmas spirit. Sit back, relax, sip a cup of cocoa, and enjoy this bit of Christmas nostalgia.

Christmas Comes But Once A Year

This one is my favorite! This cartoons stars Professor Grampy from Betty Boop. He makes Christmas merrier for an orphanage using his ingenuity.

Somewhere In Dreamland

Two poor and hungry children have a dream of a magical land filled with chocolate rivers and popcorn fields. When they awake, a feast awaits them supplied by a some kind merchants.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

This rendition from of the classic story was done in 1948. As a kid, I always thought the Santa in this cartoon sounded like James Earl Jones.

Santa’s Surprise

Kids from all over the world somehow sneak a ride to the North Pole on Santa’s sleigh. While Santa sleeps, the kids join forces to clean his workshop. Like so many things from the 1940s, this cartoon is full of what would today be considered offensive racial stereotypes in what was probably an attempt at diversity. Still, the cartoon is charming.

Jack Frost

A young grizzly bear ignores his mother’s warnings about the coming winter and heads outside only to meet Jack Frost himself.

Snow Foolin

Anthropomorphic animals enjoy the winter weather. Can someone explain how a kangaroo ended up in a winter wonderland? Best part: singing “Jingle Bells” by following the bouncing egg.

Hector’s Hectic Life

A dog named Hector has a hectic time cleaning up the messes of puppies left at the doorstep at Christmas time. If his owner finds finds out about the messes, Hector will be thrown out to the cold.

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11 Comments

1. Krystel on 04.12.2007 at 16:26 (Reply)

   Oh My gosh! Thank you! I watched a similar VHS, although mine had the Orphanage in B&W, and asked my mother about it recently, but she seems to think she lost it. I remember the bouncing egg, the cute puppies, the questionable Jack Frost. My VHS also had a great B&W about a poor kid in a “shanty” who gets taken by Santa to his workshop for a day. It showed its age in “diversity” but had a baby doll blowing up a balloon who ended up inhaling all the air back in and ballooned herself into a hefty woman who then sang “Shine on, shine on Harvest moooon….” The last “cartoon” was a Howdy Doody and how Clara (Clarence? the clown) saved Christmas. Came across your article while trying to find a copy!

   1. Brett McKay on 05.12.2007 at 23:59 (Reply)

      Krystal-
      I’m happy to know I’m not the only one who thought these cartoons were great. I was getting worried that I was a big dork. Wait… I am a big dork. I haven’t seen the “shanty” kid cartoon. I’ll have to look around. Thanks for stopping by!

2. paulette on 12.12.2007 at 09:55 (Reply)

   I have seen these cartoons before. As i remember i first saw this when i was 3 years old. These cartoons reminds me of my younger years

3. lei on 12.12.2007 at 09:59 (Reply)

   One thing i just notice with cartoons, the older takes good care of their young. Unlike in the real world they dont.Anyway cartoons are made for kids to teach good lessons

4. wendy on 12.12.2007 at 10:02 (Reply)

   I love cartoons. Watching one makes me feel relax. Thanks for posting cartoon clips

5. kc on 12.12.2007 at 10:05 (Reply)

   What i like about cartoons is character depiction of animals. Characters are not real. But depicts good values.

6. Jojo on 12.12.2007 at 10:08 (Reply)

   I feel like a kid whenever i see a cartoon show. It still can make me to stop and watch tv.I still find those entertaining

7. Gord on 19.12.2007 at 03:51 (Reply)

   does anybody remember a cartoon thats somewhat more modern than these…..would have been on tv in the 80’s I would guess but could potentially come from earlier. Its about a guy who builds a spaceship to go catch a star to put it on top of his tree………but when he gets it down it flies right back up into the sky. I cant seem to track this one down at all.

   1. Tara on 24.02.2008 at 21:02 (Reply)

      I remember that cartoon!!!! I was doing a search for it Gord and saw your post. It was only a short film I think, that filled time between television shows. Remember he tried an empty ketchup bottle!?!?

8. Brett McKay on 19.12.2007 at 20:38 (Reply)

   Gord-
   Can’t say that I remember the cartoon that you’re talking about. Good luck finding it!

9. Justin on 09.03.2008 at 03:18 (Reply)

   I am 18 years old and seeing Christmas time Comes once a year again for the first time in probably 12 years has brought back many memories. Thank you for posting these!

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