Which Sesame Street Christmas special first aired on PBS on December 3, 1978?

The Sesame Street Christmas special that first aired on PBS on December 3, 1978, was Christmas Eve on Sesame Street.

The hour-long special follows the residents of Sesame Street as they prepare for Christmas Eve. Big Bird worries that Oscar the Grouch may be lonely, while Ernie and Bert struggle with what to give each other. The special also features memorable musical numbers, including Big Bird ice-skating and the song “Keep Christmas With You.”

It was produced by the Children’s Television Workshop and directed by longtime Sesame Street creative leader Jon Stone. Caroll Spinney performed both Big Bird and Oscar, while Jim Henson and Frank Oz performed several major Muppet roles.

A common mix-up is with Elmo Saves Christmas, a later special centered on Elmo, or A Muppet Family Christmas, which was a 1987 television film. Christmas Eve on Sesame Street is the 1978 PBS production named in the question.