Every Gilmore Girls Holiday Episode, Ranked

Many people consider this show the ideal choice for autumn viewing, showcasing beautiful, cozy scenes of New England towns in fall. It also features several outstanding episodes centered around holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, and generally offers a comforting experience perfect for colder months.

Lorelai Gilmore especially loves the first snowfall, highlighting how important winter is to the show Gilmore Girls. The series deeply focuses on bonds between family and friends, which are central to any holiday. Gilmore Girls features numerous holiday-themed episodes, from Thanksgiving to winter festivals, and some have become truly iconic.

Drama Overpowers Joy in “Merry Fisticuffs”

Later in the series Gilmore Girls, Lorelai feels pressured by her mother to have a formal wedding after she and Christopher secretly eloped. This tension leads to an argument with both Luke and Christopher in Stars Hollow, as both men were already having a rough day and ended up lashing out at each other.

The ‘Merry Fisticuffs’ episode is set during Christmastime, but it’s a far cry from the typical cheerful holiday special. Instead of warmth and togetherness, it’s filled with conflict and arguments between family members. Christopher particularly stands out as someone who struggles with maturity, reacting with jealousy and saying hurtful things instead of nurturing his relationships.

Thanksgiving Is an Afterthought in “He’s Slippin’ ‘em Bread…Dig?”

This episode of Season 6 begins with Lorelai and Rory reconnecting after months of being apart and celebrating Thanksgiving together. Christopher unexpectedly returns, offering financial help as a way to make amends for not being around much. At the same time, Luke is struggling with the news that he has a daughter and worries about how telling Lorelai will affect their relationship.

This holiday episode doesn’t really focus on the spirit of the season or how it impacts the story. While it involves a family gathering, the plot is mainly driven by hidden truths and existing family conflicts, rather than joyful holiday moments. It’s also a somewhat sad episode to watch, knowing it foreshadowed a painful split later on.

Winter Isn’t as Charming in “Just Like Gwen and Gavin”

I just finished watching a winter episode of Gilmore Girls, and it was a whirlwind! It’s so funny to see everyone at Yale give up on the school newspaper because Paris is such a demanding editor. But things are lighter in Stars Hollow with the Winter Carnival – Lorelai even has a booth where her dog ‘reads’ fortunes, which is adorable. Though, beneath all the fun, Lorelai is dealing with some really tough news: she discovers Luke has a daughter he never mentioned! It’s heartbreaking to watch her process that.

The episode ‘Just Like Gwen and Gavin’ has a few sweet scenes, like Kirk really committing to the winter carnival to impress Taylor Doose. However, like many seasonal episodes, it’s overshadowed by a storyline that fans didn’t enjoy. This episode, in particular, is often criticized because it changes how viewers see Luke, who had always been presented as honest, especially when it came to his relationship with his daughter, April.

“A Vineyard Valentine” Isn’t Very Romantic

This Valentine’s Day, Logan and Rory invite Lorelai and Luke to spend the holiday at Logan’s family home in Martha’s Vineyard. Lorelai is looking forward to the getaway with her fiancé, especially because Luke isn’t a fan of Valentine’s Day. However, she’s upset by Luke’s constant complaining about Logan, even though Logan tries hard to make them both feel comfortable and even provides a gift for Luke to give to Lorelai as a gesture of welcome.

While the show often blends romance and comedy, this episode is surprisingly more irritating than heartwarming or funny. The most impactful moment involves Logan’s father insisting he abandon plans to attend a meeting. Although “A Vineyard Valentine” has some silly, enjoyable scenes, it, like other recent episodes, doesn’t show Luke in a good light.

“In the Clamor and Clangor” Is a Casual Affair

Okay, so “In the Clamor and Clangor” isn’t exactly packed with huge events. Mostly, I spent the episode watching Rory get really stressed out because she thinks someone at school is talking about her. There’s a sweet but awkward moment where Lane’s mom finds out she’s playing drums, and it causes some tension. And honestly, one of the funniest parts for me was Lorelai and Luke getting fed up with the newly-repaired church bells and deciding to break them! It gives Lorelai the perfect opportunity to subtly grill Luke about how things are going with Nicole, which is classic Lorelai.

The episode doesn’t feature a traditional winter scene, despite some light snowfall. A highlight is the town’s strong dislike of the church bells. Plus, it subtly hints at the major developments coming for Luke later in the season.

“That’ll Do, Pig” Is a Carnival of Drama

This episode centers around Emily Gilmore’s birthday and a visit from her mother, Lorelai, who announces she’s planning to move back to Connecticut. Lorelai enjoys watching her mother and Emily interact, and even offers some advice about their relationship. Meanwhile, Rory navigates a potentially awkward situation at the Stars Hollow Winter Carnival, attending with both her current boyfriend, Jess, and her ex, Dean, along with Dean’s younger sister.

While Stars Hollow is known for its over-the-top town events, some episodes showcase them better than others. This particular installment doesn’t focus heavily on the town itself, although the rivalry between Jess and Dean offers some funny moments. The episode also brilliantly illustrates Lorelai’s personality, featuring a classic scene where she invites someone to dinner just to get back at her disapproving mother-in-law.

“Santa’s Secret Stuff” Is a Post-Christmas Special

“Santa’s Secret Stuff” is the final Christmas-themed episode of the series, even though the story happens after Christmas has passed. The episode centers around Lorelai waiting for Rory to return from a trip to London to finally celebrate the holiday, including decorating a Christmas tree and enjoying other festive traditions. It also includes a particularly emotional scene where Christopher asks Lorelai to write a letter of support for him as he tries to gain legal visitation rights with his daughter.

Most episodes with Christopher aren’t fan favorites, but this Christmas special is a warm and cheerful exception. It’s also one of the few times we see Rory connect with her little sister, Gigi. And despite some strange storylines in the later seasons, Lorelai’s support of Luke’s wish to be involved in April’s life is a really sweet moment.

Love Is Complicated in “Women of Questionable Morals”

While not necessarily a classic episode, ‘Women of Questionable Morals’ features some truly memorable scenes. One highlights Rory’s empathy when she discovers Christopher’s father has passed away, prompting a comforting visit with Lorelai. Meanwhile, back in Stars Hollow, Taylor Doose organizes a peculiar Revolutionary War reenactment with an unexpected heroine: a sex worker.

As a huge fan, I always loved this episode! It really showcases some incredibly sweet moments. There’s that hilarious scene where Kirk steps in to fill a rather unusual role when his girlfriend can’t, and it’s just so charming. But for me, the best part is Luke building an ice rink for Lorelai – it’s unbelievably thoughtful, especially considering she loves winter! And even Richard and Emily get a tender moment, caring for a stray dog while they’re still going through their separation. It’s just a really heartwarming episode all around.

Christmas Goes Wrong in “Forgiveness and Stuff”

In “Forgiveness and Stuff,” the story starts with Lorelai being excluded from her parents’ Christmas party. Things quickly become much more serious when she learns her father, Richard, has had a heart attack and is in the hospital. While she hurries to his side, she finds it difficult to offer comfort to a father who wasn’t very affectionate during her childhood.

This episode explores why Lorelai prioritized a strong bond with her daughter. She remembers feeling distant from her own father, Richard, who, while loving, wasn’t always around. Despite this past, a quiet joy was visible when Richard and Lorelai reunited in a difficult moment, showing their happiness to see each other.

The Gilmore Girls are Dedicated in “A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving”

This episode of Gilmore Girls focuses on Lorelai and Rory’s favorite part of the holiday: food! They make it a point to celebrate with everyone, attending four separate dinners. They start at Sookie and Jackson’s, then head to a lively dinner with the Kims, make a stop at Luke’s Diner, and finish the day with a more formal meal at Richard and Emily’s house.

This episode is enjoyable because it focuses on a simple day in the lives of the characters, without a lot of unnecessary conflict or romance. It really highlights Lorelai and Rory’s often over-the-top eating habits, but more importantly, it’s a sweet portrayal of their close bond and how inclusive they are with their holiday celebrations.

2025-11-28 22:20