Get ready to head back under the sea this holiday season, because Christmas is getting ready to arrive in Bikini Bottom, and this time, one of our favorite underwater troublemakers is taking his plans a little further than usual.
For more than 25 years, SpongeBob SquarePants has continued to bring laughter, unforgettable adventures and plenty of underwater antics to generations of fans. From SpongeBob’s everyday adventures working at the Krusty Krab to the never-ending rivalry between Mr. Krabs and Plankton, the beloved Nickelodeon series has become a staple of children’s entertainment, introducing audiences to a world where even the simplest of situations can turn into something extraordinary.
And while we have seen SpongeBob and his friends celebrate the holidays in the past, their newest Christmas adventure is about to take them somewhere rather unexpected.
That’s right, Nickelodeon has officially announced that the all-new hour-long animated holiday special, Merry Christmas, Mr. Plankton, will premiere on November 27, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET/PT, with the special also becoming available to stream on Paramount+ the same day.
And this time, Plankton isn’t just looking to get his hands on the Krabby Patty secret formula.
He’s taking over the North Pole!
In the upcoming holiday adventure, SpongeBob, Mr. Krabs and an unlikely group of friends must come together to save Christmas after Plankton manages to take control of the North Pole. Naturally, considering Plankton’s long history of elaborate schemes and his determination to get what he wants, we can only imagine the sort of trouble that awaits our favorite residents of Bikini Bottom as they attempt to bring a little holiday cheer back to the world.
But saving Christmas is going to require more than just SpongeBob’s usual optimism and enthusiasm, especially when the fate of the holiday itself is on the line.
The upcoming special will see the return of the series’ familiar voice cast, including Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Rodger Bumpass, Clancy Brown, Mr. Lawrence, Jill Talley and Carolyn Lawrence. Joining the cast for this festive adventure is special guest Lewis Black, who will be lending his voice to Santa Claus.
And the holiday fun doesn’t stop once SpongeBob’s newest adventure comes to an end.
Immediately following Merry Christmas, Mr. Plankton, Nickelodeon will premiere an all-new episode of The Patrick Star Show at 6 p.m. ET/PT. Titled Snowbound! A Star Family Christmas, the episode will find Patrick and his family snowed in at home, where they pass the time by sharing Christmas stories together.
With both specials arriving on the same evening, fans can look forward to a full lineup of holiday adventures featuring some of Bikini Bottom’s most recognizable residents.
Since making its debut in 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has grown into one of Nickelodeon’s most recognizable franchises, expanding far beyond the original animated series into feature films, spin-offs, games, merchandise and even a Broadway musical. And with the continued adventures of SpongeBob and his friends, including Kamp Koral and The Patrick Star Show, the world of Bikini Bottom has continued to find new ways to entertain longtime fans while introducing younger audiences to its beloved characters.
Now, with the holidays quickly approaching, it’s time for another chapter in SpongeBob’s ever-growing collection of adventures. And considering the trouble Plankton has managed to get himself into over the years, taking over the North Pole might just be one of his boldest schemes yet.
The all-new SpongeBob SquarePants holiday special, Merry Christmas, Mr. Plankton, premieres November 27 at 5 p.m. ET/PT on Nickelodeon and will be available to stream the same day on Paramount+.
Be sure to stick around afterward for The Patrick Star Show: Snowbound! A Star Family Christmas, premiering at 6 p.m. ET/PT.