Holiday Wars
6/10
Food Network Running Food
6 Seasons · 42 Episodes · Premiered December 1, 2019
It's time for a brand-new holiday season competition packed with tons of Christmas cheer! Five teams of cake masters and sugar artists face off in four jolly battles, creating mind-blowing, fantastical holiday displays that are as festive as they are delicious. In the Snowball Fight challenge, the competitors must use cake and sugar to create an edible holiday design in just 45 minutes. One winning team wins an advantage for the Winter Blizzard challenge, where they have to craft an eye-popping Christmas display made up entirely of cake and sugar. One team is eliminated after each battle, and in the end, one team will jingle all the way home with a $25,000 grand prize.
Where to Watch:
Food Network
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Seasons & Episodes
Season 1
4 episodes
E01
Stealing the Naughty List
Mon, Dec 2 2019 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Five teams of cake and sugar artists face off in the first festive night of challenges. Host Jonathan Bennett asks each team to give their most jolly depiction of a heist involving the world's naughtiest kids stealing Santa's famous "Naughty List." After all, if there's no list, then everyone gets presents! Judges Shinmin Li and Jason Smith decide which team will go home at the end of the battle.
E02
Elf Auditions
Mon, Dec 9 2019 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Host Jonathan Bennett challenges the four remaining teams of cake masters and sugar artists to create their most festive vision of how Santa Claus auditions his next crop of elves. Judges Shinmin Li and Jason Smith decide which team will be going home for the holidays.
E03
Santa's New Gig
Mon, Dec 16 2019 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Host Jonathan Bennett challenges the three remaining teams of cake and sugar artists to show how Santa celebrates the off-season with a side job. Judges Shinmin Li and Jason Smith decide which two teams will move on to the finale to compete for the $25,000 grand prize.
E04
Elves vs. Reindeer
Mon, Dec 23 2019 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
The two remaining teams of cake masters and sugar artists face off for their final festive battle. Host Jonathan Bennett challenges them to showcase the ultimate friendly rivalry between Santa's best employees, elves and reindeer. Chef Shinmin Li and Jason Smith judge which team will walk away with a grand prize of $25,000.
Season 2
6 episodes
E01
Surprise Holiday Parade
Mon, Nov 2 2020 1:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Santa makes a spur-of-the-moment decision to kick off the season by throwing the biggest, craziest holiday parade ever! Raven-Symone hosts as five teams of cake and sugar artists compete to impress judges Shinmin Li and Erin McGinn, showing what might go wrong (or right!) as Santa's crew launches the parade to jump-start the holiday season.
E02
Santa to the Rescue!
Mon, Nov 9 2020 1:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
For one magical night, Santa Claus is a hero to all the world's kids. Host Raven-Symone challenges the five teams of cake and sugar artists to imagine what happens outside of the North Pole when Santa steps in to save the day. Judges Shinmin Li and Erin McGinn will pick the winning team.
E03
The Great Turkey Escape
Mon, Nov 16 2020 1:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Just in time for Thanksgiving, host Raven-Symone challenges five teams of master cake and sugar artists to imagine what happens when all those holiday turkeys decide to make a break for it. Shinmin Li and Erin McGinn judge the daring turkey escapes.
E04
When Toys Come Alive ... And Go Wild
Mon, Nov 23 2020 1:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
This year, a little too much holiday magic accidentally brings all the toys to life on Christmas morning. Host Raven-Symone asks the five teams to show judges Shinmin Li and Erin McGinn what happens when the newly minted toys come alive, escape from their boxes and go wild.
E05
Critter Christmas
Mon, Nov 30 2020 1:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Host Raven-Symone challenges four remaining teams of cake and sugar artists to create the most over-the-top, crazy visions of a Christmas party in the animal kingdom. Shinmin Li and Erin McGinn judge these wild critter Christmas parties.
E06
North Pole Wedding
Mon, Dec 7 2020 1:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Host Raven-Symone challenges the four remaining teams of master cake and sugar artists to imagine the most-magical and romantic destination wedding the world has ever seen, right at the North Pole! Judges Shinmin Li and Erin Acevedo decide which team will go home with $25,000.
Season 3
8 episodes
E01
Reindeer Auditions
Mon, Nov 8 2021 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Host Maneet Chauhan welcomes three teams to the first qualifying round, where they learn that this year, Santa's reindeer are taking the holidays off and he's holding open auditions to replace them! Each team of cake and sugar artists must showcase an unlikely understudy who dreams of winning a spot to pull the sleigh. Judges Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira decide which two teams move on and which team heads home.
E02
A Cake-mas Carol
Mon, Nov 8 2021 3:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Three new teams face off in the second qualifying round. Host Maneet Chauhan sends them on a journey through time, challenging them to showcase Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" in a way the world has never seen before: by completely reimagining the iconic Ghost of Christmas Past, Present or Future. Judges Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira send two teams on, and one team is eliminated.
E03
Wild Thanksgiving
Mon, Nov 15 2021 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
In the final qualifying round, three new teams face off just in time for Thanksgiving! Host Maneet Chauhan tasks them with showcasing how two animals that don't ordinarily get along can celebrate the holiday together in the animal kingdom. The two teams who dream up the best, wildest Thanksgiving get to move on while judges Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira send one team packing.
E04
The Ultimate Snowball Fight
Mon, Nov 22 2021 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
With the qualifying rounds complete, six teams of masterful cake and sugar artists face off against each other for the very first time. Host Maneet Chauhan presents their challenge: Imagine the perfect way to win the ultimate snowball fight. Judges Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira judge the snowy battle and eliminate one team from the competition.
E05
Intergalactic Holidays
Mon, Nov 29 2021 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Host Maneet Chauhan challenges the five remaining teams of cake and sugar artists to imagine friendly aliens celebrating their own holidays on another planet. At the end of this intergalactic face-off, judges Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira narrow the field of competition by eliminating one team.
E06
Holiday Sing-Along
Mon, Dec 6 2021 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Nothing says holiday cheer quite like a group of carolers a-wassailing. Host Maneet Chauhan challenges the four remaining teams of master cake and sugar artists to bring the story of an iconic carol to life in the most delicious way imaginable -- with cake! Judges Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira evaluate the results and eliminate one team.
E07
Merry Grinchmas!
Mon, Dec 13 2021 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
In the penultimate battle, Maneet Chauhan challenges three teams of master cake and sugar artists to bring Dr. Seuss' iconic "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" to life by reimagining the world-famous story as a big-screen epic in a whole new movie genre. Judges Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira decide which two teams have earned a spot in the finale to compete for $25,000.
E08
Santa's New Ride
Mon, Dec 20 2021 2:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
It's almost Christmas, and Santa's getting ready to deliver gifts all around the world, but he can't do it without a brand-new sleigh! With $25,000 at stake, the last two teams of cake and sugar artists must showcase the wildest, most-powerful modernization imaginable for Santa's new ride. At the end of the fast-paced bake-off judged by Maneet Chauhan, Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira, one team will be crowned Holiday Wars Champion and win the grand prize!
Season 4
8 episodes
E01
Elf's Downhill Derby
Mon, Nov 7 2022 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Host Jeff Mauro welcomes three teams to the first of three qualifying rounds, where the talented cake and sugar artists must create a derby car fit for a race between Santa's elves. Judges Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira decide which two teams move on to the main round of competition and which team heads home for the holidays.
E02
Hanging with Old St. Nick
Mon, Nov 7 2022 3:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Three new teams face off in the second qualifying round as host Jeff Mauro challenges them to imagine how Santa spends time relaxing with his BFF. Judges Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira move two more teams through to the main competition, and one team goes dashing home.
E03
Thanksgiving Turkey Trot
Mon, Nov 14 2022 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
In the final qualifying round, host Jeff Mauro sends three new teams to battle it out down on the farm, where each team's turkey recruits a farm friend to ride and race in the first annual Turkey Trot! Judges Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira decide which team's Thanksgiving-inspired creations will move on, and who will be left in the cold.
E04
Reindeer's New Hobby
Mon, Nov 14 2022 3:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
With the qualifying rounds complete, the six remaining teams of talented cake and sugar artists face off against one another for the first time! Host Jeff Mauro tasks the teams with envisioning a new hobby for Santa's reindeer to enjoy when they aren't busy pulling the sleigh, and Judges Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira evaluate the designs before flying one team home.
E05
Ugly Sweater Party
Mon, Nov 21 2022 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Host Jeff Mauro challenges the five remaining teams of cake and sugar artists to create a woodland creature who is throwing an ugly sweater party for all their forest-dwelling friends! At the end of this festive fiesta, judges Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira will eliminate one more team.
E06
Time Travelin Santa
Mon, Nov 28 2022 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Host Jeff Mauro gets a little help from the Holiday Wars time machine to send our remaining four teams back in time! Each team of cake and sugar artists must create a Santa from a specific period in history before judges Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira decide who will move forward and who will be out of time.
E07
A Very Peanuts Christmas Tree
Mon, Dec 5 2022 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Good Grief! Host Jeff Mauro invites the three remaining teams to create an unusual Christmas tree featuring Charles Schulz's iconic and beloved Peanuts characters. Judges Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira determine which two teams head to the finale, where they will battle it out for the title of Holiday Wars champion and an all-expenses paid trip to Iceland.
E08
North Pole Talent Show
Mon, Dec 12 2022 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
It's nearly Christmas, one of the hardest days of the year for Santa and his helpers. To keep their spirits up, Santa is throwing his first annual North Pole talent show, where the final two teams will showcase the secret talents of the town's brave residents. Jeff Mauro, Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira must make their toughest decision yet as they crown the Holiday Wars champion and award them an all-expenses paid trip to Iceland.
Season 5
8 episodes
E01
Love at "Frost" Sight
Mon, Nov 6 2023 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Host Jeff Mauro welcomes three teams of cake, sugar and cookie artists to the holiday bakeshop, where they will create a scene depicting the exact moment Mr. and Mrs. Claus fell in love. Judges Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira decide which two teams are the perfect match and which team is heading home for the holidays.
E02
Abominable Bucket List
Mon, Nov 6 2023 3:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Host Jeff Mauro challenges three new teams of cake, sugar and cookie artists to imagine how the abominable snowman would spend his dream holiday vacation. Judges Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira upgrade two teams to the next round, while one team is sent packing.
E03
Manufacturing Mishap
Mon, Nov 13 2023 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Christmas is just around the corner, so host Jeff Mauro tasks three teams of cake, sugar and cookie artists with designing a display illustrating a terrible mistake happening at Santa's workshop. Judges Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira choose whose mishap deserves a pass and who won't be getting a holiday bonus.
E04
Holiday Parade
Mon, Nov 20 2023 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
The six remaining teams of amazingly talented cake, cookie and sugar artists face off against one another for the first time! Host Jeff Mauro tasks the teams with creating one of the biggest holiday traditions: a parade float! Then, judges Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira decide which team has the most festive float and who will keep driving on home.
E05
Christmas Card Craziness
Mon, Nov 27 2023 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Host Jeff Mauro challenges the teams to create a scene capturing that exact moment when a holiday photo goes wrong, and for the first time this season, they must highlight one team member's skill in their display. First up, cookie! In the end, judges Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira will cut one team out of the picture.
E06
Christmas Under The Sea
Mon, Dec 4 2023 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
To celebrate Warner Brother's "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom," host Jeff Mauro asks the teams to imagine what holidays look like under the sea. Plus, they'll have to highlight their sugar artist's skills by incorporating underwater plant life made entirely of sugar! Judges Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira determine which three teams keep cruising into the next challenge and which team is all washed up.
E07
Kids Catch Santa
Mon, Dec 11 2023 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Host Jeff Mauro challenges the three remaining teams to reveal what will happen when the kids finally catch Santa while he's delivering their toys. The cake artist is in the hot seat as each display must incorporate an anti-gravity element made entirely of cake! Judges Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira determine which two teams are sledding into the finale where they will battle it out for the title of Holiday Wars champion and $25,000!
E08
Holiday Light Show
Mon, Dec 18 2023 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
For their final challenge, the last two teams standing take Christmas light displays to the next level by creating large-scale illuminated structures! Jeff Mauro, Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira make their toughest decision yet as they determine who will be crowned Holiday Wars champion and take home the grand prize of $25,000.
Season 6
8 episodes
E01
Santa's Buddy Movie
Mon, Nov 4 2024 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Host Jeff Mauro welcomes the first three teams of talented cake, sugar and cookie artists. Each team must create a scene depicting what it would look like if Santa was starring in his very own buddy adventure movie. The stakes are even higher as the teams must have at least two characters on their display, and their tasting element must be seamlessly integrated into their display. Judges Shinmin Li and Kardea Brown decide which two teams move on and which team heads home for the holidays.
E02
On Parade
Mon, Nov 11 2024 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Three new teams face off as host Jeff Mauro challenges them to create the ultimate holiday parade float display. Each team must have at least two characters on their display and one element that moves! Judges Shinmin Li and Kardea Brown move two more teams through, and one team is eliminated.
E03
Winter Workout
Mon, Nov 18 2024 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Three new teams battle it out for the last spot in this year's Holiday Wars. Inspired by the holiday film "Red One," host Jeff Mauro asks each team to create a display depicting Santa's unique workout routine. Plus, each team must have two full characters on their display and incorporate a gravity-defying element. Which two teams will move on, and which team will judges Shinmin Li and Kardea Brown send home?
E04
Island Holiday Party
Mon, Nov 25 2024 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Six remaining teams of amazingly talented cake, cookie and sugar artists face off against one another for the first time! To celebrate the release of Disney's "Moana 2," host Jeff Mauro tasks the teams with imagining what a holiday party on the island of Motunui would look like. And for the first time in the competition, teams must have a display that is at least 3 feet tall! Judges Shinmin Li and Kardea Brown evaluate the designs and ultimately, one team is eliminated.
E05
Mrs. Claus' Night Out
Mon, Dec 2 2024 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Host Jeff Mauro challenges the five remaining teams of cake, cookie and sugar artists to create a scene capturing what it looks like when Mrs. Claus has a night out on the town, and the teams must highlight the cookie artist's skill in their display. In the end, judges Shinmin Li and Kardea Brown will eliminate one more team.
E06
Santa's Stand-In
Mon, Dec 9 2024 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Host Jeff Mauro asks the teams to imagine what holiday hijinks unfold when another holiday icon fills in for Santa on Christmas Eve. And this week, the teams must highlight their cake artist's skills by making the main character entirely out of cake and incorporating the tasting element into that character. Judges Shinmin Li and Kardea Brown will determine which three teams move forward and which team is sent home.
E07
Woodland Winter Games
Mon, Dec 16 2024 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Host Jeff Mauro challenges the three remaining teams to create a scene that features adorable woodland animals going for gold in an Olympic event. This time, the sugar artist is in the hot seat, as each display must incorporate woodland décor made entirely of sugar! Judges Shinmin Li and Kardea Brown determine which two teams head to the finale, where they will battle it out for the title of Holiday Wars champion and $25,000!
E08
Pet, Meet Christmas Tree
Mon, Dec 23 2024 2:00 AM GMT+0000
60 min
For the final challenge, the last two teams standing must imagine the hilarity that ensues when a pet takes on the family Christmas tree! All three team members will be in the spotlight, and both teams must add lighting effects to their scene. Jeff Mauro, Shinmin Li and Kardea Brown must make their toughest decision yet: who will be crowned Holiday Wars champion and take home the grand prize of $25,000?
Cast
Jonathan Bennett
as Host
Raven-Symoné
as Host