How To Watch the “Elvis ‘68 Comeback Special” in 2025

Have a “Burning Love” for Elvis? We’ve hunted down all the places to rent, buy, and stream the Elvis Christmas special from 1968.

Mary James, Author

Kate Quinlan, Editor

Last updated Dec 6, 2024

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

If you’re an Elvis Presley fan, then the 1968 Elvis Christmas special is probably something you’ve seen or meant to watch. The iconic live “comeback special” marked Elvis’ return to the stage. With the recent release of a new Netflix documentary (“Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley”), which is all about the special, as well as the special’s role in the 2022 Baz Luhrman biopic “Elvis,” more people want to see it than ever.

If you’re wondering where to rent, buy, or stream the “Elvis ‘68 Comeback Special," read below.

In this article

How to watch the Elvis Christmas special (1968) in the U.S.
How to watch the Elvis Christmas special (1968) in the U.K.
How to watch the Elvis Christmas special (1968) in Canada
How to watch the Elvis Christmas special (1968) from anywhere
Why was the Elvis Christmas special so impressive?
FAQs
Bottom line

How to watch the Elvis Christmas special (1968) in the U.S.

Platform	Price	Channels
PBS app	Donation	Streaming
Apple TV+	$3.99-$12.99	Rent or buy
Amazon Prime Video	$3.59-$11.69	Rent or buy

How to watch on PBS

For as little as $5/mo, you can become a PBS subscriber. Subscribers can access all of the shows in PBS’ library, including Elvis’ 1968 Christmas TV special known as the “Elvis ‘68 Comeback Special.” All you’ll need to do is sign up on the PBS website and search for the content you want to watch. There’s also an app if you plan to take the King with you wherever you go.

How to watch the Elvis Christmas special (1968) in the U.K.

Platform	Price	Channels
Apple TV+	£8.99/mo	Streaming
Amazon Prime	£3.49-£7.99	Rent or buy
BBC iPlayer	Free	Streaming

How to watch the Elvis Christmas special (1968) in Canada

Platform	Price	Channels
Apple TV+	$12.99/mo	Streaming
Amazon Prime	$4.99/mo	Hollywood Suite

How to watch the Elvis Christmas special (1968) from anywhere

If you aren’t in an area where the Elvis Christmas special is available, you may want to use a virtual private network (VPN) to access the concert. VPNs help bypass geo-restrictions on certain platforms and can give you access to content unavailable in your area.

If you’re always dealing with buffering or speed issues on your home Wi-Fi, your internet service provider (ISP) may be throttling you. A VPN hides your online activity, including the amount of data you’re using when streaming, and helps thwart ISP throttling.

If you want to watch holiday movies and specials from anywhere over shared Wi-Fi, a VPN can keep your personal information safe from hackers who may be lurking on the network. Below, we’ve listed a few of our favorites.


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Number of devices	10	Unlimited	7
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Streaming support
Torrenting support
Learn more	See NordVPN Pricing	See Surfshark Pricing	See CyberGhost Pricing

Why was the Elvis Christmas special so impressive?

After 7 years of primarily making movies, Elvis and his team decided on this return to music. Originally meant to be a Christmas special, it was pivoted into a powerhouse concert. The live performance was lauded by many as a triumphant “comeback” and credited with saving his career. That’s why the Christmas concert was aptly named the “Elvis ‘68 Comeback Special.”

FAQs

Where can I watch the Elvis Christmas special?

It’s available to rent or buy through Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video. PBS members can stream it for free.

Where did Elvis film the “‘68 Comeback Special”?

The special was filmed at NBC Studios in Burbank, California.

What songs did Elvis sing in the 1968 Christmas special?

There were 23 songs performed, but many of them were stitched together as medleys. “Heartbreak Hotel,” “All Shook Up,” and “If I Can Dream” were some of the more notable performances of the event.

What was the last song Elvis sang on his Christmas special?

The last song was originally supposed to be a holiday song, but it was replaced with “If I Can Dream.”

Bottom line

While the Elvis Christmas special isn’t regularly scheduled as part of annual holiday programming, fans can still watch it via streaming. You can rent or buy the 50-minute performance from Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video, or you can stream it from PBS.com or on the PBS app.

Whether you’re a Graceland regular or just discovering the rock and roll legend, this special is not to be missed. Keep your online activities private and safe with a premium VPN, so the only heartbreak you have is from the King — and not a hacker.

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Author Details

Mary James

About the Author

Mary is a seasoned cybersecurity writer with over seven years of experience. With a B.S. in Liberal Arts from Clarion University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Point Park University, she educates audiences on scams, antivirus software, and more. Her passion lies in educating audiences on helpful ways to protect their data.