TBS's '24 Hours of A Christmas Story' returns Christmas Eve

Perennial favorite marks 30th anniversary

One of television's most popular holiday traditions will be back this year as TBS presents the 17th annual edition of "24 Hours of A Christmas Story," beginning Christmas Eve at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). Making this a particularly special year, the movie "A Christmas Story" is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Based on the short stories of famed humorist Jean Shepherd, "A Christmas Story" follows the mischievous adventures of a young boy who longs for a special Christmas gift - a Red Ryder BB gun.

Peter Billingsley stars as young Ralphie, who is determined to convince the world that he is responsible enough to handle such a gift, despite everyone telling him, "You'll shoot your eye out." Melinda Dillon and Darren McGavin are pitch-perfect as Ralphie's parents, and Ian Petrella provides some of the movie's funniest moments as Ralphie's little brother, Randy.

In addition to marking the 30th anniversary of the movie and the 17th anniversary for "24 Hours of a Christmas Story," this is the 10th consecutive year for the marathon to run on TBS. Prior to 2004, the marathon ran for seven years on TBS's sister network TNT.