Idina Menzel, INTO THE WOODS Cast Set for LIVE's Holiday Themed Shows

As the 2014 holiday season begins, top Syndicated morning show "LIVE with Kelly and Michael" celebrates this December with festive theme weeks, an annual Christmas Eve extravaganza, and a fun-filled 2014 end of the year special.

Throughout the month, hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan sit down with some of the entertainment industry's top talent, including Oscar® winner JAMIE FOXX, CAMERON DIAZ and QUVENZHANÉ WALLIS, stars of the film "Annie." Also stopping by are Academy Award-winning actress MERYL STREEP, Golden Globe winner EMILY BLUNT, ANNA KENDRICK and CHRIS PINE from the movie musical "Into the Woods," and AMY ADAMS and Oscar winner CHRISTOPH WALTZ from the film "Big Eyes." In addition, Ripa and Strahan interview OPRAH WINFREY, JAMES FRANCO, SETH ROGEN, JAKE GYLLENHAAL, JOAQUIN PHOENIX and NICK JONAS.

December 1-5 marks the return of "LIVE's Holiday Gift Guide," a week-long series featuring a wide range of helpful gift suggestions. The week kicked off with ideas for teens and tweens from Teen Vogue editor-in-chief Amy Astley. Also weighing in will be TheNest.com co-founder Carley Roney, who shares food and drink gift ideas, followed by "LIVE's" Fashion Guy Lawrence Zarian with suggestions for fashion accessory gifts. Later in the week, Toy Guy Chris Byrne brings along this year's hottest toys, and "LIVE's Holiday Gift Guide" concludes with a visit from Mashable editor-at-large Lance Ulanoff, who will showcase the latest tech gadgets.

The holidays wouldn't be complete without music, and from December 8-12, "LIVE" gets into the Christmas spirit with "LIVE's Holiday Hits Week." The lineup includes an eclectic mix of music acts, including legendary opera singer RENÉE FLEMING, country singer SARA EVANS, folk duo JOHNNYSWIM, R&B singer-songwriter ANTHONY HAMILTON, and Tony Award winner IDINA MENZEL. Each will take to the "LIVE" stage, performing a holiday-themed tune for the audience. "LIVE" also will boast performances from "Family Guy" creator SETH MacFARLANE and Grammy Award winner STING.

The show's holiday celebrations come to a head on Christmas Eve, when the "LIVE" set undergoes a winter wonderland transformation for "LIVE's Cozy Classic Christmas." The hour-long celebration will be packed with holiday fun, including visits from actor and WWE legend DWAYNE JOHNSON, comedian CAROLINE RHEA, who chats with kids about the holidays, and the season's hottest celebrity, SANTA. Plus, the smash hit musical "Frozen" is brought to life when "LIVE" presents "Disney on Ice: Frozen." The show wraps up with a stellar performance from Grammy Award-winning band EARTH, WIND & FIRE, performing a hit from their new holiday CD.

Finally, the year comes to a close with "LIVE's Year End Viewers' Choice Show," an hour-long special that airs December 29. Kelly and Michael look back at favorite highlights from 2014, with star-studded celebrity moments, hilarious host chats, dancing, and more.

"LIVE with Kelly and Michael" is distributed in national syndication by Disney-ABC Domestic Television. Produced by WABC-TV in New York and executive produced by Michael Gelman, "LIVE" airs in more than 200 markets across the U.S. Visit "LIVE" on the web at LIVEKellyandMichael.com, on Facebook, or follow "LIVE" on Twitter, @KellyandMichael.