The Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for Variety Special is awarded to one television special each year.
After being grouped together, the category was initiated alongside Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series in 2009.
From the 1980s to 2000s, specials competed alongside series for Outstanding Directing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program.
In the following list, the first titles listed in gold are the winners; those not in gold are nominees, which are listed in alphabetical order.
The years given are those in which the ceremonies took place: Outstanding Directing for a Comedy-Variety or Music Special Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special