One of the best things about Christmas is the wealth of TV shows on offer, and this year’s lineup is one of the best in years.
Whether you’re looking for comforting staples or something more alternative, we’ve rounded up the best programmes airing during the festive period on the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 – no streaming subscriptions required. We’ve got you covered from the run-up to the big day, all the way to New Year’s.
Bullseye
ITV1/ITVX – 22 December – 6pm
The iconic game series Bullseye is making a comeback after fifteen years off our screens, and presenting it will be none other than Freddie Flintoff, who is returning to television after a crash filming Top Gear. Get ready for plenty of 180s, trivia questions and, of course, the legendary “here’s what you could’ve won…” speedboat.
The Great Festive Bake Off 2024
Channel 4/Channel 4 website – Christmas Eve – 8pm
Last year, Bake Off aired two festive specials and it’s continuing the trend this year. On Christmas Eve, soap stars Natalie Cassidy, Dean Gaffney, Shobna Gulati, Chris Bisson and Sheree Murphy will compete for the apron. Then, on 3 January at 7:40pm, past contestants Lea, Norman, Peter, Kevin and Nicky will return.
Tiddler
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Christmas Day – 2:35pm
Julia Donaldson’s animated adaptations are now an annual staple for families (and adults, no judgment here) across the UK. This year, the storybook getting a festive retelling is Tiddler, which is about a little fish who gets lost in the ocean. Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham is narrating the short, and she’ll be joined by a stellar cast including Lolly Adefope, Jayde Adams and Rob Brydon.
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Christmas Day – 3:55pm
Strictly will be back for its annual festive episode. Typically, the contestants dance to Christmas classics, and we see the 10 paddle come out more than usual thanks to the cheerful atmosphere. The contestants this year are Josh Widdicombe, Tayce, Vogue Williams, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Tamzin Outhwaite and Billy Monger.
BBC
Doctor Who Christmas Special
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Christmas Day – 5:10pm
After a hugely successful return to the 25 December slot, Doctor Who is back for another Christmassy adventure. Ncuti Gatwa will be joined by Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan, who plays Joy. She checks into a bizarre hotel in London, which has discovered the art of time travel. As such, Joy ends up on an adventure with the Doctor through the ages, even going back as far as the dinosaurs.
BBC/Disney/Bad Wolf Studios
Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Christmas Day – 6:10pm
One contender for the most-watched thing this Christmas is the sixth-ever Wallace and Gromit film. Wallace comes under criticism for one of his inventions when his gnome ends up turning evil. However, that’s not the only thing to be worried about. Feathers McGraw is back – the dastardly penguin last seen in 1993’s The Wrong Trousers.
Call the Midwife
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Christmas Day – 8pm
It wouldn’t be Christmas without Call the Midwife, and this two-part festival special should keep fans entertained as they wait for season 14. This year, the Turner family will be in the spotlight, and the cast has promised plenty of drama. You’ll be able to catch the second part on Boxing Day at 7:30pm.
BBC/Neal Street Productions/Olly Courtney
Gavin and Stacey: The Finale
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Christmas Day – 9pm
Going toe-to-toe with the most anticipated Christmas slot this year is the last-ever episode of Gavin and Stacey. Little news leaked about the new episode, but we do know it’ll pick up after that insane cliffhanger five years ago – where Nessa got down on one knee to Smithy.
The 1% Club Christmas Special
ITV1/ITVX – Boxing Day – 7:30pm
If you’d like to attempt to use your intellect and wit after tons of Christmas Day leftovers, there’s no time better than with The 1% Club. This popular game show, hosted by comedian Lee Mack, will put a festive spin on the typical brain teasers as it slowly whittles down the audience with questions that gradually get harder.
The Great Pottery Throw Down Christmas Special
Channel 4/Channel 4 website – Boxing Day – 9:00pm
This year’s festive special of The Great Pottery Throw Down has an amazing cast of comedians, presenters and actors, including Babatunde Aleshe, Tom Rosenthal, Rachel Riley and Martin Kemp. They are all going head-to-head to make the best clay creations and win the coveted Christmas prize.
Outnumbered
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Boxing Day – 9:40pm
It’s not just Wallace and Gromit and Gavin and Stacey making a BBC return this December. The Brockmans are back, with Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner returning to play Pete and Sue who are struggling to parent their now-adult kids, Jake, Ben and Karen, in their downsized home. They all made a brief return earlier this year for Children in Need.
Taskmaster’s New Year Treat
Channel 4/Channel 4 website – 29 December – 9:00pm
Greg Davies and Little Alex Horne will return to help you see in the New Year in style. This one-off episode will star Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis, Royle Family star Sue Johnston, former goalkeeper David James, presenter/academic Hannah Fry and All Saints star Melanie Blatt as they all go head-to-head in some crazy challenges.
Cunk on Life
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – 30 December – 9pm
Diane Morgan’s brilliant alter ego, Philomena Cunk, has gone viral multiple times thanks to her ridiculously blunt (and often wildly inaccurate) presenting style with academic experts in her various documentaries. She’s tackled Britain, Earth and is now giving her commentary on life itself.
Gladiators Christmas Special
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – New Year’s Day – 6pm
Gladiators was one of the many things that got a revival in 2024, and this New Year’s Day you can see some of your favourite celebrities take on the elite athletes in a series of gruelling challenges, including the infamous Duel. The contestants this year are Rob Beckett, Joel Dommett, Louise Minchin and Ellie Taylor.
The Traitors Season 3
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – New Year’s Day – 8pm
While this isn’t strictly a ‘festive’ programme, you’d be absolutely bonkers to miss the opening of The Traitors season 3, which is dropping three instalments to stream on BBC iPlayer on New Year’s Day. The first episode will introduce who has been chosen by Claudia to play a wicked game, and will no doubt start the beginning of many, many memes (we all remember “…but Ross is”).
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