The wait for Christmas is finally over, and the perfect way to unwind during the festive break is in front of the telly with copious amounts of food (and a cheeky sherry or two).
The BBC, ITV and Channel 4 always have some corkers on telly during the festive season. With that in mind, what is there to enjoy on the gogglebox this Christmas? Plenty. Here’s a selection of the best, listed in chronological order so you can plan your watch calendar accordingly.
You can also check out the best festive movies and shows that are on Sky this year.
Mog’s Christmas
Channel 4/Channel 4 website – Christmas Eve – 7:45pm
Judith Kerr is the creator of The Tiger Who Came to Tea, which got an animated adaptation a few years ago. This year, Channel 4 is airing an episode dedicated to the adorable feline Mog, who ends up going on her own festive adventure. Adjoa Andoh will be narrating the story, and additional voiceover will be provided by Claire Foy, Benedict Cumberbatch and Miriam Margolyes.
The Great Christmas Bake Off
Channel 4/Channel 4 website – Christmas Eve – 8:15pm
This festive season you’ll be able to revisit the iconic Bake Off not once, but twice. On Christmas Eve, past contestants George, Sophie, Dan, Amelia, Linda and Carole will all be back to bake some holiday treats. Then, on New Year’s Day at 7:40pm, Mark, Maxy, Maggie and Jürgen will compete for the 2024 special apron.
A Ghost Story for Christmas: Lot No.249
BBC
BBC Two/BBC iPlayer – Christmas Eve – 10pm
If you want a classic spooky tale to enjoy this Christmas, then the BBC has just the thing. Mark Gatiss has adapted Arthur Conan Doyle’s short story about a group of Oxford academics who experience strange things when one of them purchases an ancient mummy at an auction. Better yet, it stars Kit Harington and Freddie Fox.
Tabby McTat
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Christmas Day – 2:45pm
From the creators of The Smeds and the Smoos comes an animated tale about a busker and his pet cat. The pair live in London, and are thrust into chaos when the owner, Fred, breaks his leg chasing a thief and Tabby McTat is left alone on the streets. Former Doctor Jodie Whittaker will be narrating the short film.
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special
BBC
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Christmas Day – 4:40pm
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 Dan Snow, Sally Nugent, Jamie Borthwick, Tillie Amartey, Danny Cipriani and Keisha Buchanan.
Doctor Who Christmas Special
BBC
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Christmas Day – 5:55pm
Whovians should not miss the return of the Doctor Who Christmas Special, which features the debut of the fifteenth Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa. The episode is called The Church on Ruby Road, and introduces the newest companion for the show, Ruby Sunday, who was left on a doorstep as a baby.
The Great Pottery Throw Down Christmas Special
Channel 4/Channel 4 website – Christmas Day – 7:30pm
This year’s festive special of The Great Pottery Throw Down has an amazing cast of comedians and actors, including Joe Swash, Hugh Dennis, Sophie Duker and Alice Levine. They are all going head-to-head to make the best clay creations and win the coveted Christmas prize.
The Masked Singer Christmas Special
ITV
ITV1/ITVX – Christmas Day – 7:30pm
Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, Joel Dommett, Rita Ora and Jonathan Ross will all be back to judge a group of masked celebrities in whacky costumes who are taking part in this festive competition – we’re expecting plenty of classic Christmas tunes.
Ghosts Christmas Special
BBC
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Christmas Day – 7:45pm
Ghosts wrapped up its fifth season earlier this year, which was the last full instalment. However, there is one final festive treat for fans to enjoy. Mike’s mum is staying at Button House, but her son and Allison soon get fed up of her interfering. Meanwhile, Robin turns to his fellow ghosts to try and capture the Christmas spirit.
Call the Midwife Christmas Special
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Christmas Day – 8:15pm
It wouldn’t be Christmas without Call the Midwife, and this festive episode should keep fans entertained as they wait for season 13. This year’s episode takes place in 1968, where Matthew and Trixie are looking to spend their first Christmas together – but an unexpected visitor throws a spanner in the works.
Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas Special
BBC
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Christmas Day – 10:45pm
Yet another BBC Christmas staple, Mrs Brown’s Boys, is back. This is the first of two specials – there will be another on New Year’s Day. In the first instalment, Mrs Brown’s quiet Christmas is ruined when a surprise dinner guest turns up at her house.
Vera Christmas Special
ITV
ITV1/ITVX – Boxing Day – 8pm
DCI Vera Stanhope will return for a feature-length special on Boxing Day. The case is a high-profile suicide, but when Vera does some digging she discovers that something more sinister may be afoot, and the case leads her to a school reunion.
Death in Paradise Christmas Special
BBC
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Boxing Day – 9pm
This Christmas Special of Death in Paradise will follow on from the events of season 12, with DI Neville Parker throwing himself into a murder case after an entrepreneur is found dead in a ravine. The spin-off series, Beyond Paradise, will also be airing its own special on Christmas Eve at 9pm.
Murder is Easy
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – 27 December – 9pm (on iPlayer from 6am)
Agatha Christie dramas are often some of the most gripping things to air during the Christmas period, so there are high hopes for Murder is Easy. Officer Fitzwilliam is on a train to London when he meets a strange woman who tells him that a killer is on the loose in a sleepy village – soon after, the murderer strikes again.
Taskmaster’s New Year Treat
Channel 4/Channel 4 website – 2 January 2024 – 9pm
Greg Davies and Little Alex Horne will return to help you see in the New Year in style. This one-off episode will star Dragon’s Den judge and entrepreneur Deborah Meaden, Mercury Prize-nominated artist Kojey Radical, future Doctor Who star Lenny Rush, wildlife TV personality Steve Backshall and TV and radio host Zoe Ball head-to-head in some crazy challenges.
Author: Hannah Cowton-Barnes, Entertainment Editor, Tech Advisor
As Tech Advisor's Entertainment Editor, Hannah is the resident expert in all things streaming, film and TV. Before joining Tech Advisor in 2019, she studied Theatre and Performance at the University of Leeds and created a website dedicated to geek culture and lifestyle. She's also reviewed a whole range of gadgets including flagship smartphones, wearables and styling tools. Outside of Foundry, she's written freelance pieces for Polygon, Metro and Den of Geek, and is proud to be a Women Techmakers Ambassador for Google.