As the release of Christmas adverts seems to happen earlier each year, we are already counting down the days until we can have cosy nights on the sofa, watching some Christmas TV with our favourite festive snacks to hand, of course!
There are so many exciting appearances on television, and we’ve got you covered! From the Call the Midwife Christmas Special to family favourites like Doctor Who, here are our top picks for what to tune into this festive season. To help you out, we've split our ultimate Christmas telly guide into different channels and streaming services, so you know exactly what's on, when and where!
The best Christmas TV 2024:
BBC
Gavin and Stacey
Channel: BBC One and iPlayer | Time: 9 pm, Christmas Day
James Corden shared this snap of him and co-creator Ruth Jones holding a script to break the news that the super popular Gavin and Stacey will be back on our screens for a final episode. So, we should finally get to find out if Nessa said yes to Smithy in that festive special cliffhanger back in 2019.
He said: "It's official! We have finished writing the last ever episode of Gavin and Stacey. See you on Christmas Day, BBC One. Love Ruth and James".
In November, the BBC have released a synopsis of what to expect from the Christmas special: "In Barry, Bryn’s packing the Picasso in readiness for a trip to Essex; Stacey and Gavin are looking for new ways to spice up their seventeen year marriage and Gwen is behaving most strangely. Nessa’s started a new business venture and Neil the Baby’s about to begin an apprenticeship with his dad.
Over in Billericay Pam is stressing out at the prospect of playing hostess, not helped by a newly retired Mick practicing his golf swings in the living room and there have been more ups and downs in Pete and Dawn’s relationship.
Join us on the journey to Barry and Billericay as we catch up with the Shipmans and the Wests for the very last time and maybe find out what exactly did happen on that fishing trip."
Call The Midwife
Channel: BBC One and iPlayer | Time: Part One - 8 pm, Christmas Day; Part Two - Boxing Day, 7:30pm
It wouldn’t feel like Christmas without a trip to Nonnatus House now would it? Filming began in April. Here's a detailed synopsis of the Call The Midwife Christmas special from BBC: "All the regular, well-loved characters will return for a Christmas set in 1969 where the Nonnatus midwives are in their element, all busy delivering babies and doing the job they are most dedicated and committed to.
"The funfair comes to Poplar, adding a burst of colour and excitement to the frosty landscape but there are other visitors to the borough - including influenza and the Hong Kong flu. As Poplar also prepares for a carol concert, the neighbourhood is gripped by the news of an escaped prisoner and fears grow that he may be in the local area after a spate of break-ins.
"The Turner children are caught up in the fever surrounding the Blue Peter Christmas appeal to collect dinky cars and scrap metal. Trixie makes a fleeting visit to Nonnatus House and is delighted to see her brother Geoffrey, and Miss Higgins has her grandson Harry stay for Christmas. Violet hosts a mince pie competition but the Buckles’ preparations for Reggie’s homecoming are thrown into turmoil."
Writer and Executive Producer Heidi Thomas OBE says: "We begin our filming season in Christmas 1969, before we move on to the new year, and our new series of 14 episodes. This yuletide marks a poignant turning point - as it's the last time we'll be filming in the swinging sixties! Next stop: the supersonic seventies!!!"
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2024
Channel: BBC One and iPlayer | Time: 3:55 pm, Christmas Day
We'll be tuning back into the ballroom for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special. The celebrities taking part this year are: comedian Josh Widdicombe; drag artist, model and presenter Taycee; model and television personality Vogue Williams; Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (also known as Gladiator, Nitro); actress Tamzin Outhwaite and racing driver, TV presenter and Celebrity Race Across the World star Billy Monger.
Doctor Who, Joy to the World
Channel: BBC One | Time: 5:10pm, Christmas Day
Every Christmas TV schedule wouldn't feel complete without Doctor Who, would it? This year, writer Steven Moffatt returns to the show, with 'Joy to the World', which will be his 50th full-episode for the revival era.
Not much is known bout the episode yet, except for that it's set during the Second World War and stars Bridgerton lead Nicola Coughlan as Joy, a one-off, guest-companion to Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor.
Outnumbered
Channel: BBC One and iPlayer | Time: 9:40pm, Boxing Day
This year there seems to be a trend of bringing back popular sitcoms and we couldn't be happier! Family sitcom Outnumbered is returning and we'll get a glimpse into life for the Brockman's now that the kids are all grown up.
Here's the official synopsis from the BBC: 'In a moment of adversity, Sue and Pete gather all their offspring (including one grandchild) to try and celebrate a traditional family Christmas. But fate, neighbours, hyenas and bus replacement services get in their way.'
EastEnders
Channel: BBC One and iPlayer | Time: Part one - 7:30 pm, Christmas Day; part two - 10:35 pm
It's not Christmas with a "doof doof" from EastEnders, so if you fancy heading to the Square where it's not always a merry Christmas, you can catch the first half at 6:30 pm and then the second half on the same night, at the later time of 10:35.
We'll see some more repercussions from the fateful night last Christmas Day, where The Six made that pact and who knows, some ghosts of Christmas past may make an appearance...
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
Channel: BBC One and iPlayer | Time: 6:10 pm, Christmas Day
Supervillain Feathers McGraw is back for revenge in Vengeance Most Fowl this Christmas. The 70-minute feature film will be premiering on BBC and BBC iPlayer and will also have a global release on Netflix.
Here's the official synopsis from the BBC: 'Gromit’s growing concern as Wallace becomes over-dependent on his inventions - which proves justified when Wallace invents a ‘smart gnome’ that seems to develop an evil mind of its own. But who or what could be the cause? As events begin to spiral out of control, it’s up to Gromit to put aside his qualms and battle sinister forces, or Wallace may never be able to invent again!
Beyond Paradise
Channel: BBC One and iPlayer | Time: 9 pm, 27th December
After the end of series two, the BBC have recommissioned Beyond Paradise for a third series, as well as a 2024 Christmas special episode. We wonder what's instore for the characters, as the show ended last time with Humphrey and Martha nearly getting married and welcoming a foster son, Ryan into their home.
Strike: The Ink Black Heart
Channel: BBC One and iPlayer | Time: Series premieres - 9 pm, 16th December
After 2 years, we're finally getting another season of Strike, woohoo! Tom Burke is back as Cormoran Strike, and Holliday Grainger are reprising her role as Robin Ellacott, and judging by these first-look images, there are certainly some festivities sprinkled in with the crime-solving.
Here's the official synopsis for season 6 says: "When frantic, desperate Edie Ledwell appears in the office begging to speak to her, private detective Robin Ellacott doesn't know quite what to make of the situation.
"The co-creator of a popular cartoon, The Ink Black Heart, Edie is being persecuted by a mysterious online figure who goes by the pseudonym of Anomie. Edie is desperate to uncover Anomie's true identity.
"Robin informs Edie that the agency is too busy to take on her case and thinks nothing more of it until a few weeks later, when she reads the shocking news that Edie has been tasered and then murdered in Highgate Cemetery, the location of The Ink Black Heart.
"Robin and her business partner Cormoran Strike become drawn into the quest to uncover Anomie's true identity. But with a complex web of online aliases, business interests and family conflicts to navigate, Strike and Robin find themselves embroiled in a case that stretches them to their limit."
If you've missed the previous 5 series of Strike, catch-up on BBC iPlayer.
Channel: BBC One and iPlayer | Time: Part 1 - 9 pm, 29th December; Part 2 - 9 pm, 30th December
In that unique week between Christmas and New Year where none of us knows what day or time it is, or what's going on, we'll all be able to escape for some winter sun with The Split: Barcelona, a two-part special where we'll be catching up with Hannah Stern (Nicola Walker) and her family of defence lawyers as they go to Barcelona to celebrate a wedding.
"Two years on from the third and final series, formidable family lawyer Hannah Defoe (Nicola Walker) and her family are back and have gathered for a beautiful wedding at a magnificent vineyard, nestled in Catalonia’s wine region.", teases the BBC.
We don't have long to wait, so why not re-watch The Split on BBC iPlayer to be prepared?
Wham! Last Christmas Unwrapped
Channel: BBC Two, Time: 14th December
Marking the 40th anniversary of the iconic Last Christmas song, Wham! Last Christmas Unwrapped will feature Andrew Ridgeley and popstars Pepsi and Shirlie, as well as some archive footage of George Michael.
Gladiators Celebrity Special
Channel: BBC One and iPlayer | Time: 6 pm, New Year's Day
Comedians Rob Beckett, Ellie Taylor and Joel Dommett and television presenter (and marathon runner) Louise Minchin will be taking on Viper, Bionic Fury and other bodybuilders and Olympians in the Christmas special of Gladiators.
Who will be crowned the winner?
Emmerdale
Channel: ITV1 AND ITVX | Time: 23rd - 7:30 pm; Christmas Eve - 7 pm; Christmas Day - 6:30 pm, Boxing Day - 6:30 pm
"This Christmas, there is a huge surprise arrival on Christmas Day," Emmerdale boss Iain MacLeod told Digital Spy.
"As well as some life or death jeopardy on Christmas Day – but obviously there will be festive brilliance as we do every year – but I think it is one of the most exciting Christmases that I can remember on Emmerdale this year!"
Coronation Street
Channel: ITV1 AND ITVX | Time: 23rd - 8 pm; Christmas Eve - 8:45 pm; Christmas Day - 7pm
Speaking at a recent press event, Coronation Street's new producer Kate Brooks said that the Platt family will be in the limelight this Christmas.
"All of those secrets come to the forefront on Christmas Day. You basically have Gail, who's going to leave the Street, but in the run-up to Christmas, she has found out that some of her nearest and dearest have absolutely betrayed her."
The Masked Singer Christmas Special
Channel: ITV and ITVX | Time: Boxing Day 7:30pm
"Who are ya, who are ya, who's that behind the mask?" is what we'll all be chanting on Boxing Day as more celebrities don some Christmassy disguises and sing some festive songs while a Celebrity panel try to work out who they are.
Perfect for the whole family, we'll all be watching and searching the V.Ts for clues as to who it is.
Channel 4
The Great British Bake Off Christmas special
Channel: Channel 4 | Time: 8 pm, Christmas Eve
The tent has got a festive makeover for the battle of the soaps as five iconic faces ditch their usual telly sets in a bid to become Star Baker. Natalie Cassidy (Sonia from EastEnders) will be following in her daughter Eliza's footsteps, as she was a contestant on Junior Bake Off, so perhaps she gave her mum a few tips! Her on-screen brother Dean Gaffney (Robbie Jackson) is also participating, so will there be some faux-sibling banter?
Ex-Coronation Street star Shobna Gulati (famous for playing Sunita Alahan and Anita on Dinnerladies) is also in the tent, as well as Emmerdale actor Chris Bisson (who plays Jai Sharma) and Sheree Murphy (Hollyoaks and Neighbours actress).
Channel 5
All Creatures Great and Small
Channel: Channel 5 | Time: 9 pm, 23rd December
Back in February 2024 it was announced that Channel 5 drama All Creatures Great and Small would be getting not just a Christmas special, but two new seasons as well!
Paul Testar, the commissioning editor said: "The show has captured the hearts of our audiences and we are committed to bringing even more of James Herriot’s unforgettable stories to our viewers. We can’t wait to share this next chapter.”
The Good Ship Murder
Channel: Channel 5 | Time: 9 pm, 18th December
Coronation Street castmates Catherine Tyldesley and Shayne Ward will be back in Channel 5 drama The Good Ship Murder. For those that haven't seen the show, it's about a retired detective-turned-cabaret singer who solves murders on board a luxury Mediterranean cruise ship.
Netflix
Black Doves
Channel: Netflix | Time: Stream from 5th December
Whilst a spy thriller may not scream "festive", Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw's new drama Black Doves is set in London at the heart of Christmas. Knightley (Love Actually, Pride and Prejudice) plays Helen, a spy (married to the Secretary of State for Defence) whose identity is under threat after her secret lover is killed. Whishaw (Paddington, This is Going to Hurt), is Sam, an old-friend who is flown in to protect her by spymaster Reed, played by Sarah Lancashire (Happy Valley, Last Tango in Halifax).
Missing You
Channel: Netflix | Time: Stream from New Year's Day
We all love a gripping Harlan Coben thriller full of twists and turns, especially after the likes of Fool Me Once, The Stranger, and Stay Close. Now, the latest addition to the list is Missing You.
It stars Slow Horses actress Rosalind Eleazar as a detective whose missing fiancé comes back to haunt her in ways she could not imagine.
Here's the official synopsis from Netflix: "Eleven years ago Detective Kat Donovan's fiancé Josh – the love of her life – disappeared and she's never heard from him since. Now, swiping profiles on a dating app, she suddenly sees his face and her world explodes all over again. Josh's reappearance will force her to dive back into the mystery surrounding her father’s murder and uncover long-buried secrets from her past."
Sky
Bad Tidings
Channel: Sky Max and streaming service NOW | Time: 22nd December
Not Going Out actor and creator Lee Mack and comic and Strictly Come Dancing 2024 finalist Chris McCausland star is unfriendly neighbours who have to work together to protect their neighbourhood in this funny festive film, Bad Tidings.
Sky says: "It’s the week before Christmas and Stockport home security expert, Neil (Lee Mack) has a problem with his neighbour. Scott (Chris McCausland) swaps their bins, complains about Neil’s ‘project’ car on his drive and has had his Christmas lights up all year, shining into Neil’s home office. Basically, he’s a git. He’s also blind, and the rest of the street think he’s great.
"When they try to make Scott the new head of Neighbourhood Watch, Neil can stand it no more. He questions Scott’s suitability for the role (“It’s Neighbourhood Watch!”) and, in the tit for tat row which ensues, Neil ends up blowing the power. For the whole street. On Christmas Eve."
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV and film. She enjoys cooking, scrapbooking and spending time with her many pets.