The BBC unveils a whole host of magical moments to entertain all the family over the festive fortnight across TV channels and BBC iPlayer. The unmissable line-up will bring people together this Christmas in a way that only the BBC can.
Audiences will delight in a smorgasbord of spectacular treats that celebrate the very best in homegrown storytelling and creativity. Feast on a range of specials, family favourites, thrilling drama, hilarious comedy and blockbuster movies alongside arts, documentary, music and religious programming to satisfy everyone.
Kate Phillips, BBC’s Chief Content Officer says: “We’ve got so many terrific treats on the BBC this Christmas. There really is something for everyone as we light up living rooms across the UK with a multitude of magical moments. From specials of much-loved programmes, to new gifts across genres, the BBC is the place to be.”
Christmas on the BBC just wouldn’t be the same without an animated adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved picture books. The Scarecrows’ Wedding is an enchanting romance about two devoted scarecrows featuring an all star voice cast including Rob Brydon, Jessie Buckley, Domhnall Gleeson and narrated by Sophie Okonedo. Full of heart and humour, it’s a joyful story of loyalty, love, and learning that the most important thing isn’t a grand gesture – it’s simply being together.
The BBC proudly brings people together at Christmas. Viewers can sit back and escape into other worlds in a selection of gripping new shows.
Tom Hiddleston is back in the hotly anticipated return of the multi-award winning hit drama The Night Manager; and the Amandaland Christmas Special spreads the festive cheer and welcomes the absolutely fabulous Jennifer Saunders who plays Joanna Lumley’s on-screen sister in a cracker set to guarantee the laughs.
This year’s festive trip to Poplar sees Call the Midwife celebrate Christmas with two episodes. In Walford, the EastEnders learn the consequences of their actions as they are visited by ghosts of their past, villains of the present, and visions of the future.
Get ready to spend Christmas in Paradise with specials from both Beyond Paradise and Death in Paradise. In Shipton Abbott, the guest arrivals docking into the Devon seaside town for the holidays include Adrian Edmondson. And we head to Saint Marie and Swindon with Don Gilet for an office Christmas party of a lifetime that takes a dark turn in the Caribbean with Josie Lawrence guest starring.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to the ballroom for a Christmas special. Keep an eye out to see who will be joining Scarlett Moffatt, Melanie Blatt and Jodie Ounsley as they compete to be crowned Christmas Champion. And Michael McIntyre’s Christmas Wheel is one not to be missed as he spins seven more celebrities into a festive fizz.
Natural history lovers are treated to a brand-new film from Sir David Attenborough, as he turns his attention closer to home to explore the wildlife of England’s iconic capital in Wild London. Having lived in London for 75 years, Sir David’s intimate knowledge of the city’s natural history means there’s no better guide to introduce audiences to London’s most spectacular wildlife secrets.
There is a bumper selection of comedy to spread the joy this yuletide season. In Mammoth, it’s Tony Mammoth’s first Christmas since coming back from the dead and he’s determined to make it a special one with his family. In The Mandy Who Knew Too Much we join Mandy as she has what can only be described as one of the worst Christmases ever.
In the Two Doors Down Christmas Special Eric and Beth put their tree up earlier than usual, unwittingly kicking off the Christmas season in Latimer Crescent. In Here We Go: Our New Year’s Fireworks Fantasaganza, it’s a typically chaotic Jessop family holiday, featuring a road trip, a missing dummy, and a large crate of unlicensed fireworks! Other highlights include brand new comedy Shedites, by Paddy Houlihan and two specials from Mrs Brown’s Boys.
Stuffed is a modern-day Christmas caper for the whole family to enjoy which see’s Arslan Farooqi (Guz Khan) and his multi-faith family set off on the trip of a lifetime as they swap Coventry for the magic of Lapland.
The most talked about show of 2025 – The Traitors is back! Claudia Winkleman returns for the ultimate game of trust and treachery from the Scottish Highlands with an all new civilian series that is set to grip the nation. And if that leaves you wanting more, you can stay faithful as Claudia will also present The Traitors at the Proms, a concert featuring melodramatic versions of pop tunes heard on The Traitors from Britney Spears’ Toxic to Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy.
Everyone’s favourite Traitor Alan Carr is also back as best friends Amanda Holden and Alan return to the sun-drenched village of Moclín in southern Spain in Amanda and Alan’s Spanish Christmas.
The Celebrity Apprentice comes all the way from snowy Lapland where twelve famous faces step into Lord Sugar’s boardroom for two specials in aid of BBC Children in Need. Taking part are AJ Odudu, Angela Scanlon, Charlie Hedges, Eddie Kadi, Jake Wood, JB Gill, Kadeena Cox, Matt Morsia, Rob Rinder, Sarah Hadland, Shazia Mirza and Tom Skinner.
In the Gladiators Celebrity Special hosted by Bradley and Barney Walsh four celebrities take on one of the toughest gameshows on telly as they battle against the mighty Gladiators. Watch the nation’s favourite PE Teacher Joe Wicks MBE take on Sam Thompson and boxing legend, Nicola Adams OBE versus Vogue Williams.
To get you in the mood for the competitive Christmas gaming season, there’s a plethora of quizzes, cook offs, races and nail-biting finishes to choose… from The Weakest Link, The Festive Finish Line and University Challenge. We also have The Great British Sewing Bee and MasterChef so you can watch some of your favourite programmes get some added special celebrity sparkle.
Dame Helen Mirren, Julia Donaldson and Rob Brydon stop by The Repair Shop this Christmas hoping for some very special repairs from the barns wonderful team of experts. Hollywood legend Dame Helen Mirren arrives, along with a beloved but badly broken cello. Julia tasks furniture restorer Will Kirk and ceramics expert Kirsten Ramsay with the repair of a toy farmhouse that once belonged to her granny.
We’ve got you covered for this New Year’s Eve with Ronan Keating & Friends: New Year’s Eve Party as well as Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra welcome in the New Year with Jools’ Annual Hootenanny. You can also watch The Graham Norton Show New Year’s Eve for some sparkling chat, jokes and music as Graham and a sofa of star guests mark the end of 2025.
If you’re lacking in inspiration on what to cook this year, then you could get some help from Dame Mary Berry as she celebrates the magic of the season’s traditions in A Mary Berry Christmas. She’ll be sharing some of her favourite traditional dishes and some exciting new ones. Along with her celebrity friends there will be a whole stocking of festive fun.
And as a sweet treat, Paddy McGuinness and Cherry Healey unwrap the festive secrets behind Britain’s beloved gingerbread biscuits for this special instalment of Inside the Factory: Christmas Gingerbread Special.
For those who want to be eased into Christmas join Bob Mortimer, Paul Whitehouse and terrier Ted as they head to Devon and Cornwall for Gone Christmas Fishing. They fish the stunning rivers Lyd and Camel in Devon and head out to sea in Cornwall joined by local star Dawn French, their favourite doctor Anand Patel and visit top chef Paul Ainsworth in his Padstow restaurant.
Staying in the countryside, join journalist and television presenter Janet Street Porter, choirmaster and broadcaster Gareth Malone, singer and actor Chesney Hawkes, former footballer and TV personality Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock, broadcaster and presenter Angellica Bell plus Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer and choreographer Neil Jones as they house-hunt across the UK in Celebrity Escape to the Country.
My Life at Christmas with Anita Rani is back and guests this year are rock star Sir Rod Stewart and his wife, broadcaster Penny Lancaster; legendary children’s TV presenter and child rights advocate, Baroness Floella Benjamin; and Paralympian and broadcaster Ade Adepitan.
And if you want to venture out for some theatrical delights without actually leaving home, then channel hop or stream your way through our artisan collection of programming…
Christmas Treasures of the National Trust returns in time for Christmas unwrapping the festive stories behind some of the country’s most beautiful historic homes and gardens at the most magical time of the year. Dame Joanna Lumley and Tobias Menzies star in The Room in the Tower by E.F. Benson, this year’s Ghost Story for Christmas from Mark Gatiss. The 2025 Christmas Lectures from the Royal Institution: Is There Life Beyond Earth? comes to BBC Four. Inside Classical: A Classical Christmas sees the BBC Concert Orchestra and the BBC Singers take centre stage in an evening of festive delights recorded live at Snape Maltings Concert Hall, in the heart of the Suffolk countryside.
And this year there are two special The Reads, Bafta and Olivier Award-winning actor Monica Dolan gives a captivating performance reading of Jane Austen’s much loved and last completed novel, Persuasion while Steffan Rhodri (Gavin and Stacey, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) gives an enchanting performance reading of C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe – a magical world of adventure, courage and Turkish Delight.
Start your days with Morning Live at Christmas as the programme will bring together the BBC’s most trusted experts to serve up the best money, health, food and time saving tips and advice to help get you through the festive season. Reflecting on a year of acts of kindness, join Alex Jones, Roman Kemp and JB Gill for a special One Big Thank You Christmas edition of The One Show as they celebrate those who go above and beyond to bring festive cheer. And to celebrate another fantastic year of sport, don’t miss BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year awards show hosted by Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott.
Christmas Morning Service from Bradford Cathedral (Image: BBC/Bradford Cathedral)There will be a vibrant range of religious programming this year including live worship, musical celebration, traditional carols and spiritual contemplation including Midnight Mass, broadcast live from OLEM Church, Cambridge, Christmas Morning Service from Bradford Cathedral, and Carols From King’s, the traditional celebration of Christmas with music and readings, recorded in the candlelit Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, led by the dean, the Reverend Dr Stephen Cherry, and not to be missed, The Archbishop of Canterbury Elect’s New Year’s Day Message.
For music fans, there is a whole host of programming across the BBC and iPlayer.
Line of Duty’s Adrian Dunbar and Broadway royalty Stephanie J. Block lead a stellar cast in a sizzling new production of Cole Porter’s legendary musical comedy, Kiss Me, Kate. Jason Manford hosts a celebration of the most memorable performances from Biggest Night of Musicals by the National Lottery. Top of The Pops: Review of The Year 2025 returns for its yearly special, hosted by Clara Amfo. If music videos are your thing then Christmas Hits: The Videos That Sleighed is a living room dance fest waiting to happen.
If its blockbuster films you want this Christmas then look no further than this stellar line-up from Elvis, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Robin Robin, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Oppenheimer, Operation Mincemeat, Challengers and Back to Black.
And make sure not to miss Bump: A Christmas Film for some festive comedy-drama, or watch the Sister Boniface Christmas Special, The Star of the Orient for a bit of cosy crime and mystery.
For Children it will feel like Christmas everyday over on CBeebies, CBBC and iPlayer, join The Famous Five – Big Trouble on Billycock Hill, when a Spitfire crashes near Kirrin Cottage, the Five must work together to save the injured pilot and find out the truth of what happened to him, before his enemies strike again. Blue Peter’s Christmas Cracker with Strictly, CBeebies & Come Alive sees three lucky competition winners go behind the scenes on the set of Strictly Come Dancing to meet the stars of the show, Joel takes on a starring role in the CBeebies Panto; and the cast of Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular join us for a show-stopping performance inspired by The Greatest Showman.
Dexter Procter: The 10-Year Old Doctor is the world’s youngest-ever medic who starts his new job. Unfortunately, his colleague thinks that children shouldn’t be doctors and is determined to get him fired. Go Get Arty is back, the Kwapongs get seasonal in the Family Challenge with snow globe sweaters that let it snow.
And it wouldn’t be Christmas on CBeebies without the CBeebies Christmas Panto, so settle in with your little ones and watch the retelling of the popular fairytale, Cinderella. And there’s so much more to enjoy together including Shaun the Sheep – Fleece Navidad, Pudsey and the Thread of Hope, Spidey and His Amazing Friends – A Snow Day for Aunt May / Hanukkah Heist, The Weasy Family – Mission Christmas, Dodge’s Pup School – The Christmas Show and an I Spy, You Spy Christmas Special.
See also: Top 10 Christmas Gifts for Mum and Dad
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