A selection of what we'll be watching on TV this festive season

The toboggan ride into Christmas is officially on, which means it’s time to snuggle up indoors with a cup of something warm (or a glass of something cold, if that’s more your thing) and enjoy the best of what the TV has to offer.

Whether you’re in the mood for laugh-out-loud comedies, jaw-dropping drama or star-studded specials of your old favourites – not to mention all the usual suspects that have become synonymous with festive schedules – there’s undoubtedly going to be something on the box to keep even the most curmudgeonly Scrooge happy this Christmas season.

But if the decision of where to start is proving a little more difficult than which flavour Celebration you’re going to nab first, we’ve rounded up 40 must-see shows coming up this festive period to help make things a little easier for you…

Richard Osman’s Festive House Of Games

Tell me more: As households across the nation get ready to dust off the old board games in the hope of passing Christmas at home with the family that bit quicker, Richard Osman is back for telly’s most famous game night – with a host of famous faces trying out the various challenges their host has up his sleeve for them.

House Of Games is returning for a 10-part series with different celebrity guests each night, and a festive twist being put on the show’s signature games.

When’s it on? Monday 22 December at 7pm on BBC Two

Amanda & Alan’s Spanish Christmas

Man of the moment Alan Carr returns with his right-hand woman Amanda Holden for another home makeover challenge, this time in the Spanish sunshine.

Expect chaos, big laughs… and probably a glass or two of mulled wine, let’s be honest.

When’s it on? Monday 22 December at 9pm on BBC One

The Mandy Who Knew Too Much

In the last few years, Diane Morgan’s comedy character has become as synonymous with Christmas for us as sleigh bells, gingerbread-infused everything and regrettable actions at the office party, and we’re so glad Mandy is back for a new festive special.

This time around, the BBC has teased that Mandy will be tackling “global diplomacy” in a bid to make “a real difference to the balance of power in the world”. Consider us sat!

When’s it on? Monday 22 December at 10.25pm on BBC Two

Only Connect Pub Quiz Special

The Christmas version of the trickiest quiz show on TV sees two teams of pub quizzers being pitted against one another.

Will this shorter, festive edition mean we manage to get more than one or two answers right per episode? Doubtful, but let’s see.

When’s it on? Tuesday 23 December at 8pm on BBC Two

Stuffed

Excitingly, Stuffed is one of the BBC’s one-off comedy commissions for this year’s festive season.

Written by Matt Like Mobeen co-creator Andy Milligan and starring Guz Khan alongside Morgana Robinson and TV royalty Sue Johnston, the stand-alone special focusses on a family who blow a work bonus on a dream trip to Lapland, only to discover the money was given out in error – and needs to be paid back immediately.

When’s it on? Tuesday 23 December at 9pm on BBC One

Sally Lindsay’s Christmas Quiz

Sally Lindsay is hosting a Christmas quiz in 2025

If you’ve spent the last three weeks swotting up on all things festive by revisiting all of your favourite seasonal movies, songs and snacks, it’s time to get very smug as your Christmas knowledge is put to the test by screen queen Sally Lindsay.

Come for the Christmas trivia, stay for the truly random on-screen quiz teams.

When’s it on? Tuesday 23 December at 10pm on 5

The Great British Sewing Bee Celebrity Christmas Special

For fans of the tried and tested Bake Off TV format, it’s time to see our favourite TV odd couple, Esme Young and Patrick Grant, putting some celebrity guests through their paces with unique festive sewing challenges.

Joining host Sophie Willan are Strictly Come Dancing staple Anton Du Beke, comedian Susan Wokoma and Gladiators fave Tom “Hammer” Wilson, alongside Lucy Beaumont, most recently seen on the Celebrity Traitors.

When’s it on? Christmas Eve at 7.25pm on BBC One

Royal Carols: Together At Christmas

Kate Middleton is bringing back Royal Carols in 2025

If what you’re in the mood for this Christmas Eve is something that’ll take you back to the “good old days”, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and ITV’s collaborative carol concert is the traditional festive viewing you’re after.

Filmed at Westminster Abbey, the annual concert celebrates those who’ve given up their time to help others over 2025, and features special performances from musicians including Griff, Katie Melua and Bastille’s Dan Smith.

When’s it on? Christmas Eve at 7.25pm on ITV1

Finding Father Christmas

Finding Father Christmas

A touching festive family comedy from Channel 4, Finding Father Christmas centres on a man who grows perturbed by his son’s growing obsession with – and belief in – Santa Claus.

We won’t spoil the whole thing for you, but let’s just say that it turns out the son might be speaking the truth…

When’s it on? Christmas Eve at 7.30pm on Channel 4

All Creatures Great & Small

All Creatures Great & Small returns for a new Christmas special in 2025

One of the brightest and most prominent feathers in 5’s cap, All Creatures Great & Small returns to our screens this Christmas Eve for a new festive special.

In this new instalment, we reach Christmas 1945, where Darrowy is putting on its annual nativity pageant.

When’s it on? Christmas Eve at 9pm on 5

Two Doors Down

Christmas Eve marks the triumphant return of Two Doors Down

If we were still in an era of circling things in biro that we wanted to watch in the TV guide’s Christmas schedule, we’d be reaching for the fattest marker we could find to go around Two Doors Down.

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