BBC announces this year's Christmas TV highlights
Wallace & Gromit and Gavin & Stacey are among this year's holiday offerings.
This holiday season, the BBC is set to dazzle audiences with a spectacular Christmas programming schedule that promises to bring families together like never before. From heartwarming dramas and side-splitting comedies to captivating documentaries, children’s specials, and seasonal musical extravaganzas, there’s something for everyone across BBC TV and iPlayer.
A Festive Feast of Entertainment
This year’s Christmas centrepiece is the return of beloved British icons. Wallace & Gromit make their grand comeback in Vengeance Most Fowl, a thrilling feature-length adventure from Aardman Animations, while the final ever episode of Gavin & Stacey reunites the cast to reveal the fate of Nessa and Smithy’s love story. Meanwhile, the Brockman family chaos unfolds once more in an Outnumbered Christmas special, and Doctor Who takes viewers on a time-traveling journey in Joy to the World, penned by Steven Moffat.
Families can also look forward to enchanting children’s programming, including the animated adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s Tiddler and new Quentin Blake-inspired specials, Angel Pavement and Loveykins.
Drama, Mystery, and Edge-of-Your-Seat Thrills
Fans of crime and intrigue will be spoiled for choice. Strike – The Ink Black Heart brings Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott back to our screens, while Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise deliver sun-soaked mysteries perfect for winter evenings. Meanwhile, Call the Midwife offers not one but two festive specials, complete with its signature blend of joy and drama.
Steven Knight’s SAS Rogue Heroes returns for its second season, while The Split offers a sun-drenched Spanish twist in its two-part finale. And, for fans of soap drama, EastEnders promises a Christmas Day revelation that will shake the Beale family to its core.
A Touch of Sparkle
Film premieres add cinematic flair to the holidays, with network debuts of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, Black Panther, and Minions: Rise of Gru. For classical music fans, Doctor Who at the Proms 2024 and Swan Lake at the Royal Albert Hall will deliver moments of grandeur, alongside the gospel-infused Hallelujah: The Gospel Messiah.
Comedy, Quizzes, and Light Entertainment
Get ready to laugh with festive specials of Would I Lie to You?, The Weakest Link, and Blankety Blank. Plus, Strictly Come Dancing returns for its annual Christmas spectacle, alongside the debut of the Gladiators Celebrity Special. Mrs. Brown’s Boys and The Young Offenders provide even more comedic cheer.
Heartwarming Stories and Festive Magic
Celebrate the season with Mary Berry’s Christmas and The Repair Shop at Christmas, and revel in the heartwarming tales of Animal Park at Christmas and Gone Christmas Fishing. In My Life at Christmas, Anita Rani delves into the festive traditions of Dame Sheila Hancock and other stars.
For music lovers, highlights include Country Music Christmas, Mariah Meets Rylan, and retrospectives on WHAM! and Band Aid. Meanwhile, Sophie Ellis-Bextor will lead the New Year’s Eve celebrations with a disco spectacular.
Children’s Wonders
Kids will be thrilled with Nikhil & Jay and the Christmas Wish and CBeebies’ Beauty and the Beast. And don’t miss Cooking Buddies Christmas Special, where young chefs join Buddy Oliver for festive fun.
With so much to offer, the BBC is once again proving its unmatched ability to create unforgettable moments during the festive season. Whether you’re tuning in for dramas, comedies, or musical delights, Christmas with the BBC promises to be truly magical.