If you happen to plan on spending the Christmas season staying cosy indoors with copious quantities of meals, you’ll want some significantly good reveals to maintain you entertained inbetween the basic tunes and quite a few glasses of dollars fizz.
Nevertheless, not all festive TV is value your time (ITV’s disappointing line-up being a first-rate instance), so we’ve rounded up the perfect reveals to look out for.
Whether or not you’re on the lookout for comforting staples or an exciting drama, we’ve obtained one thing for you – no streaming subscriptions required. Plus, this text covers from the run-up to the massive day, all the best way to New Yr’s.
Taskmaster’s Champions of Champions
Channel 4/Channel 4 web site – Monday 22 December – 9:00pm
Greg Davies and Little Alex Horne will return that can assist you begin off your Christmas in model by bringing again among the most iconic winners from earlier seasons. This one-off episode will function Andy Zaltzman, John Robins, Maisie Adam, Mathew Baynton, and Sam Campbell all battling it out within the acquainted quirky home to find who is actually the perfect of the perfect.
If that’s not sufficient Taskmaster for you, then there’s an additional serving to with New Yr Deal with, which airs on 2 and three January 2026 at 9pm, that includes Huge Zuu, Jill Scott, Sam Ryder, Susie Dent, and Rose Ayling-Ellis. Plus, every episode will drop on the Taskmaster YouTube channel for worldwide followers at 5pm EST/2pm PST, simply after airing within the UK.
The Scarecrow’s Marriage ceremony
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Thursday 25 December/Christmas Day – 3:10pm
If you happen to’re on the lookout for a household favorite this Christmas, then one other certainly one of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s novels has been tailored on the BBC. This quick and candy movie follows scarecrows Betty O’Barley (voiced by Jessie Buckley) and Harry O’Hay (Domhnall Gleeson), who’re making ready to tie the knot. Nevertheless, issues start to unravel due to the unwelcome arrival of Reginald Rake (Rob Bydron).
The story shall be narrated by Sluggish Horses star, Sophie Okonedo.
Gladiators Celeb Particular
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Thursday 25 December/Christmas Day – 3:35pm
The Gladiators revival continued to show to be fashionable this 12 months, and this Christmas Day you possibly can see a few of your favorite celebrities tackle the elite athletes in a collection of gruelling challenges, together with the notorious Duel. The contestants this 12 months are Joe Wicks, Sam Thompson, Nicola Adams and Vogue Williams.
BBC / Nick Eagle / © Hungry Bear Media Ltd
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Particular
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Thursday 25 December/Christmas Day – 5:30pm
Strictly shall be again for its annual festive episode. Sometimes, the contestants dance to Christmas classics, and we see the ten paddle come out greater than standard due to the cheerful environment. The contestants this 12 months are Scarlett Moffatt (with Vito Coppola), Melanie Blatt (with Kai Widdrington), Jodie Ounsley (with Neil Jones), Nicholas Bailey (with Luba Mushtuk), Babtunde Aléshé (with Nancy Xiu) and Brian McFadden (with Michelle Tsiakkas).
BBC
The Nice Festive Bake Off
Channel 4/Channel 4 web site – Thursday 25 December/Christmas Day – 8pm
The Bake Off double invoice pattern continues, and the primary episode is sure to be fashionable – because it’s a Peep Present particular, with David Mitchell, Olivia Colman, Isy Suttie, Matt King and Sophie Winkleman all getting into the tent.
Then, on Thursday 1 January/New Yr’s Day at 6:40pm, previous contestants Andy, Nelly, Briony, Selasi, Tasha, Rahul, Val and Giuseppe will return to point out off their baking abilities as soon as once more. The same old judges and presenters, Prue, Paul, Allison and Noel, shall be overseeing all of it.
Name the Midwife
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Thursday 25 December/Christmas Day – 8:15pm
It wouldn’t be Christmas with out Name the Midwife, and this two-part pageant particular has loads of drama in retailer. Violet and Fred will make the journey to Hong Kong to go to household, solely to must take care of a tragedy. In the meantime, an surprising request retains Cyril on his toes, whereas Rosalind and Joyce host a Christmas gathering.
Amandaland Christmas Particular
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Thursday 25 December/Christmas Day – 9:15pm
Motherland’s spin-off Amandaland is getting its personal Christmas Particular, with an Completely Fabulous reunion with Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders. The latter will play Amanda’s Aunt Joan – the country-loving sister of Felicity. Count on loads of squabbles and cringe-inducing moments.
The Celeb Apprentice
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Monday 29 December – 9pm
The interval between Christmas and New Yr is at all times an odd limbo, however you possibly can go the time by watching a bunch of celebrities be shipped off to Lapland to create their very own distinctive gingerbread biscuits. This may all be sprinkled with some basic roasting from Lord Alan Sugar, some cringy TV adverts and loads of festive enjoyable – all within the title of charity, in fact.
The Traitors collection 4
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Thursday 1 January/New Yr’s Day – 8pm
Whereas this isn’t strictly a ‘festive’ programme, you’d be completely bonkers to overlook the opening of The Traitors season 4, which kicks off on New Yr’s Day. The primary episode will introduce who has been chosen by Claudia to play a depraved sport, and can little question begin the start of many, many memes (although Alan Carr has set the bar excessive).
Episodes two and three will air on 2 and three January respectively.
BBC/Studio Lambert/Cody Burridge/Matt Burlem
The Night time Supervisor collection 2
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Thursday 1 January/New Yr’s Day – 9:05pm (anticipated, time TBC)
Eight years after storming the BBC, Tom Hiddleston returns as MI6 officer Jonathan Pine in a second collection of The Night time Supervisor. Pine thought he’d left his previous life behind for good, however when he clashes with a Colombian businessman referred to as Teddy Dos Santos, he’s thrown right into a conspiracy designed to destablise the nation. He has no selection however to behave… however who can he belief?
The Night time Supervisor collection 2 shall be syndicated on Amazon Prime Video for worldwide audiences on 11 January 2026.