The snow is falling, the mulled wine is steaming and our weekly supermarket visits are filled with festive music which can only mean one thing… it’s nearly Christmasssss! So surely you’re going to want some suggestions of what to watch to get you in that festive spirit! From fantastic foodie recommendations to the highly awaited new Christmas dramas as well as some of our favourite specials from previous years, we’ve assembled it all right here for you!
Drama | Entertainment | Food
Holly jolly drama
Doctor Who Christmas special
BBC One, Christmas Day at 5pm
Now you surely haven’t missed the Christmas preview?! Well if you have, then get excited because Nicola Coughlan is set to star in this mad festive adventure as Joy, a determined woman whose life is changed forever when she meets the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa)! Now we don’t know much else of what’s to come but we will most certainly be counting down the minutes!
Sister Boniface Mysteries: Once Upon a Time
Watch on U&Drama or stream on U from Friday 20th December at 8pm
In this feature length Christmas special, Sister Boniface (Lorna Watson) will once again don her detective persona as the race is on for her to track down a serial killer at the pantomime! The big question being, will she manage to catch them before they can strike again?!
Outnumbered Christmas special
BBC One, Boxing Day at 9:40pm
There backkkkkkk! A whopping 8 years since the last Christmas special, the Brockman family head back to our screens and we are so excited to find out what they’re up to these days! Expect to see Ramona Marquez, Hugh Dennis, Daniel Roche, Claire Skinner and Tyger Drew-Honey!
The Chelsea Detective Christmas special
U&Drama, Thursday 19th December at 8pm
Detective Inspector Max Arnold (Adrian Scarborough) is back for this jolly episode just in time for the festive season! Unfortunately for him, criminals don’t take time off at Christmas so when a new case comes in (predictably) including drugs, murder and social media bullying, Max must spend a very long time trying to balance his personal life and the holiday whilst solving mysteries and stopping crime!
The Madame Blanc Mysteries: Christmas special
Channel 5, Christmas eve at 9:15pm
This Christmas special takes places after the events of season 3! With Jean’s (Sally Lindsay) reputation as a crime solving expert growing and her deep knowledge of antiques, she teams up with the Police Chief Inspector to unravel a new mystery that took place at a Christmas market where there appears to be as much murder as mistletoe!
Gavin and Stacey: The Final
BBC One, Christmas Day at 9pm
It feels like a life time ago since the last Christmas special when Nessa was down on one knee declaring her love for Smithy, well it’s been five years and A LOT has happened since! Claimed to be the absolute final episode you best set your calendar reminders because we are expecting a load of drama, laughs and of course, just the right sprinkle of romance!
All Creatures Great and Small: Christmas special
Chanel 5, Monday 23rd December at 9pm
Following the HUGE success of the latest season, get ready to revisit Yorkshire for this warming festive special! As Christmas swiftly approaches and little Jimmy’s first birthday, the Skeldale house receives some worrying news, leaving Mrs Hall terrified of what’s to come!
Entertainment worth unwrapping
First Dates Christmas special
Thursday the 19th December on E4
Looking for a sprinkle of romance to keep you entertained during the holiday season? Well the First Dates restaurant will open its doors to all those singles looking for love this Christmas.
The Dog House Christmas special
Thursday 19th December on Channel 4
What better way to spend your cosy festive evenings than watching some adorableeee dogs get matched with a human and find a loving new home, just in time for Christmas!
The Festive Pottery Throwdown
Watch on Channel 4 on Monday 23rd December
Four celebrities will be rolling up their sleeves and donning aprons to prepare themselves for the two Christmasy challenges they must undertake with their Christmas clay! Hosted by Siobhán McSweeney and judged by Keith Brymer Jones and Rich Miller.
For the Love of Dogs Christmas Special
Coming this December to ITV1 & ITVX + STV & STV Player (Scotland)
Pantomime queeeen Alison Hammond is heading back to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home to spread some season magic and help some of the animals get the ultimate Christmas gift, a forever home! Throughout the episode and with the help of a very special Secret Santa, Alison will share the stories of the new arrivals and follow the staff and volunteers as the animals prepare for their forever homes!
Festive foodie favourites
The Great Christmas Bake-Off
Tune in to Channel 4 on Christmas eve
Nothing screams IT'S CHRISTMASSSSS like the festive Bake-Off! This Christmas eve let your eyes indulge in the finest of festive treats as Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith celebrate the season with the ‘Baker Ghosts of Christmas Past’, a festive fate! We also here there’s going to be a very exciting special performance! Why not find out alll about this years cast!
Inside M&S at Christmas
ITV1 and STV, Wednesday 18th December at 9pm
Now if you’re looking for a sneak peak behind the scenes of M&S at Christmas then you are in luck! With an inside look into the retail world, this episode will show you the creation of this year’s Christmas Sandwich, the world’s first snowing chocolate box and the opening of a brand new store!
Jamie Cooks Christmas
Watch on Channel 4 from Thursday 19th December
If you’re looking to perfect your roasties ahead of the big day then you must check out Jamie Oliver's fabulous festive foods! With savvy savings and shortcuts, he explains how to make the best Christmas dinners without spending too much money!
Fanny Cradock Cooks for Christmas
Stream now on BBC iPlayer
Fanny presents a collection of traditional classic Christmas recipes taking you back to the 1970s! From mincemeat to petit fours and of course turkey, Fanny has your Christmas dinner sorted! And the best bit? You can stream all 5 episodes right now so you can get practicing!
Now if you're looking for even moreeee recommendations this Christmas season then why not check out our 25 days of films article!
