Choosing your annual Christmas TV picks was an pleasurable activity, when all you had have been a handful of channels to select from and a pen to circle your decisions within the telly information.

Now, with a bunch of channels you’ve by no means even heard of and numerous streaming platforms so as to add into the combination, it’s a bit extra of a chore, ontop of what can already be a reasonably laborious time of the yr.

Don’t fret, although. We’ve executed the legwork for you, and rounded up 40 of probably the most intriguing and hightly-anticipated exhibits airing over the festive season this yr.

Following on from a joyous return to type for Strictly Come Dancing, the present is marking its twentieth anniversary with a glance again at a bunch of priceless moments from the previous 22 seasons.

When’s it on? Saturday 21 December at 7pm on BBC One

The traditional ’80s gameshow is again for a one-off particular, with a brand new look, a brand new host and (hopefully!) some new really naff prizes on supply. Freddie Flintoff is taking on presenting duties this time round, and we’re retaining our fingers crossed for a number of appearances from Bully.

When’s it on? Sunday 22 December at 6pm on ITV1

This yr’s Dying In Paradise particular is a biggie, as it’ll welcome Don Gilet to the island as its new head DI, following within the footsteps of Kris Marshall, Ardal O’Hanlon and Ralf Little.

When’s it on? Sunday 22 December at 8.30pm on BBC One

Richard Osman is kicking off a brand new string of Home Of Video games specials with some spectacular and eclectic movie star friends and, in fact, some really ridiculous Yuletide challenges.

When’s it on? Monday 23 December at 7pm on BBC Two

The festive version of the favored BBC panel present places a Christmas twist on the standard format, with particular friends together with Jimmy Carr, Lenny Rush, Laura Smyth and the incomparable Rustie Lee. And let’s simply say, you would possibly wish to get used to Rob Brydon’s smiling face, as you’ll be seeing (and listening to) a whole lot of him within the coming days.

When’s it on? Monday 23 December at 7pm on BBC One

Get able to do some severe sobbing as Si King takes us on an emotional journey down reminiscence lane, celebrating the lifetime of his late pal and co-host Dave Myers, who died earlier this yr.

When’s it on? Monday 23 December at 9pm on BBC Two

Lee Mack’s award-winning sitcom is marking 100 episodes in type within the run-up to Christmas, with a one-off episode filled with distinctive festive cheer.

When’s it on? Monday 23 December at 10.40pm on BBC One

No, Bullseye isn’t the one TV format ITV is respiration some new life into this festive interval. Holly Willoughby is making her return to our screens after nearly a yr with right-hand man Stephen Mulhern, in a revival of the traditional You Wager!, through which movie star panellists try to work out how doubtless it’s that rivals can pull off a string of ridiculous challenges.

When’s it on? Christmas Eve at 5.05pm on ITV1

Filmed at Westminster Abbey earlier this yr, Kate Middleton is joined by her husband, Prince William, and their youngsters as they ring in Christmas with star friends and traditional festive tunes.

When’s it on? Christmas Eve at 7.30pm on ITV1

On the different finish of the festive scale, there’s the annual Bake Off particular, the place Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding will little doubt ship their ordinary Christmas chaos, as they welcome some iconic cleaning soap stars into the enduring tent. There’s additionally a New Yr particular that includes a line-up of all-Scottish former bakers in honour of Hogmanay.

When’s it on? Christmas Eve at 8pm on Channel 4

Not everybody needs to observe the standard Christmas favourites and nonstop saccharine telly over the festive interval, and for these, we’d suggest testing BBC Two’s spooky story. Tailored for the display screen by Mark Gatiss, the particular stars Éanna Hardwicke, Phoebe Horn, Celia Imrie and Juice creator Mawaan Rizwan.

When’s it on? Christmas Eve at 10.15pm on BBC Two

“Why, whats up Ainsley!”. Everybody’s dream dinner visitor kicks off your Christmas day afternoon viewing with particular friends and prime cooking suggestions. True, it’s in all probability too late to place any of them into practise, however there’s at all times subsequent yr, proper?

When’s it on? Christmas Day at 2pm on ITV1

Marking the twelfth collaboration between the BBC and kids’s creator Julia Donaldson, deep-sea story Tiddler is certain to carry children’ consideration for its length, with sufficient celeb voices (sure, that’s Hannah Waddingham doing the narration) to maintain everybody else entertained too.

When’s it on? Christmas Day at 2.35pm on BBC One.

Simply in case there’s not been sufficient Strictly in your TV for the previous week, it’s now time to crown this yr’s Christmas champion as six model new celebrities dance it out for the possibility to carry the coveted Silver Star trophy.

When’s it on? Christmas Day at 3.15pm on BBC One.

With Ncuti Gatwa now absolutely into the swing of issues because the lead in Physician Who, we’re excited to notice that this yr’s annual Christmas particular pairs him up with Nicola Coughlan, who had a large yr in 2024 after taking the lead within the newest season of Netflix’s Bridgerton.

When’s it on? Christmas Day at 5.10pm on BBC One

It seems set to be an emotional yr on t’cobbles this Christmas as Gail Platt not solely prepares to stroll down the aisle for the seventh time, but in addition bid farewell to Weatherfield for good. We’re positive there’ll be a lot else happening – however actually, we’ll be watching for Helen Value’s final scenes after 50 years in Coronation Road.

When’s it on? Christmas Day at 7pm on ITV1

A season particular of Channel 4′s most healthful actuality present is at all times going to hit the best notes – and the very fact it’s airing on Christmas Day solely provides to our pleasure. Whereas The Piano often introduces us to new beginner musicians, this particular will welcome again some acquainted faces, in what will likely be Lang Lang’s ultimate outing as a decide.

When’s it on? Christmas Day at 7.05pm on Channel 4

The BBC is gifting followers not one however two EastEnders specials this Christmas, one in every of which goes out on the post-watershed time of 10.35pm. Fairly what they’ve in retailer stays to be scene, however after a yr of staggering twists, we reckon followers are in for a deal with.

When’s it on? Christmas Day at 7.30pm and 10.35pm on BBC One

Sandwiched between EastEnders’ two dramatic instalments is the cosiest present on telly, at its peak cosiness over Christmas. This yr’s Name The Midwife particular is being cut up into two, with a bonus episode additionally approaching Boxing Day, so you may get much more seasonal pleasure out of your Poplar faves.

When’s it on? Christmas Day at 8pm on ITV1

The stakes are excessive for the final ever instalment of Gavin & Stacey, which picks up the story 5 years on from Nessa’s notorious Christmas Day proposal. Precise plot particulars are nonetheless being saved below wraps, but when there’s one factor for sure, it’s that this feature-length particular is to not be missed.

When’s it on? Christmas Day at 9pm on BBC One

Earlier than the sixth season of the weirdest guessing recreation on telly will get underway, there’s this one-off seasonal particular to get pleasure from. Final yr’s festive friends on The Masked Singer included Ainsley Harriott, Carol Vorderman and Julian Clary, so it’s value retaining an ear out for some thrilling new performers.

When’s it on? Boxing Day at 7.30pm on ITV1

Siobhán McSweeney takes the lead on this movie star model of everybody’s favorite pottery sequence, with particular friends Martin Kemp (in his landmark one hundredth actuality TV look of 2024), Tom Rosenthal, Babatunde Aléshé and Rachel Riley.

When’s it on? Boxing Day at 9pm on Channel 4

For those who’re sick to the again tooth of the schedules being filled with saccharine Christmas specials, ITV reboots and celebrities attempting out completely different actuality TV codecs, Squid Recreation’s return may very well be the antidote you’re looking for. Netflix’s largest hit to this point is again after a three-year absence, with Gi-hun returning to the video games he thought he knew, solely to find the foundations are oh so completely different this time round. We’d suggest rationing these new episodes out, but when we’re being trustworthy, we’ll in all probability have binged the lot by Friday morning.

When’s it on? Boxing Day on Netflix

Don’t let the Gavin & Stacey reunion overshadow the truth that one other in style BBC sitcom can also be again on our screens for a seasonal particular. And with the Brockman household all grown up, eldest son Jake has a brand new appreciation for his mother and father as he returns residence for Christmas as a brand new dad.

When’s it on? Boxing Day at 9.40pm on BBC One

Play together with fabulous friends like Judi Love, Katherine Ryan and up to date Strictly Come Dancing champion Chris McCausland as host Jimmy Carr exams your information on all the main (and, certainly, foolish) information tales which have dominated the headlines over the previous yr.

When’s it on? Friday 27 December at 9pm on Channel 4

This yr’s Christmas particular of the Dying In Paradise spin-off is getting a little bit of a spooky twist, as the standard investigation winds up taking the type of a ghost story. Intrigued? Us too, tbh.

When’s it on? Friday 27 December at 9pm on BBC One

The BBC is taking a second to recollect one of many UK’s most iconic stars of the display screen, following her dying earlier within the yr. Maggie Smith At The BBC will look again at a few of her legendary performances and memorable interview moments, with Celia Imrie narrating the particular.

When’s it on? Saturday 28 December at 7pm on BBC Two

This one-off movie star model of the ITV gameshow will see Graham Norton placing Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Web page, Strictly fave Tyler West and Oscar nominee Richard E Grant by their paces.

When’s it on? Saturday 28 December at 7pm on ITV1

It’s now been two years since The Break up final captivated the nation, and the present is now being revived for 2 particular episodes that take the story in a model new path – extra particularly in the direction of mainland Europe. Nicola Walker has teased {that a} speech from her character Hannah is not like something she’s “heard a lady converse like on prime time TV earlier than”, so you’ll be able to guess that we’ll be seated… and watching episode two on iPlayer instantly after the primary one finishes.

When’s it on? Sunday 29 December at 9pm on BBC One

Between Home Of Video games, Would I Lie To You? and The Masked Singer, we’re completely satisfied to see that there’s a lot in the way in which of “foolish” on telly over Christmas – however this seasonal particular of Taskmaster guarantees to be one thing else. This time round, the movie star contestants embrace TV legend Sue Johnston, former England footballer David James and Mr Cash Saver himself, Martin Lewis. Put together for chaos.

When’s it on? Sunday 29 December at 9pm on Channel 4

Followers of Diane Morgan’s comedian creation will little doubt be overjoyed to listen to that Philomena Cunk is again doing what she does greatest – making sense of life’s largest mysteries and asking the large questions. What a solution to spherical off the yr.

When’s it on? Monday 30 December at 9pm on BBC Two

The Final Leg is invariably one of many week’s most anarchic and unpredictable hours of telly, and the New Yr’s specials at all times lean into this even tougher. Wanting again at 2024 in evaluation with Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker are a few of our TV faves like Sandi Toksvig, AJ Odudu and, as soon as once more, Chris McCausland (who presumably stated sure to those festive specials earlier than he knew there was a Glitterball Trophy together with his identify on it within the instant future).

When’s it on? New Yr’s Eve at 9pm on Channel 4

Will we be letting the very fact this present is definitely simply previous performances from Jane And Mates reduce up and pieced collectively as a “singalong” particular stand in our means of ringing in 2025 with TV’s campest auntie? No, we won’t.

When’s it on? New Yr’s Eve at 10pm on Channel 5

Graham Norton has really gone all out for his newest New Yr’s Eve particular. Becoming a member of Strictly Come Dancing decide Motsi Mabuse, comic John Bishop and Oscar winner Rami Malek will likely be record-breaking pop singer Robbie Williams, on double obligation as each interviewee and musical visitor.

When’s it on? New Yr’s Eve at 10.25pm on BBC One

As soon as the showbiz schmoozing is over, Sophie Ellis-Bextor is readily available to ring in 2025 after a bumper yr for her that’s seen her making an sudden return to the charts because of a sure Barry Keoghan routine. Tune in for large hits, a number of shock friends and, in the midst of the present, the annual New Yr fireworks.

When’s it on? New Yr’s Eve at 11.30pm on BBC One

This yr is an enormous one because it marks 30 years since Jools Holland’s very first Hootenanny, the annual New Yr particular of his music present Later… With Jools Holland. To make the occasion additional particular, he’s mixing traditional friends together with Kathy Sledge, Marc Almond and Roger Taylor with up to date stars like Jade Thirlwall, who’ve Later… one in every of its most iconic performances in years again within the autumn.

When’s it on? New Yr’s Eve at 11.30pm on BBC Two

The primary ever movie star particular of Gladiators has a lot extra to supply than simply Joel Dommet in a singlet, we promise. Testing their energy and endurance alongside the Masked Singer host will likely be Ted Lasso star Ellie Taylor, comedian Rob Beckett and daytime host Louise Minchin. Sure, actually.

When’s it on? New Yr’s Day at 6pm on BBC One

Whereas often, we’d let whoever needs to observe Vera achieve this quietly, with out essentially recommending it to anybody else, the detective present’s return is a much bigger deal than ordinary as Brenda Blethlyn lately introduced she was stepping down because the Tyneside sleuth. The present returns on New Yr’s Day for the primary of two farewell episodes.

When’s it on? New Yr’s Day at 8pm on ITV1

An enormous citadel. Some huge capes. An enormous fringe. The Traitors is again, individuals, and we’re so prepared.

When’s it on? New Yr’s Day at 8pm on BBC One

For those who really feel like kicking off 2025 with probably the most healthful of vibes, the Gogglebox households are returning on New Yr’s Day, the place they’ll be reviewing the line-up of festive telly you simply spent the previous week watching. Get pleasure from!

When’s it on? New Yr’s Day at 9pm on Channel 4