Unlike your grandiose ideas of snowman and snow dog perfection, British Christmas TV program for 2025 is starting to take shape. And they're bringing in the big guns – not just Joanna Lumley, Russell T Davies and Mark Gatiss, but also the iconic Pat Butcher, returning to Albert Square and the Queen Vic for the first time in a decade (and the second time since he was killed off).
A little more optimistic Dear Santa Clauswho sees 16 year old Chris (Lenny Rush) set out to prove that the big funny guy with the red suit and flying reindeer exists. Why his father (James Buckley) waited so long for The Talk is anyone's guess, but in his quest Chris runs into scientists including Stephen Fry and Hannah Fry, who we pray don't ruin everyone's enjoyment of Channel 4's flagship festive special.
The latest Julia Donaldson adaptation from the BBC. Wedding Scarecrow This will be the big animated special of the season, starring Jessie Buckley and Domhnall Gleeson as beloved scarecrows Betty O'Barley and Harry O'Hay, whose wedding plans are foiled by the smooth-talking Reginald Rake (Rob Brydon).
Pat Butcher, one of the most iconic British television characters of all time, EastEnders the return, albeit short, will require some additional payment, but you can count on Coronation Street to stop at the 65th year of its existence. Something tells us that Debbie Webster's (Sue Devaney) white wedding may not end well.
While it may not have a strictly holiday theme, it wouldn't be Christmas without the holiday. Doctor Who special. These are real tough times for the series, which won't return until next year but will run for five parts. War between land and sea sounds like a real breath of fresh air, starring Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw.
Here's a little question about the long-awaited second launch Night manager too, although it will be closer to the New Year.
Although services such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX and Channel 4 only work in the UK, a good VPN will allow you stream the best of British Christmas TV from abroad. Scroll down for a list of confirmed special offers, which we'll update as more are announced.
Can I watch British Christmas TV for free?
The vast majority of British Christmas TV shows are free to watch thanks to BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 And 5.
Traveling outside the UK for Christmas? You can use a VPN to set up for free as if you were at home. NordVPN is our top pick of the options.
Use a VPN to Stream British Christmas TV from Abroad
Why is a VPN a good option for streaming British Christmas TV from abroad?
If you're leaving the UK for Christmas, for work, on holiday or to visit family and friends, geographical restrictions will prevent you from watching UK Christmas TV.
That's where VPN will come in handy – not only does it allow you to access your home streaming services from anywhere, but it also protects you from potential online threats.
What devices and platforms does NordVPN support?
Amazon Fire Stick
Android
Android TV/Google TV
Chromecast
iOS
iPadOS
Nvidia Shield
Raspberry Pi
Web browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari)
While you can't run NordVPN directly on other devices, such as PlayStation and Xbox consoles, Apple TVs, and various other smart TV systems, as well as VR headsets, an easy workaround is to run NordVPN on your smartphone or computer and set up a hotspot.
British Christmas TV 2025
BBC One
Spanish work by Amanda and Alan
Amandaland Christmas Special
Christmas Special “Beyond Heaven”
Call the Midwife Christmas Special
Famous student
Christmas Special “Death in Paradise”
DIY SOS Christmas Special
EastEnders
Christmas Special “Here We Come”
Michael McIntyre's Christmas Special “The Wheel”
Mrs Brown's Boys
Pudsey and the Thread of Hope
Songs of Praise
Dancing with the Stars Christmas Special
Dancing with the Stars final
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Finish Line Celebrity Christmas Specials
The Great British Sewing Bee Christmas Special
Night manager
Scarecrow's Wedding
War between land and sea
Christmas Special “Two Doors Down”
Weak link: Christmas and New Year offers
Would I lie to you? for Christmas
BBC two
A Christmas Ghost Story: The Tower Room
Live on the Apollo Christmas Special
Mammoth Christmas Special
Richard Osman's Holiday Playhouse
BBC four
Royal Institution Christmas Lectures
ITV1
Ant & Dec's Unlimited Win Christmas Special
Christmas special “Apple”
Capital ball with bells
Celebrity Christmas Special
Christmas crafts
Coronation Street
Emmerdale
John and Lisa's Christmas Kitchen
Romesh Ranganathan's Parents' Evening
Royal Arctic Challenge by Steve Backshall
Club Christmas offer 1%
Chase Christmas Special
Martin Lewis Money Show
The Masked Singer Christmas Special
Wheel of Fortune Christmas Special with Celebrities
I bet it's a Christmas special
Channel 4
8 out of 10 cats host a Christmas Countdown special
A Real Taskmaster's Christmas
From scratch package: cooking for less this christmas!
Dear Santa Claus
Taskmaster Champion of Champions
New Year's treat from the overseer
The biggest quiz of the year
Last stage: Christmas and New Year specials
5
All Creatures Great and Small: Behind the Magic
All Creatures Great and Small Christmas Special
Christmas special “The Secrets of Madame Blanc”
Sally Lindsay's Christmas Quiz
U&W
Christmas special “For the Dog's Sake”
CBeebies
Christmas Panto: Cinderella
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal entertainment use. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protect your online security and enhance your online privacy when you're abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. The use of paid pirated content is not condoned or endorsed by Future Publishing.
