Published: November 30, 2024 — The BBC is proud to present an unmissable line-up on TV and iPlayer that will bring people together this Christmas in a way that only the BBC can.

2024’s spectacular range of festive content celebrates the very best of British storytelling and creativity.

There are a feast of programmes to entertain all the family over the festive fortnight, from a range of specials, blockbuster movies, thrilling drama and hilarious comedy alongside the very best arts, documentary, music and religious programming.

Charlotte Moore, BBC’s Chief Content Officer says: “No one does Christmas quite like the BBC, and this year we have raised the bar even higher with a cracking line-up that will bring people together across the UK.

“I’m incredibly excited to be showcasing the finest British creativity and welcoming back some of the nation’s favourite characters in the last ever episode of Gavin and Stacey and the premiere of Wallace & Gromit’s new feature length adventure. Alongside a magical mix of new festive shows from the world of comedy, drama, entertainment and factual across the holiday season that viewers can rejoice in. Join us live or on iPlayer – there really is something for everyone!”

Christmas 2024 on TV and BBC iPlayer

At the heart of this year’s Christmas schedule are some of the most hotly anticipated programmes of the year.

We have the very best in family entertainment, kicking off with Vengeance Most Fowl, Wallace & Gromit’s first new film since the 2008 BAFTA-winning and Oscar nominated A Matter of Loaf and Death from Aardman. Making their long-awaited return with a brand new feature-length adventure, after a recent crime wave of stolen garden goods from across the region, Wallace and his pre-programmed smart gnome, Norbot, are the main suspects. While Wallace proclaims his innocence, it’s up to Gromit once again to battle sinister forces, or Wallace will never invent again!

It’s been five years since we left Nessa down on one knee declaring her love for Smithy and asking him to marry her. And a lot has happened in those five years. What will Gavin & Stacey The Finale bring? Ruth Jones and James Corden have reunited the cast for this unmissable event! And if the finale leaves you wanting more, then there’s a special, uplifting and touching documentary which tells the story of one of Britain’s best loved sitcoms as it comes to an end after 17 years.

The Brockmans are back! The Outnumbered Christmas Special will follow the chaos in the downsized home of Pete and Sue Brockman, as they grapple with the challenges of parenting kids who are now adults, with their own lives to lead.

Did someone call the Doctor? Doctor Who returns this Christmas with Joy To The World, a time-hopping trip through the history of Earth written by Steven Moffat and starring Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor and Nicola Coughlan as Joy.

Adapted for the BBC from the hugely successful picture book, a new magical animation from the UK’s number one picture book creators Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, Tiddler is the story of a little fish with a big imagination who gets lost in the deep wide ocean until he’s saved by his own storytelling, voiced by an all-star cast including, Hannah Waddingham as the narrator, Lolly Adefope as Miss Skate, Jayde Adams as Plaice and other characters, plus Rob Brydon.

And if murder mystery is what you’re craving then we can surely deliver. Strike – The Ink Black Heart sees Tom Burke and Holiday Grainger return in the hit crime series based on J.K. Rowling’s best-selling novels. Abi Morgan’s hit legal drama The Split also returns with a two-part special for a very Spanish extravaganza set over one sun-soaked weekend.

Sticking with drama, Steven Knight’s hit SAS Rogue Heroes returns for a second series. For the first time ever, this year Call The Midwife will deliver not one but two Christmas specials – complete with a Christmas cliffhanger! Secrets and lies are set to throw a wrecking ball into the Beale family festivities this year as the shocking truth about Cindy is revealed in spectacular fashion in EastEnders on Christmas Day. And there is also a thrilling new Casualty Christmas special.

If it’s some winter sun you’re after from the comfort of your own home, we’re returning to sun-drenched Saint Marie, joining the police team and a new Detective Inspector for a festive feature-length Death in Paradise Christmas special. And if you can’t get enough of the sun, sea and drama, then do not fear Beyond Paradise returns to Shipton Abbott for two festive cases.

And it wouldn’t be Christmas without some celebrities trying their hands…and feet at something different. The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special is back with comedian Josh Widdicombe, Drag superstar Tayce, presenter and podcaster Vogue Williams, Gladiator Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, actress Tamzin Outhwaite and racing driver Billy Monger! The Ballroom will once again be transformed into a magical winter wonderland. In our first Gladiators Celebrity special, four famous faces nervously lace up their trainers as they compete in one of the toughest gameshows on Earth, how will Rob Beckett, Louise Minchin, Joel Dommet and Ellie Taylor fair… Celebrities ready?

Mrs Brown’s Boys has not one but two specials for Christmas and New Year, and BBC One will showcase The Young Offenders Christmas special.

Esme Young and Patrick Grant put four celebrities’ sewing skills to the test in The Great Christmas Sewing Bee. Host Sara Pascoe will be joined in Yorkshire by singer and actor Ian ‘H’ Watkins, EastEnders actor Kellie Bright, comedian Fatiha El Ghorri and TV personality and businesswoman, Charlotte Crosby as they put their twist on a pattern for an advent calendar.. MasterChef will be serving up two specials, a celebrity Cook Off and a Strictly Festive Extravaganza.

And if the family games have been causing havoc at home, then take a break and play along with the nation as there’s a plethora of festive quiz specials for all including, University Challenge, The Weakest Link, Would I Lie To You, Blankety Blank, Only Connect, Richard Osman’s Festive House of Games and Celebrity Mastermind to name a few. There is also the brand new Have I Got Sport for You? Jason Manford hosts this one off special that will look back at a spectacular year of sport. The Team Captains will be joined by a gaggle of panellists including top comedians and sporting stars as they reflect on 2024.

And to celebrate a fantastic year of sport, don’t miss BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year awards show hosted by Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott.

The BBC has also added a touch of cinematic sparkle to the schedules this year with the network premieres of films including, Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, Black Panther, Minions: Rise of Gru, Incredibles 2 and King Richard.

The door may have also closed on Inside No.9, but there’s still time to venture behind the scenes with Inside No.9 The Party’s Over. Following the global success of Cunk on Earth, pioneering documentary-maker Philomena Cunk (Diane Morgan) returns with her most ambitious quest to date; venturing right up the universe and everything, to examine life itself in Cunk on Life.

There will be a vibrant range of religious programming this year including live worship, musical celebration, traditional carols and spiritual contemplation including Midnight Mass, broadcast live from St Mary’s Church, Warwick, Christmas Morning from Halifax Minster, and the candlelit splendour of Carols From King’s.