Five of the best things to watch on TV this Christmas 2025

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Christmas – it’s a hectic time, right? We all know that.

For some of us, if the run-up to Christmas wasn’t already busy enough as it is, there’s often not a moment to breathe on the big day itself between presents being opened, travelling to see people, entertaining guests, slaving over a hot stove for hours, and eating plenty of food.

Sometimes though, you may find yourself twiddling your thumbs with some time to spare, and that’s why the distraction of festive television is so brilliant.

For others, sitting around to watch the TV is an important part of Christmas itself.

No matter what your situation is, there’s some cracking things to watch on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day this year – with classic seasonal films, to festive specials of our favourite shows, and a few family-friendly additions all on the agenda.

So, just like we have done for the past couple of years, we’ve once again rounded-up the best of the bunch to create our TV guide.

Here’s just five of our picks.

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Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Christmas Fishing 2025

BBC Two

Christmas Eve – 9pm

Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Christmas Fishing 2025 / Credit: BBC

Bob and Paul (and terrier Ted too, of course) are back for another Gone Fishing Christmas Special, and this year, they’re heading down to Devon and Cornwall for their festive treat.

The duo fish the stunning rivers Lyd and Camel in Devon, and even head out to sea in Cornwall on a traditional fishing boat.

There’s also appearances by other famous faces Dawn French and Dr Anand Patel, and they’re even welcomed into No6, Paul Ainsworth’s celebrated restaurant in the heart of Padstow, for some Michelin-starred fine festive dining.

You can watch Gone Christmas Fishing 2025 on BBC Two at 9pm on Christmas Eve.

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Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2025

BBC One

Christmas Day – 5:30pm

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2025 / Credit: BBC

We’ve all come to expect a Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special at this point, haven’t we? After the iconic ballroom dance competition programme has been bringing us smaller, festive editions of the show we all know and love since 2004, it’s back once again this Christmas Day.

Six celebrity contestants will be taking to the floor to impress the judges and battle it out for the Christmas glitter ball trophy.

Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt, singer and cook Melanie Blatt, and Irish singer-songwriter Brian McFaddan are just some of the big names competing this year.

You can catch Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One at 3:55pm on Christmas Day.

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The Great Peep Show Christmas Bake Off 

Channel 4

Christmas Day – 8pm

The Great Peep Show Christmas Bake Off / Credit: Channel 4

For the first time since Peep Show wrapped in 2015, fan favourites David Mitchell, Olivia Colman, Isy Suttie, Matt King, and Sophie Winkleman are reuniting on screen.

And this time, they’re donning festive jumpers and rolling up their sleeves to tackle a series of seasonal baking challenges.

Under the watchful eyes of judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood, and with plenty of mischief and charm from Bake Off hosts Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond, you can expect laughter and chaos in this Great Peep Show Christmas Bake Off special.

Watch The Great Peep Show Christmas Bake Off on Channel 4 at 8pm on Christmas Day.

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Amandaland Christmas Special

BBC One

Christmas Day – 9:15pm

Amandaland Christmas Special / Credit: Natalie Seery (BBC/Merman)

Massively-popular BBC sitcom Amandaland is back for a festive special on Christmas Day.

You’ll get to see title character Amanda and her family head to Aunt Joan’s country house, but the plans change when Mal and Anne tag along and she struggles to recreate the magical Christmases she spent there as a child.

Anne’s in despair at being separated from her family, and Felicity is increasingly irritated by her sister’s constant high spirits. Meanwhile, Mal sees a hidden photo that seems to reveal a deep family secret.

You can catch the Amandaland Christmas Special on BBC One at 9:15pm on Christmas Day.

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Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2025

Channel 4

Boxing Day – 9pm

Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2025 / Credit: Brian J Ritchie (via Channel 4)

What’s Christmas without a quiz? It’s time to remember everything you’ve already forgotten from this past year, as the Jimmy Carr is back with the annual Big Fat Quiz of the Year for 2025, and a handful of famous faces will be put to the test.

This year, Jonathan Ross, Richard Ayoade, Katherine Ryan, Nick Mohammed, Roisin Conaty, and Lou Sanders all answer questions about Katy Perry, Lily Allen, and THAT Coldplay concert.

You can watch Big Fat Quiz of the Year on Channel 4 at 9pm on Boxing Day.

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Fancy a festive film?

As an added bonus, we thought we’d just round up all the Christmas films that are being shown on telly in the coming days, as there’s nothing like sitting down to watch a festive flick to get you into the spirit of the season.

There’s also just plenty of great films on in general, ones that aren’t strictly Christmas films or set during the festive season like the ones mentioned in that list.

Here they are:

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Featured Image – BBC | Disney+ / 20th Century Studios (Press Images)

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