The festive season is the perfect time to spend the frosty afternoons and evenings snuggled up in front of the fireplace watching television with a delicious mug of hot chocolate, whether you’re with family, friends or by yourself there is an abundance of Christmas TV specials and movies coming up to get lost in.
TV Shows
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special
One of the UK’s most popular competition shows is back with a Christmas special, with the Strictly 2022 Christmas special racking up over 5.4 million viewers, the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2023 is sure to be a popular hit for households all over the UK. With Jamie Borthwick from Eastenders, Sugarbabes star Keisha Buchanan and Rugby player Danny Cipriani on the lineup, along with Strictly professionals Nancy XU, Gorka Marquez and Jowita Przystal all competing for the festive glitterball trophy, and with a performance from UK Eurovision star Sam Ryder, the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special is something you don’t want to miss.
Available to watch on BBC One on Christmas Day at 4:40pm.
The Great Pottery Throw Down
Siobhán McSweeney is back to host The Great Pottery Throw Down one-off Christmas special, alongside judges Keith Brymer Jones and Rich Miller, and 4 celebrities who are all new to the pottery wheel. The lineup includes, actor Hugh Dennis, presenter Alice Levine, presenter Joe Swash and comedian Sophie Duker, all competing against each other in two festive challenges to be crowned the winner of this festive special.
The Great Pottery Throw Down Christmas Special will be available to watch on Channel 4 on Christmas Day at 7:30pm.
Gogglebox Festive Special
Our favourite armchair tv critics are back on our screens for a Christmas special in which we get to enjoy watching them hilariously critic several popular festive shows and movies that will be coming to our TVs over the Christmas season.
The Gogglebox Festive Special will be available to watch on Channel 4 on Christmas Eve at 9:30pm.
Doctor Who Christmas Special: The Church on Ruby Road
Follow Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa as he makes his debut as the fifteenth doctor and ventures on his first big adventure with his companion Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson), in the 55-minute-long festive special, just in time for the festive season. An adventure filled with goblins and uncovering past secrets, Davina Mcall, who plays herself in the episode, has stated that “Russell has written you all a Christmas delight.”
The Doctor Who Christmas Special is something you don’t want to miss and will be available to watch on BBC One on Christmas day at 5:55pm.
Celebrity MasterChef: Christmas Cookoff
No Christmas is complete without delicious food to divulge yourself in, some could even argue that the tasty festive food is the best part of the Christmas season! Follow celebrities such as Love Island finalist Faye Winter, comedian Richard Blackwood, musician Mel Blatt and singer Duncan James in this festive special while they compete crowned MasterChef Christmas Champion 2023.
Available to watch on BBC One on 20 December at 9:00pm.
Movies
Paddington
Learning to live with a bear could be harder work than expected. In a live-action, comedy, a young bear from Peru finds himself in Paddington train station all by himself in the search for a home, all alone, that is until he meets the Brown family who kindly take him into their own home temporarily. However, Paddington seems to have a lot to learn about living with humans.
Additionally, taxidermist Millicent Clyde catches news of the rare, young bear meaning Paddington has to be careful or he might find himself in a taxidermist museum. This film is a comedic, fun take on the famous young bear who loves marmalade sandwiches that we all know and adore and a perfect film to cozy up to and watch with all the family.
You can watch Paddington on BBC One on the 23 December at 6:45pm.
Pitch Perfect
Pitch Perfect is a musical comedy film that follows new college student and aspiring DJ Beca (Anna Kendrick) as she is convinced by the Barden Bellas co-leader Chloe (Brittany Snow) to join the all-girls a-Capella group, who are aiming to redeem themselves after a tragc incident that took place at their previous finals causing them to lose against at all-male rival group from the same college.
However, Beca isn’t a fan of the traditional ways the group does things and along with her growing relationship with Jesse from the rival group, Beca not only jeopardizes her place in the group, but she also jeopardizes the group’s place at nationals. Pitch Perfect is a comedic film about friendships, finding your passion and learning to take risks. Suitable for those aged 12 and above.
You can watch Pitch Perfect on ITV on Christmas Day at 11:30am.
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
A live-action adaptation of the classic Disney animation starring Emma Watson, Luke Evans and Josh Gad. After Belle’s father gets captured by the Beast, a former arrogant prince who was cursed by an enchantress, a curse which can only be broken by true love.
Belle offers to take her father’s place in the Beast’s prison, throughout her time in the Beast’s castle she is helped by the Beast’s servants which include a teapot and teacup, a candlestick holder and an old clock, to see the more human, kinder side of the Beast. As the story unfolds, we soon learn that the Beast isn’t the true villain of the story.
Accompanied by a beautiful soundtrack produced by Alan Menken who also produced the original soundtrack to the 1991 version. Beauty and the Beast is a heartening story about family and true love, a perfect movie to watch wrapped up on the sofa, with the fireplace burning and a warm cup of hot chocolate.
You can watch Beauty and the Beast on BBC One on the 26 December at 1:15pm.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
The Christmas season wouldn’t be complete without How the Grinch Stole Christmas, a Christmas classic! In the small town of Who-Ville, the Who’s are preparing for Christmas and have no awareness of the Grinch’s plans to sabotage their festive holiday.
Due to being bullied when he was younger, the Grinch grew a hatred Christmas and made plans to steal Christmas by dressing up as Santa Claus and his dog, Max, as a reindeer. However, the Grinch is stopped by young Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen), who becomes a friend to the Grinch and invites him to celebrate Christmas with her and her family. She teaches him, and the residents of Who-Ville, that no one deserves to spend Christmas alone. How the Grinch Stole Christmas has a heartwarming message and is a classic Christmas story for those of all ages.
Available to stream on Netflix right now.
The Search for Santa Paws
“Can you imagine a world about Santa Claus?” Neither could we. In a heartwarming Christmas movie by Disney; After receiving unfortunate news in a letter about the death of his friend Mr Hucklebuckle and former owner of Hucklebuckle toys, Eli, Santa’s head elf, uses the magic crystal to turn the gift Santa was sent along with the letter into a new best friend, Paws. Santa Claus and Paws take a trip to the big apple to visit the toy store, however, Santa loses his memory which puts the entire magic of Christmas and the Christmas season in danger.
Whilst looking for Santa, Paws befriends Quinn, a young orphan who believes in the magic of Christmas more than anything, they work together along with Eli, to help save Santa and the magic of Christmas before it is too late. The Search for Santa Paws is a perfect Christmas movie for the whole family to enjoy.
Available to stream now on Disney+.
