List of Christmas television episodes and specials in the United Kingdom

Last updated

The following is a list of United Kingdom, Christmas television specials, as well as Christmas-themed episodes of regular television series.

Contents

Drama

BBC

SeriesEpisode/specialYearDescription
Born and Bred A Very Ormston Christmas2003
The Brothers The Christmas Party1976
Cranford Christmas Special2009
Dr. Finlay's Casebook The Gifts of the Magi1966
Lark Rise to Candleford Christmas Special2008
Last Christmas1999
Last Tango in Halifax Christmas Special2013
Lost Christmas 2011
A Christmas Carol 2019A three-part miniseries.

All Creatures Great and Small

EpisodeYearDescription
Merry Gentlemen1978
Brotherly Love1990

Call the Midwife

EpisodeYearDescription
Christmas Special2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022

Casualty / Holby City

SeriesEpisodeYearDescription
CasualtySurvival1986
Closure1986
These Things Happen1987
Silent Night1992
Comfort and Joy1993
Talking Turkey1994
Lost Boys1995
Do You Believe in Fairies?1996
The Golden Hour1997
New Year and All That1998
Peace on Earth1999
Holby CityTidings of Comfort and Joy1999
CasualtyMerry Christmas Dr Spiller2000
Holby CityA Christmas Carol, Part I
A Christmas Carol, Part II
CasualtyLife and Soul2001
Holby City'Twas the Night
CasualtySome Comfort, No Joy, Little Peace, Bit Too Much Love2002
Holby CitySinners And Saints
CasualtyEat, Drink and Be Merry2003
Holby CityIn The Bleak Midwinter
Casualty@Holby City Casualty@Holby City at Christmas (Part One)2004
Casualty@Holby City at Christmas (Part Two)
CasualtyDo They Know It's Christmas?2005
Casualty@Holby City Deny Thy Father (Part 1)
Deny Thy Father (Part 2)
CasualtySilent Night2006
Holby CityThe Good Fight
CasualtyWhat's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding2007
Holby CityElliot's Wonderful Life
CasualtyThis Will Be Our Year2008
Took a Long Time to Come
Holby CityMaria's Christmas Carol
CasualtyAll I Want for Christmas2009
Tidings of Comfort and Joy
Holby CityStand By Me
CasualtySeason of Goodwill2010
Winter Wonderland
Holby CityThe Most Wonderful Time of the Year
CasualtyNext of Kin2011
Holby CityWise Men
CasualtyI Saw Mommy Killing Santa Claus2012
Holby CityThrough the Darkness
And We Banish Shade
CasualtyAway in a Manger2013
Holby CityAll I Want for Christmas Is You
CasualtySolomon's Song2014
Holby CityStar of Wonder
I Will Honour Christmas in My Heart
CasualtyMaybe This Year2015
Home for Christmas
Holby CityBad Blood, Fake Snow
Blue Christmas
CasualtyAll I Want for Christmas Is You2016
Bah Humbug
Holby CityHallelujah
The Nightmare Before Christmas
CasualtySeries 32, episode 172017
Holby CityBest Christmas Ever2018
CasualtySeries 33, episode 17

Doctor Who

Episode/specialYearDescription
"The Feast of Steven"1965Episode 7 of The Daleks' Master Plan
"The Christmas Invasion"2005
"The Runaway Bride"2006
"Voyage of the Damned"2007
"The Next Doctor"2008
"The End of Time: Part One"2009
"A Christmas Carol"2010
"The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe"2011
"The Snowmen"2012
"The Time of the Doctor"2013
"Last Christmas"2014
"The Husbands of River Song"2015
"The Return of Doctor Mysterio"2016
"Twice Upon a Time"2017
"The Church on Ruby Road"2023
"Joy to the World"2024

Father Brown

EpisodeYearDescription
"The Star of Jacob"2016
"The Tree of Truth"2017

Grange Hill

SpecialYearDescription
Christmas Special1981
1985

Jonathan Creek

EpisodeYearDescription
Black Canary1998
Satan's Chimney2001
The Grinning Man 2009
Daemons' Roost2016

Paddington (TV series)

EpisodeYearDescription
Paddington and the Christmas Shopping1976
Paddington's Christmas1976

ITV

Series/specialEpisodeYearDescription
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes The Blue Carbuncle 1984
The Avengers Too Many Christmas Trees1965
Agatha Christie's Poirot Hercule Poirot's Christmas 1995
Boon The Night Before Christmas1991
A Christmas Carol 2000
Fast Freddie, The Widow and Me 2011
Foyle's War Bleak Midwinter2007
London's Burning Ding Dong Merrily1988
Minder Minder's Christmas Bonus1983
Orson Welles' Great Mysteries Complements of the Season1973
Rumpole of the Bailey Rumpole and the Case of Identity1979
Tales of the Unexpected The Party1980

Bad Girls

SpecialYearDescription
Christmas Special2005
2006

The Darling Buds of May

EpisodeYearDescription
Christmas Is Coming1991Season 1, Episode 7
Le Grand Weekend1992Season 2, Episode 7

Downton Abbey

Episode/specialYearDescription
Christmas at Downton Abbey2011Season 2, Episode 9
A Journey to the Highlands2012Season 3, Episode 9
The London Season2013Season 4, Episode 9
A Moorland Holiday2014Season 5, Episode 9
The Finale2015Season 6, Episode 9

The Bill

EpisodeYearDescription
Twanky1997
Christmas Star1998
When the Snow Lay Round About1999
The Night Before2000
Santa's Little Helper2008

Heartbeat / The Royal

SeriesEpisode/specialYearDescription
HeartbeatA Winter's Tale1994
Charity Begins at Home1996
The Queen's Message1997
Echoes of the Past1998
Cold Turkey2000
No Hiding Place2001
Many Splendoured Thing2002
The RoyalFamous for a Day2003
HeartbeatIn the Bleak Midwinter2004
Christmas Album2005
Auld Acquaintance

Midsomer Murders

EpisodeYearDescription
Ghosts of Christmas Past2004
Days of Misrule2008
The Christmas Haunting2013

Northern Lights

EpisodeYearDescription
Christmas Lights 2004
Clash of the Santas 2008

Taggart

EpisodeYearDescription
Cold Blood1987
Double Jeopardy1988
Rouges' Gallery1990

Upstairs, Downstairs

EpisodeYearDescription
Whom God Hath Joined1972
Goodwill to All Men1973

Channel 4

SeriesEpisodeYearDescription
The Max Headroom Show Max Headroom's Giant Christmas Turkey1986
Shameless Christmas Special2004
Black Mirror White Christmas 2014

Channel 5

SeriesEpisodeYearDescription
All Creatures Great and Small (2020 TV series) The Night Before Christmas2020

Comedies

BBC

Series/specialEpisode(s)/(Special(s))Year(s)Description
Absolutely Fabulous Cold Turkey2003
Alas Smith and Jones The Home-Made Xmas Video1987
Bernard and the Genie 1991
Blackadder Blackadder's Christmas Carol 1988
Bottom Holy 1992
Butterflies Christmas with the Parkinsons1979
Chef! A Bird in the Hand1993
Christmas Night with the Stars 1958–72, 1994, 2003Anthology special featuring mini-episodes of several BBC programs.
The Cleaner A Clean Christmas2022
Dad Nemesis1999
Dear John Kate Returns1987
Detectorists Christmas Special2015
Ever Decreasing Circles The Party1984
Extras Christmas Special2007
The Fast Show Christmas Special1996
The Frost Report Frost Over Christmas1967
The Funny Side of Christmas 1982Anthology special including mini-episodes of several
BBC programs including:
Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special2008, 2019
The Goes Wrong Show The Nativity2020
The Good Life Silly, But It's Fun1977
The Goodies Earthanasia 1977
Goodnight Sweetheart Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea1995
Hebburn Christmas Special2013
Here We Go Mum's Classic Family Christmas2023
Him & Her The Christmas Special2012
House of Fools The Bobble Hat Affair2014
Ideal An Ideal Xmas2005
It Ain't Half Hot Mum Puddings from Heaven1977
Jam & Jerusalem Christmas Panto2006
Just Good Friends Christmas Special1984
Kiss Me Kate Christmas2000
Knowing Me, Knowing You... with Alan Partridge Knowing Me, Knowing Yule1995
Lead Balloon Nuts2008
The League of Gentlemen Yule Never Leave!2000
Mandy We Wish You a Mandy Christmas2021
May to December I'll See You in My Dreams1990
Men Behaving Badly Jingle Balls1997
My Hero Christmas2000
No Place Like Home A Crabtree Christmas1984
The Office Christmas specials 2003
Operation Good Guys That's Entertainment2000
Please Sir! Peace In Our Time /
Everyone Came Too		1970
Rev. Christmas Special2011
Russell Howard's Good News Christmas Special2009
The Smoking Room Christmas Special2004
The Thin Blue Line Yuletide Spirit1995
Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps When Janet Met Jonny2003
Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? Christmas Special1974
The Worst Week of My Life The Worst Christmas of My Life2006
Yes Minister Party Games 1984

2point4 Children

EpisodeYear(s)Description
Misery1992
Babes in the Wood1993
Relax-ay-voo1994
Porky's1995
Two Years Before the Mast1996

After You've Gone

EpisodeYear(s)Description
And So This Is Christmas2007
There Will Be Pud2008

'Allo 'Allo!

EpisodeYear(s)Description
The Gateau from the Chateau 1985
A Bun in the Oven 1991

Are You Being Served?

EpisodeYear(s)Description
Christmas Crackers1975
The Father Christmas Affair1976
Happy Returns1978
The Punch and Judy Affair1979
Roots?1981

Birds of a Feather

EpisodeYear(s)Description
Sailing1989
Falling in Love Again1990
We'll Always Have Majorca1991
The Chigwell Connection1992
It Happened in Hollywood1993
Christmas in Dreamland1994
Reservoir Birds1997
Holy Ground1998

Bread

EpisodeYear(s)Description
Christmas with the Boswells1988
A Quiet Christmas1989
Another Christmas with the Boswells1990

The Brittas Empire

EpisodeYear(s)Description
In the Beginning1994
Surviving Christmas1996

The Catherine Tate Show

SeriesEpisodeYear(s)Description
The Catherine Tate ShowChristmas Special2005
Nans Christmas Carol2009
Catherine Tate's Nan2013

Citizen Khan

EpisodeYear(s)Description
A Khan Christmas2013
A Khan Family Christmas2014
Mr Khan's Christmas Wonderland2015
It's a Khanderful Life2016

Citizen Smith

EpisodeYear(s)Description
A Story for Christmas1977
Buon Natale1980

Dad's Army

EpisodeYear(s)Description
Resisting the Aggressor Down the Ages1969
The Cornish Floral Dance1970Lost
Battle of the Giants! 1971
Broadcast to the Empire 1972
Turkey Dinner 1974
My Brother and I 1975
The Love Of Three Oranges 1976

The Detectives

EpisodeYear(s)Description
Thicker Than Water1995
Go West, Old Man1997

dinnerladies

EpisodeYear(s)Description
Party1998
Gamble1999
Christmas1999

Ghosts

EpisodeYear(s)Description
The Ghost of Christmas2020
He Came!2021
It's Behind You2022
A Christmas Gift2023

Happy Ever After / Terry and June

SeriesEpisodeYear(s)Description
Happy Ever AfterChristmas1976
June's Parents1977
Terry and JuneThe Christmas Show1980
Christmas1981
Christmas with Terry and June1982
Pantomania1985

Insert Name Here

EpisodeYear(s)Guest panelists
Christmas2016 Deborah Meaden, Kate Williams, Danny Baker & Sara Pascoe.
2017 Jack Dee, Suzannah Lipscomb, Liz Bonnin & Martin Kemp.
Xmas2018 Suzannah Lipscomb, Chris Packham, James Acaster & Carol Vorderman.

Inside No. 9

EpisodeYear(s)Description
The 12 Days of Christine 2015
The Devil of Christmas 2016
Love's Great Adventure2020
The Bones of St. Nicholas2022

Keeping Up Appearances

EpisodeYear(s)Description
The Father Christmas Suit1991
Sea Fever1993
Angel Gabriel Blue1994
The Pageant1995

Last of the Summer Wine

EpisodeYear(s)Description
Small Tune on a Penny Wassail1978
And a Dewhurst Up a Fir Tree1979
Whoops1981
All Mod Conned1982
Merry Christmas, Father Christmas1986
Big Day at Dream Acres1987
Crums1988
What's Santa Brought for Nora Then?1989
Barry's Christmas1990
Situation Vacant1991
Stop That Castle1992
Welcome to Earth1993
A Leg Up for Christmas1995
Extra! Extra!1996
There Goes the Groom1997
Potts in Pole Position2001
A Musical Passing for a Miserable Muscroft2002
A Short Blast of Fred Astaire2003
Variations on a Theme of the Widow Winstanley2004
Merry Enthwhistle and Jackson Day2005
A Tale of Two Sweaters2006

Live at the Apollo

EpisodeYear(s)Comedians
Noel at the Apollo2015 Nina Conti (host), Tanyalee Davis, Hal Cruttenden & Josh Widdicombe
2016 Romesh Ranganathan (host), Seann Walsh, Kerry Godliman & Spencer Jones
2017 Katherine Ryan (host), Joel Dommett, Marlon Davis & John Robins

Miranda

EpisodeYear(s)Description
The Perfect Christmas2010
It Was Panning2012

Mock the Week

EpisodeYear(s)Description
Christmas Special2008Series compilation
2009Series compilation
2010Series compilation
2011Series compilation
2012Series compilation
2013Series compilation
2014Series compilation
2015Series compilation
2016Series compilation
2017Series compilation

The Morecambe and Wise Show

SpecialYear(s)Description
Christmas Special1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1975
1976
1977

Motherland

EpisodeYear(s)Description
Christmas Special2020
Last Christmas2022

Mrs. Brown's Boys

EpisodeYear(s)Description
Mammy's Ass2011
Mammy Christmas / The Virgin Mammy2012
Buckin' Mammy / Who's a Pretty Mammy?2013
Mammy's Tickled Pink / Mammy's Gamble2014
Mammy's Christmas Punch / Mammy's Widow Memories2015
Mammy's Forest / Chez Mammy2016
Mammy's Mummy / CSI: Mammy2017
Exotic Mammy / Mammy's Hotel2018
A Wonderful Mammy / Orange Is The New Mammy2019
Mammy of the People / Mammy's Memories2020
Mammy's Mechanical Merriment / Mammy's Mickey2021
Shining Mammy / Mammy's Hair Loom2022

My Family

Episode/specialYear(s)Description
Ding Dong Merrily2002
Sixty Feet Under2003
Glad Tidings We Bring2004
... And I'll Cry If I Want To2005
The Heart of Christmas2006
Ho Ho No2007
Have An Unhappy Christmas2008
2039: A Christmas Oddity2009
Mary Christmas2010

Not Going Out

Episode/specialYear(s)Description
Murder at Christmas2007
Absent Father Christmas2009
The House2013
The Wedding2014
Christmas Shopping2015
The True Meaning of Christmas2017
Ding Dong Merrily On Live2018
Driving Home for Christmas2019
Panto2021
Wilfred2023

One Foot in the Grave

Episode/specialYear(s)Description
Who's Listening?1990
The Man In The Long Black Coat1991
One Foot in the Algarve1993
The Man Who Blew Away1994
The Wisdom of the Witch1995
Starbound1996
Endgame1997

Only Fools and Horses / The Green Green Grass / Rock & Chips

SeriesEpisode/specialsYear(s)Description
Only Fools and Horses Christmas Crackers 1981
Christmas Trees 1982Part of The Funny Side of Christmas
Diamonds Are for Heather
Thicker Than Water 1983
To Hull and Back 1985
A Royal Flush 1986
The Frog's Legacy 1987
Dates 1988
The Jolly Boys' Outing 1989
Rodney Come Home 1990
Miami Twice: Part 1 – The American Dream /
Miami Twice: Part 2 – Oh to Be in England 		1991
Mother Nature's Son 1992
Fatal Extraction 1993
Heroes and Villains /
Modern Men /
Time On Our Hands 		1996The Christmas Trilogy
If They Could See Us Now 2001
Strangers on the Shore 2002
Sleepless in Peckham 2003
The Green Green Grass One Flew Over the Cuckoo Clock 2005
From Here to Paternity 2006
The Special Relationship 2007
Rock & Chips Five Gold Rings 2010

Open All Hours / Still Open All Hours

SeriesEpisodeYear(s)Description
Open All HoursUntitled short subject 1982
Still Open All HoursPilot2013
Christmas Special2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019

Outnumbered

EpisodeYear(s)Description
The Robbers2009
The Broken Santa2011
The Sick Party2012
Christmas Special 20162016

Porridge

EpisodeYear(s)Description
No Way Out 1975
The Desperate Hours 1976

QI

EpisodeYear(s)Description
Advent2003
Birth2004
December2006
Empire2007
Elephants2007
Fire and Freezing2008
Groovy2009
Hocus Pocus2010
Icy2011
Jingle Bells2012
Kris Kringle2013
No-L2014
Merriment2015
Noel2016
O Christmas2017
Pubs2018
Quizmas2019
Rejoice! A Christmas Special2020
Season Greeting2021
Toys, Tinsel and Turkeys2022

Rab C. Nesbitt

EpisodeYear(s)Description
Seasonal Greet1988
Clean2008
Hoodie2013

The Royle Family

EpisodeYear(s)Description
Christmas with the Royle Family1999
The Royle Family at Christmas2000
The Queen of Sheeba 2006
The New Sofa2008
The Golden Egg Cup2009
Joe's Crackers2010
Barbara's Old Ring2012

Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em

EpisodeYear(s)Description
Jessica's First Christmas1974
Learning to Drive1975
Learning to Fly1978

Starstruck

EpisodeYear(s)Description
Christmas2021
Christmas, Again2022

Steptoe and Son

EpisodeYear(s)Description
The Party1973
A Perfect Christmas1974

Still Game

SeriesEpisodeYear(s)Description
Christmas SpecialCold Turkey2005
Hogmanay SpecialThe Party2006
Christmas SpecialPlum Number2007
Hogmanay SpecialHootenanny

Sykes

EpisodeYear(s)Description
Christmas Party1975
Sykes at Christmas1977

Terry and June

EpisodeYear(s)Description
The Christmas Show (The Mink Coat)1980
Festive Doldrums1981
Christmas With Terry And June1982
Pantomania1985

Till Death Us Do Part / In Sickness and in Health

SeriesEpisodeYear(s)Description
Till Death Us Do PartPeace and Goodwill1966
Christmas Special1972
In Sickness and in Health1985
1986
1987
1989
1990

To the Manor Born

EpisodeYear(s)Description
Christmas Special1979
2007

The Two Ronnies

Series/specialEpisode/specialYear(s)Description
The Two RonniesOld-Fashioned Christmas Mystery1973
Christmas Special1980
1981
1982
1984
Christmas with the Ronnies1985
The Two Ronnies: Christmas Special1987
The Two Ronnies Sketchbook The Christmas Sketchbook2005

The Vicar of Dibley

EpisodeYear(s)Description
The Christmas Lunch Incident 1996
Winter1999
Merry Christmas 2004
The Handsome Stranger / The Vicar in White2006

Upstart Crow

EpisodeYear(s)Description
A Christmassy Crow2017
A Crow Christmas Carol2018
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow: Lockdown Christmas 16032020

Victoria Wood

SeriesYear(s)Description
Victoria Wood with All The Trimmings 2000
Victoria Wood's Mid-Life Christmas 2009

Waiting for God

EpisodeYear(s)Description
Christmas at Bayview1992
Another Christmas at Bayview1993

Would I Lie to You?

EpisodeYear(s)Guest panelists
Christmas Special2013 Miranda Hart, Stephen Mangan, Barry Cryer & Miles Jupp
2014 Josh Widdicombe, Ray Winstone, Rachel Riley & Ricky Tomlinson
2015 Bill Bailey, Ruth Jones, Jo Brand & Kelly Holmes
2016 Tom Courtenay, Richard Osman, Chris Kamara & Sara Pascoe
2017 Henry Blofeld, Richard Coles, Kerry Howard & Clive Myrie
2018 Lily Allen, Noddy Holder, James Acaster & Sian Gibson
2019 Liz Bonnin, Stephen Merchant, Sharon Osbourne & Ranj Singh
2020 Joe Lycett, Ruth Madeley, Jo Brand & Joe Swash
2021 Jim Broadbent, Rose Matafeo, Ardal O'Hanlon & Angela Rippon
2022 Gloria Hunniford, Guz Khan, Christopher Eccleston & Sophie Willan
2023 Victoria Coren Mitchell, Naga Munchetty, Alex Brooker & Melvyn Hayes
2024 Jimmy Carr, Laura Smyth, Rustie Lee & Lenny Rush

ITV

Series/specialEpisode(s)/(special(s))Year(s)Description
After Henry A Quiet Christmas1988
All-Star Comedy Carnival1969–73Anthology special featuring mini-episodes of several ITV programs.
The Army Game Miracle in Hut 291959
Barbara Neighbours2003
Benidorm Christmas Special2010
Billy Liar Billy and the Gift of the Magi1973
Bless Me Father The Season Of Good Will1979
Doc Martin Last Christmas in Portwenn2022
The Dustbinmen Christmas Special1969
Duty Free A Duty Free Christmas1986
George and the Dragon Merry Christmas1966
Get Some In! Christmas at the Camp1975
Hallelujah! A Goose for Mrs Scratchitt1984
Home to Roost Family Ties1987
In Loving Memory God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen1982
Love Thy Neighbour Christmas Spirit1975
Mr. Bean Merry Christmas, Mr. Bean 1992
My Husband and I No Place Like Home1987
Never the Twain A Winter's Tale1989
Oh No, It's Selwyn Froggitt! On the Feast of Selwyn1977
Only When I Laugh Away for Christmas1981
The Rag Trade The Christmas Rush1977
Rising Damp For the Man Who Has Everything1975
Spitting Image A Non-Denominational Spitting Image Holiday Special1987
Stanley Baxter's Christmas Box1976
The Two of Us Christmas Special1988
Two's Company A Loving Christmas1976
The Upper Hand Requiem1990
Vicious Christmas Special2013

Carry On

Series/specialEpisode(s)/(special(s))Year(s)Description
Carry on Christmas1969
Carry on Again Christmas1970
Carry on ChristmasCarry on Stuffing1972
Carry on Christmas1973
Carry on Laughing's Christmas Classics1983

Creature Comforts

Episode/specialYear(s)Description
Merry Christmas2003
Merry Christmas Everybody!2005

Birds of a Feather

(originally aired on BBC One from 1989 to 1998)

Episode/specialYear(s)Description
Birds on a Plane2014
There's a Girl in My Souk2016
TBA2017

Fresh Fields / French Fields

SeriesEpisode(s)/(Special(s))Year(s)Description
Fresh FieldsA Dickens of a Christmas1985
French FieldsNoel, Noel1990

George and Mildred

Episode(s)/(Special(s))Year(s)Description
No Business Like Show Business1977
On the Second Day of Christmas1978
The Twenty Six Year Itch1979

The Morecambe and Wise Show

SpecialsYear(s)Description
Christmas Special1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983

Nearest and Dearest

Episode(s)/(Special(s))Year(s)Description
The Ghost Of Picklers Past1969
Cindernellie/All Star Comedy Carnival1972

On the Buses

Episode(s)/(Special(s))Year(s)Description
Christmas Duty1970
Boxing Day Social1971

Robin's Nest

Episode(s)/(Special(s))Year(s)Description
Christmas at Robin's Nest1979
No Room at the Inn1980

Shelley

Episode(s)/(Special(s))Year(s)Description
Christmas with Shelley1980
Shelley: Cold Turkey1989

That's My Boy

Episode(s)/(Special(s))Year(s)Description
Cold Turkey1983
Little Donkey1984

Watching

Episode(s)/(Special(s))Year(s)Description
Seasoning1987
Twitching1988
Slipping1991
Reverting1993

You're Only Young Twice

Episode(s)/(Special(s))Year(s)Description
Christmas at Paradise Lodge1979
Twas the Night Before Christmas1980

Channel 4

Series/specialEpisode(s)/(special(s))Year(s)Description
Bob and Margaret A Very Fishy Christmas2001
Desmond's O Little Town of Peckham1994
Drop the Dead Donkey Xmas Party1991
Father Ted A Christmassy Ted 1996
Friday Night Dinner Christmas Special2012
The Inbetweeners Xmas Party2008
Misfits Christmas Special2010
Nightingales Silent Night1992
Peep Show Seasonal Beatings2010
Shameless Christmas Special2004
Teachers Christmas Special2004
Trigger Happy TV Christmas Specials2003
The Windsors Christmas Special2016
Whose Line Is It Anyway? Christmas Edition1989

Man Down

Episode(s)/(Special(s))Year(s)Description
Christmas Special2013
Finding Nesta2014

Other channels

Series/specialEpisode(s)/(special(s))Year(s)Description
Stella Christmas in Pontyberry, Holly2014, 2016

Christmas television plays

From the mid-1950s until the mid-1980s, the British Christmas television play was a popular television programming genre:

Series/specialEpisode(s)/(special(s))Year(s)Description
ITV Playhouse The Christmas Card - Series 5 Episode 161959
The Wednesday Play The Coming Out Party - Series 1 Episode 31965Directed by Ken Loach
Play for Today Edward G – Like the Filmstar - Series 3 Episode 251973
The Saturday Party - Series 5 Episode 171975
Black Christmas1977Written by Michael Abbensetts
Wodehouse Playhouse Big Business - Series 3 Episode 61978
Season's Greetings 1986Written by Alan Ayckbourn
Day To Remember 1986Written by Jack Rosenthal

General entertainment shows

Series/specialEpisode(s)/(special(s))Description
The Gadget Show Christmas Special2006–present
The Hotel Christmas at the Grosvenor2012
The One Show Holidays Special2009–present

Cookery Shows

Series/specialEpisode(s)/(special(s))Years(s)Description
The Great British Bake Off Christmas Special2012–2016
The Great Christmas Bake Off 2017–present
The Hairy Bakers Christmas Special2008–present
Lets do Christmas with Gino & Mel 2011–2014
Nigella's Christmas Kitchen 2007
Tom Kerridge Cooks Christmas 2013

Music/Dancing

Series/specialEpisode(s)/(special(s))Year(s)Description
Dancing on Ice at Christmas2008
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Specials 2004–present
Supersonic Christmas Show Special1975, 1976 & 1983A Mike Mansfield production
Top of the Pops Christmas Specials1964–presentThere has been a Christmas edition of Top of the Pops every year since 1964 and even past the show's cancellation, showing the hits of the current year (sometimes shown in a New Years Special) and a countdown to the Christmas number one single.

Gameshows

Series/specialEpisode(s)/(special(s))Year(s)Description
Celebrity Mastermind Christmas Special2004–present
The Chase Christmas Text Santa2012
The Cube Christmas Special2013
Deal or No Deal Scrooge vs Santa/
Christmas Star		2007–present
The Generation Game Christmas Special1971-1981, 1990-2001
Pointless Christmas Special2013–present
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Celebrity Special1998–2013Since the show first started each year ITV will dedicate a few episodes at Christmas, where celebrities will try to win money for charity.

Bands

Series/specialEpisodeYearDescription
Busted's Christmas for Everyone2003Whilst doing their last concert before the Christmas holidays, Busted find that their guitars have all disappeared mysteriously.
The Girls Aloud Party 2008
S Club 7's L.A. 7 Christmas Special2000

Children's

BBC One/Two/CBBC

SeriesEpisode/specialYear(s)Description
12 Again Christmas Special2012
Airmageddon Dad-mageddon: A Christmas Special2016
All-Star Record Breakers Christmas Specials1974-1982
Blue Peter Christmas Show1958–presentAnnual Christmas show since 1958.
Copycats Christmas Special2016 [1]
Dani's Castle It's A Wonderful Afterlife2015
Dani's House Scrooge Tube2009
Diddy TV Christmas Special2016
The Dog Ate My Homework Christmas Special2015
Danger Mouse The Snowman Cometh2015
Diddy MoviesA Christmas Christmas Movie2013
Eve Christmas Eve2015
Going Live! Scrooge - A Christmas Sarah1990
Hank Zipzer Hank Zipzer's Christmas Catastrophe 2016
Horrible Histories Horrible Christmas2010
Little Howard's Big Question Can Father Christmas Star in Our Nativity Play?2010
Our SchoolChristmas is Coming2014
The Pinky and Perky Show It's Christmaaaas!2008
Sam & Mark's Big Friday Wind-Up Sam & Mark's Big Christmas Wind-Up2014–2016
Sam & Mark's Sport ShowdownThe Awesome Foursome v The Ultimates2014
Sam & Mark's TMI Friday Christmas Special2010
Scream Street The Grumpus2016
The Secret Show Secret Santa2007
Shaun the Sheep We Wish Ewe A Merry Christmas2010
So Awkward All We Want For Christmas2019
The Story Of Tracy Beaker Christmas2003Was aired in February
Strange Hill High A Strange Hill Christmas2014
Zig and Zag's Zogcasts Christmas2016

All at Sea

Episode/specialYearDescription
Murderer2013
Santa2015

4 O'Clock Club

Episode/specialYearDescription
Christmas2013
Christmas Past2018

The Basil Brush Show

Episode/specialYearDescription
Molly Christmas2002
Basil's Christmas Turkey2003
It's a Wonderful Brush2004
Santa Brush2005
There's No Business Like Snow Business2006
Basil's Christmas Dinners2007

ChuckleVision

Episode/specialYearDescription
Traditional Christmas1987
Christmas Special1988
Messy Xmas2002
Christmas Chuckle
The Mystery Of Little-Under-Standing2008

David Walliams adaptations

Shown on BBC One, sometimes repeated on CBBC, Ratburger was shown on Sky One.

SpecialYearDescription
Mr Stink 2012
Gangsta Granny 2013
The Boy in the Dress 2014
Billionaire Boy 2015
Awful Auntie 2016
Ratburger 2017
Grandpa's Great Escape 2017
The Midnight Gang2018
Gangsta Granny Strikes Again!2022

Friday Download

Episode/specialYearDescription
Christmas Download2011
Christmas Download (with Olly Murs)2012
Christmas Download (with Little Mix and Bobby Lockwood2013
Christmas Download (with Echosmith, Bars and Melody & The Vamps)2014

Julia Donaldson (with Axel Scheffler) Adaptations

Shown on BBC One.

SpecialYearDescription
The Gruffalo 2009
The Gruffalo's Child 2011
Room on the Broom 2012
Stick Man 2015
The Highway Rat2017 [2]
Zog 2018
The Snail and the Whale 2019
Zog and the Flying Doctors2020
Superworm 2021
The Smeds and The Smoos 2022
Tabby McTat2023
Tiddler2024

Millie Inbetween

Episode/specialYearDescription
A Different Christmas2014
Craig Come Home2015
Dream Christmas2016 [3]

Norman Hunter Adaptations

Shown on BBC One, sometimes repeated on CBBC.

SpecialYearDescription
The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm 2014
Professor Branestawm Returns 2015

The Slammer

Episode/specialYearDescription
A Slammer Christmas2010
Slammer Claus2013

Top Class

Episode/specialYearCelebrities
Christmas Celebrity Special 20162016 Lindsey Russell, Ricky Martin, Dick & Dom, Nick James, Stacy Liu, Ben Shires & Richard David-Caine
Christmas Celebrity Special 20172017TBA

CBeebies

SeriesEpisode/specialYearDescription
3rd & Bird A Very Squooky Christmas2009
Alphablocks Letters to Santa2021
Big Cook, Little Cook Father Christmas2006
Boogie Beebies I Wish It Would Snow2005
Charlie and Lola How Many More Minutes Until Christmas?2006
Colourblocks It's a Colourful Christmas2023
Grandpa in My Pocket The Magic of Christmas2010
Hey Duggee The Tinsel Badge2014
The Christmas Badge2020
Numberblocks The Twelve Days of Christmas2021
Pingu Pingu's Family Celebrate Christmas1992
The Roly Mo Show Too Cold2004
Tikkabilla Christmas Special2002
The Large Family Mr. Short's Christmas2009

Balamory

Episode/specialYearDescription
Panto2002
Seeking Santa2005

Bob the Builder

Episode/specialYearDescription
Bob's White Christmas1999
A Christmas to Remember2001
Mr. Bentley's Winter Fair2004

Bob the Builder (2015 TV series)

Episode/specialYearDescription
Pass the Parcel2015
A Present for Bob2015
Muck the Elf2017
A Christmas Fix2017

Fireman Sam

Episode/specialYearDescription
Snow Business1988
Let it Snow2005
The Big Freeze

The Furchester Hotel

Episode/specialYearDescription
Monster Monster Day2014
A Furchester Christmas2016

Justin's House

Episode/specialYearDescription
All Wrapped Up2011
Cat's First Christmas2016

Postman Pat

Episode/specialYearDescription
Postman Pat's Magic Christmas2004
Postman Pat's Christmas Eve2006
The Flying Christmas Stocking2008
Postman Pat and the Christmas Panto Horse2013

Roary the Racing Car

Episode/specialYearDescription
Winter Breeze2010

Sarah and Duck

Episode/specialYearDescription
Petal Light Picking2013
Seacow Snow Trail2014

Teletubbies

Episode/specialYearDescription
Teletubbies and the Snow1997
Happy Christmas from the Teletubbies

Tweenies

Episode/specialYearDescription
The Fallen Star1999
Christmas Fairy
Santa's Little Helper
Nativity
Christmas Eve
Christmas Morning2000
White Christmas2001

CITV

SeriesEpisode/specialYear(s)Description
Max 22 featuring Natalie Miller Gonna Miss Your Love2000
Art Attack Xmas specials1994–1997, 2003
Avenger Penguins A Christmas Carol1994
Busted: Christmas for Everyone 2003
Count Duckula A Christmas Quacker1990
Dodger, Bonzo and the Rest Christmas Special1987
Barbarella Colour My Love1999
Jungle Run Christmas Special2003Boy band Triple 8 were the contestants.
Mr. Men Christmas Letter1997
My Phone Genie Sack of Surprises2013
Smith and Goody On Ice1980
Ted's Top Ten Gone The Days of Sorrow Christmas Joy2022
The Raggy Dolls Christmas Dolls1986
The Rubbish World of Dave Spud Freeze A Jolly Spud Fellow2019
Tots TV Snowy Adventure1996
The Worst Witch Cinderella in Boots2000
Watership Down Christmas on Watership Down2000
Worzel Gummidge A Cup o' Tea and a Slice o' Cake1980
ZZZap! Christmas Annuals1996–1997

Horrid Henry

Episode/specialYear(s)Description
Horrid Henry's Christmas2006
Horrid Henry and the Cracking Christmas2009
Horrid Henry and the Early Christmas Present2011

Mr. Bean (animated TV series)

Episode/specialYear(s)Description
Young Bean2003
The Big Freeze2019

My Parents Are Aliens

Episode/specialYear(s)Description
First Christmas: Part 12000
First Christmas: Part 2
The Naughty List: Part 12004
The Naughty List: Part 2
Winter Blunderland2006

Thomas and Friends

Episode/specialYear(s)Description
Thomas' Christmas Party1984
Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree1986
Thomas and Percy's Christmas/Mountain Adventure1992
It's Only Snow2002
Not So Hasty Puddings2003
Don't Tell Thomas2004

Channel 5's Milkshake!

SeriesEpisode/specialYear(s)Description
Toby's Travelling Circus Momo's Christmas2016
Bob the Builder A Christmas Fix2017

Peppa Pig

Episode/specialYear(s)Description
Peppa's Christmas2007
Santa's Grotto2010
Santa's Visit2010
Mr Potato's Christmas Show2011
Father Christmas2017
Christmas at the Hospital2019
Christmas With Kylie Kangaroo2021
Grandpa Pig's Christmas Present2021
Christmas Cards2024
Christmas with Baby Alexander2022
Christmas Lunch2022
Christmas Tree2022
Christmas Swim at Sea2023
Christmas Shopping2024
Naugthy or Nice2024
Mystery Gift2024
Santa's Workshop2024
Visting Santa2024

Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom

Episode/specialYear(s)Description
Snow2009
The North Pole
Ben & Holly's Christmas - Part 12012
Ben & Holly's Christmas - Part 2

Fireman Sam

Episode/specialYear(s)Description
Santa Overboard2008
Floodlights2012
Dashing through the Snow2016

Thomas and Friends

Episode/specialYear(s)Description
Keeping Up with James2005
Thomas' Tricky Tree2006
The Party Surprise2008
Henry's Magic Box2010
Surprise, Surprise2011
Tree Trouble
Salty's Surprise2012
The Christmas Tree Express
Santa's Little Engine2013
The Missing Christmas Decorations
Last Train for Christmas2014
Duncan the Humbug
The Perfect Gift
A Cranky Christmas2016
Diesel's Ghostly Christmas
Letters to Santa
The Christmas Coffeepot
Over the Hill
The Big Freeze2017
Terence Breaks the Ice
Daisy's Perfect Christmas

Thomas and Friends: Big World! Big Adventures!

Episode/specialYear(s)Description
Thomas' Animal Ark2018
Kangeroo Christmas
Hunt the Truck/Car

S4C

SeriesEpisode/specialYear(s)Description
Llan-ar-goll-en Ceirw Coll Siôn Corn2014Aired on Christmas Eve
Trwyn Coch2015

Netflix

SeriesEpisode/specialYear(s)Description
Hilda Chapter 10: The Yule Lads2020

Others

Gerry Anderson productions

Sometimes repeated on BBC One, but was originally shown on ITV.

SeriesEpisode/specialYear(s)Description
Joe 90 The Unorthodox Shepherd 1968
Stingray A Christmas to Remember1964
Thunderbirds Give or Take a Million 1966
Terrahawks A Christmas Miracle1983

Raymond Briggs Adaptations

Usual shown on Channel 4.

SpecialYear(s)Description
The Bear 1998
Father Christmas 1991
Ivor the Invisible 2001
The Snowman 1982
The Snowman and The Snowdog 2012
The Abominable Snowman Baby 2021

Specials

Top Gear

EpisodeYearNotes
Vietnam Special 2008
Bolivia Special 2009
Middle East Special 2010
India Special 2011
Africa Special 2013A two part special, referred to as a "Christmas special" by the presenters despite it being broadcast in March
Burma Special 2014A two part special, referred to as a "Christmas special" by the presenters despite it being broadcast in March
Patagonia Special 2014A two part special
Nepal Special 2019
Driving Home for Christmas 2021

Misc

See also

References

  1. ↑ Sam & Mark [@samandmarktv] (25 September 2016). "@BritishKidsTV yes. We filmed it back in March. Sam" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ↑ "BBC One Orders 'The Highway Rat' Animated Adaptation from Magic Light Pictures". 7 September 2016.
  3. ↑ Theo Stevenson [@TheoStevenson] (17 August 2016). "3rd pretend christmas with the Millie Inbetween fam :)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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