Despite the year we've had, 2020's lineup of Christmas TV shows and specials is looking pretty impressive. Indeed, it seems that not even the coronavirus pandemic (which notably shut down many, many productions this year) [1], could stop the BBC, Sky, ITV, Channel 4, Amazon Prime, and Netflix [2] from delivering us a glorious selection box of television this festive season.
From new episodes of old favourites such as Doctor Who and Call the Midwife to exciting new dramas like the highly anticipated The Serpent, there are plenty of seasonal treats to get stuck into between wrapping up presents and scoffing mince pies this December. Speaking of which, viewers can also look forward to some festive food inspiration in the form of Mary Berry Saves Christmas, The Great British Bake Off, and a Cook, Eat, Repeat special from Nigella Lawson [3].
Elsewhere, Netflix has a couple of feel-good offerings in the form of The Prom [4] and Bridgerton [5], the streaming platform's new period drama set to give Downton Abbey a run for its money [6]. For the young (and the young at heart) there are also plenty of animated treats to tune into such as the Helena Bonham-Carter narrated Quentin Blake's Clown and Zog and the Flying Doctors. And, how could we forget, this year will see everyone's favourite vicar return to television in three new mini lockdown-inspired episodes of The Vicar Of Dibley.
All in all, it looks like it's going to be an excellent year for Christmas telly. To make sure you don't miss a second of it, ahead we've done the hard work for you and rounded up the very best of the best Christmas TV of 2020, including where and when you can catch everything. Happy viewing!
The Vicar of Dibley in Lockdown
After over a decade away from our screens, The Vicar of Dibley is returning. Across three 10-minute miniepisodes, we'll catch up with the nation's favourite vicar as she delivers lockdown sermons to her parishioners via Zoom.
The Vicar of Dibley in Lockdown airs at 8.50 p.m. on 7 Dec., 14 Dec., and 21 Dec. on BBC One.
Bridgerton
Netflix's will be dropping all eight episodes of its new lavish period drama Bridgerton [7] on Christmas day for those looking for something to binge-watch between opening presents and sitting down for Christmas dinner.
Bridgerton [8] is available to watch on Christmas Day on Netflix.
Black Narcissus
Set to be one of the BBC's biggest dramas to finish off the year, Black Narcissus follows a young nun, played by Gemma Arterton, who is tasked with establishing a convent in a remote Himalayan palace. The three-part drama will also star Game of Thrones [9] actress Dame Diana Rigg in her final role.
Black Narcissus airs at 9 p.m. from 27-29 Dec. on BBC One.
The Prom
Starring Meryl Streep [10], James Corden, Nicole Kidman [11], and Kerry Washington [12], Netflix's new musical The Prom [13] follows a troupe of hilariously self-obsessed theatre actors as they swarm a conservative Indiana high school to support a girl who wants to take her girlfriend to the prom.
The Prom is available to watch on 11 Dec. on Netflix.
The Great Christmas/Festive Bake Off
Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, and Matt Lucas are joined by Bake Off: The Professionals host Tom Allen for a double bill of Bake Off fun this year. First up is The Great Christmas Bake Off , which will air in the lead up to Christmas Day, followed by The Great Festive Bake Off on New Year's Day. Both episodes will see some of the show's most memorable contestants return to battle it out for the title of Christmas/Festive Star Baker.
The Great Christmas Bake Off airs at 8 p.m. on Christmas Day, and The Great Festive Bake Off airs at 7.40 p.m. on New Year's Day on Channel 4.
Call the Midwife
This year's festive Call the Midwife special sees a circus come to Poplar as the ladies of Nonnatus House prepare for Christmas celebrations.
Call the Midwife airs at 7.40 p.m. on Christmas Day on BBC One.
Jamie: Keep Cooking At Christmas
Jamie Oliver invites us into his Essex home in this special two-parter to offer up some handy hints and tips for Christmas this year, including thoughtful present ideas for those we can't meet in person [14] and practical and flexible recipes for cooks of all ages and abilities.
Jamie: Keep Cooking At Christmas airs at 8 p.m. on 6 Dec. and 13 Dec. 13 on Channel 4.
Ghosts
Offering up an interesting take on the Christmas Carol story, the Ghosts Christmas special sees a new arrival in the house force the deceased Julian to confront past wrongdoings and discover the real message of Christmas.
Ghosts airs at 8.30 p.m. on 23 Dec. on BBC One.
The Great British Sewing Bee Celebrity Christmas/ New Year Special
The Great British Sewing Bee returns for two festive celebrity specials, with Joe Lycett hosting eight sewers, each hoping to impress judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young with their stitching skills.
The Great British Sewing Bee Celebrity Christmas Special airs at 7.45 p.m. on Boxing Day and The Great British Sewing Bee Celebrity New Year Special airs at 8 p.m. on New Year's Eve on BBC One.
Cook, Eat Repeat Christmas Special
Rounding off her new series, Cook, Eat Repeat, this hour-long special will see Nigella Lawson [15] offer up a unique Christmas day menu for anyone wanting to whip up something a little bit different this festive season.
Cook, Eat Repeat Christmas Special airs at 8 p.m. on 18 Dec. on BBC Two.
The Serpent
Start the New Year off right by getting stuck into a new stylish and addictive crime drama The Serpent, which airs on New Years Day. Starring Jenna Coleman, Ellie Bamber, and award-winning French actor Tahar Rahim, the crime drama tells the real-life story of the hunt for one of Interpol's most wanted men.
The Serpent airs at 9 p.m. on New Year's Day on BBC One
Quentin Blake’s Clown
Narrated by Helena Bonham-Carter, Quentin Blake's Clown brings to life the adventures of a charming toy clown as he goes on a journey to find a new loving home for himself after being discarded with a bunch of old toys.
Quentin Blake's Clown airs at 7.40 p.m. on Christmas Day on Channel 4.
Strictly: The Christmas Countdown
We may not be getting a traditional Strictly Come Dancing special this year, but Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly will be returning to our screens this Christmas for Strictly: The Christmas Countdown. This adapted show will be a spectacular look back at the show's 16-year history and reveal the top 25 dances of all time [16], as voted by viewers.
Strictly: The Christmas Countdown airs at 4.45 p.m. on Christmas Day on BBC One.
First Dates Christmas
First Dates Christmas will see Fred and his team swap the bright lights of the city for some of the country's cosiest countryside pubs, as hopeful singletons from across the UK search for some yuletide romance.
First Dates Christmas airs at 8:15 p.m. on Christmas Day on Channel 4.
Britain’s Got Talent at Christmas
Britain's Got Talent is back for a sensational Christmas special, featuring some of the biggest acts and winners the show has seen over the past 14 series.
Britain's Got Talent at Christmas airs at 8 p.m. on Christmas Day on ITV1.
Being Bridget
To celebrate the 25th anniversary since we were first introduced to Bridget Jones, author Helen Fielding will be joined by Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth [17], and Hugh Grant [18] to look back at the legacy of one of the most iconic and relatable fictional characters of all time.
Being Bridget airs at 9:00 p.m. on 22 Dec. on BBC Two.
Doctor Who
It wouldn't be Christmas without a new festive Doctor Who episode and this year, Jodie Whittaker's Doctor and her companions are (one again) up against the Daleks.
Doctor Who airs at 6:45 p.m. on New Year's Day on BBC One.
Mary Berry Saves Christmas
Mary Berry Saves Christmas will see the ex-Bake Off judge joined by three famous faces to help self-confessed hapless cooks create delicious, fuss-free festive treats.
Mary Berry Saves Christmas airs at 6:30 p.m. on 23 Dec. on BBC One.
Roald & Beatrix: The Tail Of The Curious Mouse
Dawn French, Rob Brydon and Bill Bailey star in this heartwarming tale of two of the greatest children's authors meeting. Inspired by the true story of when a 6-year-old Roald Dahl set off to meet his idol, Beatrix Potter, Roald & Beatrix: The Tail Of The Curious Mouse is perfect for festive family viewing.
Roald & Beatrix: The Tail Of The Curious Mouse airs at 8:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve on Sky One.
The Christmas Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan
Another show that's had to adapt due to travel restrictions brought on by coronavirus, The Christmas Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan sees the comedian head to somewhere a little closer to home for his annual Christmas trip: the Scottish Hebrides.
The Christmas Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan airs at 9:10 p.m. on 13 Dec. on BBC Two.
Birds of a Feather Christmas Special
After three years away from our screens, Tracey, Dorien, and Sharon are back this festive season for a one-off Birds of a Feather Christmas special.
Birds of a Feather airs at 9:15 p.m. on Christmas Eve on ITV1.
Taskmaster’s New Year Treat
Rylan Clark-Neal, Shirley Ballas, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, and Nicola Coughlan [19], among others, will battle it out in the Taskmaster house in the show's first-ever festive special.
Taskmaster's New Year Treat airs at 9:00 p.m. on New Year's Day on Channel 4.
Sylvie's Love
When Sylvie meets aspiring saxophonist, Robert, in her father's record shop in 1950s New York, their love ignites a sweeping romance that transcends changing times, and a changing culture.
Sylvie's Love is available to watch on Dec. 23 on Amazon Prime.
Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2020
The big, fat, and fiendishly difficult quiz is back for another year. Tune in to watch Jimmy Carr put a panel of top celebrities to the test to see who can remember most about the last 12 months.
Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2020 airs at 9:05 p.m. on Boxing Day on Channel 4.
Zog and the Flying Doctors
From The Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson, comes a brand new animated adventure, Zog And The Flying Doctors. Narrated by Lenny Henry, we're confident this 30-minute special will go down a treat amongst young ones on Christmas day.
Zog and the Flying Doctors airs at 2:35 p.m. on Christmas Day on BBC One.
Miranda's Games with Showbiz Names
Miranda Hart hosts a new game show full of merriment and mayhem as three celebrity couples join her from the comfort of their own homes to compete in a series of riotous Christmas games.
Miranda's Games with Showbiz Names airs at 9:45 p.m. on Christmas Eve on BBC One.
Mrs Brown’s Boys Festive Special
Agnes and the Brown clan will be back on our screens this year continuing Mrs Brown's Boys' decade-long streak of Christmas specials with not one, but two seasonal episodes.
Mrs Brown's Boys Festive Special airs at 10:05 p.m. on Christmas Day and at 10 p.m. on New Year's Day on BBC One.
Motherland
Ahead of the third series arriving in 2021, Motherland will return to BBC Two for a Christmas special which sees Amanda throw a seasonal soiree that Julia, Kevin, and Liz gatecrash.
Motherland airs at 9 p.m. on Dec. 23 on BBC Two.
Worzel Gummidge: Saucy Nancy
Mackenzie Crook is back as Worzel Gummidge for a one-hour film starring Harry Potter [20] actress Shirley Henderson.
Worzel Gummidge: Saucy Nancy airs at 5:55 p.m. on Christmas Eve on BBC One.
Dancing on Thin Ice with Torvill and Dean
Olympic champions Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean travel to Alaska on an extraordinary quest to fulfill a lifelong dream of skating in the great outdoors. But luck is against them — in Alaska's hottest year on record there is not a lot of ice to be found, and the Dancing on Ice duo come face to face with the damaging effects of climate change.
Dancing on Thin Ice with Torvill and Dean airs at 8:15 p.m. on Christmas Day on ITV1.
Celebrity Juice Christmas Special
Keith Lemon and his team captains, Emily Atack and Laura Whitmore [21], are joined by Maya Jama, Paddy McGuinness, Paloma Faith, and Ricky Wilson in this extra juicy edition of the outrageous panel show.
Celebrity Juice Christmas Special airs at 10:00 p.m. on 17 Dec. on ITV2.
Billy Connolly: It’s Been A Pleasure
Following the announcement of his retirement, beloved comedian Billy Connolly will be returning to TV for one last hurrah. Billy Connolly: It's Been A Pleasure will celebrate the stand-up comedian's illustrious career and will feature the man himself, as well as some of his famous friends.
Billy Connolly: It's Been A Pleasure airs at 9:30 p.m. on 28 Dec. on ITV1.
The Goes Wrong Show
The Play That Goes Wrong team is back with a new hilarious show this Christmas. Providing their take on the most famous Christmas tale of all, the nativity, expect sidesplitting laughs as the show descends into chaos in the most unexpected ways possible.
The Goes Wrong Show airs at 7:00 p.m. on 22 Dec. on BBC One.
Vicky McClure’s Dementia Choir at Christmas
Actress Vicky McClure will team up once again with members of the Dementia Choir for a seasonal TV special, this time bringing on board her Line of Duty [22] costar, Adrian Dunbar to sing with her.
Vicky McClure's Dementia Choir at Christmas airs at 7:40 p.m. on 16 Dec. on BBC One.
Top of the Pops Christmas / New Year Special
This year's Top of the Pops Specials [23] will be hosted by Fearne Cotton and Clara Amfo and features a dazzling line up of exclusive performances from this year's most loved music artists, including AJ Tracey and Aitch, Clean Bandit and Mabel, Ella Henderson, Arlo Parks, and Becky Hill.
Top of the Pops Christmas Special airs at 11:35 a.m. on Christmas Day and Top of the Pops New Year Special airs at 4:20 p.m. on New Year's Eve on BBC One.