These slots offer relaxed viewing for mixed-age households.
UK Christmas TV 2025 is stacked with festive specials, family films, and kids’ favourites across BBC One, BBC Two, ITV, and Channel 4.
With so many options, viewers can enjoy programmes without committing to full series over the holidays.
Mornings, afternoons, and evenings offer a mix of classic and contemporary entertainment for all ages.
Streaming platforms such as Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, and Sky Cinema add fresh releases alongside timeless favourites, giving everyone plenty of choice.
This guide splits TV picks by audience type so families, kids, and adults can plan festive viewing easily.
Best Picks for Kids
Children can enjoy mornings and early afternoons on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with animated specials and family films.
Channel 4 screens The Snowman, The Snowman and the Snowdog, Mog’s Christmas, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, and Terry Pratchett’s Abominable Snowbaby.
BBC One and BBC Two offer Minions: The Rise of Gru at lunchtime, alongside CBeebies pantomimes and CBBC specials such as Shaun the Sheep – Fleece Navidad and The Famous Five adventure.
Seasonal one-offs like Spidey and His Amazing Friends – A Snow Day for Aunt May and Hanukkah Heist appear on CBBC for younger superhero fans.
Streaming picks for kids include That Christmas on Netflix, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw and A Very Jonas Christmas Movie on Disney+, plus family staples like Home Alone, The Santa Clause, and Klaus on Disney+ and Netflix.
Family Films and Feel-Good Viewing
Classic films return on free-to-air TV with Home Alone, Home Alone 2, Babe, Babe: Pig in the City, and Sister Act on Channel 4.
BBC One and ITV screen family favourites including The Addams Family 2, Toy Story 4, Minions: The Rise of Gru, and the live-action The Lion King over Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Evening films include Notting Hill on Channel 4, East is East on BBC One, When Harry Met Sally on ITV, King Richard on Sky Cinema, and Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical on Disney+.
These slots offer relaxed viewing for mixed-age households once younger children are in bed.
Event TV and Big Christmas Specials
BBC One’s Christmas Day schedule features flagship specials including Strictly Come Dancing: Christmas Special, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, Call the Midwife Christmas Special, and Gavin & Stacey: The Finale.
Comedy fans can enjoy Mrs Brown’s Boys, Would I Lie to You?, The Weakest Link, and Michael McIntyre’s Christmas Wheel, all on BBC One or BBC Two.
ITV highlights soaps and quizzes with Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and The Chase: Celebrity Special.
Channel 4 airs The Great Christmas Bake Off, The Great Celebrity Pottery Throwdown, The Big Fat Quiz of the Year, Gogglebox Christmas 2025, and Alternative Christmas Message in late-night slots.
These programmes provide festive fun across multiple channels for every viewer.
Streaming Highlights
Netflix offers festive romances, including My Secret Santa, A Merry Little Ex-Mas, and Champagne Problems for cosy nights.
Prime Video features The Holiday and Love Actually as enduring Christmas staples.
Family-friendly streaming includes That Christmas on Netflix, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw and A Very Jonas Christmas Movie on Disney+, plus Home Alone, The Santa Clause, and Klaus on Disney+ or Netflix.
Adults can explore new options like Oh. What. Fun on Prime Video, Christmas Karma as a digital rental, Tinsel Town on Sky Cinema and The Family Plan 2 on Apple TV+.
Classic rewatch titles include It’s a Wonderful Life on Prime Video, The Muppet Christmas Carol on Disney+, and modern favourites such as The Holiday Calendar, A Castle for Christmas, and Last Christmas on Netflix.
Quick Picks by Mood
For cosy afternoons with kids, watch Channel 4’s The Snowman, The Snowman and the Snowdog, Mog’s Christmas, and back-to-back Babe films.
Multi-generational households can enjoy Minions: The Rise of Gru on BBC One, Toy Story 4 and The Addams Family 2 on ITV, and Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical on Disney+.
Proper “event TV” nights suit BBC One’s festive specials running consecutively.
Adults-only evenings work with Notting Hill on Channel 4, East is East on BBC One, When Harry Met Sally on ITV, King Richard on Sky Cinema, or Wham! music documentaries on BBC Two.
These picks make planning personalised festive viewing easy and stress-free.
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