After a long winter walk, there are few things better than heading home to the warm and settling down for festive versions of your favourite TV shows. And even the fussiest family members will find something to enjoy this Christmas – from David Attenborough documentaries, to a festive visit to our favourite Poplar residents.
Elsewhere, His Majesty the King will feature in a very special festive episode of the BBC Radio 4 podcast This Natural Life and Dame Helen Mirren steps into The Repair Shop's barn with a very special object.
We will continue to update this page as more transmission details are released.
Best TV and radio to enjoy over Christmas 2025
Christmas Treasures of The National Trust
From Friday 19 December, 9pm, BBC Two
Hidden Treasures of the National Trust returns to uncover the festive stories behind some of the UK's most magical historic homes and gardens. Go behind-the-scenes as the teams behind three very different properties begin the countdown for Christmas, featuring the Arts & Crafts mansion Cragside in Northumberland, Cornish Tudor house Cotehele and Arts & Crafts house Coleton Fishacre in Devon.
Celebrity Escape to the Country
From Sunday 21 December, 6:05pm, BBC One
Famous faces take a break from their busy schedules to explore some of Britain's most beautiful rural areas, featuring stunning homes full of country charm. This series welcomes journalist and television presenter Janet Street Porter, choirmaster and broadcaster Gareth Malone, singer and actor Chesney Hawkes, former footballer and TV personality Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock, broadcaster and presenter Angellica Bell and Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer and choreographer Neil Jones.
Beyond Paradise
Sunday 21 December, 9pm, BBC One
While Humphrey and the team have a slew of festive cases to crack, Martha is busy with a task of her own. She enlists Zoe, Anne and a special guest to help pull off her idea, but will the heartwarming reunion and life-changing reveal all go to plan?
This Natural Life Christmas Special
Tuesday 23rd December, 12pm, BBC Radio 4
A special episode of This Natural Life will air over Christmas, featuring a conversation with His Majesty the King. Presenter Martha Kearney visits Dumfries House in Ayrshire, the headquarters of The King's Foundation charity, where The King reflects on his love of the environment. Walking through the estate's arboretum, the pair discuss topics such as the importance of teaching rural skills, marine conservation, topiary and the joy of a pair of secateurs.
Martha also talks to the young people, students and education staff involved in programmes based at the Dumfries House estate.
The Great British Sewing Bee Celebrity Christmas Special
Wednesday 24 December, 7.25pm, BBC One
New host Sophie Willan joins Patrick and Esme for a festive edition of the much-loved sewing show. They’ll be welcoming professional dancer and Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke, comedian Lucy Beaumont, actor Susan Wokoma and Gladiator Tom Wilson, AKA Hammer.
Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Christmas Fishing
Wednesday 24 December, 9pm, BBC Two
Bob Mortimer, Paul Whitehouse and Ted the dog head to Devon and Cornwall for this year's festive special. Along the way, they fish the rivers Lyd and Camel in Devon and visit the Cornish village of Mousehole (famous for its stargazy pie). There, they join local fisherman Neil on a traditional boat and reflect on the Penlee lifeboat disaster of 1981, in which Neil's father lost his life.
Call the Midwife Christmas Specials
Part 1 – Thursday 25 December, 8.15pm, BBC One
Part 2 – Friday 26 December, 8.30pm, BBC One
This two-part special sees some of the Nonnatus team head to Hong Kong, after Fred and Violet's trip to visit her son goes wrong. Meanwhile in Poplar, residents are preparing to host Christmas gatherings – as well as uncovering secrets from the past.
The Repair Shop at Christmas
Friday 26 December, 7.30pm, BBC One
This year, the Repair Shop team welcome special guests Dame Helen Mirren, Rob Brydon and Julia Donaldson, who bring in items close to their hearts that are in need of mending.
Wild London
Thursday 1 January, 6.30pm, BBC One
After a lifetime travelling the globe, legendary broadcaster David Attenborough turns his attention closer to home in his latest BBC project – the one-hour TV film Wild London.
The Traitors
Thursday 1 January, 8pm, BBC One
Twenty-two people from around the UK head to the Scottish Highlands to take part in the reality game full of lies, betrayal and deceit. Expect new twists – and let the mind games begin!
Discover where some of your favourite shows have been filmed
- Where is Ghosts filmed?
- Downton Abbey guide: history of Highclere Castle and how to visit
- Where is Wolf Hall filmed?
- Where was Rivals filmed?
Top image: King Charles III with Martha Kearney for BBC Radio 4's This Natural Life.
