Your ultimate UK Christmas TV specials guide and how to stream from abroad

Nothing says ‘Merry Christmas’ like Call the Midwife and drag queens sewing. That’s what we’ve all got to look forward to as we vegetate in front of the TV over the course of the Christmas period, nursing our Turkey-filled stomachs while one member of the family inevitably dozes in the corner.

And whatever your Christmas plans look like, we’re here to ensure you don’t miss a moment of the UK’s Christmas TV special offering.

Breaking down the TV schedule in the lead up to New Year’s Day, here are all the best bits to look out for – guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit. For those celebrating Christmas abroad, we’ve also detailed how you can stream the likes of BBC, ITV, and other free-to-air channels when outside of the  UK with the help of a handy VPN.

Saturday, December 18

James Martin’s Saturday Morning at Christmas on ITV1 at 9.30am GMTSaturday Kitchen Live: Countdown to Christmas on BBC One at 10am GMTNigella’s Christmas Table on BBC Two at 12pm GMTRolling In It: Christmas Special on ITV1 at 6pm GMTChristmas at Chatsworth House on Channel 4 at 7pm GMT

Sunday, December 19

Countryfile at Christmas on BBC One at 4.45pm GMTAntiques Roadshow at Christmas on BBC One at 5.45pm GMTThe Royal Variety Performance 2021 on ITV1 at 7.20pm GMTEscape to the Chateau at Christmas on Channel 4 at 8pm GMTThe Girl Before on BBC One at 9pm GMT

Monday, December 20

Mary Berry’s Festive Feasts on BBC One at 7.05pm GMT

Wednesday, December 22

The Great British Sewing Bee Celebrity Special on BBC One at 8pm GMTJoe Lycett: Mummy’s Big Christmas Do! on Channel 4 at 10pm GMT

Thursday, December 23

The Weakest Link Christmas Special on BBC One at 6.30pm GMTGhosts on BBC One at 8.30pm GMTNot Going Out on BBC One at 10pm GMT

Sue Perkins hosts The Greatest Snowman competition (Image credit: Channel 4)

Friday, December 24 (Christmas Eve)

The Chase Celebrity Christmas Special on ITV1 at 5.30pm GMTShaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas on BBC One at 6pm GMTThe Greatest Snowman on Channel 4 at 8pm GMTTop Gear: Driving Home for Christmas on BBC One at 8.30pm GMTBradley and Barney Walsh: Breaking Dad at Christmas on ITV1 at 9pm GMTAll Creatures Great and Small on Channel 5 at 9pm GMTSpitting Image Christmas Special on ITV1 at 10pm GMTThe Mezzotint on BBC Two at 10.30pm GMTMidnight Mass from St Chad’s Cathedral on BBC One at 11.45pm GMTChristmas Carols on ITV on ITV1 at 11.45pm GMT

Saturday, December 25 (Christmas Day)

Christmas Day Service from Coventry Cathedral on BBC One at 10am GMTTop of the Pops Christmas Special on BBC One at 12pm GMTSuperworm on BBC One at 2.30pm GMTThe Queen’s Christmas Broadcast on BBC One at 3pm GMTStrictly Come Dancing Christmas Special on BBC One at 5.10pm GMTEmmerdale on ITV1 at 7pm GMTCoronation Street on ITV1 at 8pm GMTCall the Midwife on BBC One at 8pm GMTThe Larkins on ITV1 on 9pm GMTEastenders on BBC One at 9.35pmMrs Brown’s Boys on BBC One at 10.20pm GMTFirst Dates Christmas Special on Channel 4 at 11.15pm GMT

Matt Lucas and Olly Alexander in The Great Christmas Bake Off It’s a Sin Special (Image credit: Channel 4)

Sunday, December 26 (Boxing Day)

Around the World in 80 Days in BBC One at 5.50pm GMTEmmerdale on ITV1 at 7pm GMTCoronation Street on ITV1 at 7.30pm GMTDeath in Paradise Christmas Special on BBC One at 7.30pm GMTAll Star Musicals at Christmas on ITV1 at 8pm GMTA Very British Scandal, Episode 1 on BBC One at 9pm GMTEastenders on BBC One at 10pm

Monday, December 27

Countryfile on BBC One at 4.30pm GMTThe Hairy Bikers Go North for Christmas on BBC Two at 7pm GMTEmmerdale on ITV1 at 7pm GMTEastenders on BBC One at 7.30pm GMTThe Voice Kids on ITV1 at 7.30pm GMTCoronation Street on ITV1 at 9pm GMTA Very British Scandal, Episode 2 on BBC One at 9pm GMTJon & Lucy’s Christmas Sleepover on Channel 4 at 9pm GMT8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Christmas Special at 10pm GMT

Tuesday, December 28

Worzel Gummidge ‘Twitchers’ on BBC One at 7.15pm GMTEmmerdale on ITV1 at 7pm GMTEastenders on BBC One at 8.10pm GMTCoronation Street on ITV1 at 9pm GMTA Very British Scandal, Episode 3 on BBC One at 9pm GMT

Wednesday, December 29

Worzel Gummidge ‘Calliope Jane’ on BBC One at 7.15pm GMT

Thursday, December 30

The Great British Sewing Bee Celebrity Special on BBC One at 9pm GMT

Lawrence Chaney in The Great British Sewing Bee: Celebrity New Year Special (Image credit: BBC)

Friday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve)

Mrs Brown’s Boys on BBC One at TBC

Saturday, January 1 (New Year’s Day)

Doctor Who: Eve of the Daleks on BBC One at TBC Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts on Sky Max at TBC

How to watch UK Christmas TV specials online if you’re abroad

If you’re jingling all the way outside of the country this Christmas, you won’t be able to stream from abroad or access certain on-demand platforms like BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub due to geo-restrictions.

Don’t chance missing a jampacked schedule of festive viewing, though. While these restrictions may prevent you from accessing certain services and content, you can get around geo-blocks by using a VPN (or Virtual Private Network). It’s completely legal, very affordable, and easy to use – and it also encrypts your browsing, offering protection against cybercriminals and government snooping.

Use a VPN to watch UK Christmas TV specials from anywhere

Using a VPN is as easy as one-two-three…

1. Download and install a VPN – as we say, our top choice is ExpressVPN

2. Connect to the appropriate server location – open the VPN app, hit ‘choose location’ and select the appropriate location (a server in the UK in this case)

3. Go to the broadcaster’s stream – head to BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All4 or any other streaming service you’re trying to access from abroad and start watching UK Christmas TV specials as if you were back at home