What’s on TV on Christmas Eve 2023? A guide on what to watch

Virgin Radio

22 Dec 2023, 16:31

Beyond Paradise, The Great Christmas Bake off and The Heist Before Christmas casts smiling

Credit: BBC, Channel 4 and Sky

‘Tis the season for planning what to watch on the telly this Christmas!

Every year, the nation’s broadcasters serve us up with treat after treat of special festive television, and 2023 is no different. 

So, whether you’re looking for the best Christmas films, children’s dramas, scary stories or carol concerts on TV this Christmas Eve, the elves at virginradio.co.uk have the low down on exactly what you need to watch.

What’s on the BBC Christmas Eve 2023?

Beyond Paradise, BBC One + BBC iPlayer, 9pm

Don’t miss the hugely successful Death in Paradise spin-off’s return to our TV screens this Christmas, ahead of its second series next year.

All of the show’s popular main cast are back in their roles, led by Kris Marshall as DCI Humphrey Goodman, Sally Breton as Martha, and Zahra Ahmadi as DS Esther Williams. Guest stars include The Vicar of Dibley’s James Fleet, Sanditon’s Isaac Vincent-Norgate and Endeavour’s Amalia Vitale.

The synopsis teases: “As the residents of Shipton Abbott gear up for Christmas, Humphrey and the team are baffled by a series of bizarre burglaries which aren’t quite what they seem. However, when the team make a breakthrough with an unexpected connection, it’s a bittersweet discovery that makes them reconsider the true meaning of Christmas.”

Not Going Out, BBC One + BBC iPlayer, 10pm

The hugely popular sitcom starring Lee Mack and Beyond Paradise’s Sally Breton as Lee and Lucy is celebrating an extra special Christmas this year, as the show’s festive special will be its 100th episode.

The episode promises to see chaos predictably erupt for the family’s Christmas despite Lee’s agreement with Lucy to strive for a “normal Christmas where nothing goes wrong” this year. Hugh Dennis, Abigail Cruttenden, Deborah Grant and Geoffrey Whitehead will all star.

A Ghost Story for Christmas: Lot No. 249, BBC Two + BBC iPlayer, 10pm

Sherlock co-creator Mark Gatiss is back with another spooky adaptation of a classic ghost story this Christmas. This year’s story is Lot No. 249, written by the great detective’s author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 

Game of Thrones’ Kit Harrington, Slow Horses' Freddie Fox, and Colin Ryan star in the scary short story which will follow a group of Oxford students whose study of an Egyptian mummy leads to trouble.

What’s on ITV Christmas Eve 2023?

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, ITV1, 5.25pm

Tune in to ITV1 mid-afternoon on Christmas Eve for this holiday classic. While fans could disagree for hours on which of the Home Alone films deserves the title of number one, most probably agree that when one’s on TV it becomes essential viewing.

This 1992 film sees young Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) accidentally get separated from his family while setting off for a festive holiday in Florida, leading to him flying to New York instead. Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, and Tim Curry all also star.

Royal Carols: Together at Christmas, ITV1 + ITVX, 7.45pm

If you’re looking for some traditional Christmas programming this Christmas Eve, look no further than ITV’s Royal Carols: Together at Christmas. The Princess of Wales returns once more to Westminster Abbey to host a special carol service jam-packed full of music, celebrity appearances and charity celebrations.

There will be music from Jacob Collier, Freya Ridings, James Bay, Beverley Knight and Adam Lambert, as well as readings from the Prince of Wales, Michael Ward, Emma Willis, Roman Kemp and Jim Broadbent. A specially commissioned poem from Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho will also be read by Call the Midwife’s Leonie Elliott.

What’s on Channel 4 Christmas Eve 2023?

A Christmas Carol, 2.40pm

Christmas isn’t Christmas without an annual visit to Dickens’ perhaps most famous - and certainly most festive - tale. 

Perfect for everyone whether Scrooges or Christmas crazy, this 1984 adaptation of the 180-year-old novella stars George C. Scott as the famous Ebenezer, and is difficult to say 'Bah Humbug' to.

Mog’s Christmas, 7.45pm

Mog’s Christmas marks Channel 4’s offering to the fun for all the family genre of Christmas television. Adapted from Judith Kerr’s much-love children’s classic, the story will see famous family cat Mog enjoy a magical Christmas adventure.

A huge host of celebrity stars will voice characters in the animated feature, including Adjoa Andoh, Benedict Cumberbatch, Miriam Margolyes, Zawe Ashton and Judith Kerr’s daughter Tacy Kneale.

The Great Christmas Bake Off, 8.15pm

Kicking off the first of The Great British Bake Off’s two festive special episodes, six more returning GBBO bakers will be returning to the tent to compete for the title of star baker this Christmas Eve.

Returning to the show this time are series 12’s George, series 8’s Sophie, series 9’s Dan, series 10’s Amelia, series 11’s Linda and series 13’s Carole.

What’s on Sky Christmas Eve 2023?

The Heist Before Christmas, Sky Max, Sky Showcase + NOW, 8pm

Sky’s Christmas Eve offering is this James Nesbitt and Timothy Spall starring comedy-drama film for all the family.

The film’s synopsis reads: “Twelve-year-old Mikey Collins (Bamber Todd), who’s dirt-poor and hates Christmas, finds two Santa Clauses in the woods. One has just robbed a bank (James Nesbitt) and is on the run with the cash, the other Santa (Timothy Spall) claims to have fallen out of his sleigh.

 

“Mikey has no time for this second guy… [but is] determined to get his hands on the bank-robber’s cash, convinced that this is the answer to giving his family the Christmas they all crave. But as Mikey risks everything for the loot, he comes to realise that maybe the spirit of Christmas is alive after all…”

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas from Virgin Radio!

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