For some of us, if the run-up to Christmas wasn’t already busy enough as it is, there’s often not a moment to breathe on the big day itself between presents being opened, travelling to see people, entertaining guests, slaving over a hot stove for hours, and eating plenty of food.
Sometimes though, you may find yourself twiddling your thumbs with some time to spare, and that’s why the distraction of festive television is so brilliant.
For others, sitting around to watch the TV is an important part of Christmas itself.
No matter what your situation is, there’s some cracking things to watch on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day this year - with classic seasonal films, to festive specials of our favourite shows, and a few family-friendly additions all on the agenda.
So, just like we have done for the past couple of years, we've once again rounded-up the best of the bunch to create our TV guide.
Here’s just five of our picks.
___
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2024
BBC One
Christmas Day - 3:55pm
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2024 / Credit: BBC
We’ve all come to expect a Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special at this point, haven’t we? After the iconic ballroom dance competition programme has been bringing us smaller, festive editions of the show we all know and love since 2004, it’s back once again this Christmas Day.
Six celebrity contestants will be taking to the floor to impress judges the judges and battle it out for the Christmas glitter ball trophy.
You can catch Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One at 3:55pm on Christmas Day.
___
Doctor Who Christmas Special
BBC One
Christmas Day - 5:10pm
Doctor Who Christmas Special / Credit: BBC Studios
What would Christmas be without a Doctor Who special?
The long-running sci-fi series is back where it belongs with another festive episode on Christmas Day this year, and we can't wait.
The episode introduces Joy, played by Nicola Coughlan, who checks into a London hotel in 2024, only to discover that her quiet stay is anything but ordinary. When Joy opens a secret doorway to the Time Hotel, she discovers danger, dinosaurs, and the Doctor... but a deadly plan is unfolding across Earth, just in time for Christmas.
You can catch the Doctor Who Christmas Special on BBC One at 5:10pm on Christmas Day.
___
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
BBC One
Christmas Day - 6:10pm
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl / Credit: BBC
Wallace & Gromit make their long-awaited return with a new feature-length adventure.
Wallace and his pre-programmed smart gnome, Norbot, are the main suspects after a recent crime wave of stolen garden goods across the region... but while Wallace proclaims his innocence, it’s up to Gromit once again to battle sinister forces, or Wallace will never invent again.
Who could possibly be behind such evil actions? Rightfully behind bars after all this time, Feathers McGraw is back with vengeance.
Directed by Nick Park, Reece Shearsmith provides the voice of Norbot, and Peter Kay is Chief Inspector Macintosh, alongside other famous names such as Diane Morgan, Adjoa Andoh, and Lenny Henry.
You can watch Wallace & Gromit: Most Vengeance Fowl on BBC One at 6:10pm on Christmas Day.
___
Gavin & Stacey: The Finale
BBC One
Christmas Day - 9pm
Gavin & Stacey: The Finale / Credit: BBC
9pm. Christmas Day 2024. The end of an era is here.
It’s been five whole years since we left Nessa down on one knee declaring her love for Smithy and asking him to marry her... and a lot has happened in those five years.
This Christmas, fans of the long-running sitcome will be able to join on the journey to Barry and Billericay as we catch up with the Shipmans and the Wests for the very last time, and maybe find out what exactly did happen on that fishing trip.
You can watch Gavin and Stacey: The Finale on Christmas Day on BBC One at 9pm.
___
Outnumbered
BBC One
Boxing Day - 9:40pm
Outnumbered / Credit: BBC
Our final long-awaited Christmas Special comeback is here... are you ready to be Outnumbered once again?
In a moment of adversity, Sue and Pete gather all their children - who are now adults, and have their own hurdles to navigate in the real world - and one grandchild to try to celebrate a traditional family Christmas.
Their new house is smaller, the children are bigger, and within the chaos, an uninvited house guest overstays their welcome.
You can watch Outnumbered on Boxing Day on BBC One at 9:40pm.
___
Featured Image - BBC
Art & Culture
The Leeds artist you’ve probably seen everywhere has just opened a beautiful shop in the city centre
Art by Arjo has officially got a permanent home in the city.
If you’re Leeds-obsessed, chances are you’ve seen an Art by Arjo print at some point. Maybe it was a drawing of Elland Road, maybe the Corn Exchange, maybe your university, favourite pub or one of Yorkshire’s many iconic landmarks.
And now, instead of waiting for the next market or scrolling through Instagram trying to decide which print to buy, you can find them all under one roof. Art by Arjo has landed in Leeds Corn Exchange.
And honestly, it feels like a pretty perfect home for a brand that's all about celebrating the places we know and love.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
For those who don't know the name, Art by Arjo is the work of Leeds-based artist Yusef Arjo, who has turned his background in architecture and love of drawing into a full-time creative business.
What started out with Yusef creating illustrations for family and friends eventually grew into something much bigger. In 2018, he took the leap into becoming a full-time artist, building Art by Arjo into a business selling his detailed architectural illustrations across the UK and beyond.
And now, he's gone from market stalls to his own permanent shop in the heart of Leeds. The whole idea behind the brand is pretty simple: take the places people love and turn them into something they can hang on their wall.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We're talking football grounds, music venues, universities, cricket grounds, city centres, pubs and some of Yorkshire's most recognisable landmarks.
Naturally, Leeds gets plenty of love.
You can find illustrations of Elland Road, Leeds Town Hall, the Corn Exchange, Kirkgate Market, Leeds Dock, Headingley and the Royal Armouries, alongside plenty of other places that will have you saying, “Wait, I know that place.”
And that's what makes the prints so good: they're not just pictures of buildings. They're little reminders of places you've actually been. The stadium where you watched your first match. The university where you spent three years. The city centre street you've walked down a thousand times. The pub where you've spent far too many Friday nights.
Arjo takes those familiar places and turns them into something you can keep.
And with the new Corn Exchange shop, you can now see the artwork properly in person, rather than just double-tapping it on your phone.
So whether you're looking for something to add a bit of Leeds personality to your wall, hunting for a gift for someone who is very proud of where they're from, or simply fancy having a browse, Art by Arjo is well worth a look.
And there's an extra little surprise waiting in the shop too, with Arjo's very own print machine creating personalised, hand-drawn prints, meaning you can walk away with a completely unique keepsake made just for you.
We're always here for local businesses that turn Leeds memories into wall art.
And going from a market stall to having your own shop in the Corn Exchange? Not a bad little upgrade.
Jacqueline Wilson and Gyles Brandreth among big names announced for Ilkley Literature Festival 2026
Clementine Hall
The north’s longest-running literary festival, Ilkley Literature Festival, has announced its 2026 line-up.
This year, a host of household names including politicians, national treasures, journalists, novelists, poets, historians, comedians, and academics will head to the quaint spa town of Ilkley for their annual literaty festival.
The festival will take place across 17 packed days from Friday 2 to Sunday 18 October 2026.
Andrew Davies, the maestro of literary adaptations such as House of Cards and Bridget Jones will open the festival, having finally turned his razor sharp pen on the most challenging subject of all: himself, with his memoir, An Unsuitable Boy.
Elsewhere, actress Rachael Stirling will be talking about her exceptional mother, Diana Rigg – icon of stage and screen and the subject of a new memoir, whilst Mark Foster, five-time Olympian, six-time World Champion and eight-time World Record holder, will be discussing his inspiring and moving memoir, My Double.
Image: Supplied
Poetry lovers can spend an evening with the Poet laureate, Simon Armitage, as he reads from his new translation of Gilgamesh, whilst much-loved poet Brian Bilston will take you on a whistle stop tour through the history of verse, reading from his new collection How to Lay an Egg with a Horse Inside.
Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth will discussing the secrets for a long and healthy life, whilst icon Dame Jacqueline Wilson will introducing her brand-new book, Esme Pepper, and talking about her career, writing over 120 books for children.
Erica Morris, Chief Executive of Word Up North, the producer of Ilkley Literature Festival, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming some of today’s most exceptional writers, thinkers and entertainers to Yorkshire this autumn. The festival has been encouraging curiosity, open dialogues and a shared love of words for over half a century.
"This year, as part of the National Year of Reading, we’re putting readers at the heart of the programme with a series of book club-style events - Page Turners Classic Fiction Club - celebrating some of the most compelling novels ever written from Wuthering Heights to The Wasp Factory. From dedicated fans to first-time readers, you can be sure of a warm Yorkshire welcome at Ilkley Literature Festival.”
Tickets go on general sale on Tuesday 25 August, with priority bookings open for Friends of the Festival a week before, on Wednesday 19 August. You can view the full lineup for the Ilkley Literature Festival and book your tickets here.
Emily Sergeant -
24th December 2024 
