Art & Culture

Five of the best things to watch on TV this Christmas

Time to pop the telly on.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 24th December 2024

Christmas is a hectic time.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Featured Image - BBC

Art & Culture

Inside the Leeds factory that makes and supplies classic jukeboxes

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

This Leeds-based family-owned business is famed for supplying pubs, clubs and even ordinary people's homes with classic jukeboxes.

Started up in 1978, Sound Leisure really is a local business like no other, creating and distributing classic jukeboxes to over 40 countries.

This music-machine-making company notes that 75% of the jukeboxes they manufacture and sell throughout the year are bought for everyday homes.

The remaining 25% of orders are for the all-expected hospitality venues like bars, clubs and hotels, with the jukeboxes sometimes bought for company headquarters and retail outlets too.

Although there are other jukebox manufacturers, especially across the pond in the US, Sound Leisure is the only factory in the world that creates jukeboxes to play out across all formats: CD, vinyl and digital.

This jukebox business even runs the world's only 'Custom Shop', which is a design service that offers any music lovers the chance to personalise their pristine player.

So whether you're after a themed jukebox, customisable nameplate or even a bespoke design, this jukebox company's website states: "If you can dream it, we can build it".

One of Sound Leisure's prized products is the music machine inspired Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-themed jukebox which any fan of The Beatles would dream of being its lucky owner.

And there really isn't anything they can't do, as alongside creating classic jukeboxes, the same team even make pinball machines, football tables, LED signs and more.

With CD and vinyl jukeboxes from £5,000 and digital jukeboxes quoted from upwards of £12,000, we're going to need a fair few rainy days to save up our money.

However, you can still marvel at these magnificent music machines without having to dip into your savings, with guided tours starting from just £15.

If you're up for learning a little bit more about music technology or simply after admiring these classic jukeboxes in all their glory, you can find out more about the factory and book your guided tour ticket HERE.

Read more: Two giant balloon dog sculptures by acclaimed international artist have landed in Leeds

Featured Images - The Hoot Leeds

Art & Culture

Two giant balloon dog sculptures by acclaimed international artist have landed in Leeds

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

A special Pride activation featuring internationally acclaimed contemporary artist Whatshisname has popped up in Leeds.

Marking 20 years of Leeds Pride and 10 years of Victoria Leeds, the exhibition called ‘Two milestones, One Pop of Pride’ is bringing a playful public art experience to the city.

The exhibition, curated by Castle Fine Art located in the Victoria Quarter, features a collection of artworks and oversized sculptures by the artist, whose distinctive creations have earned a global following.

The striking centrepiece of the activation is two of Whatshisname's iconic POPek Balloon Dog sculptures, one is positioned on the central mosaic in Victoria Quarter and the other outside John Lewis in Victoria Gate.

Image: The Hoot Leeds

Victoria Leeds centre director, Jo Coburn, said: "This year presents a unique opportunity to celebrate two important milestones for Leeds. As we mark 10 years of Victoria Leeds and 20 years of Leeds Pride, we wanted to create something memorable that reflects the city's creativity, inclusivity and vibrant cultural scene. Whatshisname's work perfectly captures a sense of joy, individuality and self-expression, making it an ideal way to celebrate Pride with our visitors."

Artist, Whatshisname, said: "Bringing the POPek balloon dogs to such a vibrant and culturally rich city as Leeds is an absolute thrill for me. It’s hard to believe it’s been a decade since these playful, cheeky characters first came to life. Over the years, they’ve travelled the world, sparking smiles wherever they go.

“I can’t wait for the people of Leeds to interact with them, feel that sense of nostalgia and humour, and join us in the Victoria Leeds and Leeds Pride celebrations!"

The Whatshisname exhibition will be on display at Victoria Leeds until Monday 27 July.

Read more: Popular Leeds cafe known for its fluffy Japanese sandos is moving to a bigger space

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

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