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
The Leeds Cinema Crawl is back with music-themed films across three different independent venues
Letterboxd can expect to hear from you after this trifecta.
The Leeds Cinema Crawl is a unique experience, aiming to bring like-minded film buffs together, for a full day of cinematic fun.
Whether you simply love film, you are a The Beatles super-fan or punk-rock is more your thing, this year's theme is The Beat Goes On, so all selected films centre around the celebration of music, rhythm and performance.
While fancy dress is not essential, guests are encouraged to fully immerse themselves by coming dressed as their favourite character from one of the three films, or in an outfit inspired by the The Beat Goes On theme.
The team are yet to release details on the exciting film related activities for the day alongside the screenings, though there is usually a selection of fun games and introductory activities to join in with.
5:30pm - Good Vibrations (15, 2012, 111 minutes) at Howard Assembly Room
To complete the whole experience - all three venues have a great range of both soft and alcoholic beverages on offer and some classic cinema snacks too.
However, the beauty of the crawl lends itself to exploration in the surrounding areas, in between screenings. The films are to be spaced out across the whole day and across various venues, allowing for time to stretch your legs and try out some of the fabulous local eateries that Leeds has to offer.
Each independent cinema selected for the crawl has something to offer that regular cinemas do not.
Our personal favourite of the three is Hyde Park Picture House, located in the heart of Hyde Park. The building itself has been recently restored to its former glory making it worth the visit alone, with the most ornate, charming exterior and fully equipped with an old fashioned ticket office and street lamp that transports you back in time.
Whether you live locally or you make a day of it, by visiting Leeds, this event is not to be missed out on.
You must be at least 18 to purchase a day pass due to some of the films ratings and there will be no allocated seating, so be sure to arrive in good time to nab the best seats.
While some cinemas are accessible for wheelchair users, some are sadly not, so it is advised to speak with the cinemas directly before purchasing tickets for the event.
A cross-venue full-day ticket costs £24 for access to all three films. However, students, those with a Leeds Card or seniors over 60, can access reduced tickets for £19. It is important to note that HPPH free membership tickets are not available on the day passes.
Tickets for individual screenings are also available for around £8.50-£10.
The event is on Sunday 27 September 2026, starting at 11:30am.
For further information and to book your tickets here.
Innovative Leeds music venue TESTBED announces launch party lineup
Thomas Melia
Ever-evolving Leeds music hotspot TESTBED is making its grand return to Leeds city centre with an impressive launch party lineup.
Recognised as a cultural venue for bringing people together via music, TESTBED has hosted a variety of club nights in its warehouse location since 2024.
Back in April, it was announced that the team behind this rave-centric club were transforming this space from it's 'Phase 1.3' to 'Phase 2.0'.
Now, TESTBED has released the full lineup for its upcoming launch party which will show off some of the venue's latest features like its 360-degree DJ booth, improved acoustics and 5,000 sq ft mezzanine and balcony area.
Annie Mac is headlining the TESTBED Leeds launch party joined by Horse Meat Disco / Credit: Press Shots (via supplied)
Previous performers include Liverpool dance music duo Camelphat, house music DJ Alisha, Netherlands-own Chris Stussy and more, so it will come as no surprise that this relaunch features an equally-stellar lineup.
Fronting the bill for the TESTBED Launch Party is none other than EDM connoisseur and influential figure Annie Mac, who's hosted a variety of radio shows across the BBC as well as curating a set or two herself.
Also in attendance is Horse Meat Disco, a group who put disco and queer culture at the forefront of each and every high-energy set.
Irish selector Shee is also showing off his music expertise and already having collaborations with the likes of A-trak and Karma Kid, expect to hear some tunes.
Shee and Junior Simba will be taking to the decks to wow the crowds over at TESTBED Leeds / Credit: Press Shots (via supplied)
Seasoned club DJ and presenter Marcia Carr, known for playing live sets with vinyl records, will also be soundtracking the night too, playing out everything from Afrohouse to dubstep.
Of course, it wouldn't be a Leeds-based party without some local talent courtesy of Junior Simba who's quickly become a key player in the house music scene.
And if that wasn't enough raving for you, TESTBED has already announced even more insane nights of music madness featuring ROSSI., Interplanetary Criminal and Obskür.
TESTBED's opening party is taking place on Saturday 3 October from 2pm til 12am and you can grab tickets from as little as £20 HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
24th December 2024 
