So many to choose from…
Christmas is the time for many things… eating ridiculous amounts of chocolate, having a few too many glasses of champagne, meeting friends and family and of course, watching lots of TV.
Thankfully, there are lots of great shows and movies on offer this Christmas.
Here’s a breakdown of all the best titles on the key days.
Christmas Eve
Angela’s Christmas – RTÉ One – 6:20pm
A funny and heart-warming new feature-length animation by Brown Bag Films based on Frank McCourt’s book and featuring the voices of Ruth Negga and Lucy O’Connell.
Mary, Mel & Sue’s Big Christmas Thank You – BBC One – 7pm
The Bake Off trio are back together for one night only, to provide a surprise for a hard-working community in South Wales. Join them as they throw a huge Christmas party.
Michael McIntyre’s Big Christmas Show – BBC One – 8:30pm
Michael McIntyre hosts a final and very festive version of his Saturday night show.
All Star Musicals – TV3 – 9pm
It features a cast of celebrities performing an iconic number from a famous musical.
Carols from The Castle – RTÉ One – 9:15pm
Mary Kennedy is joined once again by the RTÉ concert orchestra and a host of celebrities for a special carol service.
Bridget and Eamon Christmas Special – RTÉ 2 – 9:45pm
Bridget works out that, with the widow’s pension and life assurance, Eamon would be worth more dead than alive.
Ted – RTÉ 2 – 10:15pm
When John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) was a little boy, he made a wish that Ted (Seth MacFarlane), his beloved teddy bear, would come alive. Thirty years later, foul-mouthed Ted is still John’s constant companion, much to the chagrin of Lori (Mila Kunis), John’s girlfriend.
Christmas Day
Finding Nemo – RTÉ One – 2:20pm
Cinderella – BBC One – 3:10pm
Spectre – RTÉ One – 5:30pm
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special – BBC One – 6:30pm
The Great Christmas Bake Off – Channel 4 – 7:40pm
Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas Special- RTÉ One – 9pm
Christmas is once again upon us and Agnes is already snowed under. Dermot needs an elf for his Santa’s grotto, Grandad thinks the house is haunted, Cathy’s got herself an internet date, and to top it all off Rory is undergoing plastic surgery! At least Agnes has been given a special Christmas tree from Buster Brady to cheer her up. It’s from a clearance sale… what could possibly go wrong?
First Dates at Christmas – Channel 4 – 9pm
Brooklyn – RTÉ One – 9pm
Alan Carr’s Christmas Chatty Man – Channel 4 – 10pm
300 Years of French and Saunders – BBC One – 10:35pm
French and Saunders are back together celebrating 30 wonderful years of work together.
St Stephen’s Day
Racing From Leopardstown – RTÉ 2 – 1pm
Back to the Future – RTÉ One – 1:35pm
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets – RTÉ 2 – 3:30pm
Raider of the Lost Ark – RTÉ One – 3:40pm
Mary Poppins – BBC One – 3:45pm
Jurassic World – RTÉ One – 6:25pm
Snow Bears – BBC One – 6:30pm
Kate Winslet narrates this wonderful documentary which follows two polar bear cubs and their mother.
Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2017 – Channel 4 – 9pm
The Nathan Carter Christmas Special – RTÉ One – 9:20pm
The Nathan Carter Christmas Special will see the country star joined by a host of special guests for a night of music, including performances from Spice Girl Melanie C and Una Healy.
New Year’s Eve
We Bought A Zoo – Channel 4 – 1:55pm
Are We There Yet – TV3 – 4:10pm
The Crystal Maze: Celebrity Christmas Special – Channel 4 – 8pm
Richard Ayoade is joined by a host of celebrities as they tackle the Crystal Maze.
Into The Woods – BBC Two – 8pm
Alan Carr’s New Year Specstacular – 9pm
Alan is back with his New Year special, and will be joined by David Guetta, Danny Dyer, Mel B and Greg Davies.
Mrs Brown’s Boys CSI: Mammy – RTÉ One 9:45pm
The Graham Norton Show – BBC One – 10:20pm
Graham will be joined by Zac Efron, Hugh Jackman, Zendaya, Gary Oldman and Suranne Jones.
The Imelda May New Year’s Eve Special – RTÉ One – 10:20pm
Imelda will be joined by special guests to say goodbye to 2017.
Jool’s Annual Hootananny – BBC Two -11:20pm
Jools will be joined by Jessie Ware, Beth Ditto, Ed Sheeran and many others.
NYE Countdown Concert – RTÉ One – 11:50pm
New Year’s Day
Harry Potter: A History of Magic – RTÉ 2 – 2:45pm
JK Rowling discusses the real-life counterparts to her magical world of Harry Potter.
Blue Planet II: Oceans of Wonder – BBC One – 3:30pm
David Attenborough takes a look back at the brilliant 2017 series.
Maleficent – BBC One – 5pm
Pat Shortt’s Music from d’Telly – RTÉ One – 7pm
Pat has been busy rummaging through the RTÉ Archive to share his very own Christmas music favourites.
The Great Festive Bake Off – Channel 4 – 7:40pm
The second episode of the Christmas specials of The Great British Bake Off.
Sue Perkins and the Chimp Sanctuary – BBC Two – 9pm
Sue meets special animals who have been freed from testing laboratories.
Pitch Perfect 2 – Channel 4 – 9pm
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – RTÉ One – 9:30pm
