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The best Christmas telly on Virgin TV
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From classic Christmas specials to festive films and more, there’s something to keep the whole family entertained with Virgin TV this month
By Virgin Media Edit
- Published
- 17 December 2025
The halls are decked, the turkey’s ordered and now it’s time to put your feet up and enjoy some Christmas telly. But don’t waste your valuable downtime sifting through TV guides. Whether you’re watching live TV, one of our Box Sets, or something on one of our apps or on Virgin TV Go, we’ve done the hard work for you by putting the finest Christmas telly treats worth watching in one convenient place! Scroll down to check out our top picks available throughout the festive period – they’ll keep you entertained all December long.
You also don’t need to battle for the remote this Christmas. Thanks to the Virgin TV Go app, you can register on up to 5 devices and view on 2 devices simultaneously at no extra cost. You can access more than 100 live TV channels on the go from your devices, including your iPhone, iPad, Android mobile or tablet, and PC/Mac.
Plus, as well as your favourite films and series, there’s tonnes of kids’ box sets and programmes to keep the little ones entertained at home or on those long festive road trips. Swish.
Read on for our full guide of the best festive entertainment to tune into this Christmas.
Tinsel Town
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Available now in Sky Cinema on demand. Cert 12
Fading film star Brad Mac (Kiefer Sunderland) swaps the bright lights of Hollywood for the English panto stage in this heartwarming Christmas movie starring Rebel Wilson, Jason Manford, Katherine Ryan, Asim Chaudhry and Danny Dyer.
Pete Wicks: For Dogs’ Sake Christmas Special
Stream it now in Apps > U or U&W on demand. Seasons 1-2 also available
Self-confessed Scrooge Pete Wicks returns to the Dogs Trust centres to help spread some festive cheer, including visiting a homeless shelter where its residents share just how much their four-legged friends mean to them.
Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special (2019)
Stream it now in Apps > U or U&GOLD on demand
Catch up with the Shipmans and the Wests almost a decade on from the original series ending in 2010, as the titular duo navigate the joys of parenthood while Nessa and Smithy have some unfinished business.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
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Stream it now in Apps > Netflix
Daniel Craig returns as eccentric private detective Benoit Blanc to team up with an earnest young priest (Josh O’Connor, Challengers) and crack a seemingly impossible case in a small-town church with a dark history.
André Rieu: Home For Christmas
Stream it now in Sky Arts on demand
Join the celebrated violinist and conductor at his medieval castle home in the Netherlands, where he performs 26 holiday classics including “Silent Night”, “Ave Maria”, “White Christmas” and more with a roster of special guests.
Elf
Available now in Sky Cinema on demand. Cert PG
Often topping lists of the best Christmas films of all time, Elf stars Will Ferrell as Buddy, a human that’s been raised by Santa’s elves in the North Pole. Upon learning his true heritage, he heads off to the bright lights of New York City to find his biological father.
Breaking Dad Christmas Special
Stream it from Wednesday 17 December on Comedy Central HD (CH 132)
Father-son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh head on a magical Yuletide road trip across Iceland, where the pair experience hot springs, a dedicated Christmas shop, sledding and more.
Never Mind The Xmas Buzzcocks 2025
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Thursday 18 December, 9pm, Sky Max HD (CH 111) or stream it in Sky Max on demand. Series 1-5 also available in Sky Max on demand
Get out the sherry because it’s time to get merry with Greg, Noel, Jamali and Sophie in this raucous festive special. The Never Mind The Buzzcocks gang are joined by guests Guz Khan, Jessie J and Matt Goss, who put their music knowledge to the test.
Blackadder’s Christmas Carol
Saturday 20 December, 4pm, on U&GOLD HD (CH 124) or stream in U&GOLD on demand
The classic parody of A Christmas Carol featuring Ebenezer Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) who, after meeting his unscrupulous ancestors, decides to change his ways for the worse. It still leaves us in stitches over 30 years later.
Rosie Jones’ Out Of Order Christmas Special
Monday 22 December, 9pm, Comedy Central HD (CH 132) or stream in Comedy Central on demand
Rosie Jones returns to screens with team captains Judi Love and Katherine Ryan for a one-off night of riotous festive mayhem, as they judge members of the public and each other along with guests Josh Widdicombe and Jon Richardson.
Gavin & Stacey Christmas special (2008)
Monday 22 December, 7.40pm, on U&GOLD HD (CH 124) or stream in U&GOLD on demand
Turn back the clock and join the Shipmans and Wests in the beloved sitcom’s first festive special, where lovebirds Gavin and Stacey share some lifechanging news that rocks the families’ worlds from Barry to Billericay.
Dad’s Army Christmas Specials (1976 and 1971)
Christmas Eve, 7pm, U&GOLD HD (CH 124) or stream in U&GOLD on demand
Settle in for a double bill of festive shenanigans at the barracks of Walmington-on-Sea, as Captain Mainwaring and co navigate unwelcome family visits, rival platoons and plenty of larks in between.
The Vicar Of Dibley Christmas Special
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Christmas Day, 4.20pm, U&GOLD HD (CH 124) or stream in U&GOLD on demand
Geraldine (Dawn French) literally bites off more than she can chew in this hilarious holiday caper where the vicar finds herself attending three Christmas lunches across the village. Guaranteed to make you laugh every single time.
Porridge Christmas Special (1975)
Stream it now in U&GOLD on demand
The first Christmas special of the beloved 1970s sitcom sees the festive season unfold at Slade Prison. As the inmates hatch a cunning escape, Fletcher (Ronnie Barker) is planning on taking a trip to the infirmary.
The Good Life Christmas Special
Stream it now in U&GOLD on demand
Christmas cheer abounds in self-sufficient suburbia as the Goods and the Leadbetters plan their perfect festivities. However, a hiccup with a Christmas tree means that the two households join together for an unforgettable evening of merriment.
Rick Stein’s Spanish Christmas
Thursday 18 December, 6pm, U&Dave HD (CH 127) or stream in U&Dave on demand or Apps > U
Rick hosts a festive fiesta feast with recipes inspired by his travels in Spain, including mouthwatering chicken with saffron and clams with serrano ham and oloroso sherry, before finishing off with a sweet treat of orange caramel creams.
Fawlty Towers: The Play
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Boxing Day, 6pm, U&GOLD HD (CH 124) or stream on U&GOLD on demand
Don’t miss your chance to watch this critically acclaimed West End adaptation of Fawlty Towers, written by the legendary sitcom’s co-creator John Cleese, that follows the continuing troubles of incompetent hotel owner Basil Fawlty.
Christmas On The Ranch
Stream it now on Paramount+
Snuggle up with this delightful holiday romcom about a talk show host who finds herself stranded at a ranch before Christmas, with only a handsome and charming rancher to keep her company.
Rick Stein’s Cornish Christmas
Stream it now in Apps > U
Rick Stein returns home from his far-flung culinary adventures to get into the seasonal spirits with Cornish Christmas music, the ancient festival of Wassail, and all the unique flavours the local produce has to offer.
A Scottish Christmas Secret
Stream it now on Paramount+
Pack your bags for the Scottish Highlands along with publisher Tiffany, who’s on an undercover mission to convince an author to finish his hit book series. Instead, she embarks on the adventure of a lifetime and romance soon blossoms.
Big Zuu’s Christmas Eats
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Stream now it in Apps > U
Big Zuu is back in the kitchen for a two-part Christmas special, cooking up a next-level festive feast for his famous friends including AJ Tracey, Jme, Ed Gamble, Rosie Jones and Phil Wang. Save us a plate!
A Merry Little Ex-Mas
Stream it now in Apps > Netflix
When a separated couple decide to spend one last Christmas together before their divorce, an unexpected new flame joins the festivities and chaos ensues… 1990s icons Alicia Silverstone (Clueless) and Melissa Joan Hart (Sabrina The Teenage Witch) star.
Christmas At The Chalet
Stream it now on Paramount+
When former TV host and empty-nester Lex (Teri Hatcher) joins her son and ex-husband for Christmas at a luxury ski resort, she volunteers to work in the chalet and finds love in the most unexpected of places while taking her followers along for the ride.
Home Alone
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Available now in Sky Cinema on demand. Cert PG
A young Macaulay Culkin stars in this classic Christmas caper about a young boy who’s accidentally left at home by his holidaying family. It’s all fun and games for Kevin (Culkin) until he must defend his home from two pesky burglars (played by the great Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern).
Christmas On The Slopes
Stream it now on Paramount+
When Sophia goes on vacation to escape the pressures of work and her personal life, she’s mistaken for a new sous chef by the resort’s head chef. Sparks fly between them in the kitchen – but can their holiday romance last?
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Image credits: The Vicar Of Dibley Christmas Special © BBC 1996
Fawlty Towers: The Play © UKTV / Hugo Glendinning
Bigg Zuu's Christmas Eats © UKTV / Des Willie
