Skip to main content

Best TV on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day

Best TV on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day

Celebrate New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day with the very best TV and entertainment. Let the countdown begin…

By Charlotte Briggs, Writer

It’s time to wave goodbye to 2022 and enter 2023 in style. And there’s going to be some familiar faces as well as new ones on your screens to help kick-start the celebrations. First up, there’s a whole host of classic feel-good films to get stuck into from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to a double whammy of our all-time favourite adventurer Indiana Jones.

 

If you’re putting on your dancing shoes, then don’t miss Sam Ryder Rocks New Year’s Eve or Jools’ Annual Hootenanny for performances that’ll have you dancing til the small hours.

 

Come New Year’s Day, there’s plenty of comedy to help you nurse a hangover, including brand-new Sky Comedy series Romantic Getaway starring Katherine Ryan and Romesh Ranganathan. Plus, there are special episodes of TV favourites including Taskmaster’s New Year Treat and Mrs Brown’s Boys New Year Special.

 

Whether you’re ringing in the new year at home or partying the night away, there’s something for everyone to tune into this year…

 

Explore more:

 

Read on our for our picks to watch before and after the bells...

New Year’s Eve

 

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

3.20pm, ITV HD (CH 113/103)

There’s nothing like curling up in front of the telly with a classic film. Dick van Dyke is Caractacus Potts, a down-on-his-luck inventor who transforms an old car into a flying vehicle that dreams are made of. Soon the Potts family are heading off on grand adventures to far-off lands, and running into plenty of trouble along the way. Tune in for a heartfelt watch… but don’t let the Child Catcher get you!

 

Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends

5.35pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

In May 2022 Cameron Mackintosh, producer of hit musicals including Cats, Les Misérables and The Phantom Of The Opera, brought Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends to London’s West End for a thrilling production. Honouring the late American composer and Broadway great, the ensemble cast features the likes of Michael Ball (Les Misérables), Helena Bonham-Carter (The Crown), Judi Dench (Skyfall) and Rob Brydon (Gavin And Stacey).

 

Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom

6.40pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104/141)

If musicals aren’t your thing, then there’s plenty of action to catch on Channel 4. In this rip-roaring classic, adventurer and archaeologist Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope) heads off on a mission to retrieve a stolen rock now lying within the catacombs of an ancient palace. Along for the ride are his sidekick Short Round (Ke Huy Quan, The Goonies) and entertainer Willie Scott (Kate Capshaw, Black Rain). But will they make it out of the fortress alive?

 

The National Lottery’s New Year’s Eve Big Bash

8.30pm, ITV1 HD (CH 113/103)

Bringing the nation together to celebrate some of 2022’s most memorable moments are comic and actor Jason Manford and TV personality Alesha Dixon in this spectacular show. The duo will be reviewing the highs and lows of pop culture, key sporting moments and worldwide events that caused a ruckus in the UK this year. And there’s even some special performances and collaborations to look forward to including Tom Grennan, Adam Lambert, Joel Corry, RAYE, Katherine Jenkins OBE, Cirque du Soleil and more.

 

The Last Leg Of The Year

9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104/141)

This super-sized episode of The Last Leg sees our hosts and celebrities alike wave goodbye (and good riddance) to 2022. If you’re after some laughs to see you into 2023 then join hosts Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker, along with special guests Rylan Clark, Sue Perkins, Ellie Simmonds, Tom Davis, Desiree Burch, Baroness Warsi and Mike Wozniak, in a satirical take on the highs and lows of the year.

 

That’s My Jam

9.10pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

Award-winning comedian Mo Gilligan is the host of TV’s biggest new music game show. For this New Year’s Eve special, he’s getting the party started with a mystery celebrity line-up who will be taking on some super-sized challenges to showcase their singing talents, performance skills and musical trivia knowledge. Bring it on!

 

The Graham Norton Show: New Year’s Eve Show

10.25pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

Don’t miss out on the starriest New Year’s Eve party in town. Joining Graham Norton for his annual New Year’s celebrations are celebs including award-winning actress Olivia Colman (The Crown), rising star Michael Ward (Top Boy), comedy icon Hugh Laurie (Blackadder) and Euros-winning England football captain Leah Williamson. Plus, the stars of Cabaret, Callum Scott Howells and Madeline Brewer, will be performing hits from the West End show.

 

Jonathan Ross’s New Year Comedy Special

10.35pm, ITV1 HD (CH 113/103)

For big laughs on the small screen head to ITV1 for Jonathan Ross’s star-studded stand-up special. Leading the celebrations are Bill Bailey and Katherine Ryan, along with Tom Allen, Judi Love and Babatundé Aléshé, one of the stars of this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Plus, hip hop group Ezra Collective will be bringing the house down with a live performance.

 

Adam Hills: Clown Heart

11pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104/141)

Ring in the New Year with Aussie comedian Adam Hills from London’s Hammersmith Apollo to the Clown Heart of comedy. In this live recording, the Last Leg presenter and his enthusiastic audience will be discussing modern life, how to laugh in the face of disaster and embracing love, life and death with positivity. You’ll be left feeling inspired through the power of laughter for 2023 and beyond.

 

Sam Ryder Rocks New Year’s Eve

11.30pm, BBC One HD (CH 101/108)

Party your way into 2023 in style. Hosting a spectacular New Year’s Eve party along with Rylan Clark is 2022 Eurovision runner-up Sam Ryder, with some special appearances from fellow musicians including Melanie C, Sigrid, The Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins, and the electrifying House Gospel Choir. Put on your dancing shoes because you’ll be grooving all night long.

 

Jools’ Annual Hootenanny 2022/23

11.30pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

Raise a glass once more with Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra as they lead the countdown into the New Year with some of the biggest and brightest musical talent. Guest stars include George Ezra, Self Esteem and Cat Burns in a raucous night of festivities that’ll continue into the early hours.

 

New Year’s Day

 

New Year’s Day Concert Live from Vienna 2023

10.15am, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

Kick-start the year with the famous New Year’s Day Concert, broadcast live to millions from Vienna’s Musikverein concert hall. With this global event that dates back to 1939, you can strut your stuff to a jam-packed programme of waltzes, polkas and other traditional dances by the Strauss family. This year’s performance will be conducted by Franz Welser-Möst, his third time orchestrating the prestigious festivities.

 

Archbishop Of Canterbury’s New Year Message 2023

12.55pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

Following his 2022 message about our relationship with the planet and climate change, Archbishop Justin Welby will address the nation about the challenges we face ahead in the care system while offering his hopeful vision of society for the new year.

 

Songs Of Praise: Celebrating New Year’s Day

1.15pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

Sing in the start of 2023 with host Sam Fletcher as the ecclesiastical celebrations begin at Llandaff Cathedral. This year includes performances from the likes of Katherine Jenkins, Brenda Edwards, Freddie De Tommaso and Morriston Orpheus Choir.

 

Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade

5.15pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104/141)

Indiana Jones is back on screens again to nurse you through the effects of the night before with more escapades. Indy is in search of his father, Professor Henry Jones, played by the late Sean Connery. However, while in pursuit of the Holy Grail our hatted hero finds himself up against a group of Nazis who are – you’ll never guess – desperate to obtain its power. Yikes!

 

Red Bull Soapbox 2022: Madrid

6pm, Dave HD (CH 127)

Wacky Races comes to life (sort of) in another instalment of the annual all-action Red Bull Soapbox Race. The two-hour special filmed in Madrid sees 50 fearless drivers and their crazy vehicular creations take on a demanding track of hairpin turns and an unforgiving water obstacle. Join the record 40,000-strong crowd to cheer on your favourites.

 

The Great New Year Bake Off

7.40pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104/141)

Former The Great British Bake Off contestants are reuniting for a New Year special. Catch the action in the big white tent as Chigs, Lottie, Manon and Antony take on three seasonal challenges to impress formidable judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood. Plus, hosts Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas are on hand for a bit of comic relief in what will be Lucas’ final appearance. Who will win the first Star Baker crown of 2023?

 

Romantic Getaway

9pm + 9.30pm, Sky Comedy/HD (CH 135/123)

This new Sky Original comedy series follows couple Allison (Katherine Ryan, The Duchess) and Deacon (Romesh Ranganathan, Avoidance) who are desperate to be parents. But when their funds for IVF treatment dry up, they hatch a cunning plan to “borrow” £50k from their filthy rich boss Alfie (Johnny Vegas, Benidorm). However, Deacon throws a spanner in the works after he recklessly adds a zero and transfers half a million quid out of Alfie’s hands, plunging them head-first into a suburban criminal underworld. Sounds bingeworthy to us…

 

Taskmaster’s New Year Treat

9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104/141)

Greg Davies and Alex Horne kick off 2023 with a third New Year Treat episode. Five celebrity guests will be taking part – Amelia Dimoldenberg (Chicken Shop Date), presenter Carol Vorderman, Radio 1’s Greg James, Olympian Mo Farah and Rebecca Lucy Taylor (aka Self Esteem). Bask in all the usual easy-watching merriment and mayhem while you recover from New Year’s Eve festivities.

 

Predators

9pm, Sky Nature/HD (CH 280/279)

Narrated by actor Tom Hardy, this nature series follows five deadly predators who must adapt to survive in a rapidly changing world. In the New Year’s Day episode, we visit the remote Patagonian mountains where a puma mother has just six months to teach her cubs how to survive. That includes carefree play as well as intense hunger and weather, plus dangerous encounters with other pumas. Will the young family make it in the wild?

 

When Motown Came To Britain

10pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

This new documentary uncovers the story of the Motown record label and its first UK tour, which changed Britain’s music scene forever. With musicians including talent powerhouses Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas and Smokey Robinson, it’s one not to miss if you’re a fan of the Motown greats.

 

Mrs Brown’s Boys New Year Special

10pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

If a Christmas Mrs Brown’s Boys special wasn’t enough, then its annual New Year special will guarantee you start 2023 laughing. There are love troubles in the air as Boris, Buster and Dermot suspect Cathy’s creepy boyfriend is a vampire. Meanwhile Father Damien is tending to some depressed chickens and Buster convinces Agnes to have a priceless family heirloom valued… Happy New Year!

 

You might also like

TV channels: Channels, content and features available depend on your chosen package. Channel line-ups and content are subject to change at any time and to regional variations.

HD: HD TV set, V HD Box, TiVo box or Virgin TV V6 connected with HDMI cables required for HD channels. Number of inclusive HD channels depends on package.

ITV HD is subject to regional variation. ITV HD is not available where STV HD or UTV HD is available.

Catch Up TV: Catch Up TV content available for up to 7 days or up to 30 days after broadcast, depending on content.

Premium channels (add-ons): 30 days’ notice required to remove premium channels/packs.

TV Go: Content available to view depends on TV package. Not all channels/content from relevant pack available. Live streaming and On Demand requires broadband/WiFi or 3G/4G/5G access. UK only. Access via PC, Mac or TV Go App (selected iOS devices and Android™ devices only). Maximum 5 compatible devices per account can watch TV. Maximum 2 compatible devices per account can watch TV simultaneously.

On Demand: Content available to view depends on TV package. Time limits apply for viewing chargeable On Demand content – see virginmedia.com. Once purchased, all chargeable On Demand content must be viewed within 48 hours. Premium channels and upgrades must be kept for at least 30 days.

Image credits: Mrs Brown’s Boys © BBC Studios / Alan Peebles