Christmas TV guide for all your favourite shows airing festive specials this year

A RAFT of shows this year will be returning to the TV guide with Christmas specials before the big day – and we’ve got a handy roundup.

With big programmes such as Call the Midwife and Gavin and Stacey getting the top spots on Christmas Day, there’s festive specials scheduled throughout December.

Fan-favourites such as The Good Ship Murder, Bargain Hunt and For The Love of Dogs will all return next month.

Bargain Hunt Christmas Special

Landing on BBC One on Monday, December 16th, the special will see Eric Knowles and Father Christmas host.

The episode will come from Newark, Nottinghamshire that’s home to one of the largest antiques fairs in the country.

Eric also learns how the tradition of decorating a Christmas tree came about and visits Geoff Gilbert, who owns one the UK’s largest Christmas Tree farms.

Animal Park Christmas Special

Ben Fogle and Kate Humble return to Longleat Safari Park for the festive series.

A synopsis reads: “An army of keepers have been deployed to bring yuletide cheer to every single one of their wonderful creatures from meerkats to monkeys and lions to lemurs.

“Everyone’s joining the party as wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin and zoologist Megan McCubbin are teaming up to ensure we don’t miss a moment of animal magic as the big day draws closer.”

Fans can look forward to getting stuck into the new series from Monday, December 16th.

The Yorkshire Vet: A Donkey for Christmas, C5

The hit animal series returns to Channel 5 for its special festive episode – and with a A-list guest.

Dame Judi Dench will make an appearance as she teams up with vet Peter Wright.

The Sun first revealed how pair will travel to the The Flicka Foundation Donkey Sanctuary in Cornwall where Dame Judi became a patron after visiting in 2022 and falling in love with them.

Peter will then visit sanctuaries from County Durham to Cornwall to celebrate the work of teams rehabilitating neglected and abused donkeys.

The Yorkshire Vet: A Donkey for Christmas will air on Tuesday, December 17th on Channel 5 and My5.

Christmas on the Farm

Helen Skelton and Jules Hudson will return to the cold countryside as they wrap up for the special.

While the new series kicks off on December 3, the Christmas episode will be screened on Tuesday, December 17th.

Good Ship Murder Christmas Special

Fresh from Strictly Come Dancing, Shayne Ward is back as his fan-favourite character Jack Grayling.

Fans will watch as the ship’s resident Santa falls ill, threatening to disappoint the passengers.

Bev puts Jack in charge of finding a replacement Santa, and his search leads him to Buddy, a veteran comedian in Dubrovnik who seems like the perfect fit.

Seizing the opportunity, Jamil volunteers to play an elf seeing it as his chance to shine on stage.

Meanwhile, Jack and Kate get closer when Jack tries to rekindle her festive spirit.

The Good Ship Murder‘s Christmas Special will air on Wednesday, December 17th on Channel 5 and My5.

Stacey Solomon’s Crafty Christmas

Stacey returns to screens as she shows viewers how they can craft the perfect family Christmas.

Gathered with her friends, Stacey will show you how to upcycle as well as cut costs for what is typically an expensive time of the year.

Crafty Christmas will air on Wednesday, December 18th on BBC One and iPlayer.

Mary Makes Christmas

Dame Mary Berry heads to Kent o inspire viewers with festive treats, perfect and in time for gifting.

The icon will also be joined by special guests as Amanda Holden, Oti Mabuse and Nick Grimshaw all make appearances.

Mary Makes Christmas will air its 60-minute special on Wednesday, December 18th on BBC One and iPlayer.

For The Love of Dogs with Alison Hammond at Christmas

Alison Hammond returns to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home after her debut series earlier this year.

Viewers can expect This Morning star Alison to meet more furry friends in the festive special.

It comes after The Sun exclusively revealed how ITV had commissioned another series of the show with Alison at the helm.

For The Love of Dogs’ Christmas special will air on Thursday, December 19th on ITV1 and ITVX.

The Great British Sewing Bee Christmas Special

The fan-favourite Beeb series is back with a festive outing, hot on the heels of the latest series earlier this year.

Esme Young and Patrick Grant will both return as they put four celebrities’ sewing skills to the test.

Competing is EastEnders’ Kellie Bright, comedian Fatiha El Ghorri, Geordie Shore’s Charlotte Crosby and actor  Ian ‘H’ Watkins.

The Great British Sewing Bee‘s Christmas special will air on Thursday, December 19th on BBC One and iPlayer.

First Dates at Christmas

The First Dates restaurant is back this December as newly singletons hope to find love.

With the episode being kept under wraps, we do know the festive special will air on Thursday, December 19th on Channel 4.