Simply ha-avin’ a wonderful Christmas time! The mood is right, the spirit’s up… and the TV schedule for Christmas 2020 is looking fab! Have you checked out all the unmissable TV shows and films that are on over the next couple of weeks?

As much as the Argos catalogue is part of the history of Christmas for me, the Christmas Radio Times is one festive tradition that has been around for as long as I can remember. A bumper 2 week collection of all the unmissable TV shows and films that are going to be on to indulge in. Back when we had our first freeview box and could only record one thing at a time, it became a challenge to figure out what to tape and what to watch live.

Now? Now it’s a case of trying to keep up with the multiple channels, all the streaming services, and the DVDs I love to watch every year! But we got our bumper Radio Times a week ago now, so I can’t wait to share what I see as the unmissable TV of Christmas 2020.

Unmissable TV 22nd and 23rd December

Rather than dividing these days up, or splitting TV shows from films, I will just be combining the few days before Christmas. There’s loads more unmissable stuff on the TV this Christmas, so don’t take this list as the be-all-and-end-all! However if you would like to check out what I haven’t included, you can do so here.

On TV on 22nd

High Society
BBC2 at 10:30am

The Goes Wrong Show: The Nativity
BBC1 at 7pm

Julie Andrews Forever
Sky Arts at 8pm

All Creatures Great and Small: Christmas Special
Channel 5 at 9pm

Being Bridget Jones
BBC2 at 9pm

What I’m not missing on TV on 23rd!

Nativity!
BBC1 at 10:15am

Jane Eyre (2011 film)
BBC2 at 10:20am

The Never Ending Story
BBC1 at 1:45pm

All Creatures Great and Small (1974 film)
Channel 5 at 3:10pm

Mary Berry Saves Christmas
BBC1 at 6:30pm

Motherland
BBC2 at 9pm

Calendar Girls
Channel 5 at 10pm

The Vicar of Dibley in Lockdown
BBC1 at 11:50pm

Christmas Eve Unmissable TV and Films

We’re one of those families with a set routine of how we do things on Christmas Eve. And yes things will be different this year, but there’s a lot on the box we won’t get time to view! So below is a mix of what we’ll watch and what will be taped.

Santa Claus: The Movie
ITV at 11am

It’s A Wonderful Life
Channel 4 at 2:35pm

Carols From Kings
BBC2 at 5:30pm

The Man Who Invented Christmas
More4 at 6:55pm

The Great British Christmas Bake Off
Channel 4 at 7:40pm

Would I Lie To You Christmas Special
BBC1 at 7:45pm

Alan Carr’s Epic Gameshow
ITV at 8:15pm

Cinderella Comic Relief Pantomime
BBC2 at 8:15pm

Roald and Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse
Sky1 at 8:15pm

Phantom of the Opera
Sky Arts at 9pm

Miranda’s Games with Showbiz Names
BBC1 at 9:45pm

Have I Got 30 Years For You
BBC1 at 10:15pm

Carols at Christmas
ITV at 11:15pm

Christmas Day Unmissable Viewing

Our TV tends to be off most of Christmas Day. However, with rules and restrictions the way they are, some of you may be looking for something to watch. Here’s a few of my top picks for the day!

Singing In The Rain
BBC2 at 11:35am

Top of the Pops at Christmas
BBC1 at 11:55am

Some Like It Hot
BBC2 at 1:15pm

The Queen
BBC1 or ITV or your echo dot at 3pm

The Italian Job (1969 film)
Channel 4 at 3:30pm

Quentin Blake’s Crown
Channel 4 at 7:40pm

Gogglebox 2020
Channel 4 at 9:10pm

Goodbye Christopher Robin (2017 film)
Film4 at 6:50pm

Call The Midwife
BBC1 at 7:40pm

It’s Clarkson on TV
ITV at 9:55pm

Mrs Browns Boys
BBC1 at 10pm

TV On Boxing Day!

The Story of SM:TV Live
ITV at 9:25am

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
BBC2 at 6:40pm

Braveheart (1995 film)
SonyMovies at 9pm

Big Fat Quiz of the Year
Channel 4 at 9:05pm

Dunkirk (2017 film)
BBC1 at 9:05pm

TV and Films between 27th and 30th December

Since we can’t go anywhere, yet again in another lockdown, let’s take a few days to catch up on TV and films that I [personally deem unmissable!

The Sound of Music
BBC1 on 27th at 3:45pm

Billy Elliot
BBC4 on 27th at 9pm

Black Narcissus
BBC1 on 27th at 9pm

Silence of the Lambs
ITV on 27th at 10:40pm

Jack Frost
ITV on 28th at 9:25am

Inside Out
BBC1 on 28th at 1:20pm

House of Games Night
BBC1 on 28th at 7pm

Only Connect
BBC2 on 29th at 8pm

To Catch a Thief
BBC2 on 30th at 1:05pm

North By Northwest
BBC2 on 30th at 2:50pm

Ghost
Channel 5 on 30th at 8pm

Not Going Out Christmas Special
BBC1 on 30th at 9pm

What To Watch to Welcome In The New Year

Since all our parties are cancelled, why not have a pj party and curl up in front of one of my top picks for 31st December and 1st January?

Beauty and the Beast
BBC1 on 31st at 2:20pm

The Poseidon Adventure (1972 film)
ITV4 on 31st at 3:20pm

Last Leg of the Year
Channel 4 on 31st at 9pm

The Big New Year’s In
BBC1 on 31st at 9pm

Graham Norton
BBC1 on 31st at 10:25pm

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Channel 5 on 1st January at 11:35am

Tea With Mussolini
BBC2 on 1st January at 1:20pm

Four Kids and It (2020 film)
Sky1 on 1st at 3:35pm

The Greatest Showman
Channel 4 on 1st at 5:30pm

Mr Holmes
BBC2 on 1st at 6:20pm

Doctor Who Christmas Special
BBC1 on 1st at 6:45pm

The Serpent
BBC1 on 1st at 9pm

Mrs Browns Boys
BBC1 on 1st at 10pm

Pitch Perfect
ITV on 1st at 10:45pm

So what’s there that you’ll be watching? Or have I missed something you deem as completely unmissable on the TV this year? Let me know in the comments below!