The big day is over. Wrapping paper lies in tatters across the living room. Today, it’s time to lie on the sofa, eat chocolate and leftovers, and watch a lot of television with your nearest and dearest.
There’s a lot to get stuck into. From comedy specials (in which Rob Brydon pops up a surprising amount) to Stranger Things and, of course, Call the Midwifehere’s the best of what to watch on December 26.
Stranger Things Season 5, Vol 2
An honorary mention from a streamer. Stranger Things season five launched with great fanfare in November; now, it’s back with three more episodes – ahead of the finale airing on New Year’s Day.
If you’re a fan, then it’s time to sit back and binge-watch some spooky content. Last we heard, Holly and Max were stuck inside Vecna’s mind palace; Eleven, Hopper and half the gang were in the Upside Down, and Will had just developed superpowers. Now, the endgame begins properly!
Is there anything more soothing than watching a half hour panel show where Rob Brydon gently reprimands people and Lee Mack and David Mitchell compete for the title of best liar? This year’s special guests include David Walliams, Radio 1Xtra DJ Swarzy Shire, actor Helen George and music broadcaster Jools Holland. An eclectic bunch, who doubtless have a lot of colourful stories to tell. Or pretend to tell.
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BBC / Ricochet / Cody Burridge
The perfect time to get inspired to pick up a New Year’s hobby. Like carpentry. Or watch repair. Either way, the Repair Shop has opened for the festive season to gently and lovingly buff up the keepsakes and treasures of a range of celebrity guests. They have their work cut out: Julia Donaldson is bringing in her grandmother’s toy farmhouse to be repaired, while Helen Mirren has touchingly brought in a cello vandalised by the Nazis decades before.
Part one aired on Christmas. But why stop there, when you can do a two-part festive special instead? This year, there’s a carnival in Poplar, some of the nuns are heading to Hong Kong and Trixie (Helen George) and Matthew (Olly Rix) are still going strong.
Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2025
Time to put those hours of doomscrolling to use. Jimmy Carr serves as our quizmaster, taking us through the various viral moments of 2025 (Lily Allen’s Pussy Palace, the Coldplay affair) with special guests and competitors Katherine Ryan, Jonathan Ross, Richard Ayoade, Nick Mohammed, Roisin Conaty and Lou Sanders.
Celebrity Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
ITV
Does what it says on the tin. Jeremy Clarkson is the host, and competing for his attention (and the right answers) are Katherine Ryan and Celebrity Traitors star-slash-rugby player Joe Marler. They’ll be hoping to win big for their respective charities, but who will walk away with the goods?
