Published: 12:01 am, 25 November 2025
There is such an array of joyful, uplifting and thought-provoking programming this Christmas. I hope viewers will relax with a mince pie and revel in the festive treats
— Daisy Scalchi, Head of Commissioning, Religion and Ethics, BBC Television
The BBC will showcase a wide range of festive programming across television and radio this Christmas, including live worship, musical celebration, traditional carols and spiritual contemplation.
On Television, in the fourth series of My Life at Christmas, Countryfile and Woman’s Hour presenter Anita Rani will spend time with Sir Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster; Ade Adepitan; and Dame Floella Benjamin as they each explore how their festive memories reflect their lives, careers and faith.
BBC One Christmas religion programming continues with Midnight Mass, broadcast live from Our Lady of the Assumption and the English Martyrs, in Cambridge; and on Christmas Morning the wonder and joy of the Nativity will be celebrated live from the splendour of Bradford Cathedral.
There will be a service of celebration from St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, concluding the series Prayer and Reflection with this Christmas treat.
Songs of Praise will also deliver a rich selection of programming this festive season, including a Christmas Celebration presented by Aled Jones from Victoria Hall, Bolton and in the New Year, BBC One will also broadcast the first New Year’s Day Message from the Archbishop of Canterbury Elect, The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally.
Special programming continues on BBC Two with Carols from King’s. Broadcast on Christmas Eve, for many this is when Christmas truly begins. Also on BBC Two in December will be Secrets of the Conclave, offering audiences extraordinary access to one of the world’s most important religious events.
Daisy Scalchi, Head of Commissioning, Religion and Ethics, BBC Television, says: “there is such an array of joyful, uplifting and thought-provoking programming this Christmas. I hope viewers will relax with a mince pie and revel in the festive treats.”
My Life at Christmas: Anita Rani Meets Ade Adepitan (Image: BBC / Big Circus)
Listeners can expect a rich array of special seasonal programming across BBC Radio.
Radio 4 will offer moments of worship and reflection, including a Christmas Day Service from Leeds Cathedral and a Midnight Mass broadcast live from Liverpool. Throughout Advent, Sunday Worship will explore the writings and festive reflections of literary greats such as Dylan Thomas, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien. Additional highlights include special editions of Thought for the Day, and Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King’s College, Cambridge.
Radio 4 Extra will present the third annual Daily Service Carol Concert, recorded this year at Manchester Cathedral. The programme features a diverse line-up of presenters including The Rt Revd Dr David Walker, The Ven Dr Rachel Mann, and BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra’s Swarzy Shire, among others.
Radio 3 offers a musical journey with Carols Across the Country, a day-long broadcast from various UK locations. Listeners will enjoy performances by folk musicians, hear stories from the Peak Wildlife Park, and reflect on the theme of pilgrimage with the University Chapel Choir.
On Radio 2, Rev Kate Bottley will be waking listeners up on Christmas morning with plenty of Christmas shoutouts and messages.
Across BBC Local Radio, all 39 stations will unite for a nationwide seasonal service led by Rev Frances Finn, while Si King shares uplifting stories of kindness, community, and Christmas hope.
Tim Pemberton, Head of Religion and Ethics, BBC Radio, says: “This Christmas, BBC Radio offers a rich and reflective selection of religious programming designed to entertain, uplift, and inspire. Through thoughtful explorations of faith, music, and reflection, we hope to bring listeners moments of peace, warmth and wonder throughout the festive season.”
TD
BBC TV and BBC iPlayer
BBC One
Midnight Mass from OLEM Church, Cambridge
OLEM Church (The Church of Our Lady and the English Martyrs) (Image: BBC/OLEM Church)
The First Mass of the Nativity will be celebrated live from Our Lady of the Assumption and the English Martyrs, in Cambridge – one of the largest Roman Catholic churches in the country. Following a candlelit procession for the traditional Blessing of the Crib, the church choir and chamber orchestra will perform Mozart’s Coronation Mass in C major and the Christmas motet, O Magnum Mysterium, by Francis Poulenc. The congregation will join in with traditional carols, including O Come All Ye Faithful and Hark! The Herald. The Mass will be led by the Rector, The Rt Revd Monsignor Canon Harkness and the sermon will be given by Dominican Friar and Assistant Chaplain at Cambridge University, Fr Albert Robertson.
Midnight Mass is a BBC Studios Events Production for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by Daisy Scalchi, Head of Commissioning, Religion and Ethics. The Executive Producer is Sarah Gibbs.
Christmas Morning Service from Bradford Cathedral
Christmas Morning Service from Bradford Cathedral (Image: BBC/Bradford Cathedral)
A joyful celebration of the birth of Christ, weaving together, carols, readings and prayers from a range of cultures and languages, reflecting Bradford’s status as UK City of Culture 2025. In a lively family service, there will be a dynamic performance of the Christmas Gospel story by the Revd Canon Ned Lunn, Canon for Intercultural Mission and the Arts – and a reflection on the power of cross-cultural encounters, by the Dean of Bradford, the Very Revd Andy Bowerman.
The Cathedral Choir will sing the jubilant and contemporary communion setting of the Missa Brevis by British composer Jonathan Dove, as well as a carol written for Bradford Cathedral Choir by Yorkshire composer, Philip Wilby. Well-loved congregational carols will include, Angels From The Realms of Glory, and O Come All Ye Faithful.
Christmas Morning Service from Bradford Cathedral is a BBC Studios Events Production for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by Daisy Scalchi, Head of Commissioning, Religion and Ethics. The Executive Producer is Dawn Payne.
St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh
In the final episode of the Prayer and Reflection season, we’ll be joining the congregation at St Giles for a traditional Christmas service with a combination of scripture, readings and a sermon led by parishioners and Reverand Dr Scott Rennie. Alongside scripture, a selection of hymns and carols will be performed by St Giles’ Choir with Musical Director, Jack Oades, to celebrate this joyful time of year.
St Giles’ Cathedral, a Tern Television production (1×30’) for BBC One and iPlayer, was commissioned by Daisy Scalchi, Head of Commissioning, Religion and Ethics. The Executive Producer is Harry Bell.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Elect’s New Year Message
The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally delivers her New Year’s Day message.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Elect’s New Year Message is a BBC Studios Events (1 x 5’) for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by Daisy Scalchi, Head of Commissioning, Religion and Ethics. The Executive Producer for BBC Studios Events is Claire Popplewell.
My Life at Christmas with Anita Rani
Festive interview series My Life at Christmas is back for its fourth year on BBC One. Across these three one-hour episodes, Woman’s Hour presenter Anita Rani strikes up an in-depth conversation with her guests to hear how their festive memories reflect their lives, careers and faith. This year Anita will be speaking to rock star Sir Rod Stewart and his wife, broadcaster Penny Lancaster; legendary children’s TV presenter and children’s rights advocate, Baroness Floella Benjamin; and Paralympian and broadcaster Ade Adepitan. In a series of intimate conversations, Anita discovers what Christmas means to her guests and the moments that have shaped their lives as they reflect by the fireside.
My Life at Christmas, is a Big Circus production (3×60’) for BBC One and iPlayer. It was commissioned by Daisy Scalchi, Head of Commissioning, Religion and Ethics. The Executive Producers are Gareth Collett and Matt Baker and the Series Producer/Director is Dom Carveley.
Songs of Praise: A Christmas Celebration From Victoria Hall, Bolton
Songs of Praise: A Christmas Celebration From Victoria Hall, Bolton (Image: BBC/CTVC/Paul Husband)
Aled Jones is joined by special guests and a congregation of 800 voices at Victoria Hall Bolton for a spectacular musical celebration of traditional carols and festive favourites.
Former Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley sings the Christmas classic “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and West End star Phebe Edwards performs a brand-new arrangement of “Jesus Oh What A Wonderful Child”. Aled has chosen to sing one of his favourite carols, “Silent Night” and the audience raise the roof with some of our best-loved carols including “Hark! The Herald-Angels Sing” and “The Holly And The Ivy”. The singing is led by Wayne Ellington and Manchester Inspirational Voices and accompanied by The Songs of Praise Orchestra with conductor Andrew Earis.
Songs of Praise: A Christmas Celebration is a CTVC production (1×60’) for BBC One and iPlayer. It was commissioned by Daisy Scalchi, Head of Commissioning, Religion and Ethics. The Executive Producer is Jacqueline Hewer and the Series Producer is David Waters
BBC Two
Carols from King’s
Carols From King’s/The chapel of King’s College, Cambridge (Image: BBC)
The traditional celebration of Christmas with music and readings, recorded in the candlelit Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, led by the dean, the Reverend Dr Stephen Cherry.
The world-famous Chapel Choir, under the direction of Daniel Hyde, sings carols old and new. The story of the Nativity is read by members of King’s College in the words of the King James Bible and in Christmas poems by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, U. A. Fanthorpe and Howard Thurman. For many, this marks the true start of Christmas.
Carols From King’s is a BBC Studios Events production (1×60’) for BBC Two and iPlayer. It was commissioned by Daisy Scalchi, Head of Commissioning, Religion and Ethics. The Executive Producer is Rosheen Archer and the Director is Marcus Viner.
Secrets of the Conclave
The papal conclave is among the most significant and closely guarded events in the Catholic Church, where cardinals serve not only as electors but as potential successors to the papacy. This documentary offers a rare glimpse into the ancient and secret ritual of the conclave, a process of prayer, discussion, spiritual reflection and divine guidance as cardinals make their selection.
Featuring exclusive footage from the Vatican and interviews with cardinals who helped choose the new Pope, Secrets of the Conclave gives a unique insight into a tradition that has shaped the leadership of the Catholic Church for centuries, charting the journey of the papal conclave from mourning to the moment white smoke signals the election of Pope Leo XIV.
Secrets of the Conclave is a Wag Entertainment & Stand By Me production (1 x 60) for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by Daisy Scalchi, Head of Commissioning, Religion and Ethics. The Executive Producers for Wag Entertainment are Eliya Arman and Steven Green, the Executive Producers for Stand By Me are Riccardo Chiattelli and Simona Ercolani.
BBC Radio and BBC Sounds
Radio 1Xtra
25 December
1Xtra Gospel Christmas with Swarzy, 1pm
Swarzy hosts a three hour celebration of Christmas with the best uplifting gospel music, perfect for Christmas Day. From classic soulful hits to carols to Afrobeats, Swarzy will play a whole range of gospel Christmas favourites from established and new artists. She’ll feature interviews with gospel stars like Limoblaze, DC3 and Becca Folkes and will catch up with The Spirituals and Volney Morgan & New Year as they record Christmas classics with the BBC Concert Orchestra.
Producer: Miriam Williamson
Radio 2
Thursday 25 December
Good Morning Christmas, 6am – 9am
Today, Kate will be waking listeners up with all of their Christmas shoutouts whether you’re opening stockings, heading to church, travelling to see family, or prepping lunch.
Presenters: Rev Kate Bottley
Producer: Jenny Smith for Audio Always Limited
Radio 3
Sunday 30 November
Carols Across the Country: A Seasonal Journey, 6.30am – 6.30pm
From dawn to dusk, Radio 3 marks the beginning of the festive season with Carols Across the Country, celebrating the spirit of Advent and Christmas with six live broadcasts from locations across the UK. Radio 3 presenters paint vivid pictures of the places they visit, and evoke the themes of winter, light, memory and renewal, introducing live music by local performers and discussing seasonal traditions with guest contributors.
Mark Forrest is in the Staffordshire Peak District where he’s joined by folk musicians, explores the history of lacemaking and the silk trade, and meets the polar bears and penguins at the Peak Wildlife Park; Sarah Walker is in the Isle of Wight, where the Benedictine Monks from Quarr Abbey sing a Gregorian Chant for Advent. Nestled in the Co. Down countryside, near the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland, John Toal visits Magy’s Farm, while Shân Cothi broadcasts from the Village Hall in Bethlehem in the Welsh county of Carmarthenshire. On the feast day of the patron saint of Scotland St Andrew, Kate Molleson is in St Andrews – Fife, listening to carols from the University Chapel Choir and reflecting on the idea of pilgrimage.
At the heart of the day is a special Service for Advent with Carols live from St John’s College, Cambridge. The service features new and traditional music for the season and also marks the 80th birthday of one of Britain’s best-loved carol composers – John Rutter.
Friday 19 December
Friday Night is Music Night, 7.30pm
Celebrate the Christmas season with soul-stirring harmonies and festive joy as BBC Radio 3 presents a Gospel Christmas special at Watford Colosseum.
Featuring two of the UK’s most acclaimed gospel choirs – Volney Morgan & New Ye and The Spirituals – alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra, this uplifting evening blends gospel power with orchestral grandeur.
Conducted by Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser and presented by Jumoké Fashola, the concert showcases fresh arrangements of gospel anthems and beloved Christmas classics including This Christmas, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, and Go Tell It on the Mountain. Expect moving performances, rich vocal textures and festive orchestral favourites like Sleigh Ride and A Christmas Overture.
Produced by Neil Varley and Miriam Williamson.
Radio 4
Sunday 30 November
Sunday Worship, 8.10am – 8.50am
During Advent, Sunday Worship explores the writings and festive offerings of literary greats from around the United Kingdom. Starting in St Andrews in a service for St Andrews Day, the Revd Dr Donald MacEwan looks at Edwin Muir and George McKay Brown. In Wales we turn to the Christmas themed writings of Dylan Thomas. To mark the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, the Revd Canon Rachel Mann delves into her writings and her faith. Finally, we head to Northern Ireland to cosy up with the works of Tolkien and C S Lewis.
The advent series continues on 7 December, 14 December and 21 December.
Monday 22 December – Friday 2 January
Thought for the Day, 7.48am – 7.51am
Special editions of Thought for the Day linked to the Today guest editors.
Wednesday 24 December
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, 3pm – 4.30pm
From the candlelit chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, and based around nine Bible readings interspersed with Christmas hymns and carols sung by the famous chapel choir.
Produced by Katharine Longworth.
Moral Maze, 9pm – 10pm
‘What Is Truth?’ Michael Buerk and the panellists wrestle with this vexing question in a modern context.
Midnight Mass, 10.30pm – 12.45am
From the heart of Liverpool, Christmas begins with a radiant celebration of the Nativity. Midnight Mass, live from Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral, is led by the Dean of Liverpool, the Very Reverend Dr Sue Jones, and the sermon is given by the Interim Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Reverend Ruth Worsley. The Cathedral Choir sings O holy night and Will Todd’s My Lord has come, alongside much-loved congregational carols including O come, all ye faithful and Hark! the herald angels sing.
Director of Music: Stephen Mannings
Producer: Andrew Earis
Thursday 25 December
Christmas Day Service, 7am – 8am
A service for Christmas morning from Leeds Cathedral.
Producer: Carmel Lonergan
Friday 26 December
Christmas Meditation: Bishop Mariann Budde, 12.15am – 12.30am
A reflection on the meaning of Christmas with Bishop Mariann Budde, the Bishop of Washington. At the start of the year, at the US President’s inauguration, Bishop Budde preached a sermon that made an impact around the world. In this Christmas Meditation she reflects on the past year, her trust in God and her hope for all in times of challenge and division.
Producer: Alexa Good
Sunday 28 December
Sunday Worship, 8.10am – 8.50am
This year, one of Britain’s most popular living composers turned 80. Sir John Rutter’s music is, for many, synonymous with Christmas. Not only has he written numerous popular Christmas carols for choirs, he was also instrumental in editing the Carols for Choirs series; arranging well known carols and bringing them to audiences around the world. In this service for Christmas he speaks about some of his favourite carols and explores their meaning.
Producer: Andrew Earis
Sunday 4 January
Sunday Worship, 8.10am – 8.50am
In 1526, a book was published that would change the course of history. The 500th anniversary of the publication of Tyndale’s New Testament will be marked in 2026. Sunday Worship starts the year with an exploration on the impact this translation had on Christianity then, and its significance to faith today.
Producer: Rosie Dawson
Daily Service Carol Concert, 9.45am throughout Christmas week
The third annual Daily Service Carol Concert will this year be recorded at Manchester Cathedral, moving from Media City due to demand from local audiences. This year’s event will showcase Northern talent, including the Daily Service Singers, the Metropolitan Brass Quintet, and gospel group Warehouse Worship. In partnership with the Church of England’s Sing my Soul project, the BBC has supported outreach efforts to strengthen choral music in local parishes, including helping to form a new junior choir at Bolton Parish Church and the commissioning of two new carols by local composer Sasha Johnson Manning.
Presenters will include The Rt Revd Dr David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, The Ven Dr Rachel Mann, Archdeacon of Bolton and Salford, BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra presenter Swarzy Shire, Seth Pinnock and Father Paschal Uche, and their reflections, along with music recorded will feature across five Daily Services for the week of Christmas. Plus, an hour version of the concert will be broadcast on BBC Radio Manchester on Christmas Day.
Produced by Miriam Williamson
BBC Local Radio
BBC Local Radio will bring communities together this festive season with a special line-up of programming celebrating unity, compassion, and local heroes.
Across all 39 stations, BBC presenter and Church of England, Rev France Finn, will lead a nationwide seasonal service, sharing a message of hope and togetherness.
Hairy Biker, Si King will be shining a light on the true spirit of the season with some cracking’ stories of kindness, community, and Christmas hope.
Listeners will also hear inspiring stories from winners of the Make a Difference Awards, as well as rock pop legend Jon Bon Jovi and pop star Olly Murs. These special programmes will be broadcast across the network, highlighting the strength and generosity found in local communities.
Follow for more
