{"id":22933,"date":"2026-09-30T15:30:30","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T14:30:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/hub\/?p=22933"},"modified":"2026-09-29T15:40:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T14:40:09","slug":"christmas-tv-2026-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/hub\/things-to-do\/christmas-tv-2026-guide","title":{"rendered":"Your Ultimate Guide to Christmas TV in 2026: Festive Fun for the Whole Family!"},"content":{"rendered":"

TL;DR: Get ready for a jam-packed Christmas TV schedule in 2026! We’ve got the lowdown on brand new shows, classic films, and animated favourites for the kids. Plus, we’re sharing top tips to help you plan your festive viewing, so you don’t miss a single moment of magic. Remember, all times listed are Eastern, so you’ll want to adjust for UK time zones!<\/p>\n

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What’s on Christmas TV 2026: New Shows and Specials<\/h2>\n

Are you ready for some incredible new festive viewing? We certainly are! The Christmas TV schedule for 2026 is going to be absolutely bursting with fresh content. While we’re still waiting for many of the big announcements, we’ve got a sneak peek at what’s already lined up for broadcast. Think exciting new movies and specials that will add a sprinkle of novelty to your traditional holiday viewing!<\/p>\n

Some fantastic new movies from 2025 will be hitting your screens, marked in green on the full listings. You can expect plenty of holiday cheer with these fresh additions, offering something a little different from the usual. Plus, don’t forget that many shows and films might also be available through streaming services like Frndly TV, Hulu Live, YouTube TV, cable channels, or network streaming apps, giving you even more ways to catch the festive fun!<\/p>\n

Keep an eye on the listings, as they are updated regularly through the rest of 2026 with more Christmas in July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas movies and specials airing across all major networks. We’ll be updating this guide as soon as we hear about more fantastic programmes coming your way!<\/p>\n

What to Watch: Sneak Peek<\/h3>\n

We’ve spotted an exciting new episode to look forward to! A brand new episode of ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ is set to air on FXX. It’s always a laugh, so we can’t wait to see what festive shenanigans they get up to!<\/p>\n

Classic Christmas Films on TV 2026<\/h2>\n
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What’s Christmas without a good old classic film, eh? Luckily, the 2026 schedule is going to be packed with all your family favourites! These timeless tales bring so much joy and warmth to our homes each year, making them an essential part of the holiday season.<\/p>\n

You can bet your bottom dollar that major broadcast networks will be showing some absolute gems. We’re talking about those films that everyone knows and loves, the ones you can watch again and again without ever getting tired of them. While we don’t have a comprehensive list of all the returning classics just yet, we know they’re coming!<\/p>\n

In the meantime, some fantastic movies with a festive flavour are already scheduled to air. For example, on Monday, September 28, 2026, ‘The Nutcracker: The Untold Story’ from 2010 will be showing on Showtime Family, featuring Elle Fanning and Nathan Lane. And for the grown-ups looking for a laugh, ‘A Bad Moms Christmas’ from 2017 with Mila Kunis and Kristen Bell is on Movie Channel, followed by ‘Office Christmas Party’ from 2016, starring Jason Bateman and Jennifer Aniston, also on Movie Channel. These are perfect for getting into the festive spirit even before December truly kicks off!<\/p>\n

We love a good Christmas movie marathon, and 2026 looks like it will deliver! Prepare your snacks and snuggle up on the sofa, because there’s so much to enjoy.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Christmas TV for Kids 2026: Must-Watch Animated Fun<\/h2>\n

Keeping the little ones entertained during the holidays is super important, and Christmas TV for kids in 2026 promises to deliver! There will be a wonderful selection of animated adventures and family-friendly programmes to enjoy, perfect for those cosy mornings and lazy afternoons.<\/p>\n

Our little elves will be delighted with some classic animated specials. Imagine snuggling up with a hot chocolate and watching some of your favourite characters come to life on screen! Keep an eye out for those iconic Christmas cartoons that bring so much magic to the festive period.<\/p>\n

We’ve already spotted some fantastic animated shows scheduled, so mark your calendars! On Monday, September 28, 2026, you can catch ‘Big City Greens’ on Disney, and ‘Dexter’s Laboratory’ with its festive episode “Dexter vs Santa’s Claws” will be airing on Cartoon Network. These are fantastic options to get the kids giggling and into the Christmas mood. There’s always plenty of fun to be had with these beloved characters!<\/p>\n

Christmas TV Schedules 2026: Where to Find Listings<\/h2>\n

Finding the full Christmas TV schedule can sometimes feel like a treasure hunt, but we’re here to help you navigate it! The Christmas TV Schedule 2026 is your go-to source for all the latest listings. They update their schedule regularly, so you’ll always have the most current information at your fingertips.<\/p>\n

You can find listings for new movies from 2025, which are highlighted in green, and major broadcast network (antenna) listings in blue. This makes it super easy to spot what’s new and what’s on the main channels. Remember, all times listed are Eastern, so you’ll need to do a quick conversion for UK times, adding five hours to the listed times.<\/p>\n

Want to keep up with daily highlights? Make sure to follow them on Facebook! It’s a brilliant way to get updates directly in your feed and ensure you don’t miss any must-see programmes. For those who love a blast from the past, past years’ listings can also be found in their archive. It’s perfect for a bit of nostalgia!<\/p>\n

And if you’re looking beyond Christmas, they also have the Halloween & Horror TV Schedule 2026 available. So, your seasonal viewing is totally sorted!<\/p>\n

Top Tips for Planning Your Christmas TV Viewing 2026<\/h2>\n

With so many amazing shows and films to watch, planning your Christmas TV viewing in 2026 is a must! We want to make sure you catch every single festive moment, so here are our top tips to help you organise your screen time and avoid any family squabbles over the remote!<\/p>\n