For millions of UK viewers, the festive season truly begins when the Christmas television schedules for the nation's favourite soaps are finally released. The upcoming episodes for Emmerdale, Coronation Street, and EastEnders promise high drama, explosive revelations, and heart-warming moments throughout the holiday period.
We now have the complete broadcast details for all three major serial dramas, covering the crucial period from Monday, December 22, 2025, right through to Friday, January 2, 2026. Mark your calendars and set your recorders, as the schedules feature some special timings and even a double helping of Albert Square action.
Your Complete Soap Schedule Guide
Planning your viewing around the turkey and trimmings just got easier. Here is the essential day-by-day breakdown of when each soap will air.
Emmerdale Festive Broadcast Times
The residents of the Dales face a tumultuous holiday. Emmerdale will air on ITV1 and ITVX as follows:
- Monday, December 22: 7:30pm - 8:00pm
- Tuesday, December 23: 7:00pm - 7:30pm
- Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve): 6:55pm - 7:25pm
- Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day): 6:15pm - 7:15pm
- Friday, December 26 (Boxing Day): 6:30pm - 7:00pm
- Monday, December 29: 7:30pm - 8:00pm
- Tuesday, December 30: 7:30pm - 8:00pm
- Wednesday, December 31 (New Year's Eve): 7:30pm - 8:00pm
- Thursday, January 1 (New Year's Day): 7:00pm - 8:00pm
- Friday, January 2: 7:30pm - 8:00pm
Coronation Street Festive Broadcast Times
Over on the famous cobbles, Weatherfield prepares for festive chaos. Coronation Street's schedule on ITV1 and ITVX is:
- Monday, December 22: 8:00pm - 9:00pm
- Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve): 8:40pm - 9:10pm
- Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day): 7:15pm - 8:15pm
- Friday, December 26 (Boxing Day): 7:00pm - 7:30pm
- Monday, December 29: 8:00pm - 8:30pm
- Tuesday, December 30: 8:00pm - 8:30pm
- Wednesday, December 31 (New Year's Eve): 8:00pm - 9:00pm
- Thursday, January 1 (New Year's Day): 8:00pm - 9:00pm
- Friday, January 2: 8:00pm - 9:00pm
EastEnders Festive Broadcast Times
Walford offers a double dose of drama on the big day itself. EastEnders fans can tune into BBC One and BBC iPlayer at these times:
- Monday, December 22: 7:30pm - 8:00pm
- Tuesday, December 23: 7:30pm - 8:00pm
- Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve): 6:55pm - 7:25pm
- Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day): 7:45pm - 8:15pm AND 9:45pm - 10:15pm
- Friday, December 26 (Boxing Day): 9:30pm - 10:00pm
- Monday, December 29: 7:30pm - 8:00pm
- Tuesday, December 30: 7:30pm - 8:00pm
- Wednesday, December 31 (New Year's Eve): 7:30pm - 8:00pm
- Thursday, January 1 (New Year's Day): 7:30pm - 8:00pm
What Drama Awaits This Christmas?
Beyond the schedules, the storylines promise to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. In Emmerdale, the intense Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) storyline, tackling issues from drug dealing to modern slavery, is set for a dramatic conclusion. With April Windsor's (Amelia Flanagan) confessions placing her family in peril, and Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards) fighting for freedom, Kim Tate (Claire King) will be at the heart of the action where a single mistake could prove catastrophic.
Coronation Street producer Kate Brooks has promised a "real feel-good episode with a lot of drama" for Christmas Day, centred on a bustling pub gathering for the Driscoll family. Sally Metcalfe (Sally Dynevor) is striving to give foster children a perfect Christmas, much to husband Tim's (Joe Duttine) concern. Meanwhile, a flashback will unveil a huge secret from Maggie Driscoll's (Pauline McLynn) past, and Debbie Webster's (Sue Devaney) wedding looks set for chaos.
EastEnders will feature a special episode with the return of Barry and Pat Evans, played by Shaun Williamson and Pam St Clement, focusing on Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) and his dementia journey. Furthermore, the show will make history with a groundbreaking flashforward episode on New Year's Day, set in 2027, teasing major future predicaments for Max Branning (Jake Wood) and his family. Executive producer Ben Wadey has urged fans to "stay tuned for 2026" to discover how these events come to pass.
