麻豆社

The 麻豆社 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鈥檚 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.

麻豆社 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, 麻豆社 One will also broadcast the first New Year鈥檚 Day Message from the Archbishop of Canterbury Elect, The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally.

Special programming continues on 麻豆社 Two with Carols from King鈥檚. Broadcast on Christmas Eve, for many this is when Christmas truly begins. Also on 麻豆社 Two in December will be Secrets of the Conclave, offering audiences extraordinary access to one of the world鈥檚 most important religious events.

Daisy Scalchi, Head of Commissioning, Religion and Ethics, 麻豆社 Television, says: 鈥渢here 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.鈥�

• View the full 麻豆社 TV and 麻豆社 iPlayer Christmas 2025 line-up

Listeners can expect a rich array of special seasonal programming across 麻豆社 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鈥檚 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 麻豆社 Radio 1 and 1Xtra鈥檚 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 麻豆社 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, 麻豆社 Radio, says: 鈥淭his Christmas, 麻豆社 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.鈥�

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麻豆社 TV and 麻豆社 iPlayer

麻豆社 One

Midnight Mass from OLEM Church, Cambridge

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鈥檚 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 麻豆社 Studios Events Production for 麻豆社 One and 麻豆社 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

A joyful celebration of the birth of Christ, weaving together, carols, readings and prayers from a range of cultures and languages, reflecting Bradford鈥檚 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 鈥� 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 麻豆社 Studios Events Production for 麻豆社 One and 麻豆社 iPlayer. It was commissioned by Daisy Scalchi, Head of Commissioning, Religion and Ethics. The Executive Producer is Dawn Payne.

St Giles鈥� Cathedral, Edinburgh

In the final episode of the Prayer and Reflection season, we鈥檒l 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.鈥疉longside scripture, a selection of hymns and carols will be performed by St Giles鈥� Choir with Musical Director, Jack Oades, to celebrate this joyful time of year.

St Giles鈥� Cathedral, a Tern Television production (1x30鈥�) for 麻豆社 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鈥檚 Day message.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Elect's New Year Message is a 麻豆社 Studios Events (1 x 5鈥�)鈥痜or鈥�麻豆社 One and 麻豆社 iPlayer. It was commissioned by鈥疍aisy Scalchi, Head of Commissioning, Religion and Ethics. The Executive Producer for 麻豆社 Studios Events鈥痠s Claire Popplewell.

My Life at Christmas with Anita Rani

Festive interview series My Life at Christmas is back for its fourth year on 麻豆社 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.鈥疶his year Anita will be speaking to rock star Sir Rod Stewart and his wife, broadcaster Penny Lancaster; legendary children鈥檚 TV presenter and children鈥檚 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 (3x60鈥�) for 麻豆社 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 

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 鈥淗ave Yourself A Merry Little Christmas鈥� and West End star Phebe Edwards performs a brand-new arrangement of 鈥淛esus Oh What A Wonderful Child鈥�.鈥�鈥疉led has chosen to sing one of his favourite carols, 鈥淪ilent Night鈥� and the audience raise the roof with some of our best-loved carols including 鈥淗ark! The Herald-Angels Sing鈥� and 鈥淭he Holly And The Ivy鈥�.鈥�鈥疶he 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 (1x60鈥�) for 麻豆社 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

麻豆社 Two

Carols from King鈥檚

The traditional celebration of Christmas with music and readings, recorded in the candlelit Chapel of King鈥檚 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. 鈥疶he story of the Nativity is read by members of King鈥檚 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鈥檚 is a 麻豆社 Studios Events production (1x60鈥�) for 麻豆社 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.鈥� This documentary offers a rare glimpse into the ancient鈥痑nd secret鈥痳itual 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,鈥疭ecrets 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鈥痠s a Wag Entertainment & Stand By Me production (1 x 60)鈥痜or鈥�麻豆社 Two鈥痑nd 麻豆社 iPlayer. It was commissioned by鈥疍aisy Scalchi, Head of Commissioning, Religion and Ethics. The Executive Producers for鈥疻ag Entertainment鈥痑re鈥疎liya Arman鈥痑nd Steven Green, the Executive Producers for Stand By Me are Riccardo Chiattelli and Simona Ercolani.

麻豆社 Radio and 麻豆社 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鈥檒l 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 麻豆社 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 鈥� 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 Farm, while Sh芒n 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 鈥� 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鈥檚 best-loved carol composers 鈥� John Rutter.

Friday 19 December

Friday Night is Music Night, 7.30pm

Celebrate the Christmas season with soul-stirring harmonies and festive joy as 麻豆社 Radio 3 presents a Gospel Christmas special at Watford Colosseum.

Featuring two of the UK鈥檚 most acclaimed gospel choirs 鈥� Volney Morgan & New Ye and The Spirituals 鈥� alongside the 麻豆社 Concert Orchestra, this uplifting evening blends gospel power with orchestral grandeur.

Conducted by Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser and presented by Jumok茅鈥疐ashola, the concert showcases fresh arrangements of gospel anthems and beloved Christmas classics including鈥疶his Christmas,鈥疕ark the Herald Angels Sing, and鈥疓o Tell It on the Mountain. Expect moving performances, rich vocal textures and festive orchestral favourites like鈥疭leigh Ride鈥痑nd鈥疉 Christmas Overture.

Produced by Neil Varley and Miriam Williamson.

Radio 4

Sunday 30 November

Sunday Worship, 8.10am 鈥� 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鈥檚 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 鈥� 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 鈥� 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 鈥� 10pm

鈥榃hat Is Truth?鈥� Michael Buerk and the panellists wrestle with this vexing question in a modern context.

Midnight Mass, 10.30pm 鈥� 12.45am

From the heart of Liverpool, Christmas begins with a radiant celebration of the Nativity. Midnight Mass, live from Liverpool鈥檚 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鈥檚 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 鈥� 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 鈥� 8.50am

This year, one of Britain鈥檚 most popular living composers turned 80. Sir John Rutter鈥檚 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鈥檚 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

Radio 4Extra

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鈥檚 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鈥檚 Sing my Soul project, the 麻豆社 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, 麻豆社 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 麻豆社 Radio Manchester on Christmas Day.

Produced by Miriam Williamson

麻豆社 Local Radio

麻豆社 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, 麻豆社 presenter and Church of England,鈥疪ev 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鈥� stories of kindness, community, and Christmas hope.

Listeners will also hear inspiring stories from winners of the Make a Difference Awards,鈥痑s well as鈥痳ock 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.

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