About the show
Doctor Who is the BBC's long-running family science-fiction drama about a traveller in time and space who lands wherever there is trouble, usually with a human friend in tow. It began in 1963 and returned in 2005, and from that revival until 2017 a new episode went out on BBC One every Christmas Day, making it as much a part of the festive schedule as the soaps. After a run of New Year's Day episodes instead, the Christmas slot came back in 2023 and 2024. The specials mix snow, carols and Dickens with monsters, and several are farewells for the actor in the lead.
The Christmas episodes, in order
- Christmas special
The Christmas Invasion
First shown 25 Dec 2005
- Christmas special
The Runaway Bride
First shown 25 Dec 2006
- Christmas special
Voyage of the Damned
First shown 25 Dec 2007
- Christmas special
The Next Doctor
First shown 25 Dec 2008
- Christmas special
The End of Time - Part One
First shown 25 Dec 2009
- Christmas special
A Christmas Carol
First shown 25 Dec 2010
- Christmas special
Last Christmas
First shown 25 Dec 2014
- Christmas special
The Return of Doctor Mysterio
First shown 25 Dec 2016
- Christmas special
Twice Upon a Time
First shown 25 Dec 2017
- Christmas special
The Church on Ruby Road
First shown 25 Dec 2023