With TV schedules in disarray once again this Christmas, you may well be wondering when you can tune into the soaps.
It’s set to be a busy time for both the BBC and ITV as they serve up a jam-packed Christmas television menu, including the much-anticipated Gavin and Stacey finale, the return of 80s gameshow phenomenon Bullseye and a new instalment of Wallace & Gromit.
This means that Coronation Street, Emmerdale and EastEnders will air in different time slots – with some soaps, such as Neighbours, not airing at all.
There’s also a special edition of Casualty – though this won’t be broadcast on the big day.
Down at Hollyoaks, you can expect to see six episodes drop in the lead up to Chrimbo.
Luckily for you, Metro has all the goss on when you can tune in. Call it an early present from us!
When is Coronation Street on over Christmas?
On Christmas Eve, we can expect a shorter, half an hour trip to Weatherfield at the later time of 8:45pm.
Luckily, we’re boosted up to a full hour on Christmas Day itself, airing at 7pm.
Unfortunately, there will be no episode airing on Boxing Day, as ITV makes way for The Masked Singer instead.
What's happening this Christmas on Coronation Street?
It’s going to be an emotional day as the residents say farewell to Gail Rodwell (Helen Worth) after 50 years.
She looks set to marry boyfriend Jesse Chadwick (John Thomson) on Christmas Day, but there’s bound to be a few hurdles along the way!
We know that Brian Capron has reprised his role as Richard Hillman – despite meeting a watery end 21 years ago – what part will he play in the celebrations?
After lying to one another, Shona and David Platt’s (Julia Goulding and Jack P Shepherd) marriage is on the rocks after his deceit concerning her son Clayton’s visiting orders and her affair with Kit Green (Jacob Roberts). Producer Kate Brooks teased that ‘Shona hits that self destruct behaviour!’
Elsewhere, Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) is out for revenge, Carla Connor (Alison King) and Lisa Swain’s (Vicky Myers) relationship is revealed to the locals, and Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard) pops the question to Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon) – but is torn by his feelings for ex-fiancée Daisy Midgley (Charlotte Jordan).
When is Emmerdale on over Christmas?
We take a half-hour trip to the village at 7pm on Christmas Eve. This trend continues on Christmas Day, at the slightly earlier time of 6:30pm.
Unlike Coronation Street, there is an episode on Boxing Day at 6:30pm.
What's happening this Christmas on Emmerdale?
There’ll be drama at Home Farm between Kim Tate (Claire King) and husband Will Taylor (Dean Andrews) as they prepare to renew their vows, but will she discover he’s actually working to bring her down?
Belle King (Eden Taylor-Draper) is set for a happier year after a turbulent time with abusive husband Tom (James Chase). Reunited with her beloved pooch Piper – who she believed was dead – you’re bound to be crying.
Elsewhere, April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) continues to push boundaries, leaving her dad Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock) with an epic shock on Christmas Day.
When is EastEnders on over Christmas?
It has been confirmed that there will be an extended episode of EastEnders on Christmas Eve, airing for 45 minutes from 7.30pm on BBC One. This episode will also be available from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
Christmas Day itself has divided fan opinion, as the soap has returned to the tradition of airing two separate instalments.
Fans will get their first slice of Walford action at 7.25pm, the second ep will then air a whole two and a half hours later at 10:35pm. These episodes will not be available on iPlayer.
On Boxing Day, we’ll see the fall out from Albert Square at 8:30pm – and it won’t be on iPlayer either.
What's happening this Christmas on EastEnders?
The Knight and Beale families are set to be torn apart following the revelation that Cindy (Michelle Collins) has been having an affair with Junior (Micah Balfour). Cindy tries desperately to keep it quiet, but in true Walford style it will be exposed in a spectacular fashion!
It has also been revealed that Denise Fox (Diane Parish) will be getting an unexpected Christmas present courtesy of an unlikely gift-bearer, while ghosts of Christmas past also return to haunt Albert Square.
Elsewhere, as we approach New Year, Nish Panesar’s (Navin Chowdhry) plot to destroy his ex-wife Suki’s (Balvinder Sopal) wedding to fiancée Eve Unwin (Heather Peace) gains momentum.
When is Hollyoaks on over Christmas?
Fans will be able to view all the devastating drama in one go, with the annual festive boxset making a comeback, with six episodes on offer.
The show airs as normal on 23rd December at 7pm, whilst on Christmas Eve there’s a double bill of instalments – also from 7pm.
No episode will air on Christmas Day.
What's happening this Christmas on Hollyoaks?
For the Osbornes, emotions run high come Christmas time as Darren (Ashley Taylor Dawson) finally returns home.
Nancy (Jessica Fox), however, is powering through as the festive season approaches, with a flare up in her multiple sclerosis.
#HayRay fans, get set… there could be an unexpected reunion for the lads!
Elsewhere, the Blake saga continues as more secrets and revelations – plus Martha’s (Sherrie Hewson) recent return – could prompt more heartbreak. By Christmas, we will finally know who killed Ethan (Matthew James Bailey).
The McQueens celebrate at the christening of the Marias, and with Christmas fast approaching and her chemo underway, Mercedes (Jennifer Metcalfe) turns her attention to making memories with her loved ones.
When is Neighbours on over Christmas?
The Amazon Prime Video soap aired episodes regularly throughout the holiday period between 2018 and 2020, resuming the tradition in 2023 following a revival on the streaming service.
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Traditionally, the show took an extended, 4-6 week break that allowed an epic season finale to play out in early December, before resuming in January.
This year, the final episode streamed on Thursday, 19th December, returning on Monday, 6th January.
What's happening this Christmas on Neighbours?
As Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) and Terese Willis (Rebekah Elmaloglou) embark on a journey into the unknown, he’s stung by her selfish behaviour – but after reuniting, they look forward to their future together.
The Varga-Murphy family gear up for an adventure but have a shock at the airport when they bump into wicked Chelsea (Viva Bianca). To make matters worse, she’s pregnant!
Whilst one resident is left out in the cold from their housemates plan Christmas celebrations, Holly Hoyland (Lucinda Armstrong-Hall) receives a sinister gift.
The season finale saw a targeted collision that put Sadie Rodwell (Emerald Chan), Max Ramsay (Ben Jackson) and Seb Metcalfe’s (Rarmian Newton) lives at risk.
Will they be okay?
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When is Casualty on over Christmas?
BBC medical drama Casualty – which has been off air since September – will return on Saturday, 21st December for a format-breaking standalone episode.
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This will air at 9:20pm, with the next series expected to begin the following Saturday.
What's happening this Christmas on Casualty?
The festive instalment will focus on the importance of blood transfusions as the staff at the Holby ED face a crisis when they run out of donations.
The powerful episode will also feature comments from members of the public that have had their lives impacted by giving and needing blood.
While Stevie (Elinor Lawless) fights to save lives, Iain (Michael Stevenson) will risk his own to ensure the hospital doesn’t go without all important blood donations.
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