Best television shows and films for theatre fans this Christmas

Worried that you'll miss the bright lights of the West End at Christmastime? Watch some of musical theatre's biggest stars on screen, be the first to see brand new dramas and comedy shows and geek out on seasonal classics at Christmas with our round-up of the best theatre to watch on television.

Here's all the theatre television shows and films to see this Christmas in 2022. Keep checking this page for the latest information on Christmas television this year.

What to watch on television at Christmas

If you’ve seen Cabaret and Newsies in London, you’ll want to catch the West End casts performing at the Royal Variety Performance. The all-star Stephen Sondheim gala will also be broadcast this Christmas period. Find out more about the Old Friends West End gala.

Trying to find ways to entertain young ones before Santa comes to town? There's plenty of television choices including The Snowman, Beauty and the Beast, and Into the Woods. Why not watch older musical films with the younger generation Back to the Future, as well as the classic Nutcracker story and Meet Me in St. Louis.

Christmas TV and movies for theatre lovers schedule

We've broken down the theatre TV and movies this Christmas by day. Get your theatre schedule ready and see the best of the West End and beyond on television.

17 December

Six by Sondheim - Sky Documentaries - 10:50am
Meet Me in St Louis - BBC Two - 2:20pm
The Snowman - Channel 4 - 6:00pm
Hitsville: The Making of Motown - Sky Documentaries - 9:00pm

18 December

It's Christmas Live - Sky Arts - 8:05am
The Play What I Wrote - BBC Four - 8:00pm
Les Miserables: The Staged Concert - Sky Arts - 10:00pm

19 December

Back to the Future - ITV1 - 2:45pm
Elf - Sky Showcase - 7:00pm
Tina - Sky Documenatries - 9:00pm

20 December

Dr. Seuss The Grinch Musical - Sky Showcase - 9:00am
A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong - BBC1 - 4:25pm
Cirque du Soleil - Zaia - Sky Arts - 7:00pm
The Royal Variety Performance - ITV1 - 8:00pm

21 December

Into the Woods - BBC2 - 9am
Cirque du Soleil - Alegria - Sky Arts - 1:00pm Beauty and the Beast - BBC1 - 2:45pm

23 December

Newsies - The Broadway Musical - BBC2 - 7:10am

24 December

Jesus Christ Superstar Live - Sky Arts - 7:10am Cirque du Soleil - Kuzia - Sky Arts - 9:00am Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - Sky Arts - 1:00pm

25 December

Peter Pan Live - Sky Arts - 1:00pm
Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker - BBC Two - 1:30pm
A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story - BBC Four - 7:00pm

26 December

Annie Live - Sky Arts - 1:00pm

31 December

Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends - BBC Two - 5:35pm

Photo credit: Cabaret at the Royal Variety Performance (Photo courtesy of production)