Dates confirmed for Bake Off festive specials
Two festive episodes will air in the coming weeks
Last updated 6th Dec 2024
Following this year's series coming to an end on 26th November, The Great British Bake Off bosses have now unveiled plans for both of their festive specials, with new episodes airing during Christmas and New Year.
As we await the two special episodes, here's everything you need to know including who is taking part and when they'll appear on TV.
Who is on the Christmas Bake Off?
Bosses have decided to turn this year's Bake Off tent into a soap reunion for the 2024 Christmas special, welcoming Dean Gaffney, Sheree Murphy, Shobna Gulati MBE, Natalie Cassidy and Chris Bisson to take part.
The line-up was announced on social media, with bosses writing: 'Doof-doof! We're putting the tinsel up in the Tent for a special soap-themed Christmas Bake Off.
When is it on TV?
The Great Christmas Bake Off special will air at 8pm on Christmas Eve.
Who is on the New Year special of Bake Off?
Returning bakers from past series of Bake Off will appear, including Kevin, Norman, Nicky, James, Lea and Peter.
When is it on TV?
The Great New Year's Bake Off will air at 7.40pm on Friday 3rd January.
Who is hosting the shows?
Just like the normal series, Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding will host the Christmas and New Year specials.
Who are the judges?
Usual judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood will judge the bakers.
Check out which other TV shows we can't wait for the return of:
The Night Agent
After series two dropped on Netflix in January 2025, bosses were quick to confirm The Night Agent would return for a third instalment, with Gabriel Basso as FBI agent Peter Sutherland. Production for series three started in February 2025, and bosses have now confirmed it will return on 19th February 2026.
Bridgerton
Part one of the hugely-antipcated fourth series of Bridgerton landed on Thursday 28th January, and we don't have long to wait for the second part, which drops on 26th February 2026.
Last One Laughing
Prime Video series Last One Laughing will return for a second series in March! Host Jimmy Carr will welcome comedians like Alan Carr, Mel Giedroyc, Romesh Ranganathan, Bob Mortimer and Maisie Adam.
Rivals
Ever since the first series dropped in 2024, fans have been crying out for another series of Disney+ show Rivals! Well, the wait is nearly over, as bosses have now confirmed series two will drop on 15th May!
Ted Lasso
Following the end of series three in 2023, fans were crying out for a fourth series of comedy show Ted Lasso! On Friday 14th March 2025, main actor Jason Sudeikis confirmed the exciting news, and now Apple TV have announced it will land in Summer 2026!
Emily In Paris
After season five dropped in December 2025, and was met with huge viewing figures, Netflix were quick to renew Emily In Paris for a sixth season. No start date has been announced, but it could be late in 2026.
Vigil
Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie are reprising their roles as DCI Amy Silva and DI Kirsten Longacre in BBC drama Vigil. Filming wrapped in Scotland in January 2026, so we could see show return later in 2026.
The Day of the Jackal
Series one of thriller The Day of the Jackal broke viewing records for Sky Atlantic, so there's no surprise that bosses were quick to renew the show for a second series, before the first was even over! Although there's no air date just yet, filming started in 2025, so we could see the show return sometime in 2026.
Line of Duty
Now that the BBC have confirmed there's going to be a seventh series of award-winning crime drama Line of Duty, fans are counting down the months! Filming is due to begin in Spring 2026, so we could expect it to land in the second half of 2026.
Amandaland
Following the first series of Motherland spin-off show Amandaland, BBC bosses were quick to renew comedy series Amandaland for a second series. Lucy Punch will return as Amanda, alongside Joanna Lumley and Philippa Dunne. Filming for series two started in October 2025, with bosses also announcing a Christmas special!
Unforgotten
After series six aired in early 2025, ITV/STV bosses were quick to recommission crime drama Unforgotten for a seventh series, with Sanjeev Bhaskar and Sinéad Keenan set to return. There's no official start date just yet, but filming did begin at the start of 2026.
This City Is Ours
Following the first series which aired in 2025, This City Is Ours has been renewed for a second series, with filming taking place now! Julie Graham, James Nelson-Joyce and Jack McMullen will all return. There's no start date just yet, but we imagine it will be sometime in 2026.
At Home With The Furys
Following the popular first series back in 2023, Netflix bosses confirmed a second series of At Home With The Furys in May 2025. Filming with Tyson Fury, his wife Paris, and the couple's seven children is underway now.
The Bear
Following the fourth series arriving in June 2025, bosses have now confirmed The Bear will return for a fifth series! Although there's been no start date given just yet, the show typically begins every year in June.
Gangs of London
Following the third series in 2025, which ended on a major cliffhanger, Sky have now confirmed Gangs of London has been commissioned for a fourth series. Although there's no start date just yet, filming reportedly started in January 2026.
Peaky Blinders
Much to the shock of everybody, Steven Knight revealed in October 2025 that the show will be returning for two more series! The series will be all about a new generation of the Shelby family, so it's not a given that Cillian Murphy will reprise his iconic role as Tommy Shelby. It'll be filmed in Digbeth, Birmingham. There's no release date just yet!
The Celebrity Traitors
After the record-breaking first series in October-November 2025, BBC bosses have now confirmed The Celebrity Traitors will return for a second series in 2026!
All's Fair
After becoming the biggest Hulu Original scripted series premiere in three years, Ryan Murphy's All's Fair has now been renewed for a second series! Starring Kim Kardashian, Sarah Paulson, Glenn Close, Naomi Watts and Niecy Nash, production begins in Spring 2026.
Trigger Point
After three hugely-successful series of ITV drama Trigger Point, the show will return for a fourth series in 2026! Although there's no release date just yet, we do know that filming is now complete!
The Night Manager
Following the return of BBC thriller The Night Manager in early 2026, bosses have now confirmed the show will return for a third series! Although there's no return date just yet, fans are on edge following the huge twist in the series two finale.
Meanwhile, whilst we await the festive specials, you can catch up on the latest series of Bake Off on Channel 4.
Now read:
Your ultimate guide to The Great British Bake Off
All of the popular TV shows looking for applicants right now
Strictly Come Dancing announce line-up for Christmas special