Holiday Shows

The holidays are here and BBC Select bring you a curated collection of shows to watch during this most wonderful time of the year.

Nigellissima Christmas: An Italian Inspired Christmas

Watch Nigellissima Christmas: An Italian Inspired Christmas on BBC Select

Nigella Lawson and BBC Select are throwing an Italian-themed Christmas party and you’re all invited! For inspiration, Nigella travels to Venice.

Armed with recipe and party ideas for her festive feast, Nigella conjures up a tasty Christmas buffet menu.

There are cocktails, parmesan shortbreads, panettone stuffing squares, turkey stuffed with Italian sausage and much more.

Bellissimo!

Penguins: Meet the Family

Penguins: Meet the Family

This is the family penguin as you’ve never seen them before. Get ready to meet all 18 species of penguin in this stunning BBC nature documentary. From harsh deserts to city streets, from the Equator to frozen Antarctica, witness the heart-warming family dynamics, astonishing adaptations and unique behaviors that make penguins so remarkable.

Wonderland: The Story of Christmas

wonderland: the story of christmas

So many classic children’s books deal with the festive season. There are Christmassy moments in great works by Charles Dickens, Hans Christian Andersen, Kenneth Grahame, J. M. Barrie, J.R.R. Tolkien and many more. This compelling arts documentary delves into both the joyous descriptions of yuletide created by these writers and also some darker moments in Christmas stories.

Horrible Histories: Horrible Christmas

Horrible Histories: Horrible Christmas

The team that created the hit sitcom Ghosts presents a festive selection of hilarious sketches celebrating Christmas throughout the ages. Meet Henry II’s gastrically challenged jester and some dung-related festive offerings from a bunch of Saxons. Oliver Cromwell tries to ruin Christmas for everyone, Elizabeth I gets a tiny clock on a wrist strap and the First World War stops for a soccer game.

Highclere: Behind the Scenes at Christmas

Highclere: Behind the Scenes at Christmas

Highclere Castle, the iconic filming location for Downton Abbey, is a very special place. But at Christmastime it transforms into a veritable winter wonderland. Lord and Lady Carnarvon, along with their staff, show off their biggest-ever Christmas tree in the grand saloon while a festive cocktail masterclass is hosted by butler Louis. Will this be the best Highclere Christmas ever?