In Spanish homes, Christmas Eve television has become a fixture: it's always there, playing in the living room, accompanying dinner, though it doesn't always dominate the conversation. The major networks and public television prepare a very specific lineup each year for this night, featuring music, comedy, movies, and a good number of compilations that blend nostalgia with easy-to-follow entertainment while the toasts are being made.
The evening's television programming begins, as tradition dictates, with the King's Christmas Message at 21:00 PM , broadcast simultaneously on all national channels. From then on, each channel unveils its own offerings: TVE's La 1 features premieres and original galas, La 2 offers a concert and a comedy program based on archive footage, while Antena 3, Cuatro, Telecinco, and laSexta divide their programming between recap specials, family films, and Christmas versions of their most popular shows.
La 1: tradition, live music and eighties nostalgia
RTVE's flagship channel, La 1, is once again the mainstay of Christmas Eve programming on free-to-air television. Following the King's speech, La 1 will broadcast several original programs, with a strong emphasis on music and comedy, eschewing the reruns that dominate other private channels.
The highlight of the evening is a new edition of "Telepasión 2025: My Big Night ," one of the longest-running classics on public television. The special is hosted by Aitor Albizua , returning for his third year, and content creator and comedian Lalachus , who makes her debut as host. This time, the central theme is the task the presenters receive: to devise and produce the show itself with the help of two eccentric secretaries brimming with outlandish ideas.
The show brings together more than 130 RTVE professionals , the highest number to date for this format, including personalities from La 1, La 2, La 2Cat, RTVE Play, and RNE , as well as staff who usually work behind the scenes. They all take on covers of popular songs, choreographies, and musical numbers of various styles, in a relaxed atmosphere and with frequent nods to the network's archives.
After Telepasión, the night continues with two musical galas focused on artists celebrating their careers. First up is "You've Invited Me to Dance: Dani Fernández ," in which the singer revisits his most popular songs after a year full of awards, platinum records, and streaming records . He's not alone: ​​he's joined on stage by artists such as Manuel Carrasco, Sidecars, Amaral, Pablo López, Yarea, Nil Moliner, Ana Mena, and Sergio Dalma , among other guests.
The music continues with "20Conmigo: Abraham Mateo ," a special in which the artist from Cádiz celebrates two decades of his career . With seven studio albums and numerous gold and platinum records, the singer performs his greatest hits alongside collaborators such as Malú, Chanel, Ana Torroja, Lérica, Daviles de Novelda, and Rayito , as well as sharing anecdotes and key moments from his musical journey.
To close the evening, La 1 recaptures the nostalgic spirit with "Journey to the Center of TV: An Eighties Night ." The program, directed by Pedro Santos and narrated by Santiago Segura , uses RTVE's archives to create a karaoke party with the most iconic songs of the 80s , both Spanish and international. Viewers can follow the lyrics on screen and relive historic performances from that decade, designed so that all generations of the family can join in from the comfort of their sofas.
In the afternoon, La 1 also modifies its schedule: it puts daily magazine programs like "Directo al grano," "Malas Lenguas," and "Aquà la tierra" on hold to broadcast films such as "La Reina Victoria" and "Valle Salvaje," in addition to a special double episode of "La Promesa" marking the start of its fifth season. And then, at Christmas, the channel reserves the premiere of "Mary Poppins Returns" for the night of the 25th, reinforcing its family programming.
La 2: Christmas concert and marathon of "How We Laughed!"
RTVE's second channel maintains its distinctive style with a Christmas Eve program focused on classical music and archival humor . Before the King's message, at 20:00 PM, " Los conciertos de La 2 " will broadcast a special Christmas Eve music program from the Royal Palace Chapel , featuring the RTVE Orchestra and Choir conducted by Carlos Mena and supported by Patrimonio Nacional (National Heritage).
Following the 21:00 PM speech, La 2 transitions to an extensive special of "¡Cómo nos reÃmos!" (How We Laugh!) , which runs into the early hours of the morning with nearly eight hours of footage . The evening opens with the special "A Christmas Carol ," where the character of Scrooge , from Charles Dickens' novel, is confronted by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future through a laughter therapy session based on classic comedians.
This journey is fueled by RTVE's historical archives, featuring appearances by Martes y Trece, Eugenio, Tip y Coll, Gila, and other great figures of Spanish humor. After the first segment, the marathon continues with other thematic compilations from the show, combining sketches, monologues, and legendary appearances from several decades of television.
During the extended Christmas period, La 2 also makes room for its flagship game shows. Throughout the holidays, "Saber y ganar" (To Know and Win) offers special episodes featuring 4th-grade students from various schools, while "Cifras y letras" (Numbers and Letters) airs a Christmas special with celebrity contestants , in which Ana Belén faces off for the first time against her daughter, actress Marina San José , alongside veteran champions of the format such as Carlos RodrÃguez Luna and Iván Abella.
Antena 3: reruns of in-house shows and a tribute to "Your Face Sounds Familiar"
On Antena 3 , Christmas Eve programming maintains the same format as in recent years, with few new shows and a clear emphasis on compilation programs. The day begins in a festive tone at midday with a special edition of "Wheel of Fortune" dedicated to grandparents , where they compete alongside their grandchildren in a more emotional than competitive edition.
The network's evening news program moves forward to coincide with the King's address, and once Felipe VI's message concludes, it's time for "The Best of Each Channel ." This special program brings together the funniest, most impactful, and most surprising moments broadcast throughout the year on the various Atresmedia channels, featuring a selection of viral moments, bloopers, curious situations, and striking scenes from their flagship programs.
The evening continues with "Christmas Eve with Your Face Sounds Familiar ," a recap of the best performances in the history of the musical talent show hosted by Manel Fuentes. The special features winning impersonations, particularly moving numbers, viral comedy performances, and moments that have defined the format's history, perfect for those joining in for dinner with the TV on in the background.
The schedule also includes reruns of "Lo mejor de cada casa" in the early hours of the morning, reinforcing this low-risk, archive-based programming approach . For Christmas Day, Antena 3 will use its usual combination of "Cocina abierta de Karlos Arguiñano," a film during the "Multicine" block , and new episodes of the series "La Encrucijada" in the evening.
Four: Christmas "First Dates" and cult family films
The Cuatro network has opted for a simple but effective formula: a themed special of "First Dates" followed by a double feature of family films . The day is already packed with reruns and afternoon movies, but the focus of Christmas Eve programming is on its flagship dating show.
Following the King's Christmas message, the network aired "First Dates: Christmas Eve Special ," featuring a restaurant decorated with Christmas motifs and the grand arrival of Santa Claus , who distributed small gifts to the diners. Host Carlos Sobera also delivered a message appealing to the Christmas spirit , addressed to both the participants and the audience, and even performed a Christmas carol.
The evening continues with a double feature of family-friendly films. First, in the "Blockbuster" section, they'll be showing "Willow ," a medieval fantasy film featuring witches, warring kingdoms, and a baby destined to change the course of history, which has maintained its cult status among audiences of the 80s and 90s.
Then, in the early hours of the morning, it's time for "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial ," another classic of science fiction cinema that tells the story of a boy who protects a being from another planet to help him return home before the authorities capture him. The combination of adventure and emotional tone fits with Cuatro's intention of offering a programming block suitable for all ages after dinner.
Looking ahead to the 25th, the network is once again relying on new "First Dates" specials with dates marked by memories, confessions and even a marriage proposal, before moving on to more late-night movies with titles like "Silent Night".
Telecinco: goodbye to musical galas and a focus on "Dancing with the Stars"
The big news this Christmas Eve on television comes from Telecinco , which is breaking with its tradition of organizing big musical galas for the night of the 24th. After several years with modest audience results, the channel is opting for a more restrained and lower-cost proposal , based on pre-recorded content.
Following the King's speech, Mediaset will air a special compilation of "Dancing with the Stars ." The program will review the best dance performances, the most spectacular choreography, and the highlights from the two seasons aired to date, featuring a total of 26 celebrities paired with professional dancers.
On Christmas Eve, Telecinco also airs special versions of its daily programs. "El tiempo justo" welcomes Carlos Baute , who sings Christmas carols, gives an interview focused on the holidays, and offers tips for setting the Christmas table with the help of a protocol expert. Meanwhile, "El diario de Jorge" presents a special in which guests experience exciting journeys to the past thanks to AI-powered recreations , allowing them to interact with their past selves or with deceased loved ones.
The decision to replace the traditional musical gala with a long recap of "Dancing with the Stars" aligns with the network's recent strategy of cutting costs and focusing on formats that have already proven successful this season . For Christmas, Telecinco rounds out its lineup with prime-time movies—such as "Robin Hood" —and a festive special of the show "¡Vaya fama!" featuring guests like Coyote Dax, Marlene Mourreau, and Lorena Gómez.
laSexta: "El intermedio" special and action movies
laSexta maintains its usual identity, but adapted to the Christmas spirit. During the day, it continues to air programs like "Aruser@s" and "Al rojo vivo ," while "Zapeando" gets festive with an edition in which artificial intelligence transforms the presenters into doll-like versions of themselves . They also connect live with a Spanish Santa's elf in Lapland and gather testimonials from Spaniards living abroad to discuss curious Christmas traditions from around the world.
In the afternoon, "Más vale tarde" airs a "Take Away" version featuring the best of its cooking and travel segments . At 21:00 PM, the channel joins in with the King's Christmas Message and, immediately afterward, offers a special compilation of "El Intermedio: Christmas Edition ," with the most memorable moments from the show hosted by El Gran Wyoming and Sandra Sabatés.
Prime time is rounded out with movies within the "Blockbuster" block , which this time leans towards action with the film "The Last Castle ." Starring Robert Redford, James Gandolfini, and Mark Ruffalo , the film tells the story of a clash between a disgraced general and the strict warden of a military prison, a departure from the classic Christmas theme prevalent on other channels.
In the following days, laSexta repeated the formula: regular programs with Christmas touches , movies in the afternoon slot and a new showing of El Taquillazo in prime time, consolidating a somewhat more alternative approach compared to the rest of the generalist offering.
Other parallel spaces and options within the RTVE ecosystem
Although the main focus is on the major free-to-air networks, Christmas Eve television also extends to other channels and platforms linked to RTVE. RTVE Play is expanding its catalog of series and launching a dedicated Christmas channel , designed for those who prefer on-demand content rather than the traditional schedule.
Within the corporation, regional and thematic programs also carry weight . On La 2Cat , for example, a special episode of the program "L'any que vas néixer" (The Year You Were Born) , presented by Xavi Bundó , is broadcast , in which several of the channel's personalities—such as Gemma Nierga, Cristina Villanueva, Ernest Riveras, MarÃa Gómez, Oriol Nolis, Jordi Hurtado, SÃlvia Abril, and Danae Boronat —gather around historical NO-DO newsreel footage to discuss how festivals have changed, including the popular nativity scene at the cathedral.
In Catalonia, TV3 is celebrating Christmas Eve with a film-focused lineup, featuring titles such as the French film "Tendre i poc fet" and the romantic comedy "Bridget Jones's Diary ." For Christmas Eve, they've reserved the theatrical broadcast of "El favor ," showcasing stage productions and comedy for the regional audience.
Meanwhile, public radio is also joining in the festivities. The various RNE stations are preparing special programs with Christmas music, humor, and live broadcasts designed to accompany those who cook, travel, or simply prefer the radio in the background instead of television, creating a Christmas ecosystem that extends beyond the screen.
The array of offerings—from La 1's exclusive premieres to Antena 3 and Telecinco's compilation programs , not to mention Cuatro's family films and laSexta's more satirical take —creates a landscape where every viewer can find something to suit their dinner party. Those looking for new music releases, classic comedy, easy-to-follow reruns, or timeless classics have options at the click of a remote control, on a night when television isn't the star of the show, but remains an essential guest.
