When is EastEnders on over Christmas? Festive viewing schedule revealed

What's happening on EastEnders this Christmas?
Joel Harley
By Joel Harley

EastEnders has released its Christmas viewing schedule, including what days the soap will air over the festive period. From Dirty Den’s divorce papers to Max and Stacey’s affair reveal, Christmas is always a busy time in the world of soap, and this year will be no different.

With Nigel’s special Christmas episode, Max’s flashforward, and Zoe’s stalker drama all on the cards, Christmas 2025 will be a big one. Especially as it marks Executive Producer Ben Wadey’s first in the role.

Exciting times ahead… but when is EastEnders on this Christmas?

Cindy in the snow on EastEnders
EastEnders aired Cindy Beale’s whodunnit last Christmas (Credit: BBC)

EastEnders reveals Christmas 2025 schedule

EastEnders usually airs at 7.30pm from Monday to Thursday, with episodes dropping at 6am every morning on BBC iPlayer. However, things tend to be different over the Christmas period, with extra episodes sometimes airing on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and over the New Year.

This year, EastEnders will play out over five days from Monday, December 22, to Friday, December 26 (Boxing Day!). This also includes two episodes on Christmas Day, meaning that viewers will get six episodes in total.

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Read all the latest spoilers

Zoe's being watched as Kojo and the Knights try to help Harry Thu, Dec 4

Zoe's being watched as Kojo and the Knights try to help Harry

20 minutes ago
Kim's engagement party descends into chaos as Howie and Anthony struggle to keep their secrets Wed, Dec 3

Kim's engagement party descends into chaos as Howie and Anthony struggle to keep their secrets

1 day ago
Sam Mitchell faces a cancer scare as she returns to Walford, Harry suffers another devastating overdose, and Teddy stands trial Dec 8 - 11

Sam Mitchell faces a cancer scare as she returns to Walford, Harry suffers another devastating overdose, and Teddy stands trial

2 days ago
Zoe kicked out of The Vic as Howie turns the tables on Anthony Tue, Dec 2

Zoe kicked out of The Vic as Howie turns the tables on Anthony

2 days ago
Howie and Anthony at war as Zoe's stalker terror intensifies and Freddie and Anna leave Walford Dec 1 - 4

Howie and Anthony at war as Zoe's stalker terror intensifies and Freddie and Anna leave Walford

3 days ago
Suspicions fly as Howie proposes to Kim and Zoe's tormentor leaves a chilling message Mon, Dec 1

Suspicions fly as Howie proposes to Kim and Zoe's tormentor leaves a chilling message

6 days ago

As for New Year, EastEnders will resume its normal schedule for the week commencing Monday, December 29 until Thursday, January 1. The BBC hasn’t yet confirmed whether these episodes will drop on iPlayer at 6am as normal, or whether they’re being saved for a Christmas surprise when they air on BBC One.

But what can we expect from EastEnders this Christmas?

Zoe looks stressed in EastEnders

The soap’s left numerous threads hanging to be resolved over Christmas (Credit: BBC)

What’s happening this Christmas?

While details of Christmas Day have yet to be released, we do know that Nigel’s special episode will air later this month. As Nigel celebrates the premiere of his film, his dementia symptoms take hold, and he imagines himself back in The Queen Vic, circa the mid-1990s.

This will include cameos from Christmas ghosts Pat and Barry Evans… plus the ‘return’ of Nigel’s first wife, Debbie.

Meanwhile, as the Brannings celebrate baby Jimmy’s Christening, a flashforward episode will follow Max Branning on New Year’s Day 2027. But what exactly will this entail?

And then there’s the matter of Zoe’s stalker, and the search for her long-lost son. With Christmas being a period of massive drama in Walford, fireworks will, no doubt, ensue.

Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns.