The rise of the Christmas Special in podcasting

Our partners Acast have been thinking about how the Christmas Special has been getting more popular in podcasts – and chosen some of their favourites for you to listen to!

The popularity of the Christmas special is not a new one as for years, we’ve waited in earnest for our favourite soaps, sitcoms and even music artists to whack out a festive episode or album, and this appears to be no different for the world of podcasting.

It’s no secret that podcasting offers one of the largest ranges of genres from comedy to serial and it seems that all are providing listeners with something special to mark the festive season.

We’ve compiled a list of our most beloved festive episodes to see you through the last minute tree hanging, the making of your Christmas dinner or even some private time away from prying family members or in-laws.

Wednesdays 

Best friends Melissa and Sophie are bringing back the cultural importance of Wednesdays (shout out to the Mean Girls). The ladies are here to chat about boyfriends, help with your dilemmas, and of course, drink some wine. Join the ladies as this week they discuss dilemmas with a festive twist. Listen now >>

My Dad Wrote A Porno

To celebrate their 90th birthday, Abbey Road Studios invited the My Dad Wrote A Porno team to record Part One of two Christmas specials for 2021 in Studio 3! McCartney, Bowie, Winehouse…and now, Flintstone. Listen now >>

Shrine Podcasts: Christmas special

In the second of two Christmas specials, Shrine Podcasts has teamed up with fellow Line Of Duty podcast host Craig Parkinson for a deep dive into his time on one of the BBC’s most popular TV shows ever. This one airs on Wednesday, December 15. Listen now >>

The Tommy, Hector & Laurita Podcast – Christmas Special

Unpredictable and funny, carefree and intimate, join Tommy Tiernan, Hector Ó hEochagáin and Laurita Blewitt as they sit around the table in the henhouse at the bottom of a garden in the West of Ireland. Tommy, Hector and Laurita will be sharing gifts and festive stories in their first-ever Christmas special airing on Thursday 23rd December. Listen now >>

Everything Under the Sun with McFly’s Tom Fletcher

In this festive edition of Everything Under The Sun, Tom Fletcher from McFly (and Strictly Come Dancing, of course) answers Henry’s question, “which country does Santa deliver his presents to first, last and middle?” Listen now >>

The Rude Retellings – Read by Brian Harvey

Brian Harvey is back with six new episodes in The Christmas Collection of The Rude Tellings. The former East 17 star begins the podcast series with the classic poem, “Twas The Night Before Christmas”. Listen now >>

Off Menu

Looks like the Off Menu boys are also rocking around the Christmas tree with the launch of their festive special episode. What better way to get into the holiday spirit than with an absolutely disgusting instalment of Off Menu, where comedians Ed Gamble and James Acaster are joined by a very festive Harry Hill Listen now >>

BBC Good Food

Is it your first time cooking Christmas dinner? Or are you an experienced cook who wants to boost your kitchen skills and get into the festive spirit? Throughout December, chef Tom Kerridge reveals his secrets, tips and tricks for the party season. Listen now >>