When Is The Bake Off Christmas Special On TV?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: TV’s sweetest show is back for a very festive special. But when? And who’s taking to the tent this Christmas? Here’s everything you need to know about The Great Christmas Bake Off 2023.

Love GBBO? Visit The C&TH Bake Off Hub

The Great Christmas Bake Off 2023

The Great New Year Bake Off: Paul, Prue, Alison and Noel

How did you feel about Bake Off series 14? There were highs (the rarefied Paul Hollywood hug), there were lows (Matty doesn’t know how to make buttercream), and there were many laughs to boot. Humble PE teacher Matty ultimately bagged the coveted cake stand, joining a legion of glittering alumni, and rounding out the series for another year. Until, of course, the much-awaited Christmas special.

When Is The Great Christmas Bake Off On TV?

The Great Christmas Bake Off will air on Christmas Eve at 8.15pm on Channel 4. The Great New Year’s Bake Off will follow on New Year’s Day at 7.40pm.

What Is It?

The Great Christmas Bake Off is an annual festive special episode of the traditional Great British Bake Off. It follows the typical Bake Off format, with amateur bakers showcasing their skills across Signature, Technical and Showstopper challenges, all with the hopes of being crowned Star Baker. The Christmas special has a unique edge, however: the contestants are all either celebrities or returning Bake Off alumni (Let’s call it Bake Off All Stars).

Dan (series 9) and Alison

Who Are The Celebrities This Year?

The Great Christmas Bake Off is all about previous Bake Off stars this year, with no celebrity special. There will be two episodes – one at Christmas and one at New Year – with two batches of familiar faces. The contestants (re)entering the tent are:

Christmas Special

• Sophie (season 8)
• Dan (season 9)
• Amelia (season 10)
• Linda (season 11)
• George (season 12)
• Carole (season 13)

Sophie, George, Dan, Amelia, Linda, Carole

New Year Special

• Mark (series 11)
• Maggie (series 12)
• Jürgen (series 12)
• Maxy (series 13)

Paul, Mark, Maxy, Prue, Maggie, Noel, Jürgen, Alison

Who Has Starred Previously?

While The Great Christmas Bake Off is typically more about returning bakers, there have been three celeb-only specials. In 2019, a celebrity episode featured stars from hit comedy Derry Girls. In 2021, stars of It’s A Sin competed. In 2022, five unconnected celebrities entered the tent: Terry Christian, Miquita Oliver, Tony Robinson, Gaby Roslin and Claire Sweeney.

If you’re wondering when the Bake Off celebrity specials will be on TV, you’ll have to wait for The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off, which usually airs around Easter time in April.

Who Will Host The Show?

After her series 14 debut, Allison Hammond is back in the tent to present The Great Christmas Bake Off along with her co-host, comedian Noel Fielding. (Ironically, Alison once competed in The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off.) Meanwhile, the inimitable Paul Hollywood and vibrant Prue Leith will judge.

Paul Hollywood

WATCH

The Great Christmas Bake Off returns on Christmas Eve at 8.15pm on Channel 4, followed by The Great New Year’s Bake Off on New Year’s Day at 7.40pm. Catch up at channel4.com

UK viewers can stream every episode of The Great British Bake Off from series eight onwards at channel4.com

US viewers can stream The Great British Baking Show on Netflix.