If you’re planning on staying on the sofa for the bells, there’s plenty on the telly to keep you entertained
Queen of the New Year are back with laughs galore(Image: BBC)
There’s two types of people on Hogmanay, those that will be out all night partying until the wee small hours and those who prefer to spend it at home with no worries about how to get a taxi. If you’re in the latter camp, you’ll likely be looking to the television for your New Year’s Eve entertainment.
The good news is there is plenty on the box on the last night of the year. From nostalgia and comedy to tradition, there’s something for everyone to watch before bringing in the bells. So settle down, grab a drink, some snacks and the remote control and feast your eyes on the best Hogmanay 2025 telly on all the main channels.
The best part is, it’s only a hop, skip and a jump to your bed when 2026 arrives.
BBC 1
Being Stanley Baxter – 10pm
This landmark documentary provides an intimate portrait of beloved television star, Stanley Baxter. Charting his extraordinary professional journey and personal life, the film – which was made prior to his death in December 2025 – is a fitting tribute to Stanley’s brilliance.
Drawing on rare archive footage and candid interviews to celebrate the Scottish legend’s enduring legacy, it features contributions from those those closest to him like actor Bill Paterson, and colleagues from the height of his fame, such as actress Amanda Barrie and television executive Lord Grade.
Devoted admirers including actors Mark Gatiss and Alan Cumming, also share their views on the wit, talent, and resilience behind the man whose name was in lights for years as the star of Saturday night television.
Queen of the New Year 2025 – 11pm
The cast from Queen of the New Year will see you through to the bells(Image: BBC)
Queen of the New Year returns this Hogmanay with a night of sharp sketches and big laughs. Greg Hemphill and Robert Florence are back at the helm, joined by some of Scotland’s finest comedy talent, to deliver a hilarious take on the year gone by.
The pair unpack the year that saw Katy Perry take a trip to Outer Space and Spiderman take the Outer to Glasgow’s city centre. There’s also a Glaswegian attempt at the Louvre heist and a nod to Scotland qualifying for the World Cup.
We have new and familiar faces with return appearances from Stephen Buchanan, Louise McCarthy, Paul McCole, Katie Barnett, Chris Toal, Barbara Rafferty and Lisa Livingstone, and newcomers Katia Kvinge, Ayo Adenekan, Michael Dylan and Betty Valencia
Hogmanay 2025 – 11.30pm
Amy Irons leads the nation into the New Year with Hogmanay 2025, showcasing music from Nathan Evans, Michelle McManus, Tide Lines’ Robert Robertson, and Georgia Cécile performing classic Scottish modern tunes, backed by Roddy Hart & The Lonesome Fire, along with award winning Scottish Trad supergroup Mànran.
Amy Irons will lead the nation in welcoming in 2026 on the BBC (Image: BBC)
As is tradition, it’s live to Edinburgh for the celebrations. Des Clarke will be there in the capital for the Lone Piper on the ramparts of the castle, the theatrical firing of the iconic Mons Meg at Midnight and the city’s amazing firework display soundtracked by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
Audiences will also be treated to the reunion of Karen Dunbar and Tom Urie as Almost Angelic, while Chief Commissioner Cameron Miekelson aka ‘The Chief’ delivers his special “Address to the People of Scotland” for Hogmanay 2025. Amy will be chatting with celebrity guests at a new bar area in the studio, where the one and only Gavin Mitchell will be serving festive drinks and plenty laughter.
BBC 2
Kiss Me, Kate – 3.35pm
Line of Duty’s Adrian Dunbar and Broadway royalty Stephanie J. Block lead a stellar cast in a sizzling new production of Cole Porter’s legendary musical comedy, Kiss Me, Kate.
Stephanie J. Block and Adrian Dunbar star in Kiss Me Kate (Image: Getty)
Filmed especially for the big screen and accompanied by a full orchestra, the show tune classics keep coming – from Brush Up Your Shakespeare to Too Darn Hot, Always True To You (In my Fashion) and Tom, Dick or Harry.
Titanic Sinks Tonight – 9pm
Titanic Sinks Tonight explores the most infamous 160 minutes in maritime history, from the moment of impact with the iceberg to the ship’s disappearance beneath the waves. From the Captain’s horror to designer Thomas Andrews’ desperate bid to help others, and the crew who have resorted to a farewell drink, this episode gives a blow by blow account of those final moments.
Away from the chaos, wireless operators Bride and Phillips have stuck to their post until the bitter end. They finally leave their cabin after an order comes to abandon ship. Bride loses sight of Phillips on deck, and helps the crew trying to launch Collapsible Lifeboat B. Most people think no lifeboats are left, but there are two more stashed away on a roof.
By 2:20 am, Titanic had gone. A moment of stunned silence is followed by a chorus of despairing shrieks and cries. Those in the lifeboats are faced with a dilemma while they wait to be rescued – risk saving their fellow passengers drowning in the freezing waters, or row away and save themselves.
Unearthed from a vast archive of eyewitness testimony, including letters, telegrams, media interviews, memoirs and the US and UK public enquiries into the disaster, the cast of actors share vivid first-hand accounts that put us in the moment, revealing what individuals all around the ship saw, felt and did that night.
BBC Scotland
Not Quite End of Year Show – 9pm
Kicking off the end of year celebrations on the BBC Scotland channel, Des Clarke hosts the Not Quite End of Year Show, featuring performances from Michelle McManus and Robert Robertson (Tide Lines) with house band Roddy Hart & The Lonesome Fire, plus a rousing set from Mànran.
Plus there will surprise appearances from top Scottish comedians and celebrity guests including the reunion of Karen Dunbar and Tom Urie as the iconic Almost Angelic.r
STV
Pretty Woman – 9pm
Julia Roberts in a scene from the film ‘Pretty Woman’, 1990. (Photo by Buena Vista/Getty Images)(Image: Getty)
The classic film about a rich businessman who falls in love with an escort he hires is showing in lead up to the bells. The romantic comedy from 1990, stars Julia Roberts and Richard Gere and is the perfect prelude to settle down to before midnight.
Hogmanay 2025 – Bringing In The Bells – 11.20pm
The broadcaster’s annual glitzy get-together, Bringing in the Bells, will once again see some of Scotland’s favourite famous faces throwing on their gladrags and popping the champers to celebrate the best moments of the last 12 months and keep viewers company as midnight approaches.
A Place in the Sun presenter Jean Johansson will reunite with actor and wrestler Grado for their annual confab.
And the guestlist also includes STV presenters (and besties) Sean Batty and Laura Boyd, as well as comedian Susie McCabe and broadcaster Gordon Smart. The programme will be narrated by Sanjeev Kohli.
Hogmanay – 12.05am
Peter Mullan stars in the short film Hogmanay which will air after the bells(Image: Instagram)
This short film exploring Scottish traditions, families and cultures will show right after the bells. Powerful and heart-warming, the film is written and produced by independent filmmaker Laura Harvey and stars some of the country’s finest actors, including Peter Mullan, Siobhán Redmond and Ann Louise Ross.
Hogmanay follows a Glasgow woman who returns to her recently-deceased father’s flat on Hogmanay and finds the past, present and future colliding around her. Can the spirit of Hogmanay and some ancient Scottish traditions help bring peace and clarity before the new year dawns?
Channel 4
The Last Leg of the Year
Once again Adam Hills, Alex Brooker and Josh Widdicombe will be returning for The Last Leg of the Year on New Year’s Eve. Annually then run through all the chaos that has happened in the world over the last 12 months.
We can expect plenty of guest stars, including Lenny Henry, Phil Wang, Maisie Adam, Dani Dyer, Pete Doherty, Alex James, Lucy Bronze and Hannah Botterman. They have teased that we can also expect a surprise from a Celebrity Traitors star.
In usual Last Leg fashion, there will be games, songs and politically driven jokes. What better way to go in to the new year?
Gogglebox 2025 – 11pm
In case you missed it on Christmas Day, a special round up of Gogglebox will be airing on New Year’s Eve. The Channel 4 series is a fan favourite, and the special episode will be looking back at some of the best moments from Gogglebox during 2025.
You can expect to see some of your favourite cast members cwtched up around the telly once again, giving their opinions on what’s on our screens.
Channel 5
ABBA vs Queen: Who are the Greatest? – 8.30pm
A panel of musicians, composers, critics and industry insiders analyse the two of the biggest bands in history to determine who was the greatest. Using archive footage and data from sales and streams, they will endeavour to find out who comes out in the top spot.
Zandra Rhodes opens her archives to reveal some of Freddie Mercury’s most unforgettable stage outfits.
(Image: Steve Jennings/WireImage))
And, of course, we have the hits, unforgettable performances and insider anecdotes to enjoy along the way. Erasure’s Andy Bell and Scots singer KT Tunstall runt he rule over some of the bands’ most celebrated tunes while designer Zandra Rhodes opens her archives to reveal some of Freddie Mercury’s most unforgettable stage outfits.
Jane McDonald’s New Year’s Singalong – 11.35pm
This is a repeat from last year, but it has Jane singing in the new year. Radio Times has said that audiences can expect the presenter to be “belting out a party playlist of floor fillers, showstoppers and toe-tapping tunes.”
Along the way Jane will also be welcoming some celebrity surprises. The programme will take you straight in to the new year, starting at 11.35pm and finishing at 1.05am.
