A guide to the best festive music shows on TV this Christmas

It’s a universal truth that every UK household spends at least 59 hours in front of the telly during their Christmas break. And whether you choose to switch on the box during lunch, or love to loaf on the sofa with a tin Quality Street in reach at all times, we’ve all got our festive TV traditions.

But finding something everyone agrees on is no easy task, and this is where the uniting power of music can come into play. Because who doesn't love a festive music special, one featuring all your most treasured - and/or hated - popstars of 2015? 

So you can spend every possible minute stuffing your face, we've gone to the trouble of studying this year's offerings and picked out the best bits so all you need to do is switch on your set. We hope you like Michael Buble...

Saturday December 19

Channel 5, 7.55pm - Michael Buble's Christmas Songbook 

This is the first of four festive shows from Mr. Christmas himself this year and it's kicking things off in style. Not only do you get to hear Buble's dulcet tones take on your favourite Christmas songs, but he's got Rod Stewart, Carly Rae Jepsen and Blake Shelton along for #bants and tunes too. 

Channel 5, 11.55pm - Abba: Live in Concert

Who does't love a bit of Abba? This live recording of their famous Wembley Arena concert from November 10, 1979 shows the Swedes at their very best and is at the same time a bona fide festive TV crowd-pleaser. Also repeated on Christmas Day at 1.25am. 

Channel 4, 1.30am - TFI Friday

If you're still awake at this unholy hour then keep yourself entertained with a repeat of TFI's festive special, co-hosted by regular Chris Evans and none other than Alan Partridge! Celeb guests include James Corden and Sir Tom Jones but there will be musical delights courtesy of Bryan Adams, Lianne La Havas and Elle King, among more. Unmissable!

Sunday December 20

ITV3 , 5.55pm - Michael Buble: at Home for Christmas

More Buble, but this time you get to see him in his element as he croons over Christmas tunes from his magnificent Canadian mountain lodge.

BBC 4, 9pm - Nat King Cole: Afraid of the Dark

A true icon and purveyor of one of the most Christmassy songs in existence - aptly called The Christmas Song - this programme delves into Nat King Cole's private journals to find out more about the man behind the music.

Channel 5, 11.10pm - Britain's Favourite Christmas Songs

Crack open the sherry and watch all the greats come to life on the small screen, from Jackson 5's Santa Claus is Coming To Town and Mud's Lonely This Christmas, to Fairytale of New York by the Pogues with Kirsty MacColl.

Monday December 21

Sky Arts, 9pm - ABBA the Movie

This documentary about the band's 1977 Australian tour features at least eighteen of ABBA's beloved hits so you'll have plenty of karaoke fodder...

BBC4, 10pm - Top of the Pops Christmas: 1979

To whet your appetite for the all-new TOTP which will be broadcast on December 25 to announce the Christmas Number 1 winner, get in the mood with this vintage offering from a golden year.

Sky Arts 10.50pm - ABBA: Dancing Queen

You'd have to be a true ABBA fan to sit through 3 hours of the Swedes but Dancing Queen is such a stone cold classic that we're willing to invest our time on...

Sky Arts, 11.50pm - A Kylie Christmas

Round off your Sunday viewing with a dose of Kylie in action at her recent Royal Albert Hall show. We were there on the night and believe us, it has the power to get the meanest of Scrooges into the Christmas spirit. 

Tuesday December 22

Channel 5, 9pm - Michael Buble's Christmas 2015

He's back again and this time he's welcoming the likes of Celine Dion, Jay Leno and William Shatner into the fold to sing family favourites and golden oldies.

Wednesday December 23

Channel 5, 2.30pm - The Glenn Miller Story

If you're lucky enough to have already finished work and are enjoying the spoils of Christmas, then tuck into this biopic about legendary American band leader Glenn Miller.

BBC2, 11pm - Top of the Pops 2 Christmas

Take a trip back in time with the musical ghosts of Christmas past, including Slade, Wizzard and Shakin' Stevens.

Thursday December 24

Channel 5, 7.55pm  - Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly: Ol' Blue Eyes Is Back

It's a double birthday celebration this year; Jesus and Frank Sinatra, the latter who would have been 100. This 1973 TV special marks the occasion in retro style. Check out Frank's 40 biggest sellers recently unveiled by us here. 

Channel 5, 8.25pm - Happy Holidays with Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby

Watch a classic episode from the The Frank Sinatra Show, where Sinatra is joined by Bing 'White Christmas' Crosby.

ITV, 8.30pm - The ABBA Christmas Party

Shayne Ward, Alexandra Burke and Christmas Number 1 hopefuls Scouting For Girls are among the acts heading to a Scandinavian lodge to belt out ABBA songs.

BBC4, 10pm - Top of the Pops Christmas

Another slice of vintage TOTP, but this time with 1978 in the spotlight, tune in to see Boney M, Kate Bush the Bee Gees, and more!

MORE: Remind yourself of every Christmas Number 1 ever

Friday December 25

BBC1, 2pm - TOTP 

It feels like we've been waiting all year for this moment..because we have. But what adds even more sparkle to the Christmas Number 1 announcement this year is the fact it will be revealed on telly for a one-hour TOTP special! Hosted by Fearne Cotton and Reggie Yates, there will be performances from Coldplay, Jess Glynne, Years & Years and Nick Jonas as well as sets from the likes of James Bay, Omi, Ellie Goulding, LunchMoney Lewis, Jamie Lawson, Fleur East, Sigma & Rita Ora.

Channel 5, 8.50pm - Chas & Dave's Xmas Knees Up!

Rewind the clock back to 1982 with Chas & Dave's festive extravaganza with Eric Clapton and other well-known faces. Also repeated on Boxing Day at 8.05pm.

ITV, 10.45pm - Our Cilla

Credit: Rex

Saturday December 26

BBC4, 10pm - Big Hits: TOTP 1964 to 1975

A big fat 11 years of TOTP to enjoy with your turkey sandwiches, feast on performances from the likes of Stevie Wonder, the Stones and Procol Harum.

Tuesday December 29

BBC4, 9pm - Roy Orbison: One of the Lonely Ones

Get your Rob Orbison knowledge up-to-scratch with this brand new biopic of the iconic musician - you never know when it might come handy during those endless games of Trivial Pursuit...

BBC4, 11pm - The Richest Songs in the World

The world of music can be cash-friendly at the top but what are the biggest earning songs of all-time? Mark Radcliffe presents the top ten countdown.

Thursday December 31

BBC1, 4.45pm - Take That on Tour

What goes on tour, stays on tour...or gets broadcast to the nation on New Year's Eve, as the case may be here. Hit the road with Take That and get the party started!

ITV, 11.05pm - The Nation's Favourite Bond Song

If you're not watching Jools Holland along with the rest of the country, and prefer your music telly shaken, not stirred, then this Bond-theme countdown should do the trick. Adele, anyone?

BBC2, 11.10pm - Jool's Annual Hootenanny

Arguably the UK's festive music programme jewel in the crown, good old Jools is back for his yearly knees-up and this time he's taking Tom Jones, Jess Glynne, James Bay, among others, along for the ride.

BBC1, 11.30pm - Bryan Adams Rocks Big Ben Live

See in 2016 with none other than Bryan Adams - he'll be doling out his greatest hits...in real-time.

MORE: Test your festive songs knowledge with our Official Charts Christmas quiz

Friday December 1

BBC1, 11.55am - TOTP

See in the New Year with another helping of TOTP! Also hosted by Reggie and Fearne, this one-hour show will introduce the first Number 1 announcement of 2016, as well as offer performances from Jess Glynne, Years & Years, James Bay, Ellie Goulding, The Vamps, Grace, Maccabees, WSTRN, KDA feat Tinie Tempah and Katy B, AND Lost Frequencies. Wow!