Whether you're looking to be entertained, uplifted or amazed (how do you transform a children's hospital into a North Pole-like wonderland overnight?), SBS, SBS VICELAND, SBS Food and SBS On Demand have just what you need.
FRIDAY 24 DECEMBER
Forged in Fire Christmas Special 6pm, SBS VICELAND
It's time for some festive forging! After a round of Yuletide testing, two smiths spend a White Christmas at their home forges where they must recreate a 1976 English LIght Cavalry Sword.
Silent Night: A Song for the World 7:30pm, SBS
Silent Night is one of the world's most-loved Christmas carols, but it comes from humble origins. When Joseph Mohr penned his simple German poem ‘Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht’ in 1818, he could not have dreamed it would one day be transformed into a song that transcends the boundaries of cutlure and religion, with translations in more than 300 languages. How did it happen? This joyful documentary, narrated by Narrated by Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), traces the story of the song. It also features interviews and performances from some of the biggest names in the international music scene, including singer-songwriter Ailee, who sings her version of the carol in Korean, and Kelly Clarkson, who performs a breathtaking version with the Vienna Boys Choir.
Hugh Bonneville in 'Silent Night' Source: Moonlake Entertainment Rights
Agatha Christie's Criminal Games: Christmas Killing 11:40pm, SBS
On the evening of December 23, a man dressed as Santa Claus is found murdered on the grounds of Sainte Therese orphanage. Who is this mysterious man - and what secrets are the children of the orphanage, and the stern women who runs it, concealing?
SATURDAY 25 DECEMBER
SBS FOOD's Festive Feasts From 11.30 am, SBS Food (Channel 33)
Like a big table crowded with plates of all delicious things, SBS Food's Festive Feast line up has holiday happiness and great food from favourite cooks and chefs including Poh Ling Yeow, Mary Berry, Nigella Lawson, Jamie Oliver and more. Cheery Irishman Donal Skehan kicks things off with a Christmas Special at 11.30 am, with festive programming running through until early evening. There's also a Boxing Day morning marathon for those who need to relax. Check the Guide to find all the details.
Donal Skehan is back with fine festive fare. Source: Donal's Meals in Minutes
World of Calm: Snow Fall 2pm, SBS
Feeling more frazzled then festive? Sit down and enjoy some slow TV. Narrated by Cillian Murphy, this enchanting film that invites us into a winter wonderland. Starting with the birth of a single snowflake, the documentary takes viewers on a journey through a spectrum of snowscapes from Alaska and the Arctic to Canada and Norway. With breathtaking scenes of transcendent skiing, Inuit way-finding and beautiful mountain artwork, the film meets an array of people and animals for whom snow is their way life.
'A World of Calm: Snowfall' Source: Nutopia / All3media International
Patrizio Buanne: Celebration + NSW Seniors’ Christmas Concert 2021 From 2.45pm, SBS
There's a double bill of festive music on SBS. Start at 2.45 pmwith Patrizio Buanne: Celebration, and enjoy a parade of hits and Christmas songs from the Italian entertainer. He's followed at 3.25pm by the NSW Seniors’ Christmas Concert 2021, with all the highlights from this wonderful festive concert.
The Luxury Christmas Decorators 7.30pm, SBS
Go behind the scenes and see how a team of crack Christmas decorators transform a series of big private and public spaces, from a palace to a hospital. It's a big challenge any year - but in 2021, it's even more nerve-wracking, with trucks and planes packed with decorations backed up in an pandemic-affected supply chain. But these master decorators rise to the occasion, transforming a children's hospital into a winter wonderland, and a skating rink into a festive playground, including decorating a towering tree with 24,000 lights and 1000 baubles, and installing a Nut-cracker themed design in Britain's stately Blenheim Palace.
Blenheim Palace decked out for Christmas. Source: Strident Media
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale 9.10pm, NITV
This Finnish film shows that Nordic Noir touches on Christmas, too. This darkly hilarious Christmas tale follows the capture of Santa during an archaeological dig in the depths of Finland’s mountains. But this is a murderous Santa, and his not-so-nice elves are determined to free him. And if you're looking for more alt-Xmas movies, have a look here:
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale is also streaming now at SBS On Demand:
