For most of us, Christmas is a joyful time to spend with family — but you can guarantee that in the world of soaps, the festive season means serious drama.
From heartbreaking soap exits to Christmas Day divorce and New Year fireworks (in more ways than one!), Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Eastenders and Hollyoaks do their best to keep up on the edge of our seats.
So whether you prefer the drama of Weatherfield, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks village or Albert Square, make sure you don't miss a thing with our guide to which soaps are on when between December 19 and January 2.
Tuesday, December 23
6.30pm: Hollyoaks (Channel 4)
7.00pm: Emmerdale (ITV)
7.30pm: EastEnders (BBC One)
8.00pm: Holby City (BBC One)
Christmas Eve
6.30pm: Hollyoaks (Hour-long episode) (Channel 4)
7.00pm: Emmerdale (ITV)
7.30pm: Coronation Street (ITV)
8.00pm: EastEnders (BBC One)
Christmas Day
7.00pm: Emmerdale (Hour-long episode) (ITV)
8.00pm: Coronation Street (Hour-long episode) (ITV)
9.00pm: EastEnders (65-minute episode) (BBC One)
No Hollyoaks episodes on Channel 4.
Boxing Day
6.30pm: Hollyoaks (Channel 4)
6.30pm: Emmerdale (ITV)
7.00pm: Hollyoaks (E4 first look)
7.00pm: Coronation Street (Hour-long episode) (ITV)
8.00pm: EastEnders (BBC One)
Monday, December 29
5.30pm: Hollyoaks (Channel 4)
6.00pm: Hollyoaks (E4 first look)
7.00pm: Emmerdale (ITV)
7.30pm: Coronation Street (ITV)
8.00pm: EastEnders (BBC One)
8.30pm: Coronation Street (ITV)
Tuesday, December 30
6.30pm: Hollyoaks (Channel 4)
7.00pm: Hollyoaks (Hour-long episode) (E4 first look)
7.00pm: Emmerdale (ITV)
7.30pm: EastEnders (BBC One)
8.00pm: Holby City (BBC One) #
New Year's Eve
6.30pm: Hollyoaks (Hour-long episode) (Channel 4)
7.30pm: Hollyoaks (E4 first look)
7.00pm: Emmerdale (ITV)
7.30pm: Coronation Street (ITV)
New Year's Day
7.30pm: Emmerdale (Hour-long episode) (ITV)
8.30pm: EastEnders (65-minute episode) (BBC One)
No Hollyoaks episodes on Channel 4.
Friday, January 2
6.30pm: Hollyoaks (Channel 4)
7.00pm: Hollyoaks (E4 first look)
7.00pm: Emmerdale (ITV)
7.30pm: Coronation Street (ITV)
8.00pm: EastEnders (BBC One)
8.30pm: Coronation Street (ITV)
Not bothered about the soaps? Why not indulge in a festive film?
