For many film and TV fans, it isn't really Christmas until they've rewatched the animated adaptation of Raymond Briggs's The Snowman.
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The short film first aired on Channel 4 on Boxing Day in 1982, and has become a mainstay of the broadcaster’s Christmas TV schedule ever since, entertaining generations for 40 years.
The Snowman tells the story of James, a young boy who is shocked when the snowman he builds in the garden magically comes to life.
James and the Snowman eventually fly to the North Pole together, soundtracked by Peter Auty's Walking in the Air, and they soon come face-to-face with Father Christmas and have a party with other snowmen.
An edit of the film for American audiences added a cameo from David Bowie, while a sequel, The Snowman and the Snowdog, was released in 2012.
Both of these films remain beloved go-tos for so many viewers at this time of year, but will they be available to watch in 2024, and if so when and where can viewers find them? Read on for everything you need to know.
When is The Snowman on TV this Christmas?
The Snowman. TVC London Productions
As has become an annual tradition, Channel 4 is set to air both The Snowman and its sequel film The Snowman and the Snowdogmultiple times across December.
This includes multiple repeats over both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The Snowman itself will air on Christmas Eve at 8:05am and 3pm, and also on Christmas Day at 6:25am and 11:50am.
Meanwhile, The Snowman and the Snowdog will air at 9:05am and 3:30pm on Christmas Eve and at 12:55pm on Christmas Day.
If none of those times suit your festive schedule, there's no need to fret – both The Snowman and The Snowman and the Snowdog are already available to watch on-demand on Channel4.com, so you can settle down to watch them whenever you like.
If you're looking for something to watch tonight, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide or visit our Film hub for all the latest news. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Patrick Cremona is the Senior Film Writer at Radio Times, and looks after all the latest film releases both in cinemas and on streaming. He has been with the website since October 2019, and in that time has interviewed a host of big name stars and reviewed a diverse range of movies.
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
