'Tis the season to cosy up by the TV and enjoy a lineup of holiday films and specials! From West Side Story to It’s a Wonderful Life, Yle channels and the Areena streaming platform are brimming with timeless classics.
24 December, Christmas Eve
The Snowman (UK, 1982)
Yle TV2 at 11.28am and Yle Areena
In this timeless Christmas classic, a little boy builds a snowman who comes alive and leads him on a series of adventures. The Snowman (Lumiukko in Finnish) is an animated film based on Raymond Briggs' story and a regular feature of Yle's holiday schedule. The film is also renowned for its iconic music, particularly the hauntingly beautiful song Walking in the Air composed by Howard Blake. Available on Yle Areena until 22 January 2025.
Nothing Like A Dame (UK, 2018)
Yle Teema at 9pm and Yle Areena
A group of acclaimed actresses, often referred to as Britain's national treasures — Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Eileen Atkins and Joan Plowright— take a trip down memory lane in this documentary where they discuss films and art and captivate their audience. Directed by Roger Michell. Available on Yle Areena until 23 June 2025.
25 December, Christmas Day
It's a Wonderful Life, USA 1946
Yle Teema at noon and Yle Areena
Almost 80 years on, Frank Capra's classic Christmas film follows a small-town man (Jimmy Stewart) who, after devastating losses, contemplates suicide on Christmas Eve. He's saved by an angel who shows him his impact on others. The cast includes Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore. Available on Yle Areena until 24 January 2025.
The Little Mermaid, USA 1989
Yle TV2 at 6pm and Yle Areena
Spirited teenage mermaid Ariel dreams of life on land. When she falls in love with a handsome prince, she makes a fateful deal with an evil sea witch to become human. Available on Yle Areena until 7 January 2025. Dubbed in Finnish.
West Side Story, USA 2021
Yle Teema at 9pm and Yle Areena
Steven Spielberg's adaptation reimagines the classic musical, unfolding against the backdrop of two rival youth gangs and a boundary-breaking love story on Manhattan's West Side in the 1950s. Starring Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler, with Oscar-winning performances by Ariana DeBose, alongside David Alvarez and Rita Moreno (who played Anita in the original film). Available on Yle Areena until 24 March 2025.
26 December, Boxing Day
Dead Poets Society (USA, 1989)
Yle Teema at noon and Yle Areena
Director Peter Weir's coming-of-age classic is set in a prestigious prep school where a new, unconventional English teacher inspires students to change their lives. Starring Robin Williams, Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. Available on Yle Areena until 25 March 2025.
Beauty and the Beast, USA 1991
Yle TV2 at 6pm and Yle Areena
In this Disney animated film, Belle sets out to rescue her father and ends up in the enchanted castle of a mysterious beast. Available on Yle Areena until 7 January 2025. Dubbed in Finnish.
27 December
Aladdin, USA 1993
Yle TV2 at 6pm and Yle Areena
The daughter of the Sultan, Jasmine, escapes the palace and falls in love with the kind-hearted, poor Aladdin. Together, they embark on incredible adventures in Disney's animated classic set in the magical world of One Thousand and One Nights. Available on Yle Areena until 7 January 2025. Dubbed in Finnish.
All Creatures Great And Small, S5, 1–7, UK 2024)
Yle TV1 at 7pm with all episodes available on Yle Areena
This show is the small-screen adaptation of a series of novels by James Herriot, and it's 1941 in the fictional Yorkshire village of Darrowby as the countryside veterinary drama returns.
House of Gucci, USA 2021
Yle Teema at 9pm and Yle Areena
An extraordinary true story of the family behind the Italian fashion empire. Driven and from a humble background, Patrizia Reggiani marries into the Gucci family, igniting a fierce battle for inheritance that spirals into deceit, corruption and revenge. Starring Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Al Pacino, Jared Leto, Salma Hayek, Camille Cottin, Jack Huston and Jeremy Irons. Directed by Ridley Scott. Available on Yle Areena until 26 March 2025.
28 December
The Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra concert
Yle TV1 at 12.30pm and Yle Areena
The Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen, performs Jean Sibelius' Symphony No. 2 in D major. Recorded at the Helsinki Music Centre on 20 December 20 2024. Available on Yle Areena indefinitely.
Some Like It Hot, USA 1959
Yle Teema at 9.05pm and Yle Areena
In this crime comedy two musicians disguise themselves as women to escape gangsters in prohibition-era Chicago. Starring Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis. Directed by Billy Wilder. Available on Yle Areena until 27 March 2025.
29 December
Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom (Astérix et Obélix: L'Empire du Milieu, France 2023)
Yle TV2 at 7.30pm and Yle Areena
The indomitable Gauls Asterix and Obelix are off again on a new adventure — to China, where they help an exiled princess and confront Julius Caesar on the way. Starring Guillaume Canet, Gilles Lellouche, Vincent Cassel, Marion Cotillard, Julie Chen and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Directed by Guillaume Canet. Available on Yle Areena until 26 March 2025.
And don't forget, you can also catch up on all the latest episodes of Yle News' All Points North podcast, including our newest show looking back at what happened in Finland this year.
