2 December 2025

S4C is set to become the destination for children to relax and enjoy this Christmas, with a packed line-up of festive programmes. There will be a premiere of a story about a unique reindeer named Nolig, and an original tale about a brave little girl in a forest in Ysbryd yr Oerfel. Christmas classics like Deian a Loli will return, along with special episodes of popular cartoons such as Blŵi, Shrek, and Madagascar — the kids are going to love it.

Sioned Geraint, S4C’s Children and Learners Content Commissioner says:

“Christmas is a magical time for children, and we’re delighted to offer a rich selection of programmes that capture imagination, warmth and adventure. From brand-new animations like to much-loved favourites, our aim is to bring families together and celebrate Welsh storytelling at its very best. We’re proud to provide a safe, joyful and creative space for children to enjoy over the festive period, all in the Welsh language.”

S4C’s Christmas Schedule this year is sponsored by Hybu Cig Cymru. 

Original Welsh Films

Ysbryd yr Oerfel (The Ghost of Midwinter) is set in medieval Wales and tells the chilling story of a brave little girl determined to save her father against all odds. When Nia becomes lost in the forest in the middle of a snowstorm, she has no choice but to make a deadly bargain with a spirit. The Winter Spirit saves her – but at a cost beyond comprehension. Nia must travel deep into the heart of the dark forest of eternal winter to face the evil creature and save her father.

The animation is produced by Cardiff-based studio Cloth Cat and showcases the best of Welsh storytelling and animation talent. Jon Rennie, Managing Director of Cloth Cat, is also the film’s director and author, with the renowned author Manon Steffan Ros having written the bilingual script.

Rennie describes Ysbryd yr Oerfel as “a fun adventure for all the family to enjoy”.

“The inspiration was to make something that was a great fairytale, a new fable for Wales, something that’s a little bit different to what’s gone before. In the depths of winter you want to huddle together, cwtch together, and watch a fun, scary film together.”

The festive short, known in English as The Ghost of Midwinter, received support from the Welsh Government via Creative Wales.  

Nolig is another animation and a a co-production between S4C, TG4 (the Irish-language broadcaster) and BBC Northern Ireland, and will be broadcast simultaneously in Welsh and Irish on 14 December.

It tells the story about a deer who discovers that he is the last giant-deer left in existence! We meet Nolig for the very first time on his birthday – or rather, the day the family celebrates finding him. He came into the lives of Dad and Siân one wintry night ten years ago, when they found him in the stone circle on the mountain. With none of his relatives to be seen, they take him in and raise him as part of the family.

The years go by, and the small deer grows big. Nolig is very happy with his life and loves the community he lives in. Then, one day, everything is turned upside down when he discovers that he is a Mawralocerws Anferthws – a giant-deer species thought to have died out. So surely Nolig is the very last one in existence!

Story Time

The Nos Da Cyw bedtime story series returns from 3 December, featuring a host of familiar Welsh faces reading cosy bedtime tales to the youngest viewers. One story-teller is singer and presenter Bronwen Lewis who loved the whole experience – keep an eye out for her!

Well-loved Stories

On Christmas Day and Boxing Day, several popular children’s programmes will receive their own festive makeover, with special Christmas episodes of:

·       Pws Mewn Bwts

·       Miri Madagascar

·       Nadolig Shrek

·       Nadolig y Mwsifantod

And of course, no Christmas on S4C would be complete without revisiting some firm favourites – including two special episodes of Deian a Loli, as well as another chance to enjoy the special concert with the BBC National Orchestra, Cyw a’r Gerddorfa. As the year draws to a close, there’s also a chance to enjoy Blwi who has arrived safely from Australia to Wales. The first episode can be seen on 30 December.

One of S4C’s classic Christmas film is Y Dyn Nath Ddwyn y Dolig (The Man Who Stole Christmas) and there’ll be a chance for the whole family to enjoy this classic on 21 December – Nadolig Llawen and a Merry Christmas to all!

S4C’s adult Christmas Schedule was published on 1st December and can be seen here.