As Santa begins to made his big journey from the North Pole, excitement is at an all-time high around the globe. Keep your little ones and family entertained with our top five TV picks for Christmas Eve.

Pick of the Day

Christmas at Home, RTÉ One, 9.10pm

Ruth Smith and Mary Kennedy present Christmas at Home, with a rich array of musical talent, including Celine Byrne, Úna Healy, Ray Lynam, Mick Flannery, teenage YouTube sensation Allie Sherlock, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and Cor na nÓg.

We'll also hear from some very special guests, Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh and Donnah Vuma, who reflect on the meaning of Christmas at Home, in a year which has kept people apart, but also brought them together, like never before. 

You can expect to hear traditional favourites, such as O Holy Night, Adeste Fideles and a mesmerising performance of Silent Night.

Paddington 2, BBC One, 4.15pm

Windsor Gardens' most famous resident has returned to work his ursine magic once again and leave people in better shape than he found them. His brand of slapstick and sweetness remains just as addictive as those sandwiches he keeps about his person - you joining in the fun is a match marmalade in Heaven. 

In this cameo-crammed caper, Paddington is - hankies ready - accused of a crime he didn't commit, sets out to clear his name with the help of the Brown family and befriends a load of old lags, led by Brendan Gleeson's Knuckles McGinty. Also joining the fun is Hugh Grant, who lampoons his thesp credentials to perfection as local luvvie Phoenix Buchanan. He looks like he's having the time of his life.

In this cameo-crammed caper, Paddington is - hankies ready - accused of a crime he didn't commit, sets out to clear his name with the help of the Brown family and befriends a load of old lags, led by Brendan Gleeson's Knuckles McGinty. Also joining the fun is Hugh Grant, who lampoons his thesp credentials to perfection as local luvvie Phoenix Buchanan. He looks like he's having the time of his life. Read RTÉ Entertainment's 5-star review here

The Snowman, Channel 4, 5.10pm

With its enthralling orchestral soundtrack, hypnotic animation and enchanting tale, the Raymond Briggs winter classic is a must-watch during the festive period.

Based on Briggs' 1978 picture book, the 27-minute-long masterpiece tells the story of a boy named James who sneaks downstairs at the stroke of midnight to find that the snowman he built has magically come to life.

The pair then set off on an epic adventure, taking off in the night's sky where the well-known and haunting track We're Walking in Air plays in the background, sung in the film by Welsh chorister Aled Jones.

The 2 Johnnies Christmas Spectacular, RTÉ2, 10.15pm

Get ready for a good giggle as, The 2 Johnnies are gearing up to bring viewers top notch comedy craic.

The podcast duo from Cahir, Co Tipperary present their first festive special, in which they promise songs, sketches, cute children saying inappropriate stuff and big stars doing unbelievable things.

Coronation Street at Christmas, 11.25pm, Virgin Media One

Coronation Street recently celebrated its 60th anniversary with a bucketload of drama. Now, the show is taking a fond look at the rich seam of Weatherfield's archive to showcase the stories that have entertained millions over the festive season for almost six decades.

From weddings and babies to flings and fights, not forgetting those Christmas dinner-disasters and poignant goodbyes.

Narrated by Sue Johnston, contributors including Barbara Knox, Chris Gascoyne, Jane Danson, William Roache, Sue Nicholls, Simon Gregson, Jack P Shepherd, Helen Flanagan, Thelma Barlow and Julie Goodyear share their memories of watching numerous, big Christmas storylines.