Not every Christmas movie night needs another subscription. CBC Gem is free in Canada, and every November it opens a “Stream for the Holidays” collection with baking competitions, British Christmas specials and a TV movie or two.
If your family’s tradition is a Great Canadian Baking Show special and a pot of tea, this is your platform. Here’s everything holiday-related on CBC Gem for 2026.
CBC Gem Holiday Lineup 2026
| Date | Title | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Sun, Nov 1 | Stream for the Holidays collection | Holiday hub opens |
| Fri, Nov 20 | The Great British Baking Show: Christmas Special (Season 16) | Baking competition |
| Fri, Nov 27 | Call the Midwife: Christmas Specials (Season 14) | Drama, 2 episodes |
| Fri, Nov 27 | Château DIY: Christmas Specials (Season 9) | Lifestyle, 10 episodes |
| Sun, Nov 29 | The Great Canadian Holiday Baking Show | Baking competition |
| Mon, Nov 30 | A Runaway Bride for Christmas | Holiday romance (Canadian premiere) |
The Great Canadian Holiday Baking Show (November 29)
Four returning bakers team up with younger members of their families for a festive special. It airs on CBC TV at 8 PM (8:30 in Newfoundland) and streams on CBC Gem the same night. Of everything here, this is the most Canadian, and the best one to watch with kids who like to bake.
The Great British Baking Show: Christmas Special (November 20)
The hosts invite the cast of It’s a Sin into the tent for a Christmas bake-off.
Call the Midwife: Christmas Specials (November 27)
Two hour-long episodes. A festive funfair comes to Poplar, along with a flu outbreak and a couple of escaped prisoners, so it’s not all tinsel.
Château DIY: Christmas Specials (November 27)
Ten episodes of château owners in France racing to finish renovations, gathering greenery and hosting holiday parties. Ideal background viewing while you wrap presents.
A Runaway Bride for Christmas (November 30)
An 87-minute holiday romance getting its Canadian premiere on CBC Gem. A bride runs from her wedding back to her hometown, where her old high-school crush is hiding a heartbreak of his own, and then her ex turns up to win her back.
How to Watch CBC Gem
CBC Gem is free with ads on the web at CBCGem.ca, on iOS and Android, and on most smart TVs and streaming devices. You just need a free account. There’s also an optional paid Premium tier without ads, but you don’t need it for anything on this list.
Pair It With a Night Out
Baking show fans should know about the Gingerbread Lane at the Hyatt Regency and the holiday treats at the Vancouver Christmas Market. For more free ways to celebrate, see the best Christmas things to do in Vancouver and our Christmas lights guide, which is full of free displays.
More Christmas Streaming in Canada
CBC Gem is the free option. For everything else, see our guide to Christmas movies and series to stream in Canada, or go straight to:
- W Network’s 34 Hallmark Christmas movies, with a free preview all November.
- Apple TV, with a free Charlie Brown Christmas weekend.
- Netflix Christmas movies 2026
- Disney+ Christmas movies
- Prime Video Christmas movies
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CBC Gem free?
Yes. It’s free with ads in Canada. You need a free account.
When is the Great Canadian Holiday Baking Show on?
Sunday, November 29, 2026, at 8 PM on CBC TV and streaming on CBC Gem.
When are the Call the Midwife Christmas specials on CBC Gem?
Friday, November 27, 2026.
Does CBC Gem have Christmas movies?
Yes. The Stream for the Holidays collection opens November 1, and A Runaway Bride for Christmas premieres November 30.
Part of: Vancouver Christmas Guide 2026 › Christmas Movies & Series to Stream in Canada
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