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This December CBeebies offers a range of exciting new premieres and Christmas specials from much-loved CBeebies characters.

The iconic Oscar-nominated animated short film The Snowman is leading the schedule for CBeebies this Christmas.

Based on the classic Raymond Briggs story, the beautifully animated story has been inspiring young people and adults alike since 1982. With a soaring soundtrack centred on Howard Blake’s We’re Walking in the Air and a touching story, this is an all-time Christmas great.

The story centres on a young boy who builds a snowman one Christmas eve, only to find it wakes up at midnight. Trying to not wake their parents, the snowman and his new friend explore the house – before leaving for an exhilarating motorcycle ride through the countryside.

The story reaches its crescendo as the Snowman then flies his friend, hand-in-hand, to the North Pole – set to the music of the classic song – before meeting Santa and his reindeer. Returning home the animation ends touchingly as the boy wakes up. The Snowman, a firm Christmas favourite around the world, will be showing on CBeebies on Friday, 24th December at12.20 and 17.35.

David Fewings, Head of Scheduling, Poland, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Worldwide Channels, said: "It is hard to find anyone who does not love The Snowman. A touching story, beautiful music and imaginative animation come together to create a programme that will never leave you. I urge everyone – no matter what their age – to watch The Snowman to give a real sense of Christmas spirit."

The Snowman will be joined by some other great programming this festive season. Nina and the Neurons Go Inventing is a fun science show where children discover how everyday objects work. Each episode starts with a question from a child asking how something works – such as bicycles, vacuum cleaners and mirrors – and then working alongside Nina in her lab to discover for themselves the answer. Nina and the Neurons Go Inventing leaves children in no doubt about the excitement of science, while offering lots of educational information about science, history and even a bit of inventing of their own. Nina and the Neurons Go Inventing airs weekdays at 8.35, from 6 December.

Also premiering on 6 December with a double episode and then airing weekdays at 11.10 from 20 December is Let's Celebrate. In a riot of colour, music, sights, sounds and tastes, this series explores the stories behind the festivals celebrated by different faiths.

From Chinese New Year to Christmas, Let's Celebrate looks at religious and cultural festivals as celebrated by young children. The series visits a different UK community in each episode to join in the fun and excitement of their celebrations by visiting a family or group of children who are getting ready for a festival – be it dressing up, decorating the house, preparing food or exchanging gifts. The programmes then showcase a musical or dramatic performance which tells the story behind the festival before returning to the children and their families at a party or event in full celebratory mode. Festivals featured in the series include: Vaisakhi, Eid-ul-Fitr, Holi, Wesak, Purim, Diwali, Easter, St Patrick's Day, St David's Day, St George's Day, St Andrew's Day and Norouz.

Louise Loffel