Roll up, roll up: the Royal Variety Performance is about to begin, and it's not to be missed. The prestigious charity event promises an epic evening of spectacle, mirth, music, and generally awe-inspiring entertainment, as comedian Jason Manford welcomes a dizzying procession of talented acts to the stage.
The guide below explains how to watch the Royal Variety Performance 2025 online and free with ITVX. Away for the holidays? Download a VPN to access your streaming services from anywhere.
Premiere date: Sunday, December 21 at 7.05pm GMT (TBC) |
Free live streams: ITVX (UK) |
Watch anywhere: Stream from anywhere with NordVPN |
The Royal Variety Performance has been inviting the UK’s most incredible entertainers to take part in this prestigious event since 1912. It’s broadcast to a global audience of around 152 million annually, and been graced by more stars than you'd find in the Milky Way – including The Beatles, Sammy Davis Jr., Cher, and Sir Elton John.
Taking up residence in the Royal Box this year will be the Prince and Princess of Wales. They’ll enjoy showstopping performances from various West End shows, including hit new musical Paddington and the iconic Les Misérables, which will be celebrating its 40th anniversary. There’ll be stand up comedy from Tom Davis, music courtesy of Jessie J, special guests and national treasures, pantomime; plus, viewers will be treated to a spellbinding illusion from Britain’s Got Talent winner Harry Mouldin.
Looking for some magical entertainment? Simply read the following guide for how to watch Royal Variety Performance 2025 and stream it free from December 21 and from anywhere on ITVX.
How to watch Royal Variety Performance 2025 for FREE
How to watch Royal Variety Performance 2025 from anywhere
You can watch the Royal Variety Performance 2025 free from the UK. But, if you find yourself abroad at any point, geo-blocking will stop you from watching the Royal Variety Performance on ITVX while abroad.
Thankfully, you can get round these blocks by using a VPN, or Virtual Private Network. It's really easy-to-use software that makes your laptop, smartphone or streaming device think it's somewhere else entirely and also encrypts your internet traffic. We think NordVPN is the very best out there right now.
Use a VPN to watch the Royal Variety Performance 2025 from anywhere
Using a VPN is as easy as one-two-three...
1. Download and install a VPN – as we say, our top choice is NordVPN
2. Connect to the appropriate server location – open the VPN app, hit 'choose location' and select the appropriate location (a server in the UK in this case)
3. Go to the broadcaster's stream – head to ITVX and start streaming the Royal Variety Performance as if you were back at home
Can I watch Royal Variety Performance 2025 online in the US?
There’s been no news yet whether the Royal Variety Performance will grace the TV holiday schedule Stateside this year. It’s formerly been broadcast on PBS; however, there’s no indication yet if it'll be available there this year. We’d recommend checking your local listings, and we’ll update you with the latest information should we get it.
A UK citizen currently traveling? To connect to ITVX from anywhere you’ll need a VPN, which will allow you to stream this year's variety show like you would back home.
How to watch Royal Variety Performance 2025 online free in Australia
Post-Christmas Day barbeque and Aussies can relax in front of the 98th Royal Variety Performance, airing on ABC from December 25 or ABC iview, where it’s available to stream at no cost – simply create a free account!
NB: If you’re out of the country – say, a British citizen visiting relatives Down Under – you can sign up to a VPN and access content on ITVX the same way you would back home.
Can I watch Royal Variety Performance 2025 online in New Zealand?
The details of the Kiwi release haven’t been confirmed. But this holiday staple typically airs on TVNZ 1 every year, a week or two after its been broadcast in Blighty. Alternatively, the Royal Variety Performance will be available to stream on TVNZ Plus and completely for free. Just sign up for an account and you’re away!
On vacation this Christmas? Don’t forget that if you’re Brit overseas, you can use a VPN to tune into ITVX while on the move.
Can I watch the Royal Variety Performance 2025 in Canada?
The Royal Variety Performance will air on Canada’s CBC channel on Friday, December 26 – about a week after its UK transmission on ITV. Those without cable can visit CBC Gem online instead and stream the special event there, and totally free of charge.
However, UK nationals looking to access ITVX will need to purchase a VPN stream the ITV show live online from December 21, or on-demand after broadcast.
Everything you need to know about Royal Variety Performance 2025
Who's performing at the Royal Variety Performance 2025?
Prepare to be royally entertained, because those taking the stage this year include: singer Jessie J; Britain’s Got Talent winner Harry Moulding; the cast of Les Misérables, joined by Michael Ball, Matt Lucas, Katy Secombe, Bradley Jaden, and Killian Donnelly; the cast of Paddington The Musical; Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins; hit ska band Madness, and Icelandic singer Laufey.
They'll also be Sir Stephen Fry; comedian and actor Tom Davis; stand-up comedian Mick Miller; Irish pop band Westlife; the cast of the BBC's Dead Ringers; Sir Bob Geldof, Midge Ure, and the cast of Live Aid musical Just For One Day; the cast of Kinky Boots, featuring Johannes Radebe; and America’s Got Talent winner Adrian Stoica, joined by his dog Hurricane.
Who is the 2025 Royal Variety Performance host?
Actor, comedian, and presenter Jason Manford will return to host the RVP for the second time (the first being in 2020 during the pandemic). He also performed at the event in 2009 and 2017.
What date is the Royal Variety Performance this year?
Mark your diaries! The show was filmed on November 19, and it’s UK TV transmission will be on Sunday, December 21 on ITV and ITVX.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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