How to watch 'The Scarecrow's Wedding' on BBC iPlayer (it's FREE)

The Scarecrows' Wedding on BBC
(Image credit: BBC)
  • Watch The Scarecrows' Wedding for free on BBC (UK restricted)
  • Outside the UK? Use NordVPN to unblock the BBC
  • The Scarecrows' Wedding premieres on BBC One & BBC iPlayer on 25 December — 3:10pm GMT / 10:10am ET

The Scarecrows’ Wedding is the BBC’s brand-new animated Christmas special based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved picture book, adapted by Magic Light Pictures. Narrated by Sophie Okonedo and starring Jessie Buckley, Domhnall Gleeson and Rob Brydon, it’s a charming half-hour tale of love, loyalty and a wedding to remember — perfect festive viewing for families.

Want to stream it for free? Here’s how to watch The Scarecrows’ Wedding on BBC iPlayer from anywhere with a VPN.

How to watch The Scarecrows’ Wedding for free on BBC iPlayer

The BBC’s online streaming service, BBC iPlayer, is offering The Scarecrows’ Wedding for free—the special will be available on demand after it airs.

BBC iPlayerHow to watch BBC iPlayer: OUTSIDE THE UK?NordVPN

The Scarecrows’ Wedding premieres on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day at 3:10pm GMT.

How to watch BBC iPlayer: You can stream via the BBC website or the BBC iPlayer app (iOS / Android). To watch, sign up with your email, date of birth, and a UK postcode (e.g. SE1 7PB), and confirm you have a UK TV licence.

OUTSIDE THE UK? Use NordVPN to access BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

How to watch The Scarecrows’ Wedding on BBC iPlayer from anywhere

BBC iPlayer streams The Scarecrows’ Wedding free for viewers in the UK.

If you’re traveling or living abroad, you’ll need a VPN to securely change your location and access your usual UK apps, including BBC iPlayer.

There are lots of VPNs, but NordVPN is the one you can rely on to unblock BBC iPlayer and watch from anywhere in the world.

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Get NordVPN and stream The Scarecrows’ Wedding.

It's very simple to use a VPN to watch The Scarecrows’ Wedding on BBC iPlayer.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favourite.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're visiting the US and want to watch your free BBC iPlayer stream, you'd select 'United Kingdom'.

3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to BBC iPlayer, sign in, and watch The Scarecrows’ Wedding for free.

The Scarecrows’ Wedding: FAQ

When does The Scarecrows’ Wedding air on TV? Christmas Day (Wednesday, December 25, 2025) at 3:10pm on BBC One in the UK.

Will it be on BBC iPlayer, and is it free? Yes. It streams live during the broadcast and will be available on demand on BBC iPlayer in the UK for free after the broadcast.

Do I need a TV licence to watch on iPlayer? In the UK, you are required to have a TV licence to watch BBC iPlayer content live or on demand.

Can I watch it outside the UK? BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK. If you are abroad, you may be able to access iPlayer with a VPN. Availability may also follow later via local platforms as rights are sold internationally.

How long is it? It is a single, 30-minute special, not a series

Who is in the voice cast? Sophie Okonedo narrates, with Jessie Buckley as Betty O’Barley, Domhnall Gleeson as Harry O’Hay, and Rob Brydon as Reginald Rake.

Who made it? It is produced by Magic Light Pictures for the BBC and adapted from the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

Is there a confirmed US, Canada or Australia platform? No official simultaneous release has been announced for those regions. The special may arrive later via local streaming services or digital purchase once international distribution is confirmed.

What devices is BBC iPlayer available on?

You can use BBC iPlayer on all of the following devices and platforms:

Amazon Fire (Tablets, Cube, Stick, TVs)
Android TV (please note: some models aren’t supported)
Android (Mobile & Tablet) - Android 7.0 and above
Apple TV (tvOS 14 or later)
Google TV
Freely
Freesat (please note: some models aren’t supported)
Freeview Play (TVs and set-top boxes)
iOS (iPhone & iPad) - iOS 14 and above
LG Smart TVs (2016-2024)
NOW Smart Sticks and Boxes (minimum firmware v11.5.0)
PlayStation (PS4 and PS5)
Roku (Stick & Roku-OS powered TVs, minimum firmware v11.5.0)
Samsung Smart TVs (2017 and above - 2016 models only offer on demand TV)
Sky Q, Sky Glass and Sky Stream
Virgin Media (360, Stream, TiVo)
YouView (BT, Humax, Sony, TalkTalk)
Xbox (One, Series X, Series S)

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Disclaimer

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.

Caroline Preece
Freelance Contributor

Caroline is a freelance contributor for TechRadar, working primarily across the smart home and appliances channels. Currently the smart home editor for Livingetc and other homes titles, she has a decade of experience in technology journalism and loves nothing more than using whatever knowledge she has gained to help herself and others make better decisions about what devices to bring into their home.

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