The Best Retail Christmas TV Adverts of 2026 - Which Is Your Favourite?
Following on from our selection of festive supermarket adverts, we're now taking a look at what some of the UK's other retailers have created for Christmas 2026.
From celebrity appearances to traditional animation, there's certainly something for everyone!
But have retailers struck the right tone this year?
With many households still feeling the pressure of rising living costs, Christmas advertising presents an interesting challenge. Should brands focus on escapism and festive magic, or acknowledge the financial realities facing their customers?
A quick look at reactions online suggests that the John Lewis advert has divided opinion. Some love its heartwarming message, while others aren't quite so convinced of the message it is conveying.
But whatever your opinion, it's certainly got people talking. And as the saying goes, there's no such thing as bad publicity. Or is there?
John Lewis Christmas TV Ad 2026
With its history of memorable Christmas campaigns, John Lewis had to come first!
And this year, At Last Events are especially proud to have been part of the team installing the commercial Christmas decorations at the flagship John Lewis store on London's Oxford Street.
This year's advert, Gloria and Pickles, stars Dame Kristin Scott Thomas as a grandmother searching for the perfect presents for her grandchildren.
With a little help from her childhood toy dog, Pickles, she discovers that the most meaningful gifts aren't necessarily the most expensive.
Instead, she creates a magical space where she can spend time with her grandchildren, reminding us that shared experiences and memories can be the greatest gifts of all.
It's a heartwarming message that brings the focus back to what Christmas is really about.
Marks and Spencer Christmas TV Ad 2026
M&S has brought together some familiar faces for its 2026 Christmas advert, The Home of Christmas.
James Norton stars as Father Christmas, alongside Lucy Punch as Mrs Claus, who encourages him to leave the North Pole and experience Christmas for himself.
Swapping his red suit for a Christmas jumper and shaving off his famous beard, Santa heads out into the world without anyone recognising him.
Along the way, he discovers the joys of Christmas shopping, festive food, dressing up and spending time with loved ones.
With a special appearance from Katherine Jenkins, who performs a new version of Heaven Is a Place on Earth, the advert combines festive humour with a heartwarming message.
After all, the real magic of Christmas isn't just made at the North Pole. It's created in homes everywhere, through the traditions and moments we share with family and friends.
Sports Direct Christmas TV Ad 2026
Sports Direct has teamed up with Nike and some familiar sporting faces for its Christmas campaign, Unwrap Potential.
Manchester City footballer Erling Haaland leads a team of sporting stars, including Leah Williamson and Dina Asher-Smith, who are on hand to help shoppers find the perfect Christmas presents.
When an uncle needs a gift for his niece, the team puts its sporting knowledge to work, helping him choose something that could inspire her future sporting ambitions.
It's a fun take on Christmas shopping, with the message that the right gift could help someone discover their potential.
Prada Christmas TV Ad 2026
Prada has taken a rather different approach to Christmas advertising this year, combining live-action footage with traditional hand-drawn animation.
Its campaign, Drawing Prada: Animated by Hand, features stars including Sadie Sink and Maya Hawke in magical winter landscapes filled with animated woodland creatures.
From mischievous mice making off with designer shoes to foxes wandering through snowy scenes, the campaign has a nostalgic, storybook feel.
And perhaps most interestingly, at a time when AI-generated imagery is becoming increasingly common, Prada has chosen to celebrate traditional animation and the craftsmanship behind it.
It's a beautiful reminder that sometimes the human touch can make something feel particularly special.
Debenhams Christmas TV Ad 2026
Debenhams has gone for a festive romantic comedy this year, bringing together a cast of familiar faces for its campaign, Christmas. For Everyone.
Emily Atack plays Tina, who returns to her hometown for Christmas and finds herself reunited with Chris, played by Mathew Horne, the one who got away.
With a village Christmas celebration, a snowstorm, a power cut and a few unexpected twists, things don't quite go according to plan!
But there's a happy ending, helped along by a surprise appearance from singer Gabrielle performing her classic hit Dreams.
It's a nostalgic Christmas story about second chances, community and reconnecting with people who matter.
Very Christmas TV Ad 2026
Very's familiar pink flamingos are back for Christmas, but this year they've brought the whole family!
Its 2026 campaign, That's the Very Thing, introduces a new animated flamingo family, each with their own Christmas wishes.
The advert takes viewers into imaginative worlds as the flamingos discover gifts that are just right for them.
Combining CGI with AI-assisted animation, Very has created a colourful campaign that focuses on finding the perfect present for everyone in the family.
It's playful, cheerful and very much in keeping with the retailer's established Christmas advertising style.
Argos Christmas TV Ad 2026
Argos has taken inspiration from Christmas past for its 2026 campaign, featuring comedian and actor Richard Ayoade.
In the advert, Richard is convinced that Argos is still all about toys, just as he remembers it from years gone by.
Fortunately, Argos characters Connie and Trev are on hand to bring him up to date, showing him just how much the retailer has changed.
It's a light-hearted journey through Christmas shopping past and present, with plenty of nostalgia along the way.
And the message? Whatever's on your Christmas list, Argos has more to offer than you might remember!
Boots Christmas TV Ad 2026
Boots has taken a humorous approach to Christmas gifting this year, showing what happens when someone receives a present they love just a little too much!
In one scene, a mum becomes so attached to her new LED face mask that she wears it everywhere, even for the family photograph.
Elsewhere, another woman can't resist using her new hair-styling gadget, even during a romantic dinner.
It's a playful celebration of those Christmas gifts that turn out to be so perfect that we simply can't put them down.
And with beauty, skincare and electrical gifts taking centre stage, Boots is hoping to inspire a few Christmas wish lists along the way.
Barbour Christmas TV Ad 2026
Wallace and Gromit are back for another festive adventure, as Barbour once again teams up with Aardman Animations for its Christmas campaign.
This year's advert, Warm Wishes, sees Wallace treating Gromit to a new Barbour dog coat, just in time for their Christmas Day walk.
But Wallace has another surprise up his sleeve: his latest invention, the Walk-o-matic, designed to let him enjoy the countryside without actually having to walk!
Unsurprisingly, things don't quite go to plan, and Wallace ends up being catapulted into a snowdrift.
Fortunately, Gromit is on hand to save the day, presenting Wallace with his own Christmas gift: a warm Barbour jumper.
With its familiar characters, gentle humour and traditional stop-motion animation, it's a charming reminder that thoughtful gifts and friendship are what make Christmas special.
Burberry Christmas TV Ad 2026
Burberry has brought together some familiar British faces for its 2026 Christmas campaign, Wrapped in Burberry.
Featuring Pierce Brosnan, Cara Delevingne and Fiona Shaw, the advert takes viewers into a festive gathering filled with warmth, laughter and a touch of British eccentricity.
With beautifully decorated surroundings, elegant eveningwear and plenty of Burberry's signature checks, the campaign captures the excitement of getting together for Christmas.
Rather than following a traditional storyline, the advert focuses on the atmosphere of the festive season, celebrating friendship, togetherness and the joy of dressing up for a special occasion.
It's a stylish take on Christmas advertising, bringing a little luxury and glamour to the festivities.
Christmas Is Coming
With Christmas adverts appearing on our screens, the festive season is well and truly underway!
And while retailers are bringing Christmas to life through their advertising campaigns, we're busy doing the same in shopping destinations, commercial spaces and homes across the UK.
Our Christmas installation teams are now in their busiest period of the year, transforming spaces ready for the festive season.
Most of our larger commercial Christmas installations have been planned and signed off for some time, but we still love creating magical Christmas displays for residential properties too.
If you're considering hiring Christmas decorators for your home this year, please get in touch to discuss what we may be able to create for you.
