Patrick Kielty is the host of The Late Late Toy Show 2025 on RTÉ.RTÉ

In Ireland, The Late Late Toy Show on RTÉ is the unofficial kickoff ot the Christmas season - and one of the biggest television events of the year.

Not in Ireland? Not to worry! You can watch Toy Show 2025 live on the RTÉ Player from anywhere in the world.

It's finally been announced that this year's them is the Christmas classic "The Grinch". Get ready to enter Whosville! 

Read on to find out all about this year's special, which RTÉ promises will be "out of this world!"

What is The Late Late Toy Show?

The Late Late Toy Show is an annual, special edition of the long-running RTÉ talk show The Late Late Show.

As its name suggests, The Late Late Toy Show showcases popular toys of the year just in time for Christmas. Children are featured on stage demonstrating the toys, while surprise celebrity guests have been known to stop by.

RTÉ notes that The Late Late Toy Show began in 1975 as a half-hour slot at the end of "The Late Late Show" as a way to give parents across Ireland some Christmas gift ideas while their children were sleeping.

It quickly grew into a one-night show in its own right, complete with child toy-testers and performers.

What day is The Late Late Toy Show on?

The Late Late Toy Show 2025 is on Friday, December 5.

What time is The Late Late Toy Show on?

The Late Late Toy Show 2025 airs on Friday, December 5, at 9:35 pm Irish time.

Ahead of the big show, RTÉ has shared this handy graphic of what time the Toy Show will air around the world:

(RTÉ)

Where to watch The Late Late Toy Show?

You can watch The Late Late Toy Show on Friday, December 5, at 9:35 pm Irish time on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

Not in Ireland? You can still watch live - and on demand - from anywhere in the world at RTE.ie/Player.

For the first time on RTÉ, Audio Description will be available live during The Late Late Toy Show on Friday, December 5, making it more accessible than ever and ensuring that its wonder can be shared universally.

Live Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpretation will also be available on the night on the RTÉ News Channel and on RTÉ Player, ensuring inclusivity for all audiences across Ireland and beyond.

The Late Late Toy Show 2025 will be repeated, with audio description, at 3:10 pm Irish time on RTÉ One on Sunday, December 7.

What is The Late Late Toy Show theme?

As always, The Late Late Toy Show theme is kept a secret until the day of!

Last year, the theme was the popular Christmas movie "Home Alone," while in 2023, it was "Elf."

Who is the host of The Late Late Toy Show?

Patrick Kielty, the regular host of The Late Late Show, is hosting The Late Late Toy Show 2025. It's his third time at the helm of the special edition show!

The Toy Show was initially presented by Gay Byrne until Pat Kenny took over in 1999, followed by Ryan Tubridy in 2009. Kielty has been the host since 2023.

On Thursday, Kielty shared his first reaction to the Toy Show 2025 set:

The Toy Show Appeal 2025

Now in its fifth year, the Toy Show Appeal, inspired by the late Saoírse Ruane, raises funds to support children and families across Ireland who need it most.

In 2020, then seven-year-old Saoírse captured hearts across Ireland when she appeared on the Toy Show and talked with host Ryan Tubridy about her battle with osteosarcoma, a rare form of cancer that resulted in the amputation of her right leg.

Saoírse, having raised more money than was needed for her prosthetic leg, donated the extra money to help other children who might need it.

RTÉ said Saoírse's "generosity and bravery" inspired the Toy Show Appeal.

Afterward, RTÉ said that there was an overwhelming audience response to the call to donate and, over the course of the weekend, more than €6.6 million was raised to help a range of children’s charities across the island of Ireland.

Since its launch in 2020, the Toy Show Appeal has raised an extraordinary €26 million, with more than 650 grants provided to over 500 children’s charities across the island of Ireland.

The Toy Show Appeal is managed by Community Foundation Ireland, a registered charity (Charities Regulator Number: 20044886). Established in 2000, Community Foundation Ireland works with individuals, families, companies, and other trusts and foundations to support a diverse range of over 5000 not-for-profit organisations across Ireland and is committed to the highest standards of trust and governance.

“As we mark the fifth year of the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal, it feels right to pause and reflect on what has been achieved," Kevin Bakhurst, Director-General at RTÉ, said ahead of this year's appeal.

"Five years ago, inspired by the courage and kindness of young Saoirse Ruane, we launched an appeal that has since grown beyond anything we could have imagined.

"What began as a single moment has evolved into something sustained and significant – with over €26 million raised, and more than a million children and families supported annually across every county on this island.

"The story of the appeal is, at its heart, the story of people at their best. In times of personal challenge – through a global pandemic, through cost-of-living pressures, through uncertainty – our viewers have consistently chosen to give. They have transformed their Friday night tradition of watching The Late Late Toy Show into something even more meaningful.”

Donations can be made at RTE.ie/ToyShowAppeal or via the Appeal’s official donation partner, Revolut Pay.