Showcasing the top toys, ‘must-have’ gadgets and children’s books for this Christmas, the Late Late Toy Show is a uniquely Irish bundle of fun, hosted by the new presenter for 2023, Patrick Kielty.

The most anticipated night of the year for many kids is getting to stay up way past their bedtime to watch the Toy Show, and it is one memory many of us still cherish. To get to do it with our own kids is special, and lots of new (and old) traditions are played out – from Christmas pjs and lots of sweet treats, to seeing who falls asleep first…!

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So, it’s time to make sure you’re fully stocked up and ready with all the Toy Show essentials:

• Christmas PJs or other cosy nightwear
• A blanket or something to snuggle up under
• Hot chocolates with marshmallows (try these polar bear marshmallows for a wintery treat!)
• Sweets and treats for sharing
• Pen and paper to jot down any toys, gadgets or books you think would be good
• Tissues for all the weepy bits!
• Fun Christmas games to play in the ad breaks
• Santa hats, reindeer antlers or other fun Christmas accessories
• A pillow in case any one falls asleep
• Our Late Late Toy Show Bingo game to play while you’re watching

Don’t forget to see if any of our Hot Toys for Christmas predictions make it onto the show too!

The first Toy Show aired on RTÉ in the early 1970s as a 30-minute slot at the end of the regular Late Late Show. Gay Byrne hosted a segment for parents on the current toys for Christmas while the children were tucked up tight!

It proved so popular, that it eventually became a full-show special with Christmas musical entertainment. Lucky children were invited on to test and review the toys and it eventually evolved into the Christmas extravaganza that we love!

It continues to attract record audiences, with nearly 1.6 million people tuning in in Ireland to watch the show live on RTÉ One last year, and 303,000 streams on the RTÉ player online around the world. Viewers watched from 139 countries!

Every year, applications to be in the coveted Toy Show audience attract more than 100,000 entries for just 200 tickets! Not only is it a chance for adults to indulge in some festive fun, dress up in their best (and worst!) Christmas outfits, but there is also the very famous catchphrase to look forward to…”There’s one for everybody in the audience!”