Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

ELF UNVEILED AS THIS YEAR'S LATE LATE TOY SHOW THEME

24/11/2023

To Whom It Concerns

The eagerly anticipated theme for this year's Late Late Toy Show has finally been announced - and it's none other than the beloved Christmas classic Elf.

Patrick Kielty will be joined by Santa, Leon the Snowman, Papa Elf, and a whole host of workshop elves as they travel through the seven levels of the Candy Cane Forest, past the sea of twirly-swirly gum drops, and journey through the Lincoln Tunnel for the most magical night on Irish television. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear, and this year's show will have over 170 young performers and toy testers taking part. The children hail from all over Ireland, with the youngest elf aged just four years old.

Smiling is his favourite, and ahead of his debut Late Late Toy Show, host Patrick Kielty said: I am so excited for my very first Toy Show and I am delighted to reveal that the theme for this year is an absolute Christmas classic Elf, The Movie. Sitting down to watch it with all the family has become a big Christmas tradition in our house and I can't wait to let Buddy and the elves loose in the Toy Show Workshop tonight. We've got some amazing kids, wonderful toys and lovely surprises coming your way. I really hope you have as much fun watching as we are going to have making it!

There is no place like home, with a beautiful set tonight comprising of New York's Central Park, The Toy Shop, Candy Cane Forest, and the film's Post Office Workshop, created by RT production designers. The RT Costume and Make-Up Departments have been kept busy making elf shoes, customised elf ears, and designing costumes with rich velvet colours over the past number of months.

There's room for everyone on the Nice List, and tonight's show is all about Toys, Toys, Toys! Squishmallows, LEGO, Gabby's Dollhouse, Bluey, Goo Jit Zu, Cookeez Makery, Biggies, Beast Lab, and Barbie Campervan are among some of the top offerings tonight at Santa's Toy Show workshop. Sustainable toy options including Bio-glitter, PlayMais set, Geomag Race Track, Bio Buddi set, Green Beedz, and TOYI Upcycling Craft Kit also feature. Plus, there will be cost-effective toy options with Barbie Fashionista Dolls, ALDI Littletown Christmas Soft Stretchy toys and a toy DeLonghi Barista Coffee Machine - can it produce the world's best cup of coffee?'

As always, books will have a strong prominence on the show, with a large majority of the featured children's titles from Irish authors. Irish toys set to feature include Arckit, CubeFun, 3D Model Croke Park, Little Angel Dollhouse and Holotoyz Tattoos, Antics Board Game, and a Bainisteoir Board Game.

Patrick and The Late Late Toy Show elves both big and small will also have a few surprises up their sleeves for viewers and lucky audience members alike.

A list of the toys featured will be available on the show's website www.rte.ie/latelate following the broadcast. All toys featured on the night will be donated to charities.

RT Player

Stream Free Worldwide

In 2023, a global audience from over 139 countries tuned in to watch The Late Late Toy Show on RT Player, with viewers from London to New York, Madrid, Dubai, Sydney to Auckland. Stream The Late Late Toy Show tonight on RT Player at 9:35pm.

Subscribe to The Late Late Show YouTube channel for all the best bits, including Santa's special visit to the Holy Family School for the Deaf in Cabra.

ISL

The Late Late Toy Show with Irish Sign Language (ISL) will broadcast live on RT News Channel and RT Player. For the first time, this year's ISL coverage features two deaf presenters Sarah-Jane O'Regan and Jason Maguire - who will be working with hearing interpreters, Amanda Coogan and Ciara Grant. The Late Late Toy Show ISL is a real celebration of Irish Sign Language, Ireland's third official language! The Late Late Toy Show ISL will also be available to stream shortly after the live broadcast.

Audio Description (AD) will also be available for the repeat on Sunday at 3.15pm and on Monday night at 12.40, and afterwards on RT Player. A fully accessible version (with subtitles, ISL and AD) will be broadcast on Wednesday 29th November, which will also be available to stream. Audio Describers this year will be Clara Murray, Kevin Sherwin and Berni Stack.

The RT Toy Show Appeal

Working in collaboration with Community Foundation Ireland, the RT Toy Show Appeal is back for its fourth year to improve the lives of children and their families by funding essential support, health, wellbeing, play, and creativity initiatives. It has so far raised an astonishing 17.5m and provided support to 226 different charities and given 359 grants over that time. It supported 147 different children's charities last year alone and is estimated to have helped over 1.1 million annually since its inception.

Donations can be made via www.rte.ie/toyshowappeal and by the Revolut app.

RT Social Channels

Catch all the excitement from behind the scenes on the official social channels. The brilliant Kayleigh Trapp will host a TikTok Live at 6.30pm on Friday, with an AAA pass. Kayleigh will be with Patrick in rehearsals and bring you on a never-before-seen tour backstage.

The official hashtag is #LateLateToyShow. You can follow the Late Late right now to make sure you don't miss a single second of the greatest TV night of the year @latelaterte on TikTok @latelaterte on Instagram, @RTELateLateShow on Twitter, @TheLateLateShow on Facebook.

The Late Late Toy Show airs tonight on RT One & RT Player at 9:35pm.
LINK: https://about.rte.ie/2023/11/24/elf-unveiled-as-this-years-late-late-t...
See more stories from rte

More from RTE

21/04/2026

Cultivating creativity: Super Garden is back for another season

Summer is nearly here and Super Garden is returning to our screens to spark some gardening inspiration. The new series kicks off on Thursday 23 April at 7pm on ...

16/04/2026

RTS Ireland Awards / Gradaim RTS 2026 Winners Announced

RTS Ireland Awards / Gradaim RTS 2026 Winners Announced Awards hosted by RT | Presented by Louise Duffy & Aisling Bonner Thursday, 16 April 2026 | Dublin Roy...

16/04/2026

Midnight in Vegas have been revealed as the fourth act set to compete on The Late Late Show Opening Act

The search for Ireland's newest country music star takes place live on Frida...

15/04/2026

RT announces new crime drama The Yank starring Kate Mulgrew and Colm Meaney

Two Cities Television and Keeper Pictures to produce six-part series in association with Screen Ireland for RT and ITV Studios RT has commissioned Two Citie...

15/04/2026

RT unveils The Signal' a specially commissioned 60-second film to celebrate RT100

RT 100 RT unveils The Signal' a specially commissioned 60-second film ...

13/04/2026

Paddy Treacy is the first act revealed to compete on The Late Late Show Opening Act

The search for Ireland's newest country music star is live on Friday 17 Apri...

13/04/2026

RT Radio 1 unveils new audio identity

RT Radio 1 has today launched a significant step in its ongoing strategic evolution. Following the launch of its brand-new schedule late last year, RT Radio 1...

13/04/2026

The Late Late Show offers a once-in-a-lifetime prize to the winner of next week's Opening Act compet

The Late Late Show Opening Act, the search for Ireland's newest country musi...

13/04/2026

RT appoints new Chief Financial Officer

RT has today announced the appointment of Annemarie Britz to the position of Chief Financial Officer, RT following a public competition. Annemarie Britz is c...

09/04/2026

Brian Fenton Joins RT Sunday Game GAA Panel for 2026 Championship

RT Sport has announced Brian Fenton will join its Sunday Game GAA punditry panel for the 2026 Championship, featuring across video, audio, online including the...

09/04/2026

Time for some fresh air: Tracks & Trails is back

Doireann N Ghlac in returns as presenter, with the first episode airing this Friday at 8.30pm on RT One and RT Player The beloved walking series Tracks & T...

08/04/2026

Kathryn Thomas questions if we can be Young Forever in new RT documentary

Young Forever: The Death of Ageing? airs Monday 13 April and 20 April on RT One and RT Player Around the world, the race to beat ageing is on. From cutting ...

07/04/2026

The GAA Championships on RT

THE GAA CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE BACK WITH A BANG LIVE AND FREE TO AIR ACROSS ALL RT PLATFORMS The Sunday Game and The Sunday Game Live return on Sunday 12 April L...

02/04/2026

Continuing to connect with Young Ireland: 2FM Announces Brand-New Daytime Schedule

2FM Breakfast to extend on weekday mornings from 6am to 10am Doireann Garrihy m...

02/04/2026

RT NEWS ANNOUNCES BARRY LENIHAN AS NEW POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT

RT News & Current Affairs is pleased to announce the appointment of RT Radio 1 reporter, Barry Lenihan, as Political Correspondent. Barry has reported across...

01/04/2026

RT and Virgin Media Television kick off comprehensive freetoair coverage of the 2026 Women's Six Nations Championship

Rugby fans won't miss a moment of the action this spring, with full Women...

01/04/2026

Bluey as Gaeilge starts on RT KIDSjr on Easter Monday

T Bluey ag teacht go RT ! Beginning on Monday 6 April 2026, Bluey will be available as Gaeilge on RT KIDSjr and RT Player. Children will be able to connect w...

27/03/2026

RT is Supporting 20 Arts and Cultural Events all over Ireland this April

RT Supporting the Arts RT is Supporting 20 Arts and Cultural Events all over Ireland this April RT is proud to support an exciting month of arts and cul...

27/03/2026

Average of 1.37 million viewers watched Irish World Cup heartbreak on RT2

Average of 1.37 million viewers watched Irish World Cup heartbreak on RT 2 Over one million streams on RT Player Highest number of streams for any single eve...

26/03/2026

Fiat to sponsor The Louise Duffy Show on RT Radio 1

RT Commercial today announced Fiat as sponsor of The Louise Duffy Show on RT Radio 1, Weekdays 3pm 4pm. The Louise Duffy Show is the home of daytime music...

24/03/2026

New series of The Young Offenders drops on RT Player on Good Friday

Jock and Conor are back in Cork for series 5 A new series of hit-comedy The Young Offenders will drop on RT Player on Good Friday 3 April. The show, produced...

24/03/2026

New RT podcast explores the hidden stories of modern Irish history

RT 's new history podcast, What Were We Like, is out now. Hosted by historian Diarmaid Ferriter and archivist Catriona Crowe, the series focuses on modern I...

24/03/2026

RT's Today show celebrates 2000 episodes

All three presenters, Maura, D ith and Sinead, celebrate as afternoon chat show filmed in Cork hits milestone. Ireland's longest running afternoon show, t...

23/03/2026

RT Statement on the Death of Sports Broadcaster Michael Lyster

RT is sad today to learn of the death of legendary RT Sport broadcaster Michael Lyster, who died this morning aged 71 years. Kevin Bakhurst, Director-General...

23/03/2026

RT Documentary On One wins its first ever dedicated music award

RT Documentary On One has scooped its first ever dedicated music award. At the 2026 Icelandic Music Awards, composer lfur Eldj rn won Release of the Year in t...

23/03/2026

Czechia v Republic of Ireland live on RT2, RT Player and RT Radio 1

Inside Sport, Liveline, Morning Ireland and 2FM DRIVE will all be in Prague to bring fans to the heart of the action Every Moment, Every GenerationRT | FIFA W...

20/03/2026

RT's Suzanne Kelly to receive the 2026 Murakami Award at Animation Dingle

Dingle, Co. Kerry - Animation Dingle is delighted to announce that Suzanne Kelly, Head of Children's and Young People's Content at RT , will receive the...

20/03/2026

It's time to play The Money List! Baz Ashmawy is back at the helm as the quiz returns for a fourth season

It's time to play The Money List! Baz Ashmawy is back at the helm as the qui...

19/03/2026

Foo Fighters' Other Voices performance to air on RT this Easter Monday

Other Voices presents a legendary night of music as Foo Fighters bring their stadium anthems to St James' Church, An Daingean. The surprise performance teas...

19/03/2026

RTS Ireland Awards / Gradaim RTS 2026 Shortlist Announced

***Issued by RT on behalf of RTS Ireland Awards / Gradaim RTS 2026...

16/03/2026

Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins wins Dancing with the Stars 2026

After a nail-biting Grand Finale, Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins has been announced as the winner of Dancing with the Stars 2026. The four finalists each dance...

16/03/2026

New RT series Welcome to Moore Street gives a glimpse into life on iconic Dublin street

Welcome to Moore Street will begin on RT One and RT Player on Thursday 19 Marc...

13/03/2026

RT announces Rick O'Shea as new presenter on RT Radio 1's Arena

RT has announced today that Rick O'Shea is the new presenter of Arena RT Radio 1's flagship weeknight arts and culture programme. Rick has been pres...

13/03/2026

Lights! Camera! Action! The 98th Oscars set to air live as RT backs the Irish nominees

Lights! Camera! Action! The 98th Oscars set to air live as RT backs the Irish n...

12/03/2026

Jam-packed weekend of Irish entertainment, sport and music across RT for St Patrick's Day

The Late Late Show Show St Patrick's Day special Dancing with the Stars f...

11/03/2026

The 2026 RT Short Story Competition is now open for entries

TELL US YOUR (SHORT) STORIES The 2026 RT Short Story Competition is now open for entries Recognising and rewarding the best new Irish fiction writing for...

11/03/2026

Celtic Media Festival 2026 Nominees Announced

RT 's The Traitors Ireland is among the nominees for the 2026 Celtic Media Festival Torc Awards for Excellence, announced today....

09/03/2026

RT supports launch of The Replay' Bringing the Voice of Mchel Muircheartaigh Back to Irish Homes and reconnecting lost memories

A powerful new national initiative supporting people living with dementia launch...

06/03/2026

Death of John McHugh

We are deeply saddened to hear the very sad news of the death of our friend and colleague, John McHugh. John was an exceptionally talented creative leader who s...

06/03/2026

A Nation Holds Its Breath Again

First exclusive look at RT 's promo as Ireland prepare to take on Czechia Every Moment, Every Generation https://youtu.be/2ijo96EadLU 36 years after Geor...

05/03/2026

CMAT wins RT Choice Music Prize Irish Album of the Year 2025

Celebrating 21 Years of the RT Choice Music Prize RT Choice Music Prize In association with IMRO and IRMA RT Choice Music Prize Irish Album of the Year 2...

03/03/2026

RT is Supporting 20 Arts and Cultural Events all over Ireland this March

RT is proud to support a rich and diverse programme of arts and cultural events taking place across Ireland throughout March 2026. This month brings a remarkab...

03/03/2026

RT Media Sales: Spry Finance renews Marty In The Morning lyric fm sponsorship for a fourth year

RT Media Sales has announced Spry Finance has renewed it's sponsorship of M...

27/02/2026

RT Media Sales: SIRO to sponsor Home of the Year on RT One

One of Ireland's favourite lifestyle shows Home of the Year, returns for its 12th series and will be proudly sponsored by SIRO. The brand-new series will ai...

27/02/2026

Our Farm: A GIY Story lands on RT One and RT Player from March 3

Our Farm: A GIY Story lands on RT One and RT Player from March 3 From walled garden to community farm, new six-part series captures the unfiltered realities...

27/02/2026

Seachtain na Gaeilge 2026 ar RT

Note: English version included below the Irish language version. Seachtain na Gaeilge 2026 ar RT A Ghaeilge mo cheol th ' T feachtas athnuaite i n...

26/02/2026

RT KIDS celebrate Kidscreen success in San Diego

There were two big wins for RT KIDS shows at the 17th Kidscreen Awards in San Diego this week with Maddie Triggs and BeddyByes both taking home gongs. The K...

26/02/2026

RT confirms receipt of payment for its share of GAAGO

RT has confirmed that it has today received payment from the GAA for its 50% share of GAAGO. RT confirmed in February 2025 that it had agreed in principle wi...

26/02/2026

RT Statement: Broadcast of Nations League fixture

RT Statement regarding the broadcast of Republic of Ireland vs Israel Nations League fixture If the match goes ahead and that is a decision for the FAI as ...