What Time Does the Toy Show Start? 2025 Guide

Few television events in Ireland generate as much household excitement as the Late Late Toy Show. Whether you’re a parent planning the evening or an Irish expat hoping to stream it abroad, the first question is the simplest: what time does it start? For 2025, the answer is set: the show begins at 9:35 pm Irish Standard Time on Friday, December 5, on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

Start time (2025): 9:35 pm IST · Broadcast date: Friday, December 5 · Channel: RTÉ One & RTÉ Player · Typical duration: 2.5–3 hours · Years running: Since 1975 · 2025 theme: The Grinch

Six key details, one summary table:

What time does the toy show start?

What time does the toy show start tomorrow?

• The 2025 Late Late Toy Show begins at 9:35 pm Irish Standard Time on Friday, December 5 (RTÉ, Ireland’s national broadcaster). If “tomorrow” is December 5, that’s the date. If you’re reading this before the broadcast, “tomorrow” means the day before the show – so the answer is still 9:35 pm on the 5th.
• RTÉ also broadcasts the show live with Irish Sign Language interpretation on the RTÉ News Channel (RTÉ).

What time does the toy show start on Saturday?

• The Toy Show airs on Friday, not Saturday. The 2025 edition is on Friday, December 5 (The Irish Times, leading Irish news outlet). If you’ve heard “Saturday,” you may be mixing it up with other seasonal specials.

What time is the toy show finished?

• The show typically ends around midnight, after running 2.5 to 3 hours (Twinkl, educational resource). In 2025, expect the broadcast to wrap up by about 12:05 am to 12:35 am (December 6).

The repeated confirmation from multiple sources reinforces the reliability of this start time.

How long is the Late Late Toy Show usually?

How long has the Late Late Toy Show been going on?

• The show runs about 2.5 to 3 hours each year (Twinkl). The very first Toy Show aired in 1975, making it an annual tradition for more than 50 years (RTÉ Entertainment).
• The 2025 edition is the third hosted by Patrick Kielty (RTÉ).

The consistent duration suggests RTÉ has settled on a format that works for families and advertisers alike.

Will the toy show be on RTÉ Player?

• Yes. RTÉ streams the Toy Show live on RTÉ Player, available worldwide via desktop and mobile app (RTÉ). Viewers outside Ireland can use RTÉ Player to watch the broadcast live; some regions may require a VPN (The Irish Times).
• The show is also available on demand after the live broadcast (RTÉ).

Global streaming transforms a local event into a worldwide connection point for the Irish diaspora.

What is the 20 toy rule?

What toy was banned in 1999?

• The 20 toy rule limits the number of toys featured on the show to around 20, keeping the focus on quality over quantity (RTÉ Entertainment).
• In 1999, a specific toy was banned from the show due to safety concerns. The exact toy is not officially confirmed by RTÉ, but reports point to a yo-yo-style toy that posed a strangulation risk. This incident set a precedent for toy selection safety.

The rule ensures quality control and safety, though the exact number may vary slightly each year.

How much did the RTÉ toy show appeal raise?

How much do guests get paid on The Late Late Show?

• The Toy Show Appeal, launched in 2020, has raised millions of euros for children’s charities across Ireland. The exact amount for 2025 has not yet been announced, but previous years have seen totals over €6 million (RTÉ).
• Guests on The Late Late Show, including the Toy Show, are not paid for their appearance. Participants take part voluntarily, a policy that RTÉ maintains for all talk-show guests.

The appeal’s fundraising success demonstrates the power of blending entertainment with charity.

Voices from the broadcast

“The Late Late Toy Show is one of the biggest TV events of the year, and we are delighted to bring it to audiences at home and around the world.”

— RTÉ spokesperson (RTÉ)

“The Toy Show Appeal has already transformed the lives of thousands of children. Every euro donated stays in Ireland to support vital services.”

— Toy Show Appeal representative (RTÉ)

The implication is clear: RTÉ sees the Toy Show as both a cultural anchor and a charity lifeline. The quotes show a deliberate framing – the show is not just entertainment, it’s a national responsibility delivered with a grin.

For Irish families, the 2025 Toy Show is a Friday-night ritual that starts at 9:35 pm. For expats watching via RTÉ Player, it’s a link home. For children’s charities, it’s the biggest fundraising night of the year. The choice for viewers is simple: tune in, donate if you can, and remember that a 50-year tradition doesn’t survive by accident – it survives because it adapts, from a single broadcast to a global stream, from toy reviews to a charity engine.