M&S Christmas advert 2026 stars James Norton as undercover Santa
M&S is launching its first Christmas campaign since 2017 that brings its fashion, home, beauty and food categories together in one story.
The Home of Christmas will launch on M&S’s Instagram page and YouTube channel at 7am on Friday 6 November.
Subscribe to TRBIt stars James Norton as an undercover Santa, alongside Lucy Punch as Mrs. Claus, with a special appearance and exclusive soundtrack by Katherine Jenkins.
The campaign was informed by M&S research highlighting the importance of people spending Christmas together. More than four in five M&S customers said they want a special Christmas with the people they love, while food was found to be central to those celebrations, with 68% saying it is what makes the season feel special.
In the fim, Santa, played by Norton, leaves the North Pole to experience Christmas for himself. Encouraged by Mrs. Claus, he swaps his red suit for a Christmas jumper and shaves off his beard to avoid being recognised. Without his familiar look, he becomes a more relatable figure, joining in the traditions and celebrations taking place in homes across the country.
His journey takes in festive meals, gifts, fashion and home, showcasing the role M&S plays in helping customers prepare for and celebrate the season.
The film is accompanied by Katherine Jenkins’ specially recorded version of Heaven Is a Place on Earth. The campaign song will be released on launch day, extending the soundtrack beyond the film.
The integrated campaign will also run across TV, video on demand, cinema, outdoor, social media, radio, digital display and print, alongside M&S’s owned channels, influencer activity and PR.
Across social and digital channels, Friends of M&S will be able share to their festive selections through M&S Love That Lists, featuring gifts, food, fashion, beauty and homeware.
Shoppers will also be offered festive recipes through the M&S Recipe Hub and will be able tocheck ingredient and product availability through the M&S digital catalogue.
Sharry Cramond, fashion, home & beauty marketing director at M&S, said: “Customers don’t think about Christmas as one meal, one gift or one outfit.
“They think about all the moments that make the season special. As the only retailer with a truly cross-category offer spanning food, fashion, beauty, gifting and home, M&S plays a unique role in helping customers create Christmas from start to finish.
“Bringing those categories together allows us to tell one connected Christmas story and celebrate all the ways our customers make the season their own. That’s why we’re proud that customers call M&S The Home of Christmas.”
Andrew Hicks, food marketing director at M&S, said: “From the food shared around the table to the thoughtful finishing touches that make the season memorable, we’re proud to be part of some of the moments that matter most.
“This year’s campaign brings that to life in a way that is warm, unexpected and full of charm, celebrating the special place M&S holds in our customers’ festive traditions and reinforcing why we’re proud to be The Home of Christmas.”
