A special trailer airing during Friday’s also revealed a new look for the Doctor and a new monster that will have families shivering behind their sofas.
Matt Smith returns as the Doctor who finds himself batting to save Christmas from the villainous Doctor Simeon (Richard E Grant) and his army of icy snowmen.
Series Executive Producer and Lead Writer Steven Moffat, said: “The Doctor at Christmas is one of my favourite things – but this year it’s different. He’s lost Amy and Rory to the Weeping Angels, and he’s not in a good place: in fact, he’s Scrooge.
“He’s withdrawn from the world and no longer cares what happens to it. So when all of humanity hangs in the balance, can anyone persuade a tired and heartbroken Doctor that it’s time to return to the good fight? Enter Jenna-Louise Coleman…”
Matt Smith added: “For this year’s Christmas special we have the wonderfully villainous Richard E Grant as Doctor Simeon – as well as lizards, Victorian assassins and deranged warriors from the future, who all return to convince the Doctor that he should board the TARDIS again and save the world.
“Add to that Jenna-Louise Coleman, and so begins the Christmas Special 2012. I hope everyone enjoys it!”
In addition to the Special, fans can look forward to 8 “epic” episodes airing in Spring 2013, kick-starting the show’s 50th anniversary year.
In August the BBC announced it had commissioned a drama about the show’s creation.
Written by Sherlock Co-creator and Doctor Who writer Mark Gatiss, the 90-minute special will tell the story of the show’s genesis and explore all aspects of the series to date. The BBC says it will also look at the many personalities involved in bringing the series to life.