Spend the holidays with WHYY-TV 12!

HOLIDAY PROGRAMS: TV SCHEDULE

Rick Steves’ European Christmas

Friday 12.1.23 | 11 PM

From manger scenes and mistletoe to wintry wonderlands, this Rick Steves’ special celebrates the Christmas season throughout Europe. Rick visits England, France, Norway, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy to reveal their customs and practices of the holiday season.

The Spirit of Christmas

Friday, 12.1.23 | 7:30 PM
Monday, 12.4.23 | 10:30 PM

Grab a glass of eggnog and settle in for the stories of St. Nicholas and the Nativity, as told by marionettes in this 1953 classic.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Ghosts of Christmas Eve

Friday, 12.1.23 | 10 PM
Sunday, 12.3.23 | 2:30 PM

Narrated by the late Ossie Davis, this is a fantasy trip through the magic of Christmas. A runaway little girl decides to return to her family after she enters a rundown theater for shelter and encounters an old caretaker, who guides her on her journey.

All Creatures Great and Small: Christmas in the Dales

Friday, 12.1.23 | 8:30 PM
Sunday, 12.3.23 | 11:30 AM

Watch the best Christmas moments from each season of the series. In addition to these memorable clips, the program goes behind the scenes with the cast and creators as they offer Christmas memories and holiday cheer to brighten the season.

Mary Berry’s Ultimate Christmas

Saturday, 12.2.23 | 12 PM
Monday, 12.4.23 | 7:30 PM

Learn how to prepare the perfect three-course Christmas dinner with Dame Mary Berry in this merry special filled to the brim with her time-tested recipes. Mary provides the only guide you’ll ever need for a festive feast as she and some special friends show how to plan, shop and prep for a delicious, stress-free day.

Season of Light: Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir

Tuesday, 12.12.23 | 8 PM
Sunday, 12.17.23 | 12:30 PM

The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square join with award-winning artists Lea Salonga and Sir David Suchet for this festive and uplifting Christmas special.

Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas

Thursday, 12.14.23 | 8 PM

This special shares the story of a group of Jewish songwriters – including Irving Berlin, Mel Tormé, Jay Livingston, Ray Evans, Gloria Shayne Baker and Johnny Marks – who wrote the soundtrack to the world’s holiday classics.

America’s Forests with Chuck Leavell: US Capitol Christmas Tree

Saturday, 12.16.23 | 11:30 AM

Rolling Stones’ keyboardist Chuck Leavell combines two of his passions – music and trees – to bring stories of sustainable forestry. This episode focuses on Oregon – building timber skyscrapers in Portland; adapting to ‘fire forests’ in Bend; and habitat restoration in the Siuslaw National Forest on the Oregon.

Mary Berry’s Highland Christmas

Monday, 12.18.23 | 9 PM
Tuesday, 12.26.23 | 8 PM

Mary Berry spends Christmas in her mother’s homeland of Scotland to enjoy a winter break soaking up her Scottish heritage and enjoying traditional festive delights with familiar faces, as well cooking up some of her own indulgent dishes.

Nature “Santa’s Wild Home”

Wednesday, 11.20.23 | 8 PM

Get an intimate look at the wildlife of Lapland, a region in northern Finland, the fabled home of Santa Claus and actual home of reindeer, great gray owls, wolverines, eagles, wolves, musk oxen, brown bears and more.

Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse

Thursday, 12.21.23 | 8 PM
Sunday, 12.24.23 | 3:30 PM
Monday, 12.25.23 | 2 PM

Set in 1922, this comedy-drama is inspired by the true story of a young Roald Dahl, future author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, as he sets off on an adventure to meet his favorite author, Beatrix Potter (Dawn French, The Vicar of Dibley). Their encounter proves to be a life-changing moment for them both.

Anthony Williams’ Urban Nutcracker

Thursday, 12.21.23 | 9:30 PM

Anthony Williams’ Urban Nutcracker puts a modern spin on the 19th Century fairy tale. Strains of Duke Ellington dovetail with the buzz of neon, driven by the heartbeat of Tchaikovsky, blending classic ballet, urban tap, hip hop, step and jazz into something special – a fusion of modern and classical dance and a celebration of our multi-cultural community!

You Oughta Know – Christmas Village

Friday, 12.15.23 | 7:30 PM
Friday, 12.15.23 | 11 PM
Saturday, 12.16.23 | 11 AM
Saturday, 12.16.23 | 5 PM
Saturday, 12.23.23 | 11 AM
Saturday, 12.23.23 | 5 PM

Host Shirley Min explores the Christmas Village in Philadelphia’s Love Park and the Made in Philly Holiday Market. Learn about the history of the open-air market and see what goes into making one-of-a-kind holiday gifts.

Christmas at Westminster: An Evening of Readings and Carols

Friday, 12.22.23 | 9 PM
Saturday, 12.23.23 | 7 PM
Sunday, 12.24.23 | 12:30 PM

Recorded in the Princeton University Chapel, the program features more than 400 musicians in five different choirs, encompassing a variety of styles, including traditional Christmas carols with audience participation, beloved choral works, a diverse array of holiday standards, contemporary arrangements and secular readings.

Purdue 89th Anniversary Christmas Show

Friday, 12.22.23 | 10 PM

For 90 years, this beloved holiday tradition has captivated audiences with its dazzling performances and heartwarming messages of love, hope, and unity. Watch the stage come alive in the historic Elliott Hall of Music as our incredible student talent perform beautiful secular and sacred music alongside a live orchestra.

Christmas on the Danube

Saturday, 12.23.23 | 11:30 AM

Christmas on the Danube is a companion to the European Christmas Market. It is true holiday treat that will fill your senses with warmth, touch your heart and provide your mind with geography and history, as well.

Christmas in New England

Sunday, 12.24.23 | 1:30 PM

From the coast of Maine to the hills of the Berkshires, New England is a uniquely magical place to celebrate the holidays. Join host Lindsay Paris as she visits eight regional destinations to take a look at the traditions and events that make Christmas in New England so special.

Call The Midwife Holiday Special 2021

Sunday, 12.24.23 | 2 PM

Christmas 1966 promises to be memorable one. The Nonnatus House team are faced with their busiest Christmas Day ever as the Maternity Home is filled with expectant moms and challenging cases. Luckily, Mother Mildred is on hand to support the team.

All Creatures Great and Small on Masterpiece “Merry Bloody Christmas”

Sunday, 12.24 | 10 PM

As Christmastime is overshadowed by war, the Farnons have taken in a refugee child. Siegfried must choose between the well-being of a racehorse and safeguarding Tristan’s future. Mrs. Hall also grapples with upsetting news.

Call The Midwife Holiday Special 2022

Monday, 12.25.23 | 4:30 PM

With Christmas approaching, the midwives move to their maternity clinic and are delighted when their first patient is a familiar face.

Debbie Gibson Holiday: A Soundcheck Special

Monday, 12.25.23 | 7:30 PM

Singer-songwriter, producer and actress Debbie Gibson shares insight and inspiration about recording the first holiday album, Winterlicious, and performs some classic and new holiday hits. Filmed at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, New Jersey, Gibson also talks about her creative process, writing original songs, her own holiday memories and recording the new album. Singer Joey McIntyre of New Kids on the Block also discusses what it’s like working and touring with Gibson.

Call The Midwife Holiday Special 2023

Monday, 12.25.23 | 8 PM
Monday, 12.25.23 | 9:30 PM

The midwives of London’s Nonnatus House deliver more babies and drama during the festive period, in this Christmas special.

Karamu: Feast for the 7th Day

Tuesday, 12.26.23 | 7:30 PM
Tuesday, 12.26.23 | 11 PM

Hosted by lifestyle expert Sira Williams, Karamu, Feast of the 7th Day explores the tradition of Kwanzaa, including the history, principles and symbols of Kwanzaa and celebrates the culinary traditions of West Africa, featuring dishes from Mali, Ghana and Nigeria. Sira shares her personal story as a child born in Mali, West Africa to her American mother and Malian father.

The Nutcracker and the Mouse King

Tuesday, 12.26.23 | 9 PM

Conceived by John Mauceri, this new work is a re-imagination of Tchaikovsky’s holiday favorite, “The Nutcracker.” Based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s 1816 book, Alan Cumming recounts the origin story of how a prince got put into a nutcracker. Unlike the ballet, we also learn what happens when the young girl grows up, having saved the prince, and what they are doing today.

Cultural Expressions: Kwanzaa

Saturday, 12.30.23 | 7 PM

This documentary explores the seven principles that are the foundation of Kwanzaa by sharing seven real-life stories of impact, revealing how each principle plays a role in the Black community, enhanced by cultural elements of dance, storytelling, music and spoken word.

NEXT at the Kennedy Center: A New Year’s Eve Celebration

Sunday, 12.31.23 | 8 PM

Ring in the New Year with a star-studded musical celebration on stage at the Kennedy Center.