Spend the holidays with WHYY!
From classic specials to wintry wonderland tours we’ve got you covered. Join us for a magical season of music, tours, documentaries and more.
Jump to:
HOLIDAY PROGRAMS: TV SCHEDULE
Mary Berry’s Highland Christmas
Sunday, 12.8.24 | 9 AM
Monday, 12.23.24 | 9 PM
Saturday, 12.28.24 |10 PM
Join Dame Mary Berry as she travels to her mother’s homeland, Scotland, for a magical winter adventure. Inspired by her own family holidays, Mary cooks up an array of sumptuous dishes, joined by three special friends. Together they share stories, memories and indulgent Christmas dishes that can be enjoyed anytime during the holidays.
Rick Steves European Christmas
Saturday, 11.30.24 | 10:30 AM
Sunday, 12.1.24 | 9 AM
Sunday, 12.1.24 | 11:30 PM
Join Rick for a colorful, musical celebration of Christmas across Europe in Rick Steves’ European Christmas. From England to Wales, France, Norway, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy, you’ll see the bright Christmas markets, hear local choirs, share holiday traditions with families…and even play in the snow. You’ll join Romans cooking up female eels, Parisians slurping oysters, Tuscans tossing fruit cakes, and Norwegian kids winning marzipan pigs. Exploring the rich and fascinating mix of traditions — Christian, pagan, commercial, and edible — you’ll see Christmas in a new light.
Spirit of Christmas
Monday, 12.2.24 | 11:30 PM
Tuesday, 12.3.24 | 10:30 PM
Friday, 12.6.24 | 7:30 PM
A Philadelphia and WHYY tradition. The Spirit of Christmas is a composed of two classic Christmas stories performed entirely with Marionettes. Both stories are beautifully recited and staged with musical backgrounds in classic and traditional style. The marionettes created for this 50’s TV Christmas classic represented the cutting edge of creativity in puppeteering at the time and may have provided inspiration for future successes like Howdy Doody, Kukla Fran & Ollie, and much later the Jim Henson family of characters. These classic Christmas tales will be enjoyed by young and old alike. Children will discover them, and adults will rediscover the warmth and charm of these classics.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Wednesday, 12.4.24 | 7:30 PM
Saturday, 12.7.24 | 11 PM
Narrated by the late Ossie Davis, this 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 (Davis), who guides her on her journey. The caretaker brings the theater to life through various musical performances by singers Jewel, Michael Crawford and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
American Masters “Brenda Lee” Rockin Around”
Wednesday, 12.4.24 | 10:30 PM
Monday, 12.16.24 | 10 PM
Sunday, 12.22.24 | 1 PM
Discover the story behind singer Brenda Lee’s iconic songs and explore how her early fame and life of poverty shaped her artistry across pop, rock ‘n’ roll and country. Known for her Christmas classic and Billboard hit “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” she is still a force in music today. The film features interviews with Keith Urban, Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo and many others.
Joy: Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir
Tuesday, 12.17.24 | 8 PM
Tuesday, 12.24.24 | 9:30 PM
Wednesday, 12.25.24 | 1:30 PM
The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square join with Broadway’s Michael Maliakel and Downton Abby’s Lesley Nicol for JOY – Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir, a spirited, heartwarming Christmas special. Filmed before a live audience at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, JOY will lift your spirits with stirring renditions of classic and popular Christmas music and a true story about French novelist, poet and dramatist, Victor Hugo at Christmastime.
Too Hot to Handel – The Gospel Messiah
Tuesday, 12.17.24 | 9:30 PM
Thursday, 12.26.24 | 8 PM
Handel’s 18th century masterpiece “The Messiah” has been reimagined by Conductor Marin Alsop with colleagues Bob Christianson and Gary Anderson. Handel’s arias, choruses and orchestration have been infused with Gospel, Jazz and R&B creating an uplifting reinterpretation of this Christmas and Easter favorite. This performance from London’s Royal Albert Hall marks the European premiere of “Too Hot to Handel: The Gospel Messiah,” a piece that has been a seasonal fixture across the United States since it premiered in New York in 1993.
Sister Boniface Mysteries: “The Star of the Orient” Part 1 & Part 2
Christmas Special
Thursday, 12.19.24 | 8 PM
Wednesday, 12.25.24 | 4:30 PM
It’s Christmas and Britain is in the grips of the worst winter on record. When a precious jewel is stolen from a snowbound train, Sister Boniface and company uncover murder, ancient curses and dark family secrets.
Ball and Vase
Saturday, 12.21.24 | 7:30 PM
Tuesday, 12.24.24 | 7:30 PM
Wednesday, 12.25.24 | 11 PM
The short dramatic film BALL AND VASE follows an ailing professor and magician named Ed Coleman during the holidays. He is a 92-year-old, widowed World War II veteran who lives alone in a small apartment in Hoboken, N.J. He has been all but forgotten, but Ed has one thing that keeps him going – an upcoming visit by his grandson on Christmas. When a change in those plans finds Ed alone at a local pub he used to visit with his late wife, he discovers one last opportunity to reconnect with the world. BALL AND VASE stars actor, director and playwright Austin Pendleton as Ed Coleman.
Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas
Thursday, 12.19.24 | 9:30
Saturday, 12.21.24 | 12 AM
The irreverent documentary DREAMING OF A JEWISH CHRISTMAS tells the story of the unlikely Jewish immigrants who, enamored with Broadway and Hollywood, wrote some of the most popular songs in America: Christmas music. The documentary features rarely seen archival footage, musical performances and interviews.
Christmas at Westminster: An Evening of Readings and Cards
Friday, 12.20.24 | 9 PM
Sunday, 12.22.24 | 2 PM
Sunday, 12.29.24 | 6 PM
Westminster Choir College presents their yearly holiday music concert in WESTMINSTER CHOIR COLLEGE: AN EVENING OF READINGS AND CAROLS. Recorded in the Princeton University Chapel, the program features more than 400 musicians in five different choirs. The musical numbers performed in the hour-long special encompass a variety of styles, including traditional Christmas carols with audience participation, beloved choral works, a diverse array of holiday standards and contemporary arrangements that both surprise and delight. Together with a few secular readings, the evening brings beauty and comfort to viewers at this special time of year.
A Classic Christmas with the Bach Festival Society: Joyful Sounds
Friday, 12.20.24 | 10 PM
Sunday, 12.22.24 | 12 PM
A Classic Christmas is a beloved Central Florida tradition. From the beautiful Knowles Memorial Chapel on the campus of Rollins College, the Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra, along with guest soloists Mary Wilson and Stephen Mumbert as well as the Bach Festival Children’s Choir, performs custom arrangements of treasured holiday classics created specifically for this joyous celebration. A CLASSIC CHRISTMAS WITH THE BACH FESTIVAL SOCIETY: JOYFUL SOUNDS is an hour-long documentary that captures this exciting performance.
Mary Berry’s Ultimate Christmas
Monday, 12.23.24 | 10 PM
Friday, 12.27.24 | 10 PM
Mary Berry shares her ultimate Christmas feast with all the trimmings, packed with tips to plan and get ahead for the big day. Chefs Angela Hartnett and Monica Galetti join her to share favorite festive recipes from their heritage and Mary and TV host Rylan try and convert some kids to brussels sprouts.
Roald and Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse
Tuesday, 12.24.24 | 8 PM
Wednesday, 12.25.24 | 12 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. Narrated by John Hannah (The Mummy) and starring Jessica Hynes (W1A), Rob Brydon (The Trip) and Nick Mohammed (Ted Lasso).
Call the Midwife Holiday Special
Wednesday, 12.25 | 8 PM
Saturday, 12.28.24 | 8 PM
Sunday, 12.29.24 | 3 PM
The 2024 special is set in Christmas 1969 and will feature a funfair in Poplar, as well as the threat of influenza and the Hong Kong flu.
Jews of the Wild West
Thursday, 12.26.24 | 9:30 PM
Western Jewish pioneers, those of the silver screen and real life, are a largely forgotten chapter in U.S. history. And yet, they played a definitive role shaping the expansion of the United States. The wagon trains that moved westward with Jewish families traveled for the same reason as many settlers: opportunity. Continuous cycles of anti-Jewish oppression, deadly violence and forced poverty in Europe forced over two million Jewish refugees to seek out a better life in America. The antisemitism and tenements found in New York City, however, did not offer the respite many Jews were seeking. By 1912, it is estimated that more than 100,000 Jews had migrated to the Wild West to put down roots. Today, they epitomize the important legacy of immigration in America. Through on-camera interviews, compelling footage and historical photographs, JEWS OF THE WILD WEST tells a positive immigration story and highlights the dynamic contributions Jewish Americans made to shaping the Western United States.
NEXT at the Kennedy Center: Cynthia Erivo & Friends: A New Year’s Eve Celebration”
Tuesday, 12.31.24 | 9:30 PM
Join Cynthia Erivo of Wicked fame in a dynamic showcase of the breadth and range of her artistry. Viewers will be treated to a celebration of music in its purest form in an uplifting performance that will leave audiences inspired and ready to embrace the possibilities of the year ahead.
Holiday Radio Specials
Beginning December 21 through the New Year, let WHYY be the soundtrack to your holiday season.
Celebrate the holidays with WHYY’s special radio programming! From timeless classics to unique holiday-themed shows, there’s something for everyone. Browse the schedule below, tune in live, and add your favorite programs to your calendar so you don’t miss out!
Saturday, December 21
- Tiny Desk Holiday | 8-9 p.m.
Featuring Steve Martin, Sharon Jones and more!
Add to calendar » - Classical and holiday music | 9 p.m. – Midnight
Sunday, December 22
- Jazz Pianist Christian Sands | 8 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Christian Sands shares music and memories from his record Christmas Stories. We’ll hear tales of his childhood in snowy New England, the ultimate Christmas party music, and more.
Add to calendar » - Classical and holiday music | 9 p.m. – Midnight
Monday December 23
- The Film Score: Music for the Winter Holidays | 8 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Chicago Tribune film critic Michael Phillips looks at holiday and wintertime movie music. In addition to beloved standards (“White Christmas” from “Holiday Inn” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” from “Meet Me in St. Louis”), Michael shares an eclectic mix of wintry film scores, ranging from “It Happened in Sun Valley” (from “Sun Valley Serenade”) to Alexandre Desplat’s folk-inspired score for “The Grand Budapest Hotel” to Bernard Herrmann’s bracing sleigh ride accompaniment composed for the Orson Welles drama “The Magnificent Ambersons.”
Add to calendar » - Classical and holiday music | 9 p.m. – Midnight
Tuesday, December 24
- A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols | 10 a.m. – Noon
A WHYY Christmas Day tradition! Listen to a worldwide Christmas broadcast of biblical readings, carols and related seasonal classical music by the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge in an acoustically and architecturally renowned venue, the college’s 500-year-old chapel.
Add to calendar » - A Christmas Carol | 8 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Gather the family around the radio for a public radio tradition hosted by NPR’s Susan Stamberg. Master comedian Jonathan Winters presents a distinctive reading of Dickens’ holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, with a special performing edition prepared by Dickens himself.
Add to calendar » - Classical and holiday music | 9 p.m. – Midnight
Wednesday December 25
- Classical and holiday music | 10 a.m. – Noon
- Good Souls Special | Noon – 1 p.m.
Revisit some of this year’s Good Souls honorees.
Add to calendar » - Angel Hair and Tinsel Music | 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Baby Boomers were born from 1946 – 1964, coming of age in the ’60s through the ’80s. Here’s the Christmas music of their lives, and the lives they touched.
Add to calendar » - Hip Holiday Music | 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
- The Choirs of Morehouse and Spelman Colleges | 8 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Two of the most prestigious historically black institutions in the nation join together to present a spine-tingling holiday concert program.
Add to calendar » - Classical and holiday music | 9 p.m. – Midnight
Thursday, December 26
- Itzak Perlman’s Chanukah Radio Party | 8 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Join the superstar violinist as he tells the story of the Jewish festival of lights and shares his favorite recordings of the holiday.
Add to calendar » - Classical music | 9 p.m. – Midnight
Monday December 30th
- The Sounds of Kwanzaa | 8 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Musician and Former Classical 24 radio host Garrett McQueen offers a background on the history of Kwanzaa and its guiding principles, alongside musical selections that highlight the spirit of the celebration. The show features the compositions of Florence Price, Duke Ellington, Sean O’Loughlin, and special performances by Imani Winds.
Add to calendar » - Classical music | 9 p.m. – Midnight
New Years Eve, Tuesday December 31st
- Sinatra 50’s and 60’s | 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Add to calendar » - Sinatra New Year’s Concert | 9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Add to calendar » - Classical music | 10:00 p.m. – Midnight
Welcome to 2025! January 1, 2025
- Back to the Garden: Woodstock Revisited | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Woodstock organizers, artists and audience members recall the 1969 music festival that rocked the world in more ways than one.
Add to calendar » - Peak Travel Radio Special | 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Thinking about your next vacation? Peak Travel, an original podcast from WHYY, explores how travel shapes communities in hot-spots around the world. We’ll share the wonder that comes with exploring new places, as well as the harm that our worst travel habits can cause.
Add to calendar » - Classical music | 8:00 p.m. – Midnight