December means great holiday programming all month long on NPR 89.1, Classical 90.5, and Jazz 89.1 HD2.
2023 Holiday Programs NPR 89.1
The One Recipe Holiday Special With Jesse Sparks – 12/24/23 At 12PM
Join host Jesse Sparks for The One Recipe Holiday Special at noon on Sunday December 24th. Hear from culinary superstars about their family traditions from all over the globe and their “One” recipe that signals the holidays have officially begun. Chetna Makan, Britain’s queen of Indian home cooking will share a recipe for a delicious nibble for cocktails; Tiffany Derry, beloved Texan chef of Roots Chicken Shack in Dallas, talks listeners through a recipe for her Mother’s Gumbo; and Matt Adlard, influencer and author shares a perfect recipe for his Dad’s Lemon Tart. Listen for The One Recipe Holiday Special at noon on Christmas Eve on NPR 89.1.
Ford’s Theatre Christmas Carol – 12/24/23 At 5PM
Join NPR 89.1 at 5pm on Sunday, December 24th, as WAMU and Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. present a contemporary radio play of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." Featuring Craig Wallace as Ebenezer Scrooge and public radio broadcaster Murray Horwitz as the narrator. Listen for “A Christmas Carol,” at 5pm on Christmas Eve on NPR 89.1.
Sing We Now Of Christmas – 12/24/23 At 7PM
Join NPR 89.1 at 7pm on Sunday, December 24th, as Grammy-nominated True Concord Voices & Orchestra presents their holiday special, “Sing We Now of Christmas.” Produced by Classical Arizona PBS, listen to hear fresh arrangements of traditional favorites including: “Sing We Now of Christmas,” “Away in a Manger,” and “How a Rose E’er Blooming” set alongside new carols, including world premiere recordings of “Love Came Down at Christmas,” “Fourteen Angels,” and “One Gift.” Plus, listen to hear a greeting from founding music director Eric Holtan. Listen for “Sing We Now of Christmas,” at 7pm on Christmas Eve on NPR 89.1.
Christmas With The Morehouse And Spelman Glee Clubs – 12/24/23 At 9PM
Join NPR 89.1 at 10pm on Sunday, December 24th to hear “Christmas with the Morehouse and Spelman Glee Clubs.” Listen to hear one of the great holiday traditions in America, the choirs of Morehouse and Spelman Colleges, as two of the most prestigious historically black institutions in the nation get together to present a concert program. Hosted by Korva Coleman. Hear this joyous celebration of the schools' tradition of singing excellence, with their trademark mixture of spirituals and carols during “Christmas with the Morehouse and Spelman Glee Clubs,” at 10pm on Christmas Eve on NPR 89.1.
Holiday Hand Me Downs – 12/24/23 At 10PM
As we age, we come to appreciate the holiday traditions of our youth. Join NPR 89.1, for “Holiday Hand Me Downs,” from With Good Reason at 10pm on Sunday, December 24th. Listen to hear the story of a Pastor who remembers receiving treat bags at his small, backroads church and how he is passing the tradition along. Also on the program, discover how renowned jazz pianist and composer Mary Lou Williams brought sacred Black jazz music to Duke University’s chapel every year; and hear how American traditions of Hanukkah and Christmas have changed over the years. Listen for “Holiday Hand Me Downs,” at 10pm on Christmas Eve on NPR 89.1.
A 40’s Radio Christmas – 12/24/23 At 11PM
Join NPR 89.1 at 11pm on Sunday, December 24th, for “A 40’s Radio Christmas.” The decade of the 40's was the last decade before the advent of television, and many radio performers of the 40's became household names to early television viewers. Christmas programs on the radio in the 1940's ranged from dramas to comedies, all of them containing a generous portion of music. Produced by Wes Sims. Listen for “A 40’s Radio Christmas,” at 11pm on Sunday, December 24th on NPR 89.1. Festivo Alt Latino: Gaby Moreno In Concert – 12/25/23 At 9am
A Christmas Gift For You – 12/25/23 At 10AM
Join NPR 89.1 at 10am on Monday, December, 25th to hear the inside story behind the 1963 album “A Christmas Gift For You” featuring performances by The Ronettes, The Crystals, Darlene Love and Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans that raised the bar for pop/rock arrangements of classic holiday songs. Hosted by Anthony DeCurtis and featuring interviews with singers Darlene Love and LaLa Brooks, musicians Nino Tempo, Don Randi and Hal Blaine. Join us for “A Christmas Gift For You,” at 10am on Christmas Day on NPR 89.1.
Joy To The World A Holiday In Pink – 12/25/23 At 11AM
Join NPR 89.1 for as the “little orchestra" Pink Martini bedecks the airwaves with festive holiday songs from across the globe during, “Joy to the World A Holiday in Pink,” at 11am on Monday, December 25th. From timeless classics to rarely heard gems, hear a multi-denominational, multi-cultural jubilee, overflowing with enough holiday spirit to warm your entire family. Hosted by All Things Considered's Ari Shapiro, and co-produced by OPB and Murray Street Productions. Listen for “Joy to the World A Holiday in Pink,” at 11am on Christmas Day on NPR 89.1.
A Christmas Carol With Jonathan Winters – 12/25/23 At 2PM
Join NPR 89.1 for the public radio tradition, “A Christmas Carol with Jonathan Winters,” From NPR and KCRW at 2pm on Monday, December 25th. Master comedian Jonathan Winters presents a distinctive reading of Dickens' holiday classic, with a special performing edition prepared by Dickens for his own presentations. Featuring Mimi Kennedy and hosted by NPR's Lisa Simeone (sih-me-OH-nee). Hear “A Christmas Carol with Jonathan Winters,” at 2pm on Christmas Day on NPR 89.1.
The Big Tiny Desk Concert Holiday Special – 12/25/23 At 3PM
Celebrate the season during “The Big Tiny Desk Concert Holiday Special,” Monday, December 25th at 3pm. Featuring performances by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Steve Martin, Hanson, The Polyphonic Spree and more! Hosted by NPR Music frenemies Bob Boilen and Stephen Thompson. Listen for “The Big Tiny Desk Concert Holiday Special,” at 3pm on Christmas Day on NPR 89.1.
2023 Holiday Programming On Classical 90.5
Arizona Repertory Singers Holiday Concert – 3PM On 12/24/23 & 9AM On 12/25/23
This year’s Arizona Repertory Singers holiday concert, “Women in Winter” features music for Christmas and the mid-winter by a diverse group of women composers. Hosted by Classical 90.5’s host Andy Bade. Tune in for “Women in Winter” presented by the Arizona Repertory Singers, Sunday, December 24th, at 3:00pm and Monday, December 25th, at 9:00am, on (our sister station) Classical 90.5.
Holiday Card To Tucson – 4PM On 12/24/23 & 10AM On 12/25/23
Hosted by Classical 90.5’s James Reel. Join us for Holiday Card to Tucson at 4pm on Christmas Eve and 10am on Christmas Day on Classical 90.5.
Carols As Home With The Imani Winds – 6PM – 7PM On 12/24/23
Sunday, December 24th at 6 PM on (our sister station) Classical 90.5, the holiday special Carols as Home will feature a modern take on classic Christmas carols, hosted by Imani Winds founding oboist, Toyin Spellman-Diaz. Hear intimate stories of Christmas memories and discover why these classic carols are still essential today. Hear favorite carols updated with the ensembles’ own imaginative take. Carols AS Home with the Imani Winds, hosted by Toyin Spellman-Diaz, at 6pm on Christmas Eve on (our sister station) Classical 90.5.
A Handel And Haydn Society Christmas – 7PM On 12/24/23
Join Classical 90.5 at 7pm on Sunday, December 24th, for “A Handel and Haydn Society Christmas.” Celebrate the holiday season with an hour-long special featuring Christmas choral music from the 15th to the late 20th Century from America’s oldest continuously performing ensemble, Boston’s Handel & Haydn Society. Founded in 1815, the Society is celebrating their bicentennial season including their 400th performance of Handel’s “Messiah.” Hosted by Cale Wiggins. Listen for “A Handel and Haydn Society Christmas” at 7pm on Christmas Eve on Classical 90.5.
Early Music Now – 12/24/23 At 8PM
This week on Early Music Now, we’re celebrating Christmas, St. Stephen’s Day, and the waning of the old year. We’ll hear more tracks from Cappella Romana’s recent release A Byzantine Emperor at King Henry’s Court along with chant and polyphony for St. Stephen’s Day sung by the Orlando Consort. We’ll also ring out the old year with music by Samuel Scheidt and Johann Schop. Tune in for Early Music Now, Sunday evening at 8:00, on (our sister station) Classical 90.5.
The Christmas Story Through Carols Old And New – 9pm On 12/24/25
Join Classical 90.5 at 9pm on Sunday, December 24th for “The Christmas Story through Carols Old and New.” This hour-long choral music program tells the Christmas story through a variety of carols ranging from medieval music to carols written in the last few decades. Each set focuses on a different part of the story, from the angels to Mary and the baby, the shepherds and how they spread their joyous message. Listen for “The Christmas Story through Carols Old and New” at 9pm on Christmas Eve on Classical 90.5.
The Christmas Revels: In Celebration Of The Winter Solstice 2023 – 6AM On 12/25/23
Join Classical 90.5 at 6am on Monday, December 25th for “The Christmas Revels: In Celebration of the Winter Solstice 2023.” Hear a musical celebration of the Winter holidays: Advent, Chanukah, the Solstice, Christmas, Dongzhi, New Year’s, and Twelfth Night/Epiphany, featuring traditional carols, wassails, hymns, ballads and folk dance-tunes excerpted from live Christmas Revels presented around the country. Produced by Houston Public Media Radio Operations. Listen for “The Christmas Revels: In Celebration of the Winter Solstice 2023” at 6am on Christmas Day on Classical 90.5.
365 Holidays With The Canadian Brass – 7AM On 12/25
Monday/Christmas morning on Classical 90.5, hear how the Canadian Brass celebrates the holiday spirit year-round during “365 Holidays with the Canadian Brass." The special includes longtime Canadian Brass holiday favorites including their "Hanukah Medley" as well as "Joy to the World," "The First Noel", "Silent Night," and a new arrangement of "Jingle Bells" in the style of Handel. Listen for “365 Holidays with the Canadian Brass” on Monday / Christmas Day at 7am on Classical 90.5.
¡Vamos A Belen! Christmas With The Rose Ensemble – 8AM On 12/25/23
Join Classical 90.5 at 8am on Monday, December 25th for “Vamos a Belen Christmas with the Rose Ensemble.” Hear an hour of festive and evocative music from early Peru, Bolivia, Mexico, and beyond. Colonial Latin America was a melting pot of ethnic diversity, when newcomers wrestled with local traditions, and cultural conflict was often reconciled through musical collaboration. Listen for “Vamos a Belen Christmas with the Rose Ensemble,” at 8am on Christmas Day on Classical 90.5.
Arizona Repertory Singers Holiday Concert – 3PM On 12/24/23 & 9AM On 12/25/23
This year’s Arizona Repertory Singers holiday concert, “Women in Winter” features music for Christmas and the mid-winter by a diverse group of women composers. Hosted by Classical 90.5’s host Andy Bade. Tune in for “Women in Winter” presented by the Arizona Repertory Singers, Sunday, December 24th, at 3:00pm and Monday, December 25th, at 9:00am, on (our sister station) Classical 90.5.
Holiday Card To Tucson – 4PM On 12/24/23 & 10AM On 12/25/23
Hosted by Classical 90.5’s James Reel. Join us for Holiday Card to Tucson at 4pm on Christmas Eve and 10am on Christmas Day on Classical 90.5.
Slavic Wonders: Christmas With The Rose Ensemble – 12PM On 12/25/23
Join us on Christmas Day / Monday at noon for “Slavic Wonders: Christmas with the Rose Ensemble,” featuring some gems from the libraries and monasteries of Krakow, Prague, and Moscow. Join us for a bouquet of chant, carols, and polyphony on “Christmas with the Rose Ensemble,” Monday, December 25th at 12pm on Classical 90.5.
Saint Olaf Christmas (APM) – 1PM – 3PM On 12/25/23
Join us on Christmas Day / Monday at noon for “Slavic Wonders: Christmas with the Rose Ensemble,” featuring some gems from the libraries and monasteries of Krakow, Prague, and Moscow. Join us for a bouquet of chant, carols, and polyphony on “Christmas with the Rose Ensemble,” Monday, December 25th at 12pm on Classical 90.5.
Wind And Rhythm Christmas Special – 3PM On 12/25/23
Composer Leroy Anderson worked at the Pentagon at the end of World War Two, and in the middle of a 1946 heat wave, he first conceived his enduring holiday piece “Sleigh Ride.” Join us for Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” and more on the Wind and Rhythm Christmas Special, Monday / Christmas Day at 3pm on Classical 90.5
A Chanticleer Christmas – 4PM On 12/25/23
Join Classical 90.5 at 4pm on Christmas Day for “A Chanticleer Christmas,” featuring the Grammy-winning twelve-man ensemble that’s been called “an orchestra of voices.” Hear Chanticleer present both new and old holiday favorites in “A Chanticleer Christmas,” 4pm Monday / Christmas Day on (our sister station) Classical 90.5
Exploring Music – 7PM On 12/25/23
On Exploring Music, We’ll have a weeklong look at the life and music of England’s most celebrated German composer, George Frideric Handel. Born the same year as JS Bach and Giuseppe Domenico Scarlatti — 1685 — his music had a distinct sound that married his German roots with his new country of England. Since the Baroque era, many of his works are played every year since their first hearing, which is now over 300 hundred years ago. And a good hour into the Messiah we all stand for the Hallelujah chorus just as George II did at its first performance. Join us for Exploring Music, weeknights at 7:00, on (our sister station) Classical 90.5.
New York Philharmonic – 8PM On 12/25/23
On the next broadcast from the New York Philharmonic, it’s a complete performance of one of the season’s musical crown jewels, Handel’s Messiah. Masaaki Suzuki leads the orchestra, along with Boston’s Handel and Haydn Society Chorus, and soprano Sherezade Panthaki, countertenor Reginald Mobley, tenor Leif Auruhn Solén, and baritone Jonathon Adams. Tune in for Handel’s Messiah with the New York Philharmonic, Monday evening at 8:00, on (our sister station) Classical 90.5.
The Sounds Of Kwanzaa (PRX) – 9PM On Wednesday 12/27/23 & 6PM On Saturday 12/30/23
Join Classical 90.5 on Wednesday, December 27th at 9pm and Saturday, December 30th at 6pm to hear “The Sounds of Kwanzaa.” During the aftermath of the Watts Uprisings in the 1960s, Dr. Maulana Karenga (maw-LAH-nah kuh-RENG-uh) decided to create a special December holiday designed for Black people to celebrate themselves, their culture, and their future liberation. Host Garrett McQueen will feature compositions by Florence Price, Duke Ellington, Sean O’Loughlin (oh’ LOCK-lin), and Imani Winds that highlight the spirit of the celebration, and offer a background on the history of Kwanzaa and its guiding principles. Listen for “The Sounds of Kwanzaa,” Wednesday, December 27th at 9pm and Saturday, December 30th at 6pm on Classical 90.5.
New Year’s From Vienna – 01/01/24 At 9AM
Join Classical 90.5 at 9am on Monday, January 1st for “A New Year’s from Vienna.” The Vienna Philharmonic presents its ever-popular New Year’s Day concert from the Golden Hall of Vienna’s Musikverein, with Cleveland Orchestra’s Music Director Franz Welser-Möst conducting. Hosted by WBUR’s Lisa Mullins, this year will feature an appearance by the Vienna Boys Choir and the Vienna Girls Choir. Listen for “A New Year’s from Vienna” starting at 9am on New Year’s Day on NPR 89.1.
2023 Holiday Programming On AZPM Jazz HD2
Holiday Jazz With Dee Alexander – 7PM On 12/24
Join the WFMT Radio Network for “Holiday Jazz with Dee Alexander,” a one-hour special with host and Chicago vocalist Dee Alexander, with support from Richard Steele, pianist Miguel de la Cerna, bassist Junius Paul, and drummer Yussef Ernie Adams. The performance includes favorites like “White Christmas,” “Coventry Carol”, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and show-stopping renditions of spirituals inspired by Chicago gospel legend Mahalia Jackson. Listen for “Holiday Jazz with Dee Alexander,” at 7pm on Christmas Eve on AZPM Jazz 89.1 HD2.
A Swingin Holiday Jazz Party With Wynton Marsalis –6PM On 12/24
Join AZPM Jazz 89.1 HD2, at 6pm on Sunday, December 24th as Wynton Marsalis hosts an hour of holiday jazz favorites during “A Swingin’ Holiday Jazz Party.” Featuring works by Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Cécile McLorin Salvant (suh-SEEL mc-LOR-in sal-VAHNT), Gregory Porter, René Marie, and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Listen for “A Swingin’ Holiday Jazz Party with Wynton Marsalis,” at 6pm on Christmas Eve on AZPM Jazz 89.1 HD2.
Toast Of The Nation 12/31/23 8PM To Midnight
Join AZPM Jazz HD2 from 8pm to Midnight on Sunday, December 31st for “Toast of the Nation.” An NPR tradition every New Year's Eve since the 1970s, Toast of the Nation is the perfect audio complement for the occasion. It's festive jazz you can party to, all night long. Hear sets from Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, Hiromi, Sunny Jain and Lizz Wright. Hear “Toast of the Nation” starting at 8pm on New Year’s Eve on AZPM Jazz HD2.
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