Holiday Specials
Thursday, November 28 Thanksgiving Day
Every Good Thing | 3:00 PM
On Thanksgiving, host Andrea Blain and classical music fans from all around the country take some time to give thanks and celebrate one of life’s most meaningful gifts: music. Tune in for an hour of stories and music to celebrate the holiday.
This Land: Thanksgiving with The American Sound | 4:00 PM
This land, the physical land called the United States of America, is home to people of a wide range of ethnicities, cultures, races, creeds and genders. This Thanksgiving Day tune in for a musical celebration of the diversity of this land – the varied natural topographies and biospheres, and the many communities that make this land exceptionally rich.
Songs of Thanks | 3:00 PM
Through their signature narrative programming, the acclaimed octet, Cantus, weaves together stories and songs celebrating gratitude and community. Don’t miss this special broadcast, designed to uplift the human spirit and honor the season.
Saturday, November 30
This Land: Thanksgiving with The American Sound | 2:00 PM
This land, the physical land called the United States of America, is home to people of a wide range of ethnicities, cultures, races, creeds and genders. This Thanksgiving Day tune in for a musical celebration of the diversity of this land – the varied natural topographies and biospheres, and the many communities that make this land exceptionally rich.
Songs of Thanks | 3:00 PM
Through their signature narrative programming, the acclaimed octet, Cantus, weaves together stories and songs celebrating gratitude and community. Don’t miss this special broadcast, designed to uplift the human spirit and honor the season.
Every Good Thing | 4:00 PM
On Thanksgiving, host Andrea Blain and classical music fans from all around the country take some time to give thanks and celebrate one of life’s most meaningful gifts: music. Tune in for an hour of stories and music to celebrate the holiday.
Reel Music: Americana in Film | 5:00 PM
Grab some leftover turkey and dressing, and settle in for an hour of themes from movies that capture the essence of small town America: The Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden, Meet Me in St. Louis, Our Town, A River Runs Through It, A Christmas Story, and To Kill a Mockingbird.
Tuesday, December 3
Charlotte Lessons & Carols from St. John’s 2023 | 7:00 PM
WDAV’s live holiday broadcast returns with another program of beloved carols and holiday music illuminated by scripture readings. With Charlotte Master Chorale. (An original WDAV production) Live broadcast.
Saturday, December 7
At the Opera: Hansel and Gretel | 6:00 PM
The phrase “for children of all ages” is surely overused, but it’s also just right to describe Humperdinck’s beautifully tuneful drama, based on the familiar fairy tale. And that’s probably why the opera has also become a traditional favorite for the holiday season – which, after all, is a time for kids! At The Opera presents the opera in two recordings, one in the original German (with Brigitte Fassbaender, Lucia Popp, and conductor Georg Solti), and the other sung in English (with Jennifer Larmore, Rebecca Evans, and conductor Charles Mackerras). (An original WDAV production).
Sunday, December 10
Concierto Holiday Special | 6:00 PM
Celebrate the season with 18th century villancicos from Cuban Esteban Salas, and hear a “Folk Drama of the Nativity” from South American composer Ariel Ramirez. (An original WDAV production).
Saturday, December 14
Jonathan Winters’ A Christmas Carol | 6:00 PM
An updated version of a public radio tradition hosted by NPR’s Susan Stamberg. Master comedian Jonathan Winters presents a distinctive reading of Dickens’ holiday classic, with a special performing edition prepared by Dickens for his own presentations. Also featuring Mimi Kennedy.
Carols as Home with the Imani Winds | 7:00 PM
“Carols as Home” features a modern take on classic Christmas carols, hosted by Imani Winds founding oboist, Toyin Spellman-Diaz. Toyin coaxes intimate stories of Christmas memories from the members of the ensemble, and why these classic carols are still essential today.
NEW | Carols, Customs and Candlelight: A Celtic Christmas Celebration | 8:00 PM
Host Andrea Blain explores music and customs that have roots in ancient winter celebrations and traditional Christmas festivals. The music features classical ensembles and soloists like Apollo’s Fire and Bryn Terfel, as well as traditional instruments like harp, fiddle and mandolin.
Winter Holidays Around the World with Bill McGlaughlin | 9:00 PM
Winter holidays are celebrated around the world, and their music is wonderful to hear, regardless of which tradition you observe. Join Bill McGlaughlin for a variety of holiday selections, many of them less well known. He’ll take you from 12th century music for St. Francis of Assisi’s staging of the Nativity to jazz pianist Dave Brubeck’s evocation of a Mexican Christmas celebration to Polynesian Christmas hymns to selections by Debussy and Vaughan Williams.
Sunday, December 15
WDAV By Request: Holiday Requests | 12:00 PM
Lauren Rico plays favorite holiday selections chosen by listeners.
Vespers from Davidson College 2024: A Service of Lessons and Carols | 6:00 PM
This annual highlight for the college community features the Davidson College Chorale with campus leaders as lectors. (An original WDAV production)
NEW | Gaudete! Early Music for the Christmas Season | 8:00 PM
WDAV’s live holiday broadcast returns with another program of beloved carols and holiday music illuminated by scripture readings. Phil Biedenbender leads the Charlotte Master Chorale Chamber Singers. (An original WDAV production)
Saturday, December 21
Reel Music: Christmas at the Movies | 5:00 PM
The holidays wouldn’t be the same without those cherished Christmas classics—A Christmas Carol (1951), Miracle on 34th Street (1947), It’s a Wonderful Life, White Christmas … Pour a mug of egg nog and enjoy Christmas at the movies on this special edition of Reel Music.
Charlotte Lessons & Carols from St. John’s 2024 | 6:00 PM | Listen on Demand
WDAV’s live holiday broadcast returns with another program of beloved carols and holiday music illuminated by scripture readings. With Charlotte Master Chorale. (An original WDAV production. Rebroadcast.)
In Winter’s Glow | 7:00 PM
A winter solstice program, with modern classical sounds for the longest night of the year, chosen especially to complement the chilly, starry nights of the season.
All is Bright | 8:00 PM
Host Lynne Warfel, offers an hour of gorgeous, contemplative choral music that tells the traditional Christmas story with songs about angels, the star and the manger scene. Featured artists include Cantus, Chanticleer, Cambridge Singers, Bryn Terfel, Emma Kirkby, Jessye Norman, and a variety of choirs.
Sunday, December 22
Biscuits & Bach: Baroque for Christmas 2024 | 7:00 AM
Rachel Stewart shares a selection of Baroque holiday favorites.
Concierto Holiday Special | 6:00 PM
Feliz Navidad from WDAV’s program celebrating the rich diversity of Hispanic and LatinX classical artists. Tenor Juan Diego Florez sings “O Holy Night” in addition to excerpts from Handel’s Messiah featuring conductor Jordi Saval and the Royal Chamber Choir of Catalonia. There’s also music for a “Spanish Christmas Pageant” by Joaquin Rodrigo. (An original WDAV production).
A Choral Christmas with Stile Antico | 8:00 PM
Celebrate Christmas with the sound of soaring voices. Stile Antico, the award-winning choir from London, pays a visit to St. Paul’s Church on Harvard Square for a concert of radiant sacred music for the Christmas season by the most acclaimed composers of the renaissance. Hear the group’s luminous blend of voices sing the intricately woven music of Thomas Tallis and William Byrd.
Tuesday, December 24, Christmas Eve
Holiday Music with Mike McKay | 5:00 AM
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from Cambridge [LIVE] | 10:00 AM
The King’s College Choir performs the legendary service of Biblical readings, carols, and related seasonal Classical music in the 500-year-old Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, England. This live broadcast is a perennial favorite of WDAV listeners.
St. Olaf Christmas Festival | 12:00 PM
One of the nation’s most cherished holiday traditions, the St. Olaf Christmas Festival started in 1912. The program includes hymns, carols, choral works, and orchestral selections celebrating the Nativity.
A Chanticleer Christmas | 2:00 PM
The beloved, Grammy-winning men’s chorus brings its unique sound to its signature holiday celebration. The centuries-spanning program ranges from Renaissance masterworks to roof-raising spirituals.
Winter Holidays Around the World with Bill McGlaughlin | 3:00 PM
Winter holidays are celebrated around the world, and their music is wonderful to hear, regardless of which tradition you observe. Join Bill McGlaughlin for a variety of holiday selections, many of them less well known. He’ll take you from 12th century music for St. Francis of Assisi’s staging of the Nativity to jazz pianist Dave Brubeck’s evocation of a Mexican Christmas celebration to Polynesian Christmas hymns to selections by Debussy and Vaughan Williams.
NEW! | Three Tales of Christmas with Cantus | 4:00 PM
Vocal ensemble Cantus weaves together three holiday stories with time-honored carols and new classics. Blending narration and song, the program features Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and Christine Lê’s The Hawai’i Snowman, alongside Mark Twain’s “A Letter from Santa Claus,” offering an opportunity to reflect on the meaning and joy of the holiday season.
Welcome, Christmas! | 5:00 PM
This is a perennial Christmas favorite from VocalEssence, one of the world’s premier choral ensembles, conducted by Philip Brunelle and G. Phillip Shoultz. Tune in for an hour of traditional carols and new discoveries, including including the world premiere of three beloved Latvian carols by composer Ēriks Ešenvalds.
Christmas with the Morehouse and Spelman Glee Clubs | 6:00 PM
One of the great holiday traditions in America, the choirs of Morehouse and Spelman Colleges — two of the most prestigious historically black institutions in the nation — get together to present a spine-tingling concert program. This encore presentation features the best works of the last several years. It’s a joyous celebration of the schools’ tradition of singing excellence, with their trademark mixture of spirituals and carols.
NEW! | Carols, Customs and Candlelight: a Celtic Christmas Celebration | 7:00 PM
Host Andrea Blain explores music and customs that have roots in ancient winter celebrations and traditional Christmas festivals. The music features classical ensembles and soloists like Apollo’s Fire and Bryn Terfel, as well as traditional instruments like harp, fiddle and mandolin.
NEW! | Gaudete! Early Music for the Christmas Season | 8:00 PM
Hear a mixture of joyful and contemplative sounds of the season including Byzantine chant by Kassiani, music by Thomas Tallis, and hymns and motets from Spain, Germany, and France. Performers include The Cardinall’s Musick, Theatre of Voices, Cappella Romana, and Oltremontano.
All Is Bright | 9:00 PM
Host Lynne Warfel, offers an hour of gorgeous, contemplative choral music that tells the traditional Christmas story with songs about angels, the star and the manger scene. Featured artists include Cantus, Chanticleer, Cambridge Singers, Bryn Terfel, Emma Kirkby, Jessye Norman, and a variety of choirs.
Holiday Night Music | 10:00 PM
Low key holiday favorites with Frank Dominguez.
Wednesday, December 25, Christmas Day
Holiday Music with Mike McKay | 7:00 AM
Welcome, Christmas! | 12:00 PM
This is a perennial Christmas favorite from VocalEssence, one of the world’s premier choral ensembles, conducted by Philip Brunelle and G. Phillip Shoultz. Tune in for an hour of traditional carols and new discoveries, including including the world premiere of three beloved Latvian carols by composer Ēriks Ešenvalds.
Charlotte Lessons & Carols from St. John’s 2024 | 1:00 PM
WDAV’s live holiday broadcast returns with another program of beloved carols and holiday music illuminated by scripture readings. With Charlotte Master Chorale. (An original WDAV production. Re-broadcast)
St. Olaf Christmas Festival | 2:00 PM
One of the nation’s most cherished holiday traditions, the St. Olaf Christmas Festival started in 1912. The program includes hymns, carols, choral works, and orchestral selections celebrating the Nativity.
A Chanticleer Christmas | 4:00 PM
The beloved, Grammy-winning men’s chorus brings its unique sound to its signature holiday celebration. The centuries-spanning program ranges from Renaissance masterworks to roof-raising spirituals.
A Choral Christmas with Stile Antico | 5:00 PM
Celebrate Christmas with the sound of soaring voices. Stile Antico, the award-winning choir from London, pays a visit to St. Paul’s Church on Harvard Square for a concert of radiant sacred music for the Christmas season by the most acclaimed composers of the renaissance. Hear the group’s luminous blend of voices sing the intricately woven music of Thomas Tallis and William Byrd.
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols | 6:00 PM
The King’s College Choir performs the legendary service of Biblical readings, carols, and related seasonal classical music in the acoustically and architecturally renowned 500-year-old Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, England. This live broadcast is a perennial favorite of WDAV listeners. (Re-broadcast.)
Carols as Home with the Imani Winds | 8:00 PM
“Carols as Home” features a modern take on classic Christmas carols, hosted by Imani Winds founding oboist, Toyin Spellman-Diaz. Toyin coaxes intimate stories of Christmas memories from the members of the ensemble, and why these classic carols are still essential today.
NEW | Three Tales of Christmas with Cantus | 9:00 PM
Vocal ensemble Cantus weaves together three holiday stories with time-honored carols and new classics. Blending narration and song, the program features Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and Christine Lê’s The Hawai’i Snowman, alongside Mark Twain’s “A Letter from Santa Claus,” offering an opportunity to reflect on the meaning and joy of the holiday season.
Christmas Night Music | 10:00 PM
Finish Christmas Day with soothing selections for the season. Hosted by Frank Dominguez.
Tuesday, December 26
Candles Burning Brightly | 4:00 PM
A delightful hour for everyone to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights! Lots of music from Jewish communities around the world, plus a hilarious lesson on how to prepare a classic Chanukah dish, and a timeless and touching holiday story that brings light into every home.
The Sounds of Kwanzaa | 5:00 PM
Celebrate Kwanzaa, the holiday that honors Black people and their culture. Host Loki Karuna shares the guiding principles and history of Kwanzaa as well as musical selections by Florence Price, Duke Ellington, and others that highlight the spirit of the holiday.
Saturday, December 28
A Chanukah Celebration with Chicago a cappella | 3:00 PM
Join Jonathan Miller, artistic director of Chicago a cappella and a longtime champion of Jewish choral music, for an inspiring and informative show featuring choral music set to Chanukah texts.
Hannukah Lights 2024 | 4:00 PM
This NPR favorite returns with some of the best stories from the archives. We’ll hear “Gifts of the Last Night” by Rebecca Goldstein, “Hanukkah Gelt, Hanukkah Money” by Sholem Aleichem, “Gifts of the Jewish Magi” by Allegra Goodman, How to Spell the Name of God” by Ellen Orleans and “Geek Week by Rebecca O’Connell.
Reel Music: New Beginnings | 5:00 PM
As you prepare your resolutions, celebrate new beginnings with music for characters who made a fresh start. Hear themes from The Truman Show, My Fair Lady, Groundhog Day, Under the Tuscan Sun, and Fried Green Tomatoes.
Sunday, December 29
Candles Burning Brightly | 4:00 PM
A delightful hour for everyone to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights! Lots of music from Jewish communities around the world, plus a hilarious lesson on how to prepare a classic Chanukah dish, and a timeless and touching holiday story that brings light into every home.
A Chanukah Celebration with Chicago a cappella | 5:00 PM
Join Jonathan Miller, artistic director of Chicago a cappella and a longtime champion of Jewish choral music, for an inspiring and informative show featuring choral music set to Chanukah texts.
Concierto New Year’s Special | 6:00 PM
Celebrate Feliz Año Nuevo with waltzes from Europe and Mexico, as well as selections from the first opera written in the New World. (An original WDAV production)
Tuesday, December 31, 2024 New Year’s Eve
WDAV’s Pops! New Year’s Eve 2024 | 8:00 PM
Frank Dominguez presents a new edition of this high-spirited program of light classics, orchestral arrangements of popular music, and tasteful crossover selections. (An original WDAV production)
Monday, January 1, 2024 New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day from Vienna 2025 | 11:00 AM
The ever-popular annual New Year’s Day Concert will be performed by the Vienna Philharmonic under the baton of Riccardo Muti in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein in Vienna. (Live Broadcast.)