Holiday Specials
Thursday, November 27, 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.
Songs of Thanks | 4:00 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.
Shadowglow: Thanksgiving with The American Sound | 5:00 PM
Thanksgiving enjoy an hour of music celebrating the special radiance of autumn and the richness of the holiday—music inspired by the uncanny fire of starlight, the hopeful warmth of luminaria, the lamps of gratitude we light within ourselves, even the golden glow of beloved Thanksgiving treats fresh from the oven.
Saturday, November 29
Shadowglow: Thanksgiving with The American Sound | 2:00 PM
Thanksgiving enjoy an hour of music celebrating the special radiance of autumn and the richness of the holiday—music inspired by the uncanny fire of starlight, the hopeful warmth of luminaria, the lamps of gratitude we light within ourselves, even the golden glow of beloved Thanksgiving treats fresh from the oven.
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 2
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 6
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 7
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 13
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.
Carols, Customs and Candlelight: a Celtic Christmas Celebration | 6:00 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.
Sound of Cinnamon | 7:00 PM
What does hygge mean to you? Maybe it means friendship, laughter, or more concrete things like warmth, light, seasonal food and drink. It might make you think of sitting by the fire on a cold winter night, wearing your favorite oversized sweater, reading a book, and sipping cinnamon tea. In the special, “The Sound of Cinnamon,” Jake Armerding invites you to experience coziness and contentment with a hygge soundtrack perfect for finding your favorite pair of slippers and putting your feet up.
Sunday, December 14
Vespers from Davidson College 2025: 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)
Candles Burning Brightly | 8:00 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.
Saturday, December 20
Reel Music: Can’t Get Enough of Christmas at the Movies | 5:00 PM
If every Christmas you have to watch 10 versions of Scrooge or the entire Tim Allen Santa Clause franchise, this episode of Reel Music is for you. Enjoy themes from Spirited, Krampus, The Man Who Invented Christmas, Santa Claus: The Movie, and more. It’s themes for those of us who can’t get enough of Christmas at the movies.
Charlotte Lessons & Carols from St. John’s 2025 | 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 compliment the chilly, starry nights of the season.
Sunday, December 21
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 Chanukah Celebration with Chicago a cappella | 8:00 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.
Wednesday, December 24, Christmas Eve
Holiday Music with Mike McKay | 7:00 AM
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from Cambridge [LIVE] | 10:00 AM
Since 1918, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols has offered listeners an opportunity to share in a live, worldwide Christmas Eve broadcast of a service of biblical readings, carols and related seasonal classical music. This special event is presented by the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, one of the world’s foremost choirs of men and boys, and performed in an acoustically and architecturally renowned venue, the college’s 500-year-old chapel. This live broadcast is a perennial favorite of WDAV listeners.
Holiday Music with Rachel Stewart | 12:00 PM
Welcome Christmas | 2:00 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.
Holiday Music with Myelita Melton | 3:00 PM
Charlotte Lessons & Carols from St. John’s 2025 | 5:00 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.)
Holiday Music with Phil Vavra | 6:00 PM
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.
Holiday Night Music | 9:00 PM
Low key holiday favorites with Frank Dominguez.
Thursday, December 25, Christmas Day
Holiday Music with Mike McKay | 7:00 AM
Holiday Music with Rachel Stewart | 11:00 AM
Charlotte Lessons & Carols from St. John’s 2025 | 1:00 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. Re-broadcast)
Holiday Music with Myelita Melton | 2:00 PM
A Chanticleer Christmas | 4:00 PM
Grammy award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer is known as the “orchestra of voices” for its unparalleled range and abilities. This holiday season, the group brings its brand-new Christmas program including original arrangements of well-known tunes drawn from Classical, Jazz, and Popular traditions. They fluently weave between diverse musical styles to create an evening of wonder and joy.
Holiday Music with Phil Vavra | 5:00 PM
St. Olaf Christmas Festival | 7:00 PM
A service in song and word that has become one of the nation’s most cherished holiday celebrations. The festival includes hymns, carols, choral works, as well as orchestral selections celebrating the Nativity and featuring more than 500 student musicians in five choirs and the St. Olaf Orchestra.
Christmas Night Music | 9:00 PM
Finish Christmas Day with soothing selections for the season. Hosted by Frank Dominguez.
Friday, December 26
The Sounds of Kwanzaa | 7:00 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.
Sunday, December 28
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)
Wednesday, December 31, 2025, New Year’s Eve
WDAV’s Pops! New Year’s Eve 2025 | 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.)
Thursday, January 1, 2026, New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day from Vienna 2026 | 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.)