Upcoming Special Shows

Monday, December 2nd at 8pm

Sponsored by Pennybyrn.

The perennial Christmas favorite from VocalEssence, one of the world’s premiere choral groups. An hour of traditional carols and new discoveries.

Wednesday, December 18th at 8pm

Sponsored by Carroll Memorials

Join The Current in honoring the life, music, and legacy of artists we lost this year with 2023 Remembered from The Current. This two-hour musical tribute is a celebration of all sounds - from indie to influential - and the perfect way for music lovers to unite in paying homage to the artists who have shaped music history.

Friday, December 20th, at 7pm

Sponsored by River Run

Celebrate the season with amazing holiday performances from The Tiny Desk Concert series including Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Steve Martin, Hanson, The Polyphonic Spree and more! Hosted by NPR Music frenemies Bob Boilen and Stephen Thompson.

Saturday, December 21st, at 6pm

Sponsored by Kneaded Energy

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.

Saturday, December 21st at 7pm

Sponsored by The Martha Bassett Show.

Saturday, December 21st at 8pm

Sponsored by the Eastern Music Festival and The Ramkat.

This hour-long special features seasonal songs, old and new, all recorded live over the years on the Mountain Stage. We'll hear performances from Joan Baez, Bruce Cockburn, Odetta, Loudon Wainwright III, Holly Cole, The Roches, Kathy Mattea, Michael Martin Murphey and more.

Sunday, December 22nd, at 6pm.

Sponsored by NC Folk Festival.

Echoes Soundscape 2024 - a winter fantasy with no Christmas carols, but a sleigh full of music taking you into the celestial and chilled side of the season. 

Sunday, December 22nd, at 8pm

Sponsored by Moore Music Company.

One hour of gorgeous, contemplative music related to the Christmas season and its symbolism. Hosted by Lynne Warfel

Monday, December 23rd, at 7pm.

Check out your favorite holiday classics as you’ve never heard them! This year, our annual sell-out event spotlights ferociously talented Japanese musical phenom Hiromi, Mountain Stage’s Bob Thompson, and Bolivian prodigy José André Montaño, chosen as one of the Kennedy Center’s “Next 50” leaders.

Monday, December 23rd, at 8pm.

Enjoy your Christmas break and winter holiday seaon with a little "Latin Jazz" fun. Soak in the excitment with Poncho Sanchez, Celia Cruz, Ray Barretto, Sheila E, Carlos "Patato" Valdes, The Joe Loco Quintet, and others.

Tuesday, December 24th at 10am

Sponsored by Pennybyrn.

Pipedreams host Michael Barone presents this live service of spoken-word and music (choral and organ) broadcast from the chapel of King's College in Cambridge, England. The 30-voice King's College Choir performs the legendary Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols service of Biblical readings and music.

Tuesday, December 24th, at 7pm

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

Tuesday, December 24th at 8pm

Sponsored by Pennybyrn.

The St. Olaf Christmas Festival has become one of the nation's most cherished holiday celebrations. Started in 1912 by F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the St. Olaf College Music Department, the festival includes hymns, carols, choral works and orchestral selections celebrating the Nativity. It features the St. Olaf Choir, the St. Olaf Orchestra, the St. Olaf Cantorei, the St. Olaf Chapel Choir, the Manitou Singers and the Viking Chorus, performing as individual groups and as a massed ensemble.

Wednesday, December 25th, at 9am

Sponsored by Steinway Piano Gallery.

In Three Tales of Christmas with Cantus, 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.

Wednesday, December 25th at 6pm

Sponsored by Moore Music Company.

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 year's program 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.

Wednesday, December 25th at 7pm

Sponsored by Pennybyrn.

This unique, one-hour program of holiday music is presented live in concert by Chanticleer. Hear why this superb 12-man ensemble is known as "an orchestra of voices," as they perform holiday classics and new favorites, with choral commentary by host Steve Staruch.

Wednesday, December 25th at 8pm

Sponsored by Temple Emanuel.

NPR presents the 2024 edition of Hanukkah Lights, an hourlong special celebrating the Jewish festival of lights through original stories read by Susan Stamberg and Murray Horwitz. Now in its 34th year, this NPR holiday tradition will brighten the season by revisiting four favorites from the archives and presenting a new story that feels both timely and timeless.

Thursday, December 26th at 7pm

Sponsored by Temple Emanuel

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.

Thursday, December 26th at 8pm

Celebrate African-American culture with composers that have imbued the essence of the Seven Principles in their timeless and joyous music hosted by Jeffrey Yelverton.

Friday, December 27th at 7pm

Sponsored by Temple Emanuel.

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. 

Friday, December 27th at 8pm

Sponsored by The Martha Bassett Show.

Here's a very special holiday concert with Howard University's premiere vocal ensemble Afro Blue, and special guest pianist Cyrus Chestnut. The a-cappela group performs a variety of holiday songs including African-American spirituals, jazz and pop tunes, and classical repertoire. The joyous celebration includes one of a kind arrangements on traditional holiday songs plus new compositions... music perfect for the holidays and the spirit of Christmas.

Saturday, December 28th, at 7am.

Sponsored by NC Folk Festival.

Listen as 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.

Saturday, December 28th at 6pm

Sponsored by Piedmont Jazz Alliance.

Julie Amacher and Tesfa Wondemagegnehu host this uplifting Christmas special that features Black music and composers.

Monday, December 30th, at 7pm

Sponsored by The Ramkat.

Since launching in 2000, All Songs Considered has been NPR’s flagship program for music discovery, artist interviews and conversations with friends and fellow music lovers about the really big questions, like what was the best decade for music, are there albums everyone can agree on, and what do you put on when you need a good cry?

Tuesday, December 31st from 9pm till midnight.

Sponsored by Moore Music Company.

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 Ibrahim Maalouf, José James, Ranky Tanky and Chucho Valdés.

Wednesday, January 1st at 11am

Sponsored by Pennybyrn.

The ever popular annual New Year’s Day Concert will be performed by the Vienna Philharmonic under the baton of Christian Thielemann. With this concert it is not only the desire of the Vienna Philharmonic to provide musically definitive interpretations of the masterworks of this genre, but also, as musical ambassadors of Austria, to send people all over the world a New Year's greeting in the spirit of hope, friendship and peace. Hosted by WBUR's Lisa Mullins.

Wednesday, January 1st, at 8pm

Sponsored by Carroll Memorials

This two-hour musical tribute is a celebration of all sounds - from indie to influential - and the perfect way for music lovers to unite in paying homage to the artists who have shaped music history.