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Holiday Specials 2023

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Holiday Programs on WNMU-TV

Join us for a multitude of holiday special programs and performances airing all month long on WNMU-TV PBS. This year features festive live performances throughout December, as well as your favorites such the Nutcrackerand Call the Midwife's annual Holiday Special. Whether you are watching our broadcast channels or streaming online, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

We start off the month by bringing back the Emmy award-winning local production Superior Celebration ...of Structure and Sound to honor its 30th anniversary, and the jubilee continues from there. As is tradition, WNMU-TV has special holiday children's programs from Peg + Cat, Arthur and more. We have programs celebrating multicultural heritages, including Hanukkah cooking traditions in A Chef's Life Holiday Special and the seven principles of Kwanzaa in Cultural Expressions: Kwanzaa. Finally, we round out the month with a New Years Eve musical celebration, starting at the Kennedy Center and making our way to the Austin Opera. No matter which holiday you are looking forward to, we hope you choose to celebrate with us.

Here is an easy guide to all the seasonal content you can watch this year on broadcast channel WNMU-TV 13.1 (Spectrum Channel #13), and streaming on our website, WNMU Passport, and the PBS App. Shows are organized by holiday, and by date. Children's programs are also identified. All programs are on 13.1 unless otherwise noted.

Celebrate the Season on PBS Passport

Children's Specials

Sesame Street

The Nutcracker starring Elmo & Tango

The holidays are here on Sesame Street, and Elmo is determined to make it the best Christmas for Tango.   

Wednesday, December 6 at 10a/9c.  Repeats 12/14 at 10a/9c.

CLOWN by Quentin Blake

On Christmas Eve, Clown goes on a journey to find a new home for himself and his friends.

Tuesday, December 12 at 9:30/8:30c.

Arthur's Perfect Christmas

Everyone’s favorite aardvark shows children many ways to celebrate the holidays.  

Friday, December 15 at 1/12c. Repeats 12/20 and 12/25 at 6a/5c.

Nature Cat: A Nature Carol

Nature Cat: A Nature Carol

In the tradition of the Dickens holiday classic, Nature Cat is visited by the spirits of Nature Past (Daisy), Present (Squeeks) and Future (Hal) on Christmas Eve.  

Tuesday, December 19 at 12:30/11:30c.

Christmas Creatures
Wild KrattsChristmas Creatures

It’s Christmas time and the Wild Kratts are taking a break from creature adventuring to celebrate. But when the Wild Kratts receive an alert that their favorite creatures are suddenly disappearing around the globe, their holiday party quickly turns into a rescue mission. In this clip, the Kratt Brothers introduce us to some amazing Christmas creatures!

Thursday, December 21 at 9:30a/8:30c.  Repeats 12/28 at 8a/7c.

Peg + Cat + Holidays!

Join Peg and Cat as they learn what makes Hanukkah and Christmas special!

Friday, December 22 at 12p/11a. Repeats 12/24 at 7a/6c.

Christmas Around the World
Let's Go Luna!Christmas Around the World

The Circo's stranded in Antarctica on Christmas Eve, complete with a stowaway duckling!

Monday, December 25 at 8:30a/7:30c.

Rocket Saves the Day

A young pup, Rocket, and his best friend, Little Yellow Bird, travel to Letter Land, Sound Slide and Reading Woods to learn about the wonder of words.  

Wednesday, December 27 at 12:30/11:30c.  Repeats 12/28 at 6:30a/5:30c.

Hanukkah Specials

Christmas Specials

USAF Band of Mid America

The Spirit of the Season - Holiday Special

Air Force Band of Mid-America performs their holiday concert at the Touhill Performing Arts Center.  

Friday, December 1 at 9/8c.

Holidays at Hudsons

Holidays at Hudsons

Return to Detroit holidays gone by, in a televised tribute to the famous Hudson’s Department store, and their lasting holiday legacy. Their elegant yearly displays, parades and devotion to making festivities special for the children of Michigan established Detroit as one of the holiday capitals of America.  

Friday, December 1 at 9:30/8:30c.

Carols at the Cathedral

The Cathedral Choir sings beloved Christmas carols and the dean offers a hopeful message.  

Friday, December 1 at 10:30/9:30c.

All Creatures Great and Small: Christmas in the Dales

Part of Go Public! '23 Fundraiser

All Creatures Great and Small: Christmas in the Dales

Experience the kindness, empathy and love in the magical village of Darrowby and the stunning Yorkshire Dales during the holiday season. Part of Go Public! 23 Fundraiser.  

Sunday, December 3 at 8/7c.  Repeats 12/4 at 1:30 pm.

Christmas in New England

From the coast of Maine to the hills of the Berkshires, New England is a uniquely magical place to celebrate the holidays. Join host Lindsay Paris as she visits eight regional destinations to take a look at the traditions and events that make Christmas in New England so special.  

Wednesday, December 6 at 1a/12c.

Debbie Gibson Holiday: A Soundcheck Special

Singer-songwriter, producer and actress Debbie Gibson shares insight and inspiration about recording her first holiday album, Winterlicious, and performs classic and new holiday hits.   

Wednesday, December 6 at 1:30a/12:30c.  Repeats 12/17 at 8/7c.

Christmas at Belmont 2021

Christmas at Belmont 2021 features Belmont University students performing holiday favorites in the new Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville. This celebration of the season includes holiday favorites and classic songs.  

Saturday, December 9 at 1a/12c.

Liona Boyd: A Winter Fantasy

Liona Boyd: A Winter Fantasy

A magical evening concert performed by world-renowned classical guitarist, Liona Boyd and her protege, Andrew Dolson.  

Monday, December 11 at 9/8c.

Season of Light: Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir

Tony Award-winning Disney and Broadway star Lea Salonga and renowned actor Sir David Suchet shine in this holiday special that weaves together inspirational music with a hope-filled story from World War II to welcome the spirit of the season.   

Tuesday, December 12 at 8/7c.

25 Years with Lidia: A Culinary Jubilee

Lidia Bastianich celebrates 25 years on television with family and celebrity friends.

Monday, December 18 at 8/7c.

Mary Berry's Highland Christmas

Beloved home cook Dame Mary Berry is heading to the Highlands on a winter break, cooking up some truly indulgent dishes that can be enjoyed anytime over the festive season.  

Monday, December 18 at 9/8c.

Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas with Vanessa Williams

The American Pops Orchestra presents an evening celebrating the album of holiday classics.

Tuesday, December 19 at 3/2c.

The Holidays at Murray State 2021

Murray State University proudly presents the annual "Holidays at Murray State," featuring performances by The Murray State Concert Choir, The Murray State Jazz Orchestra, The Murray State University Treble Choir “Vox Lumina,” and a cappella group, EQ Blu.

Saturday, December 23 at 8/7c.  Repeats 12/25 at 3/2c.

Crane Candlelight Concert: Let It Shine!

A long-time tradition returns for another year as hundreds of student musicians from SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music take to the stage in celebration of the holiday season.   

Saturday, December 23 at 9:30/8:30c.

Home for Christmas with Jim McDonough

Home for Christmas with Jim McDonough

International Steinway piano artist Jim McDonough performs beloved Christmas songs for a live audience in his Cedar Rapids, IA home, bringing excitement and warm feelings to young and old alike.  

Sunday, December 24 at 7/6c.

America's Forests with Chuck Leavell: US Capitol Christmas Tree

America's Forests with Chuck Leavell

US Capitol Christmas Tree

In search of the perfect Christmas tree for the U.S. Capitol, Chuck Leavell travels to the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests to follow the journey of what will become the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree as it makes its way from Colorado to Washington DC.

Sunday, December 24 at 8/7c.

Call the Midwife: 2023 Holiday Special

Call the Midwife

2023 Holiday Special

It is now 1969 and more babies are being born in hospitals than ever before. Pressure on maternity beds remains extremely high across the country but Poplar is coping better than most due to the work of Nonnatus House and the popularity of home births under the auspices of the Sisters.  

Monday, December 25 at 8/7c.  Repeats 12/29 at 1a/12c.

Anthony Williams' Urban Nutcracker

A celebration of multicultural communities puts a modern spin on the 19th Century fairy tale.

Monday, December 25 at 10:30/9:30c.

The Nutcracker and the Mouse King

Join Alan Cumming for this delightful re-imagining of Tchaikovsky's holiday favorite. Featuring the Royal Scottish National Orchestra under the direction of John Mauceri, this version is a rare holiday treat.  

Tuesday, December 26 at 9/8c.

Kwanzaa Specials

Karamu: Feast for the 7th Day

Karamu: Feast for the 7th Day

Explore the tradition of Kwanzaa, focusing on the final feast that concludes the annual celebration.   

Sunday, December 17 at 8:30/7:30c.

Cultural Expressions: Kwanzaa

Honoring the heritage, unity, culture, and rich contributions of African Americans, this program explores the seven principles that are the foundation of Kwanzaa by sharing seven real-life stories of impact.   

Sunday, December 31 at 7/6c.

New Years Eve

Next at the Kennedy Center

A New Year's Eve Celebration

Ring in the new year with a dynamic mix of artists across hip hop, jazz, modern dance, and more at the Kennedy Center.  

Sunday, December 31 at 8/7c.  Repeats at 11/10c.

Austin Opera All-Star Concert

Celebrate the Arts with this dazzling concert recorded live with some of opera's biggest stars.  

Sunday, December 31 at 9/8c.

Austin Opera Presents: Bella Noche De Music

Austin Opera Presents

Bella Noche De Music

Enjoy a unique blend of opera, mariachi, classical, and ranchera music performed live in Austin, TX.  

Sunday, December 31 at 10/9c.

Great PerformancesAnything Goes 

Enjoy Cole Porter’s classic musical led by Tony winner Sutton Foster.

Monday, January 1 at 12a/11c.

Let's Go London 2024London's New Years Day Parade 2024

Go behind the scenes as performers prepare for London's New Year's Day Parade! A cherished turn-of-year tradition bringing pomp, circumstance, and good old-fashioned fun to the U.K. capital.   

Monday, January 1 at 7a/6c.

Great PerformancesFrom Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2024

Celebrate the New Year with waltzes by Strauss and more.

Monday, January 1 at 8/7c.

Frank Ferrante's Groucho

A laughter-filled, theatrical portrait of "America's most gifted funnyman".

Monday, January 1 at 9:30/8:30c.

Happy Holidays from your friends at