Skip to main content

Holiday Specials 2024

Email share
Holiday Programs on WNMU-TV

Celebrate the Holidays with WNMU-TV

This December, WNMU-TV is your home for holiday cheer, with a festive lineup of seasonal specials and performances for all ages. From the sounds of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and the uplifting voices of the Tabernacle Choir to live musical performances by the USAF Band of Mid-America, Murray State, Purdue, and more, there’s something magical for everyone. Beloved annual traditions return with Call the Midwife and Lawrence Welk, along with a variety of multicultural celebrations with programs like The Jewish Journey: America and Cultural Expressions: Kwanza. 

Families can look forward to holiday-themed episodes featuring The Cat in the Hat, Arthur, and other kid-favorite characters. And as the year wraps up, say goodbye to 2024 with a night of performances from Next at the Kennedy Center and Great Performances to end the year on a high note.

Whether you’re watching on WNMU-TV 13.1 (Spectrum Channel #13) or streaming online via our website, WNMU Passport, or the PBS app, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Check out the full schedule below for seasonal content organized by holiday and date, including highlighted kids’ programs. Looking for even more holiday cheer? Browse additional options featuring festive specials, concerts, and more. Check out our streaming links to discover all the seasonal content available on WNMU Passport and the PBS app.

Holiday Specials

Crane Candlelight ConcertCelebrating a Miracle

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.

Sunday, December 1st, 7:00/6:00c. Repeats 12/16, 9:00/8:00c.

Trans-Siberian OrchestraGhosts of Christmas Eve

The late Ossie Davis narrates a fantasy trip through the magic of Christmas, with musical performances by Jewel, Michael Crawford and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Part of Go Public! '24 Fundraiser.

Wednesday, December 4th, 8:00/7:00c

Cultural ExpressionsKwanzaa

Learn about the seven principles of Kwanzaa through real-life stories of impact. Part of Go Public! '24 Fundraiser.

Wednesday, December 4th, 9:00/8:00c

Mary Berry's Ultimate Christmas

Mary Berry shares her ultimate Christmas feast with all the trimmings. Part of Go Public! '24 Fundraiser.

Saturday, December 7th, 10:30/9:30c

Lawrence Welk Holiday Special

Great Moments and Memories

Members of the Lawrence Welk Family reunite to showcase moments and memories from 30 years of holiday shows; with Norma Zimmer, Myron Floren, Jo Ann Castle, Mary Lou Metzger, Bobby Burgess, Ron Anderson, Sandi Griffiths, Ken Delo and Gail Farrell. Part of Go Public! '24 Fundraiser.

Sunday, December 8th, 7:00/6:00c

 Holidays at Murray State

Holidays at Murray State

The Murray State University Concert Choir, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Orchestra and featured soloists highlight this annual seasonal special.

Wednesday, December 11th, 3:00/2:00c

Lawrence WelkChristmas Show

Enjoy the holidays with Welk and the family.

 Sunday, December 15th, 5:00/4:00c. Repeats 12/21, 7:00/6:00c.

 USAF Band of Mid-America Spirit of the Season

USAF Band of Mid-America

Spirit of the Season

A family-friendly concert showcasing holiday favorites, a traditional sing-along and featuring music from Home Alone, Elf, and Charlie Brown. 

Sunday, December 15th, 7:00/6:00c.

Carols at the Cathedral

Enjoy the architectural beauty of Saint John's Cathedral in Denver as the Cathedral Choir sings beloved Christmas carols. Dean Richard Lawson offers a hopeful message for all people of goodwill.

Sunday, December 15th, 7:30/6:30c.

American Masters "Brenda Lee: Rockin' Around"

American Masters

Brenda Lee: Rockin' Around

Discover the life of singer Brenda Lee and her musical hits spanning genres and decades.

Monday, December 16th, 10:00/9:00c.

Too Hot to Handel - The Gospel Messiah

Handel’s 18th-century masterpiece, “The Messiah,” has been reimagined and infused with Gospel, Jazz, and R&B.  

Tuesday, December 17th, 9:30/8:30c. Repeats 12/24, 8:00/7:00c.

Debbie Gibson Holiday: A Soundcheck Special

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 some classic and new holiday hits.

Sunday, December 22nd, 12:30a/11:30c.

Anthony Williams' Urban Nutcracker

Anthony Williams’ Urban Nutcracker puts a modern spin on the 19th Century fairy tale.

Sunday, December 22nd, 6:30/5:30c

Christmas in New England

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.

Monday, December 23rd, 4:00/3:00c

O Holy Night: Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir

Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir featuring Megan Hilty & Neal McDonough.

Monday, December 23rd, 9:00/8:00c

Christmas at Westminster: An Evening of Readings and Carols

An Evening of Readings and Carols feature traditional standards and new holiday music.

Tuesday, December 24th, 2:00/1:00c

Celebrate & Sing! Glory to the Newborn King!

KERA and Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, Dallas, Texas, present “Celebrate and Sing!”

Tuesday, December 24th, 3:00/2:00c

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

America's Forests with Chuck Leavell

U.S. 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.

Tuesday, December 24th, 4:00/3:00c

Noel Triumphant

Fountainview Academy, a private boarding school for grades 10-12, is internationally acclaimed for their sacred music. Noel Triumphant features an international choir and orchestra performing sacred Christmas songs that you know and love.

 Tuesday, December 24th, 11:00/10:00c

Purdue 90th Anniversary Christmas Show

Celebrate the holidays Boilermaker style! This fast-paced high-energy production features holiday favorites from Purdue Musical Organizations.
 
Wednesday, December 25th, 3:00/2:00c

Ball and Vase

Follow an ailing professor and magician named Ed Coleman during the holidays. 

Tuesday, December 17th, 9:30/8:30c. Repeats 12/24, 8:00/7:00c.

Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2024

Call the Midwife 

Holiday Special 2024 (2 hrs)

It’s Christmas 1969, and the funfair and carol concert add color to frosty Poplar. Yet, the festive spirit at Nonnatus House is dampened by the spread of influenza alongside growing fears of an escaped prisoner after a spate of break-ins.

Wednesday, December 25th, 8:00/7:00c

Mary Berry's Highland Christmas

Dame Mary Berry cooks a Christmas feast in the Highlands.

Wednesday, December 25th, 10:00/9:00c

Celebrate New Years!

Let's Go London 2024

As 2023 draws to a close, London will gear up to welcome thousands of young American participants to its annual Nxew Year’s Day Parade.

Monday, December 30th, 11:30/10:30c. Repeats 12/31, 4:00/3:00c

Next at the Kennedy CenterSara Bareilles: New Year's Eve with the National Symphony Orchestra & Friends

Singer Sara Bareilles joins the National Symphony Orchestra for a night of song and celebration.

Tuesday, December 31st, 8:00/7:00c; and 1/01 12:30a/11:30c.

Great PerformancesMessage In A Bottle

Experience Kate Prince’s dance and theater show set to the songs of Sting.

Tuesday, December 31st, 9:30/8:30c

Next at the Kennedy CenterCynthia Erivo & Friends: A New Year's Eve Celebration

Cynthia Erivo and Joaquina Kalukango perform the Fugees’ rendition of "Killing Me Softly."

Tuesday, December 31st, 11:00/10:00c

Childrens Specials

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas!
The Cat in the HatThe Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas!

The Cat, Nick and Sally help a lost reindeer find his way home in time for Christmas.

Arthur's Perfect Christmas
ArthurArthur's Perfect Christmas

Arthur shows children many ways to celebrate "the holidays."

Peg + Cat + Holidays
Peg + CatPeg + Cat + Holidays

This holiday special features Peg + Cat in three holiday-themed stories: "The Christmas Problem," "The Hanukkah Problem," and "The Penguin Problem."

A Nature Carol
Nature CatA Nature Carol

Join Nature Cat and his pals for an extra-special, hour-long Christmas movie!

Christmas Creatures
Wild KrattsChristmas Creatures

The Kratt Brothers introduce us to some amazing Christmas creatures!