This season of light—whether you’re celebrating Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, or ringing in the New Year—let WXPR be your soundtrack for the festivities. From heartwarming music to special storytelling programs, we’ve curated a lineup to fill your days with joy, nostalgia, and the magic of the season.
Happy Holidays from all of us at WXPR!
Hanukkah on WXPR, Sunday, December 14
Hanukkah Lights 2025
This NPR favorite returns with new stories plus gems from the archive. Hosted by Murray Horwitz with a special tribute to our beloved Susan Stamberg.
Winter Solstice on WXPR, Sunday, December 21
Drive the Cold Winter Away: Music for the Winter Solstice
The longest and darkest of nights, the Winter Solstice has been a waypost in the cycle of the year since ancient times. From community rituals to festive song and dance, this special hour celebrates warmth, light, and the symbolic rebirth of the sun through music honoring the Solstice.
Christmas Eve on WXPR, Wednesday, December 24
9am-11am
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Since 1918, this Christmas Eve broadcast has shared biblical readings, carols, and seasonal classical music from the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, performed in the college’s 500-year-old chapel.
11am–12pm
Gaudete! Early Music for the Christmas Season
Sara Schneider presents joyful and contemplative sounds of the season, from Byzantine chant by Kassiani to Tallis’ Missa Puer natus est nobis, plus hymns and motets from across Europe.
12pm–1pm
Jazz Piano Christmas
A special “Best Of” program featuring standout jazz-infused piano renditions of beloved holiday music, hand-selected by veteran host Felix Contreras.
1pm–2pm
Holiday Jazz with Dee Alexander!
From the WFMT Radio Network, Chicago vocalist Dee Alexander brings songs and stories of holidays past, joined by pianist Miguel de la Cerna, bassist Junius Paul, drummer Yussef Ernie Adams, and emcee Richard Steele.
2pm–3pm
Vince Guaraldi’s Christmas Gift to Jazz with Jana Lee Ross
A warm hour of music inspired by A Charlie Brown Christmas, featuring interpretations by Cyrus Chestnut, Dianne Reeves, David Benoit, and Vince Guaraldi himself.
3pm–4pm
Joy To The World – A Holiday in Pink
Pink Martini presents festive holiday songs from around the globe. A multi-cultural, multi-denominational celebration hosted by Ari Shapiro.
4pm–5pm
The ‘All Songs Considered’ Holiday Extravaganza
Robin Hilton and Stephen Thompson return with their annual holiday adventure, featuring an eclectic mix of seasonal music and special guests.
5pm–6pm
The Big Tiny Desk Holiday Special
Holiday performances from the Tiny Desk archives, including Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Steve Martin, Hanson, The Polyphonic Spree, and more.
6pm–9pm
Katie Thoresen’s Night Before Christmas
An annual holiday tradition, join WXPR's own Katie Thoresen as she spins her favorite music of the season!
9pm–10pm
A '40s Radio Christmas
A nostalgic blend of holiday variety shows, dramas, comedies, and music from the 1940s (the last decade before television!) produced by Wes Sims, winner of the Utah Broadcasters Association Gold Award.
10pm–11pm
A World Cafe Holiday
World Cafe revisits standout holiday performances from Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Los Lobos, Andrew Bird, The Bird and the Bee, Pink Martini, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and others. Hosted by Raina Douris.
Christmas Day on WXPR, Thursday, December 25
4am–5am
Welcome Christmas
A perennial favorite from VocalEssence, featuring traditional carols and new discoveries. Hosted by Bonnie North.
5am–6am
A Chanticleer Christmas
Grammy-winning ensemble Chanticleer offers original arrangements spanning Classical, Jazz, and Popular traditions in a stunning new Christmas program.
6am–7am
A Choral Christmas with Stile Antico
London’s award-winning Stile Antico performs radiant sacred music by renaissance masters Tallis and Byrd from St. Paul’s Church in Harvard Square.
7am–9am
The Christmas Revels: In Celebration of the Winter Solstice 2025
A 119-minute musical celebration of Advent, the Solstice, Christmas, St. Stephen’s Day, New Year’s, and Epiphany, featuring carols, wassails, pub songs, hymns, spirituals, and folk dance tunes from Revels productions across the country.
9am–11am
St. Olaf Christmas Festival
A cherished national holiday celebration featuring hymns, carols, choral works, and orchestral selections performed by more than 500 St. Olaf student musicians.
11am–12pm
Christmas with Morehouse and Spelman Glee Clubs
A joyful concert tradition featuring spirituals and carols, performed by these two renowned HBCU choirs. Hosted by Korva Coleman.
12pm–1pm
An Afro Blue Christmas
Howard University’s premier vocal ensemble performs spirituals, jazz, classical works, and more with guest pianist Cyrus Chestnut. Hosted by Michele Norris.
1pm–2pm
Festivo AltLatino with Gaby Moreno & Friends
Alt.Latino presents Gaby Moreno and guests performing music from her holiday album Posada, recorded live at KUT in Austin. Hosted by Felix Contreras.
2pm–3pm
The Rhythm Atlas Christmas Special
Host Denis McGilvray shares world-music holiday cheer — from Irish, English, German, and French carols to salsa takes on classics and more.
3pm–4pm
Mark O’Connor’s An Appalachian Christmas
Bluegrass legend Mark O’Connor and guests perform holiday favorites recorded live in Portland, including “The Cherry Tree Carol” and “Carol of the Bells.”
4pm–5pm
Carols, Customs and Candlelight: A Celtic Christmas Celebration
Host Andrea Blain explores Celtic holiday traditions with classical and folk ensembles, featuring harp, fiddle, mandolin, and more.
5pm–6pm
A Special Thistle & Shamrock Christmas
Fiona Ritchie takes listeners on a winter walk along the River Tay, sharing seasonal tales and music from the Celtic Christmas repertoire.
6pm–7pm
Jonathan Winters’ A Christmas Carol
A beloved public radio tradition: Jonathan Winters’ inimitable reading of Dickens’ classic, with a performing edition prepared by Dickens himself. Hosted by Susan Stamberg.
7pm–8pm
Tinsel Tales: NPR Christmas Favorites
Holiday stories from the NPR archives with David Sedaris, Bailey White, John Henry Faulk, and others. Hosted by Lynn Neary.
8pm–9pm
Tinsel Tales 2: More NPR Christmas Favorites
More listener-favorite stories of joy, hope, and memory from beloved NPR voices. Hosted by Lynn Neary.
9pm–10pm
Tinsel Tales 3: Even More NPR Christmas Favorites
A third hour of extraordinary holiday stories: funny, touching, nostalgic, and surprising. Hosted by Lynn Neary.
10pm–11pm
Tinsel Tales 4: NPR Christmas Stories Told Through Song
Musicians reflect on their Christmas albums. From Sting to Amy Grant to Jon Batiste, we'll explore traditions and winter mystery through music. Hosted by Lynn Neary.
New Year’s Eve on WXPR, Wednesday, December 31
6pm–8pm
2025 Remembered from The Current
A two-hour musical tribute honoring artists we lost this year: from indie to influential, celebrating the sounds that shaped music history.
8pm–12am
Toast of the Nation
An NPR New Year’s Eve tradition since the 1970s, Toast of the Nation is festive, joyful jazz that's perfect as we prepare to toast a new year.
New Year’s Day on WXPR, Thursday, January 1
9am–10am
The Sound of Cinnamon
Jake Armerding invites you into a world of hygge (warmth, coziness, soft light and simple comforts) with a soundtrack perfect for easing into the new year.
10am–12pm
New Year’s Day from Vienna 2026
The Vienna Philharmonic’s celebrated annual New Year’s concert, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin from the Golden Hall of the Musikverein. Hosted by WBUR’s Lisa Mullins.
