Christmas

A Paul Winter Solstice Concert

Sunday, December 21st at 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

The holiday tradition continues with Paul Winter's Winter Solstice Celebration. The extraordinary acoustics of New York's Cathedral of St. John the Divine highlight the music of the Winter Consort with Eugene Friesen, Paul Sullivan and Brazilian percussionist Cafè leading us through the longest night of the year, with singer/guitarist Renato Braz and "Icarus" double-reed man Paul McCandless. This year's celebration debuts Apache singer John-Carlos Perea and musical performances from the 2008 Grammy winning CD Crestone. John Schaefer hosts the production from Living Music and Murray Street.

A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Wednesday, December 24th at 10 a.m. - Noon

Host Michael Barone brings us the legendary music and spoken-word broadcast from the chapel of King’s College in Cambridge, England. Since 1928, this service of Biblical readings with choral and organ selections has been broadcast live by the BBC. It is now a treasured worldwide Christmas Eve tradition.

A Car Talk Christmas Carol Redux

Wednesday, December 24th at 6 p.m.

A refreshed and updated version of the holiday classic, starring Tom and Ray Magliozzi and a stellar cast of public radio personalities including Robert Siegel as Bob Cratchit.

Christmas with the Philadelphia Singers 2008

Wednesday, December 24th at 8 p.m.

An annual favorite, "Christmas with the Philadelphia Singers" is a concert of traditional and contemporary holiday music performed by the renowned choral group and hosted by Ed Cunningham. This year, the chorus presents new twists on recognizable favorites in Stephen Chatman's "Carols of the Nativity," and renews the tradition of the Burt Family Carols with several Alfred Burt selections. Listeners also enjoy masterworks by Arvo Part, John Harbison and Abbie Betinis.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Wednesday, December 24th at 9 p.m.

In "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," host Bill McGlaughlin invites listeners to journey back to the roots of this most familiar lyric. He touches on the fascinating early history of New York, depicting how children from Dutch and early British families celebrated Christmas.

Tinsel Tales: NPR Christmas Favorites

Wednesday, December 24th at 10 p.m.

This year a new radio tradition - stories from the NPR archives that touch on the meaning of Christmas. David Sedaris, Bailey White, John Henry Faulk - these and other NPR voices, past and present, tell stories of the season. Hosted by Lynn Neary.

Jonathan Winters' A Christmas Carol

Wednesday, December 24th at 11 p.m.

A public radio tradition updated this year with NPR host Lisa Simeone. Master comedian Jonathan Winters presents a distinctive reading of Dickens' holiday classic, with a special performing edition prepared by Dickens for his own presentations. Also featuring Mimi Kennedy. From NPR and KCRW.

Christmas with the Philadelphia Singers 2008

Thursday, December 25th at 9 a.m.

Christmas with Morehouse and Spelman Glee Clubs

Thursday, December 25th at 9 p.m.

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 enocre presentation 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. Korva Coleman hosts.

Songs of Joy and Peace: The Yo-Yo Ma Holiday Party

Thursday, December 25th at 10 p.m.

Imagine a musical party that celebrates the hopes, dreams and joy that animates seasonal festivals the world over. That is what inspired Yo-Yo Ma to create "Songs of Joy and Peace: The Yo-Yo Ma Holiday Party" with a remarkable group of friends. Hosted by John Schaefer, this holiday special combines the joy of music with the gift of discovery as shared and performed by friends old and new. Featured artists include James Taylor, Alison Krauss, Diana Krall, Dave Brubeck, Paquito d'Rivera, Chris Thile, Sergio Assad, Chris Botti and others.

A Chanticleer Christmas

Thursday, December 25th at 11 p.m.

America’s finest male chorus celebrates the mystery and wonder of Christmas. Their 2008 Christmas special is an elegant blend of traditional carols, medieval sacred works, and jazzy spirituals. This San Francisco based chorus is recognized worldwide for its brilliant technique and musicality. This year’s program will be recorded live on December 10th in San Francisco.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah Lights 2008

Monday, December 22nd at 9 p.m.

A perennial NPR favorite, now well into its second decade. Acclaimed authors explore Hanukkah traditions in original stories written expressly for Hanukkah Lights. Hosted by Murray Horwitz and Susan Stamberg.

Chanukah in Story and Song

Tuesday, December 23rd at 9 p.m.

Narrated by Leonard Nimoy and sung by the acclaimed vocal sextet The Western Wind Vocal Ensemble, "Chanukah in Story and Song" is a unique holiday program created especially for public radio listeners. This delightfully engaging program presents 25 eclectic selections, from the Ladino songs of the Spanish Jews and Yiddish melodies of Eastern Europe to modern Israeli tunes and the ensemble's original version of "I Have a Little Dreydle."

Kwanza

A Season's Griot 2008: "Stories from the Neighborhood"

Friday, December 26th at 10 p.m. - 11 p.m.

"A Season's Griot" is public radio's only nationally-syndicated Kwanzaa program. Hosted for the last 16 years by acclaimed storyteller Madafo Lloyd Wilson, this annual one-hour special captures the tales and traditions of African-American and African peoples.

This year's program features "Stories from the Neighborhood." With folktale, song and poetry, Wilson and friends recall the wonderful days of growing up in his home town of Wilmington, N.C., during the 1940s, '50s and '60s — a time when growing up was fun. There are tall tales from the playground, street corner symphony, jive talk, fiery Sunday morning impressions and much more. Familiar and favorite elements of "A Season's Griot" also return, with plenty of music and an original composition by the show's poet laureate, Beverly Fields Burnette.

New Year's Eve

Toast of the Nation

LIVE Wednesday, December 31th at 8 p.m. - 5 a.m.

Count down to 2009 this New Year's Eve with live jazz on Toast of the Nation. Party with live music from coast to coast, from a Sonicbloom in Boston to a Pink Martini in Los Angeles, from ribs and Mingus in New York to black-eyes peas and a licorice stick in New Orleans, Toast of the Nation presents live music with four midnights!