Starting Dec. 16, Kansas Public Radio brings you a full line-up of special programming that is sure to put you in the holiday spirit! Relax by the fire, pour a mug of hot cocoa, and enjoy the complete list of holiday programming below.
Thursday, Dec. 16
CLASSICS LIVE - 7 to 8 p.m. (KPR1)
A concert of holiday and sacred works from Grace Cathedral in Topeka.
CANDLES BURNING BRIGHTLY - 8 to 9 p.m. (KPR1)
Candles Burning Brightly is a one-hour celebration of Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights with an exploration of Chanukah foods and traditional activities … and plenty of music.
Friday, Dec. 17
FILM MUSIC FRIDAY - CHRISTMAS - 7 to 9 p.m. (KPR1)
KPR’s Film Music Friday presents a night of music drawn from favorite Christmas movies, including Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Bishop’s Wife, A Christmas Story and The Polar Express, among others.
Saturday, Dec. 18
THE RETRO COCKTAIL HOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY, PT. 1 - 7 to 9 p.m. (KPR1)
Hang the mistletoe and spike the egg nog! From the Underground Martini Bunker, Darrell Brogdon serves up the annual holiday party, with swinging treats from the Count Basie Orchestra and Johnny Mathis, Keely Smith, Perry Como, the Brian Setzer Orchestra, Ixtahuele, the Tiki Delights and more!
Sunday, Dec. 19
A VERY MERRY KPR PRESENTS - 1 to 2 p.m. (KPR2)
The Kansas Public Radio staff get in the holiday spirit with music, stories, and poems of the season, with everything from "The Christmas Song" to original essays. Join with the staff of your favorite public radio station as we celebrate the season.
A VERY MERRY KPR PRESENTS - 6 to 7 p.m. (KPR1)
The Kansas Public Radio staff get in the holiday spirit with music, stories, and poems of the season, with everything from "The Christmas Song" to original essays. Join with the staff of your favorite public radio station as we celebrate the season.
THE RETRO COCKTAIL HOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY, PT. 2 - 7 to 9 p.m. (KPR1)
The party’s still going at the Underground Martini Bunker, with more finger-snappin’, hip-shakin’ holiday music by Jaymz Bee and the Royal Jelly Orchestra, Bing Crosby, Count Basie, Chaise Lounge and lots more.
Monday, Dec. 20
THE JAZZ SCENE CHRISTMAS SHOW - 9 p.m. to Midnight (KPR1)
David Basse hosts three hours of jazzy tunes for the holiday season.
Wednesday, Dec. 22
CHRISTMAS RIGHT BETWEEN THE EARS - 7 to 8 p.m. (KPR2)
KPR’s award-winning sketch comedy show presents an hour of bits drawn from past holiday shows at Liberty Hall in Lawrence.
Thursday, Dec. 23
HOLIDAY VESPERS - 7 to 8 p.m. (KPR2)
The annual yuletide concert at the Lied Center features the University of Kansas choirs and symphony orchestra with Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Christmas Overture, highlights from Handel’s Judas Maccabeus, Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson, selections from Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols and more.
A VERY MERRY KPR PRESENTS - 7 to 9 p.m. (KPR2)
The Kansas Public Radio staff get in the holiday spirit with music, stories, and poems of the season, with everything from "The Christmas Song" to original essays. Join with the staff of your favorite public radio station as we celebrate the season. In addition we'll hear memorable moments from the past 20 years of Holiday Vespers broadcasts on KPR.
Friday, Dec. 24
A FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS - 9 to 11 a.m. (KPR1)
The live, world-wide Christmas Eve service of Biblical readings, carols, and related seasonal Classical music is broadcast from the 500-year-old Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, England, featuring one of the world’s foremost choirs.
HOLIDAY VESPERS - 11 a.m. to Noon (KPR1)
An encore broadcast of the annual concert featuring the University of Kansas choirs and symphony orchestra.
ST. OLAF CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL - Noon to 2 p.m. (KPR1)
Here’s your chance to participate in one of the nation’s most treasured holiday celebrations. This year’s Christmas concert from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., includes sacred choral and instrumental music from many traditions: beloved hymns, classical masterworks, folk songs from around the world, and African-American spirituals.
A CHANTICLEER CHRISTMAS - 2 to 3 p.m. (KPR1)
This program of holiday favorites, new and old, will be presented live in concert by Chanticleer, the superb 12-man ensemble known as "an orchestra of voices." Chanticleer is one of the premiere vocal ensembles in the nation. The ensemble has won two Grammys and is a member of the American Classical Music Hall of Fame.
A FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS - 7 to 9 p.m. (KPR1)
An encore broadcast of the Christmas Eve service from the Chapel of King’s College in Cambridge, England.
Saturday, Dec. 25
A VERY MERRY KPR PRESENTS - 6 to 7 a.m. (KPR1)
The Kansas Public Radio staff get in the holiday spirit with music, stories, and poems of the season, with everything from "The Christmas Song" to original essays. Join with the staff of your favorite public radio station as we celebrate the season.
CHRISTMAS RIGHT BETWEEN THE EARS - 1 to 2 p.m. (KPR2)
The sketch comedy show returns with another hour of yuletide-flavored fun, drawn from live performances at Lawrence’s Liberty Hall.
A TRAIL MIX CHRISTMAS - 1 to 4 p.m. (KPR1)
Bob McWilliams hosts an afternoon of songs for Christmas and winter with modern songs by the likes of Mary Chapin Carpenter, Ellis Paul, and Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer, bluegrass takes on Christmas tunes by guitarist Dan Crary and mandolin player Sam Bush, Irish Christmas music from bands such as Bohola, traditional folk songs for Christmas from Joel Mabus and Bruce Cockburn.
THE RETRO COCKTAIL HOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY, PT. 3 - 7 to 9 p.m. (KPR1)
Can you believe the annual Christmas party at the Underground Martini Bunker is STILL going on? Join Darrell Brogdon for two hours of happy holiday treats.