KPR's 2020 HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING
Celebrate the holidays all month long with special programming on Kansas Public Radio. See our list of specials and plan out your holiday listening!
Thursday, December 10
CANDLE BURNING BRIGHTLY - 8 p.m.
A celebration of Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights with an exploration of Chanukah foods and traditional activities … and plenty of music. Hosted by Mindy Ratner.
Wednesday, December 16 - 7 p.m.
THE KPR VIRTUAL HOLIDAY SHOW
The KPR staff is throwing a virtual holiday show! We'll hear "Twas the Night Before Christmas," "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," and everything in-between, performed by your friends at Kansas Public Radio. You can attend the live event Wednesday, December 16 at 7 p.m. by signing up here.
Saturday, December 19
KPR PRESENTS: THE KPR VIRTUAL HOLIDAY SHOW - The Radio Edition - 6 a.m.
The KPR staff is throwing a virtual holiday show! We'll hear "Twas the Night Before Christmas," "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," and everything in-between, performed by your friends at Kansas Public Radio. Encore broadcasts Sunday, Dec. 20, 1 p.m., on KPR2 and 6 p.m., on KPR; and Thursday, Dec. 24, at 7 p.m. on KPR2.
THE RETRO COCKTAIL HOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY - 7 p.m.
Direct from the Underground Martini Bunker, Darrell Brogdon celebrates the season with two hours of Yuletide music that’s “shaken, not stirred.”
Sunday, December 20
KPR PRESENTS: THE KPR VIRTUAL HOLIDAY SHOW - The Radio Edition - 6 p.m.
The KPR staff is throwing a virtual holiday show! We'll hear "Twas the Night Before Christmas," "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," and everything in-between, performed by your friends at Kansas Public Radio. Encore broadcasts Sunday, Dec. 20, 1 p.m., on KPR2, and Thursday, Dec. 24, at 7 p.m. on KPR2.
Monday, December 21
WELCOME CHRISTMAS - 7 p.m.
Welcome Christmas is a perennial Christmas favorite from VocalEssence, one of the world’s premiere choral groups, conducted by Philip Brunelle. An hour of traditional carols and new discoveries, including the world premiere of two carols from the annual Christmas Carol Contest.
A CHANTICLEER CHRISTMAS - 8 p.m.
Celebrate the season with song! Steve Staruch hosts this one-hour program of holiday favorites, new and old, presented live in concert by Chanticleer, the superb 12-man ensemble known as "an orchestra of voices."
Tuesday, December 22
CHRISTMAS WITH THE TABERNACLE CHOIR AT TEMPLE SQUARE - 7 p.m.
The sounds of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square floated into many homes during the holidays in the '60s & '70s on Goodyear and Firestone albums, bringing lush renditions of favorite Christmas carols. Those warm memories and feelings come right back again in this holiday special. The choir continues its tradition of great artistry with touching arrangements of familiar carols, and surprises with lesser-known melodies that are fast becoming the new classics.
ALL IS BRIGHT - 8 p.m.
Lynne Warfel hosts an hour of gorgeous, contemplative choral music that tells the traditional Christmas story with songs about angels, the star and the manger scene. Featured artists include Cantus, Chanticleer, Cambridge Singers, Bryn Terfel, Emma Kirkby, Jessye Norman and a variety of choirs.
Wednesday, Dec. 23
BEST OF HOLIDAY VESPERS - 7 p.m.
An hour of memorable moments from past performances of Holiday Vespers at the University of Kansas.
AN EARLY MUSIC CHRISTMAS - 8 p.m.
An hour-long program of seasonal music from the distant past and through the ages, both sublime and earthly, across time and place, and across beliefs and traditions. Featuring a rich selection of well-known holiday vocal music, including selections from Handel's Messiah, Bach's Christmas Oratorio, and a variety of traditional hymns, carols and song.
Thursday, December 24
A FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS & CAROLS - 9 a.m.
Share in a world-wide Christmas Eve broadcast of a service of Biblical readings, carols, and related seasonal ‘classical’ music (anthems a cappella and with organ accompaniment, and congregational hymns), presented by one of the world’s foremost choirs of men and boys, the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge. To protect those involved in the service during the pandemic this event will be pre-recorded.
BEST OF HOLIDAY VESPERS - 2 p.m.
An hour of memorable moments from past performances of Holiday Vespers at the University of Kansas.
A FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS & CAROLS - 7 p.m.
KPR presents an encore broadcast of the Christmas Eve service featuring the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge.
KPR PRESENTS: THE KPR VIRTUAL HOLIDAY SHOW - The Radio Edition - 7 p.m.
The KPR staff is throwing a virtual holiday show! We'll hear "Twas the Night Before Christmas," "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," and everything in-between, performed by your friends at Kansas Public Radio, Thursday, Dec. 24, at 7 p.m. on KPR2.
Friday, December 25
BEST OF HOLIDAY VESPERS - 9 a.m.
An encore presentation of memorable moments from past performances of KU’s Holiday Vespers.
CHRISTMAS WITH THE TABERNACLE CHOIR AT TEMPLE SQUARE - 10 a.m.
The sounds of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square floated into many homes during the holidays in the '60s & '70s on Goodyear and Firestone albums, bringing lush renditions of favorite Christmas carols. Those warm memories and feelings come right back again in this holiday special. (encore broadcast)
ST. OLAF CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL - 11 a.m.
F. Melius Christiansen started the Christmas Festival in 1911 at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, as a simple service in word and song for students, faculty, friends and family. In the 109 years since, it has grown to traditionally include more than 500 student musicians.
AN EARLY MUSIC CHRISTMAS - Noon
An hour-long program of seasonal music from the distant past and through the ages, both sublime and earthly, across time and place, and across beliefs and traditions. Featuring a rich selection of well-known holiday vocal music, including selections from Handel's Messiah, Bach's Christmas Oratorio, and a variety of traditional hymns, carols and song. (encore broadcast)
ALL IS BRIGHT - 1 p.m.
Lynne Warfel hosts an hour of gorgeous, contemplative choral music that tells the traditional Christmas story with songs about angels, the star and the manger scene. Featured artists include Cantus, Chanticleer, Cambridge Singers, Bryn Terfel, Emma Kirkby, Jessye Norman, and a variety of choirs. (encore broadcast)
CHANTICLEER CHRISTMAS - 2 p.m.
Celebrate the season with song! Steve Staruch hosts this one-hour program of holiday favorites, new and old, presented live in concert by Chanticleer, the superb 12-man ensemble known as "an orchestra of voices."
FILM MUSIC FRIDAY CHRISTMAS - 7 p.m.
This week Film Music Friday presents music from some of Hollywood’s best-loved Christmas films, including It’s a Wonderful Life, The Polar Express, Home Alone, The Bishop’s Wife, A Christmas Story and more!
