Happy Holidays — Special Programming, Dec. 5-11
Published on
Sunday, Dec. 5
5 AM PBS Western Reserve
Holidays at Murray State 2021*
The Murray State University concert choir, wind ensemble and jazz orchestra, plus featured soloists, highlight this annual seasonal special. It is a sojourn in sight and sound through Murray State University and the Purchase area of western Kentucky.
Noon Fusion
Lidia Celebrates America—A Heartland Holiday Feast
Join award-winning chef Lidia Bastianich as she travels to the heartland of America, immersing herself in diverse cultures that provide inspiration for the holidays.
5 PM Fusion
Great Performances at the Met, Bryn Terfel & Friends in Concert*
Enjoy a holiday performance from the famed bass-baritone in Wales’ Brecon Cathedral featuring Welsh traditional folk group Calan. The program includes festive favorites, Lerner and Loewe’s “Little Prince” and more.
6 PM Fusion
Home for Christmas With Jim McDonough*
Iowan and international Steinway piano artist, Jim McDonough, performs beloved Christmas songs for a live audience in his Cedar Rapids, Iowa, home. The experience brings excitement and warm feelings to young and old alike.
Monday, Dec. 6
Noon PBS Western Reserve
The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas!
This adventure finds the Cat in the Hat, Nick and Sally on a journey around the world to help a lost reindeer find his way home to Freezeyourknees Snowland in time for Christmas. On the way, the Thingamajigger breaks down and they depend on a variety of animals to help them make an amazing journey home.
9 PM Fusion
Home for Christmas With Jim McDonough*
Iowan and international Steinway piano artist, Jim McDonough, performs beloved Christmas songs for a live audience in his Cedar Rapids, Iowa, home. The experience brings excitement and warm feelings to young and old alike.
Tuesday, Dec. 7
7:30 AM PBS Western Reserve
Wild Kratts: A Creature Christmas
When the Wild Kratts receive an alert that their favorite creatures are suddenly disappearing around the globe, their holiday party quickly turns into a rescue mission. Our heroes must race against time to thwart their greedy archrivals’ most miserly scheme yet! Will they be able to travel to the ends of the earth and return their baby animal friends to their homes in time for the holidays?
8 PM Fusion
Great Performances at the Met, Bryn Terfel & Friends in Concert*
Enjoy a holiday performance from the famed bass-baritone in Wales’ Brecon Cathedral featuring Welsh traditional folk group Calan. The program includes festive favorites, Lerner and Loewe’s “Little Prince” and more.
9 PM Fusion
Crane Candlelight Concert, Homeward Bound for the Holidays
In a concert tradition that began in the 1930s, the Crane Chorus and Crane Symphony Orchestra come together to present a very special holiday concert. The 2019 concert was conducted by Jeffrey Francom and highlights the best songs performed at candlelight from over the past 10 years. Making this year even more special, the Crane Chorus was joined by the Holy Name of Jesus Academy Chorus, a local youth choir, for a few songs.
10 PM Fusion
Lidia Celebrates America—A Heartland Holiday Feast
Join award-winning chef Lidia Bastianich as she travels to the heartland of America, immersing herself in diverse cultures that provide inspiration for the holidays.
Wednesday, Dec. 8
1 PM PBS Western Reserve
Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas
Curious George and The Man with the Yellow Hat are having a wonderful time getting ready for Christmas. There's only one dilemma—neither of them can figure out what to give the other for a present! In the end, both gift-giving predicaments are simply and beautifully resolved, revealing the true spirit of the holiday season.
Thursday, Dec. 9
8:30 AM PBS Western Reserve
Arthur’s Perfect Christmas
Plans are underway in Elwood City for the best holidays ever as Arthur, D.W., their family and friends make preparations for perfect gifts, perfect parties and perfect family traditions for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and even "Baxter Day" (Buster and his mom's special celebration). The only problem is, just like in real life, perfection is hard to attain, and things start to fall apart.
7 PM Fusion
Craft in America, Holiday
This program celebrates some of our most important traditions. Nordic folk woodcarver Harley Refsal brings to life the rich history of winter solstice. Clay artist Susan Garson creates fanciful Hanukkah menorahs. George Vanderbilt's opulent turn-of-the-century Christmas is recreated at the Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina. Daring chefs make lavish gingerbread houses for the competition at Grove Park Inn. Navidad is celebrated in San Antonio with religious processions, tamales and Kathleen Trenchard's sparkling luminarias. Garcia Art Glass makes colorful ornaments, and Veronica Castillo creates a traditional Mexican Tree of Life.
Friday, Dec. 10
Midnight PBS Western Reserve
Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra Family Christmas Show*
Join Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and their families for this joyful holiday special filmed in 1967. Songs include "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Silent Night" and many more. With special guest Sammy Davis, Jr.
1:30 AM PBS Western Reserve
Rick Steves’ European Christmas
Rick Steves visits friends and families in England, France, Norway, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy to reveal their customs and practices of the holiday season. He begins his travels in England, where the Christmas pudding is the real centerpiece of a traditional English holiday meal. In Paris, the Eiffel Tower heralds the season with its red, twinkling lights. And in the countryside of Tuscany, villagers stack neat pyramids of wood for great bonfires.
8 AM PBS Western Reserve
Let’s Go Luna! Luna’s Christmas Around the World
When the Circo gets stuck at the South Pole on Christmas eve, Leo, Andy, and Carmen are convinced that Santa will never find them. With the help of their friend Luna, the kids endeavor to save Christmas, learning about holiday traditions from around the world along the way.
10 AM PBS Western Reserve
Nature Cat: A Nature Carol
In the tradition of the Dickens holiday classic, Nature Cat is visited by the spirits of Nature Past (Daisy), Present (Squeeks) and Future (Hal) on Christmas Eve.
5 PM PBS Western Reserve
Craft in America, Holiday
This program celebrates some of our most important traditions. Nordic folk woodcarver Harley Refsal brings to life the rich history of winter solstice. Clay artist Susan Garson creates fanciful Hanukkah menorahs. George Vanderbilt's opulent turn-of-the-century Christmas is recreated at the Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina. Daring chefs make lavish gingerbread houses for the competition at Grove Park Inn. Navidad is celebrated in San Antonio with religious processions, tamales and Kathleen Trenchard's sparkling luminarias. Garcia Art Glass makes colorful ornaments, and Veronica Castillo creates a traditional Mexican Tree of Life.
Saturday, Dec. 11
1 PM PBS Western Reserve
Pasquale Esposito: In the Spirit of Christmas*
Celebrate the holidays with the Italian American tenor in a stunning concert from Naples. Dazzling the audience with a delightful presentation of music and dance, Esposito also performs with special guests Friar Alessandro and pop star Sal Da Vinci.
11:30 PM PBS Western Reserve
Carpenters: Christmas Memories*
MY MUSIC presents a special holiday program starring beloved brother-sister recording duo Richard and Karen Carpenter, the most successful American recording act of the 1970s. The all-new program focuses entirely on the Carpenters' perennially popular Christmas music favorites, including "The Christmas Song," "Winter Wonderland" and “White Christmas.”