This December, the Washington area will be aglow with lights and the sound of carolers will fill the air.

Here at WETA we are getting into the holiday spirit with special broadcasts on WETA Television and WETA Classical 90.9 FM. So, while you are trimming your tree, lighting your menorah or celebrating some other way, let us share the season with you.

WETA Television

All programs listed below will be airing on WETA PBS. Check the schedule for additional information.

All Creatures Great and Small on Masterpiece: TVSS: Iconic

All Creatures Great and Small: Christmas in the Dales

Sunday, December 3 at 6:30 p.m.

Celebrate holiday moments from the three previous season finales (The Night Before Christmas, The Perfect Christmas and Merry Bloody Christmas) of popular Masterpiece adaptation All Creatures Great and Small, set in the Yorkshire Dales of the 1930s. Accompanying clips are behind-the-scenes visits with the drama’s cast and creators. 

Rick Steves European Christmas: TVSS: Banner-L2

Rick Steves’ European Christmas

Monday, December 4 at 9:30 p.m.


Join the travel expert for a colorful celebration of Christmas across Europe — in England, Wales, France, Norway, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. Enjoy Christmas markets, hear local choirs, share holiday traditions with families, and more. Repeats Sun 12/24, 6am 

Preview: WETA Arts December 2022: Songs of the Season: asset-mezzanine-16x9

WETA Arts: Songs of the Season

Monday, December 11 at 9 p.m.

WETA Arts presents the fourth year of Songs of the Season, a spirited holiday music special featuring choral groups from all around the D.C. area. Conceived in 2020 to celebrate choral music during the pandemic, Songs of the Season has become a WETA holiday tradition. This year’s special showcases 19 talented choral groups from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

Season of Light: Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir

Season of Light: Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir

Tuesday, December 12 at 8 p.m.

Tony Award-winning Disney and Broadway star Lea Salonga and renowned actor Sir David Suchet shine in this holiday special that weaves together inspirational music with a hope-filled story from World War II to welcome the spirit of the season.  Repeats Sat 12/16, 11pm; Sun 12/24, 11:30am; Mon 12/25, 7:30am

The Savoy at Christmas: background

The Savoy at Christmas

Sunday, December 17 at 7 p.m.

Follow the holiday season at The Savoy, Britain’s top luxury hotel, as staff wel-come residential guests and diners across Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Go behind the scenes during the holiday festivities as the hotel delivers the glamour, elegance, history and character its guests seek. Celia Imrie narrates.

Mary Berry

Mary Berry’s Highland Christmas

Monday, December 18 at 9 p.m.

Culinary arts icon Mary Berry spends Christmas in her mother’s homeland of Scotland to enjoy a winter break soak-ing up her heritage and enjoying traditional festive delights, as well as cooking up some of her own dishes.  Repeats Tue 12/19, 4pm; 12/24, 7am; Mon 12/25, 4pm; Tue 12/26, 8pm

A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong key art

A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong

Sunday, December 24 at 7 p.m.

In this 2017 comedy-drama, the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society, blacklisted by the BBC, gets back on the air by hijacking the jewel of the Christmas schedule, a live production of “A Christmas Carol.” With help, the ensemble tries to make the show work but falters, and guest star Sir Derek Jacobi endeavors to keep up. Dame Diana Rigg co-stars.

Trixie Franklin (HELEN GEORGE) and Jonty Aylward (ARCHIE O'CALLAGHAN)  CREDIT: BBC

Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2023

Monday, December 25 at 8 p.m.

It’s Christmas, 1968, and all eyes are heavenwards as astronauts embark on their latest space exploration. At Nonnatus House, Sister Monica Joan believes this will be her last Christmas; Nancy recommits to staying on and Sister Julienne offers her and Colette a room. Trixie and Mat-thew prepare their first Christmas as husband and wife. And Nurse Crane tries to return for the holiday from a refresher course but faces treacherously heavy snow-fall.

The Nutcracker and the Mouse King: TVSS: Iconic

The Nutcracker and the Mouse King

Tuesday, December 26 at 9 p.m.

Join Alan Cumming for this delightful reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s holiday favorite, The Nutcracker, featuring the Royal Scottish National Orchestra under the direction of John Mauceri.

A Chef’s Life Holiday Special - Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

A Chef’s Life Holiday Special

Sunday, December 24 at 8 a.m.

Join Chef Vivian Howard for a taste of the holidays as she serves up the best of her Southern cooking heritage and the Chanukah traditions her husband Ben grew up with. From a simple corned ham to an upscale oyster dressing, from humble Hoppin’ John to an elegant red velvet cake, sample one of the most charming and delicious holiday celebrations of the season.

Christmas at Westminster

Christmas At Westminster: An Evening Of Readings And Carols

Sunday, December 24 at 10 a.m.

Westminster Choir College presents their yearly holiday music concert in WESTMINSTER CHOIR COLLEGE: AN EVENING OF READINGS AND CAROLS. Recorded in the Princeton University Chapel, the program features more than 400 musicians in five different choirs.

All Is Bright! A Concordia Christmas: TVSS: Iconic

All Is Bright! A Concordia Christmas

Sunday, December 24 at 11 a.m.

Vocal and instrumental musical ensembles of Concordia University present a festive collection of seasonal music.

Christmas at Belmont: TVSS: Banner-L1

Christmas At Belmont

Sunday, December 24 at 1 p.m.

Belmont University students present holiday favorites and classic songs from the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville, Tenn.

Dreaming Of A Jewish Christmas

Dreaming Of A Jewish Christmas

Sunday, December 24 at 2 p.m.

The irreverent documentary Dreaming Of A Jewish Christmas tells the story of the unlikely Jewish immigrants who, enamored with Broadway and Hollywood, wrote some of the most popular songs in America: Christmas music. The documentary features rarely seen archival footage, musical performances and interviews.

Sarah Brightman: A Christmas Symphony: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Sarah Brightman: A Christmas Symphony

Sunday, December 24 at 3 p.m.

Celebrate the holidays with the world’s best-selling soprano and legendary Grammy® Award-nominated artist in her first-ever Christmas special from the beautiful Christ Church Spitalfields in London. Transforming the iconic and historic setting into an intimate winter wonderland, Sarah breathes new life into holiday classics and fan favorites for the season. With special guest Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas with Vanessa Williams: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Ella Wishes You A Swingin’ Christmas, With Vanessa Williams

Sunday, December 24 at 4 p.m.

In collaboration with the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, the American Pops Orchestra presents an evening celebrating the entire iconic album of holiday classics. This 60-minute performance stars host and vocalist Vanessa Williams with appearances by Dee Dee Bridgewater, Norm Lewis, Carmen Ruby Floyd, Nova Payton, Dave Detwiler and Morgan James.

Lights Before Christmas: TVSS: Iconic

The Lights Before Christmas: Luminous London

Monday, December 25 at 6:30 p.m.

Seasonal displays around London.

Mary Berry's Ultimate Christmas: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Mary Berry’s Ultimate Christmas

Monday, December 25 at 3 p.m.

Mary Berry shares her ultimate Christmas feast with all the trimmings. Friends and Chefs Angela Hartnett and Monica Galetti join her to share favorite festive recipes from their heritage and Mary and TV host Rylan try and convert some kids to Brussels sprouts.

Stream Holiday Programs On Demand

WETA Arts December 2023: Songs of the Season: asset-mezzanine-16x9

WETA Arts December 2023: Songs of the Season

WETA Arts

WETA Arts presents the fourth year of Songs of the Season, a spirited holiday music special featuring choral groups from all around the D.C. area. Conceived in 2020 to celebrate choral music during the pandemic, Songs of the Season has become a WETA holiday tradition. This year’s special showcases 19 talented choral groups from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

Mary Berry's Highland Christmas: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Mary Berry's Highland Christmas

Mary Berry's Highland Christmas

Join Mary Berry as she travels to her mother’s homeland, Scotland, and is joined by her friends Andy Murray, Iain Stirling, and Emeli Sandé to cook indulgent Christmas dishes that can be enjoyed anytime over the holidays.

Season of Light: Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Season of Light: Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir

Christmas With The Tabernacle Choir

The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square join with award winning artists Lea Salonga and Sir David Suchet for Season of Light: Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir, a festive and uplifting Christmas special. Filmed with a live audience, this concert will illuminate your holiday experience with timeless carols, treasured Christmas songs and a story of heroic service.

Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas with Vanessa Williams: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas with Vanessa Williams

Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas with Vanessa Williams

In collaboration with the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, the American Pops Orchestra presents an evening celebrating the entire iconic album of holiday classics. This 60-minute performance stars host and vocalist Vanessa Williams with appearances by Dee Dee Bridgewater, Norm Lewis, Carmen Ruby Floyd, Nova Payton, Dave Detwiler and Morgan James.

A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong: asset-mezzanine-16x9

A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong

A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong

The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society has been blacklisted after ruining Peter Pan, however, they are not taking their ban lying down and force themselves back on the BBC by hijacking the jewel of the Christmas schedule, a ‘live’ production of A Christmas Carol. The Cornley gang tries to make the show work but soon realize they are completely out of their depth.

The Savoy at Christmas: asset-mezzanine-16x9

The Savoy at Christmas

The Savoy at Christmas

The holiday season has arrived at The Savoy and staff welcome hundreds of guests and diners across Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. The six weeks from mid-November to New Year’s Day are of utmost importance, as they generate £3.5 million in revenue. Go behind-the-scenes during the holiday festivities as every department prepares. Narrated by Celia Imrie (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel).

European Christmas: asset-mezzanine-16x9

European Christmas

Rick Steves' Europe

Join Rick as he celebrates the holiday's rich history while exploring the sights and sounds of celebrations in Bath, Paris, Oslo, and Burgundy, as well as the timeless traditions of Nürnberg, Salzburg, and Tuscany.

WETA Classical

Enjoy the sounds of the season on WETA Classical 90.9 FM. Seasonal offerings air throughout December, increasing on December 17 and culminating with special programming on December 24-25.

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Holiday wreath

This year’s Christmas Eve specials include:

  • Christmas Eve Carolfest (6 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
  • A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King’s College, Cambridge (5 p.m.)
  • Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker (7 p.m.)

On Christmas Day, WETA Classical presents:

  • Christmas Day Carolfest (6 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
  • Christmas in Washington, featuring performances of holiday music by D.C.-area choral and instrumental ensembles (11 a.m.)
  • Handel’s Messiah (5 p.m.)
  • Bach’s Christmas Oratorio (9 p.m.)

Also tune in to WETA Classical on Sundays at 9 p.m. for Choral Showcase, which is devoted to Christmas music all month.

Listen Live to WETA Classical

Host: Nicole Lacroix
Nicole Lacroix

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Host: Julie Huang Tucker
Julie Huang Tucker

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WETA Classical

Holiday Playlists

From WETA Classical:

 

Related to WETA Programs: