2020 Classical Holiday Programming Schedule

Enjoy seasonal favorites and a variety of Hanukkah and Christmas programs. Here is a day-by-day guide to all of our special holiday programming for the 2020 season.

Seasonal specials are presented on Classical Minnesota Public Radio's stations and stream.

Broadcasts

Listen to these programs on Classical MPR stations and online at the following times. Linked titles go to more information and on-demand audio (when available) to listen to at any time.

This listing will be updated regularly throughout the season with links and audio as they become available, so check back often.

All times are central.

Nov. 25, 6 p.m., & Nov. 26, noon — Every Good Thing: Giving thanks and celebrating the gift of music.

Nov. 25, 7 p.m. & Nov. 26, 10 a.m. — Giving Thanks: A contemporary celebration of spirit of Gratitude.

Nov. 29, 7 p.m. — All Is Bright: An hourlong program of contemplative choral and solo vocal music of the season.

Dec. 1, 7 p.m. — Minnesota Opera: Silent Night: Recounting the miraculous Christmas Eve truce of World War I.

Dec. 2, 7 p.m. — Welcome Christmas: A new joyful, classic holiday special featuring VocalEssence.

Dec. 3, 7 p.m. — Concordia Christmas Concert: Contemporary and traditional works in this yearly treat, from the college in Moorhead, Minn.

Dec. 6, 11 a.m. — A Soulful Christmas: An uplifting holiday special that features Black music and composers.

Dec. 8, 7 p.m. — Hollywood Holiday: A musical retrospective of our most-cherished Christmas-themed movies.

Dec. 9, 7 p.m. — Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square: A celebration featuring a 360-voice choir, a 150-piece orchestra and a 32-member bell choir.

Dec. 12, 6 p.m. — Candles Burning Brightly: A one-hour celebration of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, which runs Dec. 10-18.

Dec. 13, 7 p.m. — Christmas at Luther: Sounds of the season, from the college in Decorah, Iowa.

Dec. 14, 7 p.m. — A Chanticleer Christmas: Holiday favorites presented live by the superb 12-man ensemble known as "an orchestra of voices."

Dec. 15, 7 p.m. — St. Olaf Christmas Festival: One of the nation's most treasured holiday celebrations, from the college in Northfield, Minn.

Dec. 16 (all day) — Beethoven Birthday Bash: A celebration of the composer's 250th birthday.

Dec. 17, 7 p.m. — Handel's Messiah: An encore performance of the classic by the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Singers.

Dec. 18, 8 p.m. — Minnesota Orchestra presents A Midwinter Gathering With Kevin Kling: Holiday favorites and stories.

Dec. 19, 7 p.m. — Minnesota Opera's A Holiday Special - Live!: A lighter approach to sounds of the season, from Ordway Center in St. Paul, Minn.

Dec. 20, 3 p.m. — St. Olaf Christmas Festival: One of the nation's most treasured holiday celebrations, from the college in Northfield, Minn.

Dec. 21, 7 p.m. — Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square: A celebration featuring a 360-voice choir, a 150-piece orchestra and a 32-member bell choir.

Dec. 22, 7 p.m. — A Soulful Christmas: An uplifting holiday special that features Black music and composers.

Dec. 23, 7 p.m. — Cantus presents Lessons for Our Time: A modern take on the traditional Christmas service by the Minnesota-based men's vocal ensemble.

Dec. 24, 9 a.m. — A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols: A service of biblical readings, carols and seasonal classical music, from King's College, Cambridge, England (live).

Dec. 24, 6 and 9 p.m. — The Night Before Christmas: Our telling of Clement Moore's classic poem A Visit From St. Nicholas, from Classical Kids Storytime.

Dec. 24, 6:30 p.m. — 'Silent Night' Sing-along: Join host Steve Staruch for a radio sing-along to this Christmas classic.

Dec. 24, 7 p.m. — A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols: A service of biblical readings, carols and seasonal classical music, from King's College, Cambridge, England (rebroadcast).

Dec. 31, 7 p.m. — New Year's with Cantus: A year-end celebration with the Minnesota-based men's vocal ensemble.