Holiday Stream Stories

Halloween is just around the corner. Get yourself into the spooking spirit with our specially curated playlist of fun (and creepy) classical music.

The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin performs an Irish lullaby that dates from 1904.

Who needs another playing of Lee Greenwood’s gooey, inordinate, moralistic schlep of a song ‘God Bless the USA’ when there’s so much other great Americana music to explore for Independence Day? Classical host Ward Jacobson offers his recommendations for a musical July Fourth to remember.

This Juneteenth we commemorate the holiday with two contrasting and power playlist — Remembrance and Celebration. Remembrance is about the past and represents the struggle of Black Americans to get to where we are today and Celebration is about the joy and jubilee felt in the presence of positive change for now and in the future.

‘Shine: A Summer Solstice Celebration’ highlights composers and musicians who celebrate this glorious season and will inspire listeners to celebrate the longest day of the year. Listen now with host Melanie Renate.

Explore the historical and cultural roots of Cinco de Mayo as we celebrate Mexican and Chicano heritage through music in the American Public Media special ‘Celebrating Cinco de Mayo,’ with host Ines Guanchez.

The beloved holiday of Passover, which runs April 5 to 13, commemorates the Exodus of the Jewish people from enslavement to freedom. Join host Adam Fine for ‘Melodies of Freedom,’ a musical celebration of Passover that explores the power of music to bring people together. Listen now.

For the first time since 2015, the North Dakota State University Challey School of Music performed its annual holiday tradition ‘Messiah’ at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Minneapolis in late 2022. Listen now to that performance for Easter.

Looking for the perfect soundtrack for St. Patrick's Day? Our specially selected classical playlist will add an Irish flair to your festivities and take you on a musical journey to the Emerald Isle.

Listen to this classical music special that does double duty and looks at music from Ireland, with an emphasis on women composers and performers, as well as music with female themes.