Christmas with Concordia

YourClassical MPR’s live broadcast of 'A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols' from King's College, Cambridge, with host Michael Barone, has ended and on-demand audio is no longer available. Join us on Christmas Eve 2026 for another unforgettable service.

We have a variety of classical specials for the holiday season, from Christmas to New Year’s Day. Listen to them any time that's convenient using this comprehensive listing.

Celebrate the holidays with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra annual performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah,’ featuring an all-star roster of vocal soloists, vocal ensemble The Singers, and conductor Dinis Sousa. Listen to the concert now!

Six YourClassical hosts picked their five favorite Christmas carols, and you voted for your favorites. Listen to the full countdown as hosts Tom Crann and Jake Armerding highlight the top carols based on your votes.

‘In Winter's Glow’ is a winter solstice program, hosted by Steve Seel. It presents modern classical sounds for the longest night of the year, chosen especially to complement the chilly, starry nights of the season.

The St. Olaf Christmas Festival has become one of the nation's most cherished holiday celebrations. This year's presentation, ‘O Morning Star, O Radiant Love,’ features more than 500 student musicians in three performances at Northfield college. Listen to the concert now!

Here is a day-by-day guide to all of our special holiday programming for the 2025 season, from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve.

The Celtic lands of Northwestern Europe have an especially rich musical heritage, and many Christmas songs and carols come from Celtic nations. Listen as host Andrea Blain explores music and customs that have roots in ancient winter celebrations and traditional Christmas festivals.

Each December, the Center for Faith and Life at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, rings out with the sacred and the exuberant: the sounds of the Christmas season. Enjoy the 2024 program, ‘Seeking Refuge for a Weary World.’

A delightful hour for everyone to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights! Hosted by Mindy Ratner, ‘Candles Burning Brightly’ features lots of music from Jewish communities worldwide, a hilarious lesson on preparing a classic Hanukkah dish, and a timeless and touching holiday story that brings light into every home.