Enjoy seasonal favorites and a variety of Christmas and Hanukkah programs. 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.
Seasonal specials are presented on YourClassical MPR's stations and stream.
Programs — on-air and online
Listen to these programs on YourClassical MPR stations and online at the following times. Linked titles go to more information and on-demand audio (when available) to listen to the program 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. 26, 6 p.m. — Every Good Thing: Giving thanks and celebrating the gift of music. Hosted by Andrea Blain.
Nov. 26, 7 p.m. — Songs of Thanks: The acclaimed octet Cantus weaves together stories and songs celebrating gratitude and community.
Nov. 27, 10 a.m. — Songs of Thanks (encore; see Nov. 26).
Nov. 27, 11 a.m. — Every Good Thing (encore; see Nov. 26).
Dec. 2, 7 p.m. — Christmas at Luther: Seeking Refuge for a Weary World: Each December, the Center for Faith and Life at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, rings out with the sacred and the exuberant sounds of the Christmas season. Enjoy this 2024 program.
Dec. 4, 7 p.m. — Sound of Cinnamon: Hosted by Jake Armerding.
Dec. 7, 3 p.m. — St. Olaf Christmas Festival: O Morning Star, O Radiant Love (live): For many people, over several generations, the celebration of the Advent – Christmas – Epiphany season begins with the annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival, a century-old tradition of the college. Hosted by Steve Staruch.
Dec. 9, 7 p.m. — Welcome Christmas: Enjoy traditional carols and new discoveries in this Christmas favorite from VocalEssence, one of the world's premier choral ensembles, conducted by Philip Brunelle and G. Phillip Shoultz. Hosted by Bonnie North.
Dec. 11, 7 p.m. — Chanticleer Christmas: Holiday favorites presented live by the superb 12-man ensemble known as "an orchestra of voices," with a centuries-spanning program ranging from Renaissance masterworks to roof-raising spirituals. (Encore from 2023.) Hosted by Melissa Ousley.
Dec. 13, 7 p.m. — St. Olaf Christmas Festival: Our Hope for Years To Come: For one and a half centuries, St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, has been a hub of connections, knowledge and growth. Listen to a concert featuring scripture, hymns, and musical performances by the St. Olaf Orchestra, St. Olaf Choir, St. Olaf Cantorei, St. Olaf Chapel Choir, Viking Chorus, and Manitou Singers. Enjoy this 2024 program. Hosted by Valerie Kahler.
Dec. 15, 7 p.m. — Candles Burning Brightly: A delightful hour for everyone to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights, which runs Dec. 14 to 22. Enjoy music from Jewish communities around the world, plus a hilarious lesson on how to prepare a classic Chanukah dish, and a timeless and touching holiday story that brings light into every home. Hosted by Mindy Ratner.
Dec. 16, 7 p.m. — Chanticleer Christmas (encore; see Dec. 11).
Dec. 17, 7 p.m. — Carols, Customs and Candlelight: A Celtic Christmas Celebration: Many Christmas songs and carols come from places like Ireland, Scotland, Brittany and other Celtic nations. Explore music and customs that have roots in ancient winter celebrations and traditional Christmas festivals. (Encore from 2024.) Hosted by Andrea Blain.
Dec. 18, 7 p.m. — YourClassical Christmas Favorites: Listen to the top Christmas songs, as ranked by listeners. Hosted by Tom Crann and Valerie Kahler.
Dec. 19, 7 p.m. — Welcome Christmas (encore; see Dec. 9).
Dec. 20, 7 p.m. — Candles Burning Brightly (encore; see Dec. 15).
Dec. 21, 2 p.m. — St. Paul Chamber Orchestra Performs Messiah (live): The SPCO will be joined by an all-star roster of vocal soloists and renowned vocal ensemble the Singers in what is sure to be a wonderful performance of Handel’s master work. This year featuring conductor Dinis Sousa. Hosted by Steve Seel. On-demand audio will not be available for this program.
Dec. 21, 7 p.m. — In Winter’s Glow A winter solstice program, with modern classical sounds for the longest night of the year, chosen especially to complement the chilly, starry nights of the season. Hosted by Steve Seel.
Dec. 22, 7 p.m. — St. Olaf Christmas Festival: Our Hope for Years To Come (encore; see Dec. 13).
Dec. 23, 7 p.m. — YourClassical Christmas Favorites: Listen to the top Christmas songs, as ranked by listeners. Hosted by Jake Armerding and Tom Crann.
Dec. 24, 9 a.m. — A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols: A time-honored service of biblical readings, carols and seasonal classical music, from King's College, Cambridge, England. The live broadcast is followed by an encore on Christmas Eve, with on-demand audio available here for 30 days afterward. Hosted by Michael Barone.
Dec. 24, 7 p.m. — A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols (encore).
Dec. 26, 7 p.m. — In Winter’s Glow (encore; see Dec. 21).
Dec. 27, 7 p.m. — Sound of Cinnamon (encore; see Dec. 4).
Jan. 1, noon — Vienna New Year’s Day Special: Usher in the new year with conductor Riccardo Muti and the world-famous Vienna Philharmonic. On-demand audio will not be available for this program.
Jan. 1, 2 p.m. — New Year’s Celebration with the Minnesota Orchestra (live): We’ll ring in 2026 with a pianist who’s well-admired in both jazz and classical circles. For this all-American program, Aaron Diehl plays a concerto that was written just for him. Hosted by Melissa Ousley.
Programs — online
Enjoy encore presentations of these popular holiday specials from the past now, with on-demand audio.
Every Good Thing: Giving thanks and celebrating the gift of music. Hosted by Andrea Blain.
Giving Thanks: A 25th-anniversary, contemporary celebration of spirit of gratitude. Hosted by John Birge.
All Is Bright: An hourlong program of contemplative choral and solo vocal music of the season. Hosted by Lynne Warfel.
Christmas With Cantus: The vocal ensemble Cantus weaves together three holiday stories with time-honored carols and new classics. Hosted by Melissa Ousley.
Anticipation and Celebration: Advent With the Montserrat Boy Choir: One of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious boys’ choirs is captured live in its Midwest premiere at the majestic Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis. Hosted by Steve Staruch.
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.
Echoes of Christmas – A Dale Warland Special: A holiday program featuring the legendary choir leader. Hosted by Steve Staruch.
Hollywood Holiday: A musical retrospective of our most-cherished Christmas-themed movies.
Hygge Holiday: A mix of wintry and nostalgic classical pieces designed to accompany listeners as they enjoy cozy wintertime activities. Hosted by Elena See.
A Soulful Christmas: An uplifting holiday special that features Black music and composers.
Carols as Home: A holiday special featuring the Grammy-nominated quintet Imani Winds. Hosted by members of Imani Winds.
We Stand on Top of the Mountain: A Kwanzaa Celebration: A musical tribute to the Dec. 26-Jan. 1 holiday in which we celebrate African-American culture. Hosted by Jeffrey Yelverton.
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