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 2026 season, from Thanksgiving into the New Year.
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.
Oct. 31, 7 p.m. — Creepy Classics: Join Jake Armerding for the best creepy music from the concert stage, film and opera.
Nov. 25, 7 p.m. — Songs of Thanks: The acclaimed octet Cantus weaves together stories and songs celebrating gratitude and community.
Nov. 26, 10 a.m. — Songs of Thanks (encore; see Nov. 25).
Dec. 2, 7 p.m. — Christmas at Luther: Fling Wide the Door!: 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 2025 program. Hosted by Andrea Blain.
Dec. 3, 7 p.m. — St. Olaf Christmas Festival: O Morning Star, O Radiant Love: 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. 5, 7 p.m. — Candles Burning Brightly: A delightful hour for everyone to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights, which runs Dec. 4 to 12. Enjoy music from Jewish communities around the world, plus a hilarious lesson on how to prepare a classic Hanukkah/Chanukah dish, and a timeless and touching holiday story that brings light into every home. Hosted by Mindy Ratner.
Dec. 8, 7 p.m. — A 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. 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 Tom Crann.
Dec. 10, 7 p.m. — Candles Burning Brightly (encore; see Dec. 5).
Dec. 12, 7 p.m. — Sound of Cinnamon: Experience coziness and contentment with a hygge soundtrack perfect for finding your favorite pair of slippers and putting your feet up. Hosted by Jake Armerding.
Dec. 15, 7 p.m. — Hearth with the Miro Quartet: Gather around the fire with Houston's award-winning Miro Quartet and Performance Today host Valerie Kahler for an hour of cozy memories and inventively re-imagined music for the season. Hosted by Valerie Kahler.
Dec. 18, 2 p.m. — Minnesota Orchestra Performs Messiah (live): Dame Jane Glover — a specialist in Baroque-era and vocal music — returns to Orchestra Hall to lead Handel’s Messiah, a piece that has been an integral part of her decades-long career. Hosted by Melissa Ousley.
Dec. 19, 7 p.m. — Hearth with the Miro Quartet (encore; see Dec. 15)
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. 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).
Jan. 1, noon — Vienna New Year’s Day Special: New Year's Day in Vienna annual concert — More information coming. On-demand audio will not be available for this program.
Jan. 1, 2 p.m. — New Year’s Celebration with the Minnesota Orchestra (live): Principal Harp Cheryl Losey Feder makes her Minnesota Orchestra debut as soloist in dances by Debussy. After intermission, hear how Ravel builds excitement as the theme from his Boléro makes its way around the orchestra. Hosted by Melissa Ousley.
Jan. 2, 7 p.m. — In Winter’s Glow (encore; see Dec. 21).
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.
Carols, Customs and Candlelight: A Celtic Christmas Celebration: Explore music and customs that have roots in ancient winter celebrations and traditional Christmas festivals. Hosted by Andrea Blain.
YourClassical Christmas Favorites: Listen to the top Christmas songs, as ranked by listeners. Hosted by Tom Crann and Jake Armerding.
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.
Love the music?
Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.
Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.
YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.
