MONDAY DEC. 15
@11 A.M. Candles Burning Brightly - Traditional Show
We celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights with lots of music, a lesson on how to prepare a classic Chanukah dish, and a timeless and touching holiday story that brings light into every home.
WEDNESDAY DEC. 17
@11 A.M. Itzhak Perlman’s Chanukah Radio Party
Itzhak Perlman invites you to his Chanukah Radio Party. Join the superstar violinist as he tells the story of the Jewish festival of lights, and shares his favorite recordings for the holiday.
FRIDAY DEC. 19
@11 A.M. Hanukkah Lights - Traditional Show
NPR favorite, “Hanukkah Lights,” with new Hanukkah stories read by hosts Susan Stamberg and Murray Horwitz.
SUNDAY DEC. 21
@10 P.M. A Paul Winter Solstice Special - Traditional Show The seven-time Grammy-winning Paul Winter Consort, with beloved vocalist Theresa Thomason, will present the timeless music of their legendary Winter Solstice Celebration, in a joyous and profound celebration of this season of renewal in “A Paul Winter Solstice Special,” airing at 10 p.m.
WEDNESDAY DEC. 24 (full day)
@9 A.M. Selected Shorts: What You Wish For
Host Meg Wolitzer presents three Christmas stories in different moods—satirical, fantastical, and nostalgic.
@10 A.M. A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols - Traditional Show
Pipedreams host Michael Barone presents “A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” from the chapel of King's College in Cambridge, England. The 30-voice King's College Choir performs the legendary Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols service of Biblical readings and music.
@2 P.M. The Sound of Cinnamon
Experience coziness and contentment with a hygge soundtrack perfect for finding your favorite pair of slippers and putting your feet up.
@ 3:30 P.M. Science Unscripted: The Batman Effect
This week on Science unscripted, how to get human beings to believe things that aren't true; what LLMs are doing to our brains; and a (social psychological) experiment in Italy involving trains, pregnant women, and Batman.
THURSDAY DEC. 25 (full day)
@9 A.M. The Christmas Revels: In Celebration of the Winter Solstice 2025
Featuring traditional carols, wassails, pub songs, hymns, spirituals, children’s singing games, and folk dance-tunes excerpted from live Christmas and Midwinter Revels stage productions presented around the country.
@11 A.M. Reel Music: Christmas at the Movies
The holidays wouldn’t be the same without those cherished Christmas classics—A Christmas Carol (1951), Miracle on 34th Street (1947), It’s a Wonderful Life, White Christmas … Pour a mug of egg nog and enjoy Christmas at the movies
@2 P.M. No Small Endeavor: Practices of Hope
Hear four conversations to find practices of hope with Tara Brach, Tom Paxton, Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, and Sharon McMahon.
@ 3:30 P.M. Science Unscripted: To whom should I give my money?
This week on Science unscripted, the Batman effect explained, again. Also on the show, how important sleep is for living a long life, why being on a sports team might mean you respect authority, and, finally, a science-based reflection on charity.
FRIDAY DEC. 26
@ 11 A.M. A Season’s Griot – Traditional Show
Is public radio's only nationally syndicated Kwanzaa program. Hosted for the last 23 years by acclaimed storyteller Madafo Lloyd Wilson, this annual one-hour special captures tales and traditions of African-American and African peoples.
@ 2 P.M. WAMC On the Road: Vox Pop Antiques Appraisal
Vox Pop's Ray Graf hosted a special live event at the Hart Cluett Museum in Troy, New York on August 26, 2025. A splendid time was had by all! Guests got an opportunity to have their most unique and interesting antiques and oddities verbally appraised by frequent Vox Pop guests, appraisers Colin Stair, Lisa Thompson and Lauren Anderson from Stair.
THURSDAY JAN. 1 (full day)
@ 12 A.M. Toast of the Nation - Traditional Show
Jazz Night in America's Christian McBride hosts this special, ringing in the New Year with four hours of jazz from the SFJAZZ Collective, Carlos Henriquez and more.
@ 9 A.M. 2025 Remembered from the Current
Join The Current in honoring the life, music, and legacy of artists we lost this year with 2025 Remembered from The Current. This two-hour musical tribute is a celebration of all sounds - from indie to influential - and the perfect way for music lovers to unite in paying homage to the artists who have shaped music history.
@ 11 A.M. BBC Correspondents' Look Ahead to 2026
Join BBC correspondents and editors from across the globe as they peer into their crystal balls to predict what 2026 might hold.
@ 2 P.M. Reel Music
Ring in the new year with movie music that reminds you of the past and has you looking forward to the future!
@ 3:30 P.M. Science Unscripted: Does the world just feel... off to you?
If you feel overwhelmed... and you don't know why... new research suggests you're experiencing something called biological 'mismatch.' And there is something you can do about it.