Holiday Radio Programming
Thanksgiving Programs
Thursday, November 27
1 p.m. - The Splendid Table's Turkey Confidential (WUFT-FM)
1 p.m. - Songs of Thanks with Cantus (WUFT Classic)
2 p.m. - Shadowglow: Thanksgiving with the American Sound (WUFT Classic)
3 p.m. - Every Good Thing (WUFT Classic)
3 p.m. - Encore: Christopher Kimball's Milk Street Radio 2025 Thanksgiving Show. Turkey Q&A and World's Best Pies. (WUFT-FM)
Friday, November 28
1 p.m. - NPR Special: A Remembrance of Susan Stamberg
Subject to change.
Hanukkah Programs
WUFT-FM
Sunday, Dec. 14 – 7 p.m. – Hanukkah Lights 2025
This NPR favorite returns with new stories plus gems from the archive. Hosted by Murray Horwitz with a special tribute to our beloved Susan Stamberg.
Sunday, Dec. 21 – 7 p.m. – Hanukkah Lights 2025 (Encore)
This NPR favorite returns with new stories plus gems from the archive. Hosted by Murray Horwitz with a special tribute to our beloved Susan Stamberg. Encore.
WUFT Classic
Sunday, Dec. 14 – 6 p.m. – Candles Burning Brightly
A delightful hour for everyone to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights! Lots of 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. Encore from 2024.
Sunday, Dec. 14 – 7 p.m. – Chanukah in Story and Song: Sung by the The Western Wind, Narrated by Leonard Nimoy
The acclaimed vocal sextet and the renowned actor present 25 eclectic selections, from the Ladino songs of the Spanish Jews and Yiddish melodies of Eastern Europe to modern Israeli tunes and their original version of “I Have a Little Dreydle.” The singers sing a cappella and are also joined by instruments including violin, accordion, bass and guitar. The narration written by Rabbi Gerald Skolnik sheds light on the holiday customs and rituals. Encore.
Sunday, Dec. 21 – 6 p.m. – A Chanukah Celebration with Chicago a cappella
Join Jonathan Miller, artistic director of Chicago a cappella and a longtime champion of Jewish choral music, for an inspiring and informative show featuring choral music set to Chanukah texts.
Sunday, Dec. 21 – 7 p.m. – The Kabbalah of Chanukah
Mystical tales & teachings & Jewish sacred music from around the world. Encore from 2006.
Monday, Dec. 22 – 1 p.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 – some serious, some silly.
Monday, Dec. 22 – 2 p.m. – Chanukah Memories and Melodies
In this special from WQXR, six prominent artists share memories of Chanukah, and the music the holiday brings to mind. From soothing to surprising, from reverent to rowdy, their musical choices will inspire and delight you. With Broadway actress Tovah Feldshuh, social entrepreneur Aaron Dworkin, cellist Alisa Weilerstein, Sephardic music virtuoso Daphna Mor, conductor Eric Jacobsen, and Yiddish music maven Henry Sapoznik.
Monday, Dec. 22 – 3 p.m. – Hanukkah Lights 2025
This NPR favorite returns with new stories plus gems from the archive. Hosted by Murray Horwitz with a special tribute to our beloved Susan Stamberg.
Monday, Dec. 22 – 4 p.m. – Candles Burning Brightly
A delightful hour for everyone to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights! Lots of 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.
Monday, Dec. 22 – 5 p.m. – Chanukah in Story and Song: Sung by the The Western Wind, Narrated by Leonard Nimoy
The acclaimed vocal sextet and the renowned actor present 25 eclectic selections, from the Ladino songs of the Spanish Jews and Yiddish melodies of Eastern Europe to modern Israeli tunes and their original version of “I Have a Little Dreydle.” The singers sing a cappella and are also joined by instruments including violin, accordion, bass and guitar. The narration written by Rabbi Gerald Skolnik sheds light on the holiday customs and rituals. Encore.
Christmas Programs
WUFT-FM
Wednesday, Dec. 24 - 8 p.m. – 77th Sounds of the Season: Traditions
- Featuring: UF Concert Choir, UF Chamber Singers, UF Symphony Orchestra, Gainesville Master Chorale & Friends
- The concert opens with the tintinnabulation (tintinnabulum is Latin for “bell”) from Century Tower Carillon that gives way to Fantasia of Christmas Bells by the UF Symphony Orchestra and joined in the finale by the Chorus.
- Special guest conductor, Dr. Duncan Wambugu from Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya, and UF alum, along with Dr. Tiffany Lu, UF Symphony Orchestra Conductor will share the podium with Dr. Kesling.
- The concert closes with a rousing contemporary arrangement of Gloria (Angels We Have Heard on High).
Wednesday, Dec. 24 - 9 p.m. – Tinsel Tales (1): NPR Christmas Favorites
A radio tradition continues - stories from the NPR archives that touch on the meaning of Christmas. David Sedaris, Bailey White, John Henry Faulk--these and other NPR voices, past and present, tell stories of the season.
Wednesday, Dec. 24 - 10 p.m. – Selected Shorts: What You Wish For
- Host Meg Wolitzer presents three Christmas stories in different moods—satirical, fantastical, and nostalgic:
- “A Visit from Saint Nicholas (In the Ernest Hemingway Manner),” by James Thurber, performed by James Naughton.
- “O’Brien’s First Christmas,” by Jeanette Winterson, performed by Jayne Atkinson.
- “One Christmas,” by Truman Capote, performed by John Shea.
Wednesday, Dec. 24 - 11 p.m. – No Small Endeavor Holiday Special 2025: Practices of Hope
When the headlines numb and the culture wars grind us down, what if hope isn’t a mood at all—but a practice you can do with your body, your friends, and your city? In this holiday special, host Lee C. Camp revisits four conversations to find practices of hope with Tara Brach, Tom Paxton, Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, and Sharon McMahon.
Thursday, Dec. 25 - 12 a.m. – Christmas with the Morehouse & Spelman Glee Clubs
One of the great holiday traditions in America, the choirs of Morehouse and Spelman Colleges -- two of the most prestigious historically black institutions in the nation -- get together to present a spine-tingling concert program. This year's program features the best works of the last several years. It's a joyous celebration of the schools' tradition of singing excellence, with their trademark mixture of spirituals and carols. Korva Coleman hosts.
Thursday, Dec. 25 - 1 a.m. – An Afro Blue Christmas
A very special holiday concert with Howard University's premiere vocal ensemble Afro Blue, and special guest pianist Cyrus Chestnut. The a-cappela group performs a variety of holiday songs including African-American spirituals, jazz and pop tunes, and classical repertoire. The joyous celebration includes one of a kind arrangements on traditional holiday songs plus new compositions... music perfect for the holidays and the spirit of Christmas. Hosted by Michele Norris.
Thursday, Dec. 25 - 2 a.m. – Jazz Piano Christmas 2025
Your favorite holiday classics as you’ve never heard them! The Kennedy Center and NPR present A Jazz Piano Christmas, the annual sell-out event featuring jazz-infused renditions of the season’s most-loved tunes performed by Grammy Award–winning pianist Kris Davis, 2023 Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition winner Jahari Stampley, and Cuban sensation Roberto Fonseca.
Thursday, Dec. 25 - 3 a.m. – Vince Guaraldi’s Christmas Gift to Jazz with Jana Lee Ross
Host Jana Lee Ross presents a special filled with warm-hearted sounds to bring together everyone in the family. Vince Guaraldi‘s music to A Charlie Brown Christmas ushers in the sound of the holidays for jazz fans as well as Charlie Brown fans. Songs like “Linus and Lucy,” “Skating” and “Christmas Time Is Here” have become holiday classics and have inspired many a jazz player. Jana Lee Ross will explore interpretations of Vince Guaraldi’s tunes by Cyrus Chestnut, Dianne Reeves, David Benoit and others. And of course we’ll hear from Vince Guaraldi himself.
Thursday, Dec. 25 - 4 a.m. – Joy To The World: A Holiday In Pink
The internationally acclaimed “little orchestra" Pink Martini bedecks the airwaves with festive holiday songs from across the globe. From timeless classics to rarely heard gems, hear a multi-denominational, multi-cultural jubilee, overflowing with enough holiday spirit to warm your entire family. Hosted by former All Things Considered host Ari Shapiro, and co-produced by OPB and Murray Street Productions.
WUFT Classic
Wednesday, Dec. 24 - 10 a.m. – A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols (Live – two hours)
Pipedreams host Michael Barone presents this live service of spoken-word and music (choral and organ) broadcast 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.
Wednesday, Dec. 24 - 1 p.m. – 77th Sounds of the Season: Traditions
- Featuring: UF Concert Choir, UF Chamber Singers, UF Symphony Orchestra, Gainesville Master Chorale & Friends
- The concert opens with the tintinnabulation (tintinnabulum is Latin for “bell”) from Century Tower Carillon that gives way to Fantasia of Christmas Bells by the UF Symphony Orchestra and joined in the finale by the Chorus.
- Special guest conductor, Dr. Duncan Wambugu from Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya, and UF alum, along with Dr. Tiffany Lu, UF Symphony Orchestra Conductor will share the podium with Dr. Kesling.
- The concert closes with a rousing contemporary arrangement of Gloria (Angels We Have Heard on High).
Wednesday, Dec. 24 - 2 p.m. – St. Olaf Christmas Festival 2025
A service in song and word that has become one of the nation’s most cherished holiday celebrations. The festival includes hymns, carols, choral works, as well as orchestral selections celebrating the Nativity and featuring more than 500 student musicians in five choirs and the St. Olaf Orchestra.
Wednesday, Dec. 24 - 4 p.m. – The Christmas Revels: In Celebration of the Winter Solstice 2025 (Two Hour Version)
A brand-new, 119-minute musical celebration of the winter holidays – Advent, the Solstice, Christmas, St. Stephen’s Day, New Year’s and Twelfth Night/Epiphany -- 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 in eight cities across the United States.
Wednesday, Dec. 24 - 10 p.m. – Handel’s Messiah – Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, an all-star cast of soloists and The Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh join together for one of the most festive musical events of the year.
Thursday, Dec. 25 - 6 a.m. – The Christmas Revels: In Celebration of the Winter Solstice 2025 (One Hour Version)
A brand-new, 59-minute musical celebration of the winter holidays – Advent, the Solstice, Christmas, St. Stephen’s Day, New Year’s and Twelfth Night/Epiphany -- featuring traditional carols, hymns, spirituals, ballads, children’s game-songs, and folk dance-tunes excerpted from live Christmas and Midwinter Revels stage productions presented around the United States.
Thursday, Dec. 25 - 7 a.m. – A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols (Encore)
Pipedreams host Michael Barone presents this live service of spoken-word and music (choral and organ) broadcast 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.
Thursday, Dec. 25 - 1 p.m. – 77th Sounds of the Season: Traditions (Encore)
- Featuring: UF Concert Choir, UF Chamber Singers, UF Symphony Orchestra, Gainesville Master Chorale & Friends
- The concert opens with the tintinnabulation (tintinnabulum is Latin for “bell”) from Century Tower Carillon that gives way to Fantasia of Christmas Bells by the UF Symphony Orchestra and joined in the finale by the Chorus.
- Special guest conductor, Dr. Duncan Wambugu from Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya, and UF alum, along with Dr. Tiffany Lu, UF Symphony Orchestra Conductor will share the podium with Dr. Kesling.
- The concert closes with a rousing contemporary arrangement of Gloria (Angels We Have Heard on High).
Thursday, Dec. 25 - 10 a.m. – St. Olaf Christmas Festival 2025 (Encore)
A service in song and word that has become one of the nation’s most cherished holiday celebrations. The festival includes hymns, carols, choral works, as well as orchestral selections celebrating the Nativity and featuring more than 500 student musicians in five choirs and the St. Olaf Orchestra.
Kwanzaa Programs
WUFT Classic
Friday, Dec. 26 - 10 p.m. – The Sounds of Kwanzaa
The Sounds of Kwanzaa with Garrett McQueen
Friday, Dec. 26 - 11 p.m. – A Season’s Griot
Celebrate Kwanzaa with song and story; produced at WHQR and hosted by storyteller Madafo Lloyd Wilson.
New Year's Programs
WUFT-FM
Wednesday, Dec. 31 - 8 p.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.
Wednesday, Dec. 31 - 10 p.m. – Toast of the Nation 2025
An NPR tradition every New Year's Eve since the 1970s. It's festive jazz you can party to, all night long.
WUFT Classic
Thursday Jan. 1 - 11 a.m. - New Year's Day from Vienna 2025 (Live)
The ever-popular annual New Year’s Day Concert will be performed by the Vienna Philharmonic under the baton of Riccardo Muti in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein in Vienna. Hosted by WBUR's Lisa Mullins.