Winter Holiday Programs

Encore Friday, Nov. 19, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 20 at 7:30 a.m. on CREATE / On Demand. Hosts Julia Collin Davison and Bridget Lancaster reveal the secrets to the ultimate Turkey and Gravy for a crowd. Equipment expert Adam Ried shares his pick for stock pots, and science expert Dan Souza explains the difference between stale bread and dried bread.

Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. on KPBS TV + Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. on KPBS Kids. Peppermint Patty invites everyone to Charlie Brown's for Thanksgiving, even though he's going to see his grandmother. Snoopy decides to cook his own version of a Thanksgiving meal with help from his friends.

Monday, Nov. 22, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on CREATE + Sunday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11 at 10:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 25 at 7 p.m. on KPBS 2 / On Demand. Celebrate the holidays with a timeless special, featuring the magical combination of Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. In this early color broadcast from 1957, the two legends swap Christmas songs and stories and duet on some favorite holiday classics.

Encore Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021 at 2 p.m. on KPBS TV / On Demand. Host Julia Collin Davison makes host Bridget Lancaster a showstopping Orange, Cranberry, and Mint Pavlova. Tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges Julia to a tasting of vanilla, and gadget critic Lisa McManus reviews cocktail tools. Bridget makes Julia foolproof Holiday Eggnog.

Encore Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021 at 8 p.m. on KPBS TV + Sunday, Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. on KPBS 2 / On Demand. Deep in the wilds of Florida, writer and naturalist Joe Hutto was given the rare opportunity to raise wild turkeys from chicks. Eventually, he had to let his children grow up and go off on their own, but this was harder than he ever imagined.

Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. on KPBS TV + Nov. 25 at 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on KPBS Kids. Arthur and his family are getting ready for Thanksgiving! Dad’s whipping up his famous turkey dinner extravaganza, the Lakewood elementary kids are preparing for the annual Thanksgiving parade (complete with a giant flying turkey balloon named Gobbler), and Aunt Minnie is coming to spend the holiday with the Reads.

Encore Fri., Nov. 26, 2021 at 10:30 p.m., Sun., Nov. 28 at 3:30 p.m. and Fri., Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. on KPBS 2 + Thurs., Dec. 2 at 8:30 p.m. and Fri., Dec. 24 at 10:30 p.m. on KPBS TV / On Demand. Take a look behind the curtain at San Diego’s most iconic theatrical production, “Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at The Old Globe. Hear from cast members and artistic director Barry Edelstein on their experiences with the production.

Encore Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021 at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 28 at Noon on KPBS TV / On Demand. Join Rick Steves for a colorful, musical celebration of Christmas across Europe. From England to Wales, France, Norway, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy, you'll see the bright Christmas markets, hear local choirs, share holiday traditions with families…and even play in the snow.

Encore Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 at 8 p.m. on KPBS TV / On Demand. Join Lucy Worsley on a 12-day extravaganza as she discovers that much of what we enjoy in contemporary Christmas — from carols to gift-giving, feasting and drinking — was just as popular 500 years ago, with some surprising Tudor twists.

Encore Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021 at 8:30 p.m. on CREATE / On Demand. Ashley Moore shows Bridget how to make a Crumb-Crusted Rack of Lamb that is perfect for the holidays. Adam Ried shows Julia his top picks of electric knives. Christie Morrison shows Julia how to make a showstopping Brussels Sprout Gratin.

Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. on KPBS TV + Friday, Dec. 24 at 8 a.m. on KPBS Kids. Daniel, Dad, Prince Wednesday and Prince Tuesday are all going sledding! Then, Daniel is going to see a show called "The Nutcracker Ballet!" Once he arrives at the performance, he finds out that Prince Wednesday is sick and needs Daniel to fill in for him and dance on stage.

Encore Wed., Dec. 1, 2021 at 10 a.m., Tues., Dec. 7 at 7 a.m. and Thurs., Dec. 16 at 3:30 p.m. on KPBS Kids. it's Christmas time and the Wild Kratts are taking a break from creature adventuring to celebrate. But when the Wild Kratts receive an alert that their favorite creatures are suddenly disappearing around the globe, their holiday party quickly turns into a rescue mission.

Wed., Dec. 1, 2021 at 11 a.m., Wed., Dec. 15 at 9:30 a.m., Fri., Dec. 17 - Sun., Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m. on KPBS Kids. Curious George and The Man with the Yellow Hat are having a wonderful time getting ready for Christmas. There’s only one dilemma — neither of them can figure out what to give the other for a present!

Encore Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021 at 9 p.m. on KPBS 2 / On Demand. A film by Ric Burns that endeavors to tell the true story of the Pilgrims, a small group of religious radicals whose determination to establish a separatist religious community planted the seeds for America’s founding.

Premieres Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 at 3 p.m. on KPBS 2 + Sunday, Dec. 26 at 11 p.m. on KPBS TV / On Demand. Enjoy a holiday performance from the famed bass-baritone in Wales' Brecon Cathedral featuring Welsh traditional folk group Calan. The program includes festive favorites, Lerner and Loewe's "Little Prince" and more.

Encore Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. on KPBS Kids. Plans are underway in Elwood City for the best holidays ever as Arthur, D.W., their family and friends make preparations for perfect gifts, perfect parties and perfect family traditions for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and even “Baxter Day”

Encore Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021 at 8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 9 at 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11 at 3:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 12 at 8 a.m. on KPBS TV / On Demand. Get an intimate look into life in Lapland, fabled land of Santa Claus and actual home of tenacious wildlife such as reindeer, wolverines, Brown bears and more.

Encore Fri., Dec. 10, 2021 at 11 a.m., Sat., Dec. 18 at 10:30 a.m. and Wed., Dec. 22 at 4 p.m. on KPBS Kids (see full schedule). This is a special holiday episode of Peg + Cat featuring "The Christmas Problem," "The Hanukkah Problem," and "The Penguin Problem. "

Premieres Monday, Dec. 13, 2021 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV + Sunday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. on KPBS 2 / On Demand. Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell joins the Choir and Orchestra for this two-hour 20th anniversary retrospective with performances from Audra McDonald, Kristin Chenoweth, Gladys Knight, Angela Lansbury, Hugh Bonneville, Renee Fleming and more.

Premieres Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021 at 9 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 24, 2021 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV / On Demand. Join Alan Cumming for the real story of the Nutcracker and the Mouse King with the beloved music of Tchaikovsky. Featuring the Royal Scottish National Orchestra under the direction of John Mauceri, this new version is a rare holiday treat.

Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. on KPBS TV + 7:30 p.m. on KPBS Kids. Feeling down about the commercialism of Christmas, Charlie Brown becomes the director of the gang's holiday play. Can he overcome his friends' preference for dancing over acting, find the "perfect" tree, and discover the true meaning of Christmas?

Premieres Sun. Dec. 19, 2021 at 8 p.m., Mon. Dec. 20 at 9 p.m., Fri. Dec. 24 at 3 p.m. & Sat., Dec. 25 at 6 p.m. on KPBS TV + Tues. Dec. 21 at 10 p.m. on KPBS 2 / On Demand. Mary meets staff and volunteers at Harewood House as they prepare for Christmas on a grand scale and shows us how to make delicious recipes inspired by forgotten festive dishes.

Encore Monday, Dec. 20, 2021 at 8 p.m. on KPBS TV + Wednesday, Dec. 22 at 8 p.m. on KPBS 2. Highlights include: a Temperance lithograph illustrating the evils of imbibing spirits; a letter from Gerald Ford to his kindergarten teacher who called him "naughty little Gerry Ford;" and a dress worn by Marilyn Monroe in the film "Some Like It Hot."

Monday, Dec. 20, 2021 at 10 p.m. on KPBS TV / On Demand. This year features alumnus country/gospel singer Josh Turner and Belmont University students. Taped in Belmont's Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, the show includes holiday favorites and songs from Turner's new Christmas album.

Premieres Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV / On Demand. Revel in dazzling musical performances from the White House in celebration of the holiday season, featuring President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., host Jennifer Garner, Andrea Bocelli, Camila Cabello, Eric Church, Jonas Brothers, Billy Porter and more.

Encore Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021 at 9 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 23 at 5 a.m. on KPBS Kids / On Demand. Joan Rivers lends her voice as Francine's sharp-tongued grandma, Bubba, in an episode about family traditions and communal celebration. Francine's convinced that she can fast on Yom Kippur. Then, Arthur comes to the rescue and proves that giving gifts isn't the only way of showing you care.

Friday, Dec. 24, 2021 at 6:30 a.m. and Saturday, Dec. 25 at 7 a.m. on KPBS TV + Friday, Dec. 24 at 11 a.m. and Saturday, Dec. 25 at 9 a.m. on on KPBS Kids. When the Circo gets stuck at the South Pole on Christmas eve, Leo, Andy, and Carmen are convinced that Santa will never find them. With the help of their friend Luna, the kids endeavor to save Christmas, learning about holiday traditions from around the world along the way.

Encore Friday, Dec. 24, 2021 at 11 a.m. on KPBS TV. In the countdown to Christmas, Paul bakes St. Lucia buns and mincemeat and marzipan couronne. Mary tackles French galette, Genoa cake, and white chocolate and ginger cheesecake. Paul's showstopper kranskake is a spectacular tower of delicate rings.

Encore Friday, Dec. 24, 2021 at 2 p.m. on KPBS TV / On Demand. Join judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood as they detail how to make perfect mince pies, Christmas pudding and Christmas cake, and introduce some tasty treats for the holiday season.

Premieres Friday, Dec. 24, 2021 at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on KPBS 2 + Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021 at 9 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 26 at 6:30 p.m. on KPBS TV / On Demand. Christmas 1966 promises to be memorable one. The Nonnatus House team are faced with their busiest Christmas Day ever as the Maternity Home is filled with expectant moms and challenging cases. Luckily Mother Mildred is on hand to support the team.

Encore Friday, Dec. 24, 2021 at 10 p.m. on KPBS 2. The irreverent documentary tells the story of the unlikely Jewish immigrants who, enamored with Broadway and Hollywood, wrote some of the most popular songs in America: Christmas music. The doc features rarely-seen archival footage, musical performances and interviews.

Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021 at 9 a.m. on KPBS TV + Dec. 25 at 8 p.m. on KPBS Kids / On Demand. In the tradition of the Dickens holiday classic, Nature Cat is visited by the spirits of Nature Past (Daisy), Present (Squeeks) and Future (Hal) on Christmas Eve.

Dec. 25, 2021 from 7–9 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, from 9-11 p.m. on KPBS TV. Billed as a grand motion picture event when it opened in theaters in 2019, the "Downton Abbey" movie follows the beloved Crawley family and their intrepid staff as they prepare for the most important moment of their lives: a royal visit from the King and Queen of England. Don't miss it on TV since the movie will not be available on demand.

Encore Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021 at 8 p.m. on KPBS TV / On Demand. Ken takes us back to see what was making New Year's news in San Diego over past decades; the story of how one of the most familiar landmarks in San Diego came to be; see an East County monument to the glory days of rock and roll, and look at some of the things "About San Diego" that viewers have sent in.

Premieres Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV / On Demand. Hosted by Chita Rivera with performances by David Archuleta, Paulo Szot, Midori, Lea Salonga, Pepe Romero, Deborah Cox, Judy Collins, Cassadee Pope, Brandee Younger, members of The Washington Ballet, and more — joined by Luke Frazier and the American Pops Orchestra.

Premieres Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 at 10:30 p.m. on KPBS TV / On Demand. Celebrate the new year with Met stars Angel Blue, Pretty Yende, Javier Camarena and Matthew Polenzani performing arias, duets and ensembles and more from the Parktheater in Augsburg, Germany.

Premieres Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022 at 8 a.m. on KPBS TV. On London's New Year's Day Parade 2022, London's spectacular annual tradition returns to the city of Westminster to usher some much-needed joy into the lives of participants and viewers around the world. Join the fun and finery live as they perform along an iconic route steeped in history and heritage, as London shows the world it is back in business!

Premieres Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022 at 8 p.m. on KPBS TV + Sunday, Jan. 2 at 2 p.m. on KPBS 2 / On Demand. Ring in the new year in Austria at the Musikverein with the Vienna Philharmonic and host Hugh Bonneville in this annual concert of waltzes by Strauss and more under the baton of guest conductor Daniel Barenboim.

Two hour broadcast: Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021 | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. *(Replacing Takeaway and Midday)

"Turkey Confidential" is The Splendid Table’s annual Thanksgiving show. Francis Lam takes calls and comes to the rescue of Thanksgiving cooks, kitchen helpers, and inner guests during the biggest cooking day of the year.

On Demand

This week, we’re getting ready for Thanksgiving with some help from our friends. Cheryl Day joins us to answer your holiday baking questions, Sam Fore cooks Thanksgiving with a Sri Lankan take, J. Kenji López-Alt explains why he eats lobster for Thanksgiving, Dan Pashman tells us how to eat pie the right way, and we learn to make Yogurt-Roasted Carrots with Warm Spices.

One hour broadcast: Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021 | 8 p.m. *(Replacing Midday rebroadcast)

In "Selected Shorts: Holiday Hurdles with David Sedaris," audiences are invited to reimagine holiday rituals. "Selected Shorts’" late host and founder Isaiah Sheffer is featured as the reader of Tobias Wolff’s “Powder,” in which a pre-Christmas snowstorm provides an adventure for a father and son.

In Allegra Goodman’s gentle borrowing from an O’Henry classic, a long-established couple discover they can surprise one another; Dana Ivey and Michael Cerveris read her “Gifts of the Jewish Magi."

And David Sedaris says English writer Jeanette Winterson captures the city to a T in “Christmas in New York,” a modern fairy tale with just a hint of magic, performed by Richard Masur.

One hour broadcast: Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 | 4 p.m. *(Replacing Codeswitch/Life Kit rebroadcast)

This NPR favorite returns with the best of the best "Hanukkah Lights" stories from the last 30 years. Authors TBA. Hosted by Susan Stamberg and Murray Horwitz.

One hour broadcast: Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021 | 9 p.m. *(Replacing 1A rebroadcast)

"The Christmas Revels: In Celebration Of The Winter Solstice 2021" is a newly-updated musical celebration of the Winter holidays — Christmas, the Solstice, Chanukah, New Year’s, Jonkonnu, and Twelfth Night/Epiphany — featuring traditional carols, chants, wassails, hymns, children’s game-songs, and folk dance-tunes excerpted from live Christmas Revels stage productions presented around the country.

Saturday, December 25th, 2021 | 9pm * Christmas Day * (Replacing Throughline)

In time for the holiday season, WAMU and Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. present a contemporary radio play of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, featuring acclaimed Washington actor Craig Wallace as Ebenezer Scrooge and public radio broadcaster Murray Horwitz as the narrator.

This adaptation of the popular Ford's Theatre holiday tradition captures the magic of Dickens' Yuletide classic. Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they lead Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption.

This performance of A Christmas Carol is adapted and directed by Michael Wilson, with sound design, original music and audio production by John Gromada. It is presented by Ford's Theatre of Washington, D.C. in partnership with WAMU.

Sunday, December 26*, 2021 | 2pm *(Replacing Ted Radio Hour) (*1st day of Kwanzaa)

"A Season's Griot" is public radio's only nationally syndicated Kwanzaa program. Hosted for 25 years by acclaimed storyteller Madafo Lloyd Wilson, this annual one-hour special captures the tales and traditions of African American and African peoples. The show's poet laureate, Beverly Fields Burnette, and other members of the Season's Griot family return with familiar and favorite elements of Griot.