This December, enjoy a variety of festive specials on WTIU that will brighten your holiday season!
Straight No Chaser: The 25th Anniversary Celebration
Sunday, December 1 at 7pm
Thursday, December 5 at 8pm
A cappella group Straight No Chaser, formed 25 years ago at Indiana University, have sold more than three million albums, more than 1.5 million concert tickets, and garnered over a billion streams. They returned to Indiana to tape this concert at the Murat Theatre, performing classics like “Proud Mary” and “Lean on Me” as well as contemporary songs like “I’m Yours” and “All About That Bass.”
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Sunday, December 1 at 3pm
Friday, December 6 at 10pm
Celebrate Christmas with Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s allegorical rock opera, featuring Ossie Davis, Jewel and Michael Crawford in a story of a runaway girl who turns her life around on a snowy Christmas Eve.
All Creatures Great and Small: Christmas in the Dales
Sunday, December 8 at 6:30pm
Celebrate the heartwarming MASTERPIECE series with clips and behind-the-scenes memories of its Christmas finales. Experience the kindness, empathy, and love in the magical village of Darrowby and the stunning Yorkshire Dales during the holiday season.
American Masters – Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around
Monday, December 16 at 10pm
Discover the story behind Brenda Lee and explore how her early fame and life of poverty shaped her music, including the classic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” The film features interviews with Keith Urban, Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo, and more.
Joy – Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir
Tuesday, December 17 at 8pm
Broadway star Michael Maliakel and beloved actress Lesley Nicol inspire in this holiday special that weaves Christmas classics with the story of Victor Hugo to show that opening our hearts to all is the true meaning of the season.
Too Hot to Handel – The Gospel Messiah
Tuesday, December 17 at 9:30pm
Handel’s “The Messiah” gets reimagined with infusions of jazz, gospel, and R&B.
Rick Steves' European Christmas
Saturday, December 21 at 10:30am
From manger scenes and mistletoe to wintry wonderlands, RICK STEVES' EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS celebrates the Christmas season throughout the European continent. In the special, Rick visits friends and families in England, France, Norway, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy to reveal their customs and practices of the holiday season.
Mary Berry's Highland Christmas
Monday, December 23 at 9pm
Join Mary Berry as she travels to her mother’s homeland, Scotland, and is joined by her friends Andy Murray, Iain Stirling, and Emeli Sandé to cook indulgent Christmas dishes that can be enjoyed anytime over the holidays.
Mary Berry's Ultimate Christmas
Monday, December 23 at 10:30pm
Mary Berry shares her ultimate Christmas feast with all the trimmings. Friends and Chefs Angela Hartnett and Monica Galetti join her to share favorite festive recipes from their heritage and Mary and TV host Rylan try and convert some kids to Brussels sprouts.
Cultural Expressions: Kwanzaa
Wednesday, December 25 at 6pm
Cultural Expressions: Kwanzaa is a one-hour documentary that explores the seven principles that are the foundation of Kwanzaa by sharing seven real-life stories of impact. These stories reveal how each principle plays a role in the Black community, enhanced by cultural elements of dance, storytelling, music, and spoken word.
Call the Midwife Holiday Special
Wednesday, December 25 at 8pm
It’s Christmas 1969, and the funfair and carol concert add color to frosty Poplar. Yet, the festive spirit at Nonnatus House is dampened by the spread of influenza alongside growing fears of an escaped prisoner after a spate of break-ins.
Doc Martin: Last Christmas in Portwenn
Thursday, December 26 at 8:30pm
Portwenn is full of festive cheer until Martin tells Leonard he needs to stop playing Santa while he awaits the results of his medical tests; Leonard decides to show Doc the Grinch the magic of Christmas; Louisa works to arrange a Christmas parade.
Next at the Kennedy Center – Sara Bareilles: New Year’s Eve with the National Symphony Orchestra & Friends
Tuesday, December 31 at 9:30pm
Acclaimed singer, songwriter, and actress Sara Bareilles takes the stage at the Kennedy Center with the National Symphony Orchestra for an enchanting evening of song and celebration in this New Year’s Eve special.