Get in the holiday mood with WTIU this December. Experience festive extravaganzas, the finest of yuletide music, as well as the most uplifting and enriching of stories from around the world, all from the comfort of your home!
Thursday, December 1
8:00 PM – Carpenters: Close to You & Christmas Memories
These music-filled documentaries trace the Carpenters' career, first through the eyes of Richard Carpenter and the group's friends, featuring top recording hits like "(They Long to Be) Close to You," "Top of the World," And "We've Only Just Begun." The second part focuses entirely on the Carpenters' perennially popular Christmas music offering favorites such as "The Christmas Song," "Winter Wonderland," and more.
Sunday, December 4
12:00 PM – Rick Steves' European Christmas
Join Rick as he celebrates the holiday's rich history while exploring the sights and sounds of celebrations in Bath, Paris, Oslo, and Burgundy, as well as the timeless traditions of Nürnberg, Salzburg, and Tuscany.
Monday, December 5
8:00 PM – A Chef’s Life Holiday Special
Join Chef Vivian Howard for a taste of the holidays as she serves up the best of her Southern cooking heritage and the Chanukah traditions her husband Ben grew up with.
Friday. December 9
9:00 PM – Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas with Vanessa Williams
In collaboration with the Ella Fitzgerald Foundation, the American Pops Orchestra presents an evening celebrating the entire iconic album of holiday classics.
10:00 PM – Christmas at Belmont
Belmont University students celebrate the season right with holiday carols, classical masterworks, and a beautiful diversity of world music.
Tuesday, December 13
8:00 PM – O Holy Night: Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir
Experience exquisite harmony from Temple Square as Tony Award-nominee Megan Hilty and actor Neal McDonough join the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra for an Irish-inspired celebration of music and tradition.
Saturday, December 17
6:30 PM – Joy of Music
Take a musical escapade to Christmas in Germany with Joy of Music.
Sunday, December 18
7:00 PM – Chimes of Christmas
The Singing Hoosiers return to the Indiana University Auditorium with the jolliest family event of the season. This Grammy-nominated group brings carols, contemporary hits, and a special performance of Margaret Bonds' "The Ballad of the Brown King."
Monday, December 19
9:00 PM – Mary Berry’s Ultimate Christmas
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, Mary and TV host Rylan Clark try to convince some kids to eat Brussels sprouts.
Tuesday, December 20
10:00 PM – Lucy Worsley’s 12 Days of Tudor Christmas
Join Lucy Worsley on a 12-day extravaganza as she discovers that much of what we enjoy in contemporary Christmas — from carols to turkey, gift-giving to mistletoe and mulled wine — has surprising Tudor origins, rooted in devotion and charity.
Thursday, December 22
10:00 PM – Sugarplum Dreams: Staging the Nutcracker Ballet
Go behind the scenes in a staging of Tchaikovsky’s magical ballet The Nutcracker by the IU Jacobs School of Music.
Friday, December 23
9:00 PM – The Nutcracker and the Mouse King
Conceived by John Mauceri, this new work is a re-imagination of Tchaikovsky’s holiday favorite, The Nutcracker. Based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s 1816 book, Alan Cumming recounts the origin story of how a prince got put into a nutcracker. Unlike the ballet, we also learn what happens when the young girl grows up, having saved the prince, and what they are doing today.
Saturday, December 24
6:30 PM – Joy of Music: Danube Christmas Celebration
Join Diane as she travels along the Danube with stops in the Christmas Markets of Budapest, Vienna and Melk with its monastery high above. Reminisce in musical interludes of traditional holiday songs including Hungarian Christmas Carols. Special guest: Irene More, flute.
7:00 PM – The Lawrence Welk Show: Christmas Reunion 1985
This is the special that reunited Lawrence and his musical family for the first time following their phenomenal 27 year run on national TV. At the time, no one realized it would also be the last time the musical family would perform together with their beloved boss. The most emotional moment in this heartwarming program is the singing of the traditional Christmas carols, conducted by Lawrence himself.
Sunday, December 25
11:00 AM – St. Olaf Christmas Special: Love Divine
Led by five conductors, this extravaganza features more than 500 student musicians from St. Olaf College's world-renowned choirs and orchestras. Featuring a rich repertoire of classic Advent and Christmas compositions, familiar hymns, and a diverse array of contemporary works, this show offers a musical celebration of the college’s Norwegian-American history and its voices from around the globe.
12:00 PM – Hope College Christmas Vespers
The program of Christmas carols and anthems is presented by the college’s Department of Music and features more than 200 performers in the historic Dimnent Memorial Chapel. The services feature a variety of Hope instrumental and vocal groups as well as the college’s historic Skinner organ. This year, participants of ¡Canto! A Latinx Vocal Intensive will also be featured.
1:00 PM – Holidays at Murray State
The Murray State University Concert Choir, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Orchestra, and featured soloists highlight this annual seasonal special, a sojourn in sight and sound through Murray State University and the Purchase area of western Kentucky.
2:00 PM – Christmas at DePaul
Join Chicago's DePaul University for the wondrous retelling of the birth of Christ in word and song. This virtual performance features the talents of DePaul faculty, staff and students, and alumni.
3:00 PM – Purdue’s 88th Anniversary Christmas Show
Since its inception in 1933, the annual Purdue Christmas Show has become a family favorite holiday tradition. This magical, lyrical campus miracle welcomes thousands of visitors to the Elliott Hall of Music for the annual performance in December.
7:00 PM – All is Bright! A Concordia Christmas
The vocal and instrumental musical ensembles of Concordia University Irvine and friends invite you to a festive collection of music that brings light, hope, and joy to the season.
7:30 PM – All Creatures Great and Small on Masterpiece: The Perfect Christmas
James and Helen question their future together in the run up to Christmas Day.
9:00 PM – Call the Midwife Holiday Special
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.