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Holiday Programming

Celebrate the holidays with these specials from SC Public Radio, airing on all of our Music & News stations.
Holiday candles
Coffee

Dec. 18 at 11 a.m.
Welcome Christmas — A perennial Christmas favorite from VocalEssence, one of the world’s premiere choral groups, presenting an hour of traditional carols and new discoveries.

Dec. 18 at 12 p.m.
The Thistle and Shamrock Presents ‘A Child’s Christmas in Wales’ — Musician Cerys Matthews presents excerpts from and music inspired by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas’ classic holiday story, A Child’s Christmas in Wales.

Dec. 19 at 11 a.m.
Christmas with Morehouse and 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.

Dec. 19 at 12 p.m.
All is Bright — An hour-long program of contemplative choral and solo vocal Christmas music for the season.

Dec. 20 at 11 a.m.
ColaJazz Presents: Jingle Bell Jazz — A local production in partnership with the ColaJazz Foundation, Jingle Bell Jazz is a jazzy celebration of holiday favorites old and new recorded in front of a live audience in Columbia, SC. Hosted by Mark Rapp. [Note: This special will also air Dec. 24 at 8 p.m. on all SC Public Radio stations.]

Dec. 20 at 12 p.m.
A Choral Christmas with Stile Antico — Celebrate Christmas with the sound of soaring voices. Stile Antico, the award-winning choir from London, performs a concert of radiant sacred music for the season by the most acclaimed composers of the Renaissance.

Dec. 21 at 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Your Classical Christmas Favorites — Join us this holiday season as we count down the top Christmas songs as voted by you in a two-hour special.

Dec. 22 at 11 a.m.
An Afro Blue Christmas — Join us for a special holiday concert with Howard University's premiere vocal ensemble Afro Blue and special guest pianist Cyrus Chestnut. Hear the a-cappella group perform a variety of holiday songs including African American spirituals, jazz and pop tunes, and classical repertoire.

Dec. 24 at 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols — An annual and beloved Christmas Eve tradition, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is an extraordinary and memorable service of word and music
from the Chapel of King's College, Cambridge, England. [Note: This program will pre-empt To The Best of Our Knowledge.]

Dec. 25 at 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
St. Olaf Christmas Festival — St. Olaf Christmas Festival is a chance for listeners across the country and around the world to participate in one of the nation’s most treasured holiday celebrations. Programming includes sacred choral and instrumental music from many traditions: beloved hymns, classical masterworks, folk songs from around the world, and African American spirituals.

Dec. 26 at 11 a.m.
This is Christmas with Imani Winds — Join us for a new Christmas special with the Grammy-nominated wind quintet Imani Winds.

Dec. 26 at 12 p.m.
Joy to the World – A Holiday in Pink — The internationally acclaimed “little orchestra” bedecks the airwaves with festival 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 All Things Considered’s Ari Shapiro.

Dec. 27 at 11 a.m.
A World Café HolidayWorld Café gives the musical gift of hip holiday cheer.

Dec. 27 at 12 p.m.
Jazz Piano Christmas — Join the Kennedy Center and NPR Music for this annual holiday tradition highlighting jazz pianists and their favorite seasonal music, captured live in concert with a small audience.

Dec. 28 at 11 a.m.
A Mountain Stage Holiday Join Mountain Stage host Larry Groce for an hour filled with beautiful music to mark the season. The show features special guests Holly Cole, Joan Baez, Bruce Cockburn, Loudon Wainwright III, The Roches, Kathy Mattea and more. All performances were recorded live on the Mountain Stage.

Dec. 28 at 12 p.m.
The Big Tiny Desk Holiday Special — Celebrate the season with amazing holiday performances from The Tiny Desk Concert series including Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Steve Martin, Hanson, The Polyphonic Spree and more.

Dec. 29 at 11 a.m.
A Paul Winter Solstice — Celebrate the return of the sun and the warming of the heart with Paul Winter’s Winter Solstice Celebration. We head back to New York's Cathedral of St. John the Divine to hear a new performance of The Paul Winter Consort and the glorious Cathedral Pipe Organ. Dec. 30 at 11 a.m.

Jan. 1 at 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Toast of the Nation — An NPR tradition since the 1970s, Toast of the Nation is the perfect jazzy complement for ringing in the new year.