Holiday Specials on WVIA TV
Rick Steves European Christmas
Saturday, December 20th 11am
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. He begins his travels in England, where the Christmas pudding is the real centerpiece of a traditional English holiday meal. In Paris, the Eiffel Tower heralds the season with its red, twinkling lights. And in the countryside of Tuscany, villagers stack neat pyramids of wood for great bonfires. The lighting of the fires is a signal to villagers - dressed as shepherds - to come and sing old carols. RICK STEVES' EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS offers a colorful, musical celebration of Christmas across Europe where viewers will learn about customs from "the old countries," hear local choirs, and discover holiday family traditions.
Encore: Sunday, December 21st 5pm
All Creatures Great and Small: Christmas in the Dales
Sunday, December 7th 7pm
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.
Encore: Monday, December 8th 1pm
Spirit of the Season
Saturday, December 13th 9pm
Join the U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America for the 2025 edition of their NATAS EMMY Award-winning holiday series, The Spirit of the Season! Celebrate the joy and excitement of the holiday season with musical selections ranging from jazz to classical, pop, and R&B...all performed by American Airmen!
Encores: Tuesday, December 23rd 7:30pm; Wednesday, December 24th 4:30pm
Let Your Heart Be Light: Christmas in the Adirondacks
Saturday, December 13th 9:30pm
Featuring acoustic guitarist/kalimba artist Trevor Gordon Hall, performing much-loved Holiday classics from his album of the same name. This special celebrates a wintry Christmas in New York's Adirondack region.
Spirit of Christmas II with Kevin Pauls and Friends
Saturday, December 13th 10pm
Capture the true essence of the holiday season with an unforgettable hour of live Christmas music in "The Spirit of Christmas II with Kevin Pauls and Friends." Highlighting some of the best Christmas music of all time, as well as brand new original songs written by world renowned and cherished artists you love.
Celebration of Hanukkah
Monday, December 15th 7pm
In the heartwarming and nostalgic program, A CELEBRATION OF HANUKKAH, host Geoffrey Baer takes viewers on a fun exploration of the time-honored traditions of this joyous Jewish holiday, sharing how Hanukkah came to be, the significance of the season's cherished dishes, and the ways families continue to celebrate together across generations. Along the way, Geoffrey provides an overview of Hanukkah in popular culture, weaving in his holiday memories through childhood home movies. And, because food plays such a meaningful part of every Hanukkah observance, he also heads into the kitchen with experts to try his hand at creating seasonal culinary delights - including latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (filled donuts) - while explaining how these dishes connect to Hanukkah's history.
Encores: Thursday, December 16th 4pm; Thursday, December 18th 9pm; Friday, December 19th 2pm
Hope of the Season: Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir
Monday, December 15th 8pm
Tony Award-winner Ruthie Ann Miles and iconic actor Dennis Haysbert inspire in this holiday special that combines classic Christmas carols with a contemporary story of how giving back and uplifting communities is the true meaning of the season.
Encores: Monday, December 15th 9:30pm; Wednesday, December 24th 8pm
Great Performances - Nutcracker from English National Ballet
Tuesday, December 16th 8pm
Enjoy Tchaikovsky's holiday classic set in Edwardian-era London. Clara embarks on a fantastical adventure with her enchanted nutcracker featuring over 100 dancers and a magical, dreamlike realm. Choreographed by Aaron S. Watkin and Arielle Smith.
Encores: Wednesday, December 17th 1pm; Tuesday, December 23rd 9pm; Wednesday, December 24th 1pm
American Masters - Ten Times Better
Tuesday, December 16th 9:30pm
The astonishing and heartwarming story of George Lee, a pioneering Asian dancer who originated a featured role in George Balanchine's The Nutcracker 70 years ago as a teenage immigrant from China.
Encores: Wednesday, December 17th 2:30pm; Tuesday, December 23rd 10:30pm
Tasteable's Festive Flavors
Thursday, December 18th 8pm
TASTEABLE'S FESTIVE FLAVORS brings the joy of the season straight to your kitchen! Join us as we celebrate holidays with delicious recipes,creative entertaining ideas, and tips for making every gathering memorable. From decadent desserts to savory feasts and festive sips, this special is packed with flavor, inspiration, and a touch of holiday magic.
Lawrence Welk Show - Christmas
Saturday, December 20th 7pm
We go back to 1966 to celebrate Christmas with Lawrence, his Musical Family, and their families. Lawrence makes his annual singing entrance on "Jingle Bells". You're guaranteed to fall in love with Barbara and Bobby as Raggedy Ann and Andy for the "Doll Dance". The Lennon Sisters sing the beautiful "Star Carol" while JoAnn Castle rocks the house with "Frosty the Snowman". Aladdin gives the show a perfect touch with the holiday classic "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus". You'll want to watch this show with your whole family.
Encore: Sunday, December 21st 4pm
PA Polka - John Stanky and the Coalminers Christmas Show 2008
Saturday, December 20th 8pm
Pennsylvania Polka, the very popular dance program on WVIA TV, features the best of Polka music and dancing by residents of northeastern Pennsylvania and the Central Susquehanna Valley.
Encore: Sunday, December 21st 3pm
Christmas at Susquehanna: The 50th Anniversary Candlelight Service
Saturday, December 20th 9pm
Experience the beauty of Weber Chapel bathed in the glow of 1,500 candles in CHRISTMAS AT SUSQUEHANNA: THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY CANDLELIGHT SERVICE. Recorded in December 2016, the program captures the voices of students, faculty, staff, alumni, families and community members joining together on the campus of Susquehanna University in historic Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania to celebrate 50 years of a cherished tradition: Susquehanna University's annual Christmas candlelight service, which was first held on December 15, 1966. The hour-long music special is a wondrous spectacle of candle lighting and carols, as well as traditional readings and songs in celebration of the season. The service also features numerous student musical ensembles, including the University Choir, University Chorale, Chamber Singers, Handbell Choir and Brass Ensemble. Musical highlights include: "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "We Three Kings," "Silent Night" and more.
Encore: Sunday, December 21st 10am
Noel Triumphant
Saturday, December 20th 10pm
Fountainview Academy, a private boarding school for grades 10-12, is internationally acclaimed for their sacred music. Noel Triumphant features an international choir and orchestra performing sacred Christmas songs that you know and love. The concert was recorded in December 2020 from the campus of Fountainview Academy.
Encore: Wednesday, December 24th 7pm; Thursday, December 25th 4pm
Mary Berry's Highland Christmas
Monday, December 22nd 9pm
Mary Berry spends Christmas in her mother's homeland of Scotland to enjoy a winter break soaking up her Scottish heritage and enjoying traditional festive delights with familiar faces, as well cooking up some of her own indulgent dishes.
Encores: Tuesday, December 23rd 2pm; Thursday, December 25th 4pm
Mary Berry's Ultimate Christmas
Monday, December 22nd 10pm
Join the beloved British home cook and three special friends as they prepare her ultimate Christmas feast with all the trimmings. From the traditional turkey to her classic Christmas pudding, it's the perfect recipe for a deliciously festive holiday.
Encore: Tuesday, December 23rd 3pm
American Masters - Brenda Lee: Rockin' Around
Tuesday, December 23rd 8pm
Discover the story behind singer Brenda Lee's iconic songs and explore how her early fame and life of poverty shaped her artistry across pop, rock 'n' roll and country. Known for her Christmas classic and Billboard hit "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree," she is still a force in music today. The film features interviews with Keith Urban, Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo and many others.
Holidays at Murray State
Wednesday, December 24th 2:30pm
The Murray State University Concert Choir, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Orchestra, a cappella group "EQ Blu," and featured faculty soloists, highlights this annual seasonal special.
Hope College Christmas Vespers
Wednesday, December 24th 3:30pm
Over 250 student musicians participate in Christmas Vespers in ensembles that include the Hope College Orchestra, Chapel Choir and College Chorus. A tradition at Hope College since 1941, Christmas Vespers is the perfect way to ring in your holiday season.
Too Hot to Handel - The Gospel Messiah
Wednesday, December 24th 9:30pm
Handel's 18th century masterpiece "The Messiah" has been reimagined by Conductor Marin Alsop with colleagues Bob Christianson and Gary Anderson. Handel's arias, choruses and orchestration have been infused with Gospel, Jazz and R&B creating an uplifting reinterpretation of this Christmas and Easter favorite. This performance from London's Royal Albert Hall marks the European premiere of "Too Hot To Handel: The Gospel Messiah," a piece that has been a seasonal fixture across the United States since it premiered in New York in 1993.
St. Thomas Christmas: Love Divine
Wednesday, December 24th 11pm
A ST. THOMAS CHRISTMAS: LOVE DIVINE enriches the holidays by celebrating the Advent and Christmas season. Now in its 39th year, the St. Thomas Christmas concert is a winter tradition featuring familiar traditional carols and innovative contemporary selections. The celebration features nearly 270 musicians from four choirs, the string orchestra and the Symphonic Wind Ensemble. This year's concert includes a commissioned piece by world-renowned composer James Stephenson that will unite all on stage to perform the premiere of "Love Divine."
Encores: Thursday, December 25th 2pm; Friday, December 26th 3pm
Navidad: A Concordia Christmas
Thursday, December 25th 1pm
The vocal and instrumental musical ensembles of Concordia University Irvine invite you to a festive collection of music that brings light, hope, and joy to the season, influenced by the Mexican tradition of Las Posadas.
Southern Celtic Christmas Concert
Thursday, December 25th 3pm
Through music, dance, poetry and song, A SOUTHERN CELTIC CHRISTMAS CONCERT celebrates the high spirits and mystical beauty of Celtic and Appalachian Christmas traditions. Produced on stage at the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts at Emory University, the one-hour special features performances by three Grammy winners: "First Lady of Celtic Song" Moya Brennan, Celtic and bluegrass banjo virtuoso Alison Brown and Riverdance composer Bill Whelan. The program also features the soulful duo Rising Appalachia percussionist Joe Craven, Irish balladeer John Doyle, uilleann piper John Maschinot, The Buddy O'Reilly Band, the Rosin Sisters and other top traditional musicians from the Southeast. James Flannery, director of the W.B. Yeats Foundation and a noted interpreter of Irish/Southern culture, hosts this entertaining and inspiring holiday production. Amid old ruins in Ireland, Flannery interviews the late Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney, who talks about the folk influences behind his poem, "St. Kevin and the Blackbird."
St. Olaf Christmas Festival: Our Hope for Years to Come
Thursday, December 25th 7pm
St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota presents music for the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Season. First held in 1912, the St. Olaf Christmas Festival is one of the oldest musical celebrations of Christmas in the United States, and features more than 450 students from St. Olaf College's renowned choirs and orchestra. Featuring familiar carols, beloved choral works, and exciting new compositions, themes of the Advent and Christmas season are explored through music in this cherished tradition.
Encore: Friday, December 26th 4pm
Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2025
Thursday, December 25th 8pm
When senior members of the Nonnatus House staff head to Hong Kong on a mercy mission, the younger midwives are left to cope alone. As the Christmas action shifts between the sun-drenched Far East and a snowy East End, Sister Julienne suddenly finds herself excited about the Order's future. After years of battling change, she decides to embrace it, work with it, and see what love can do.
Encores: Thursday, December 25th 10pm; Friday, December 26th 1pm
Karamu: Feast for the 7th Day
Monday, December 29th 7pm
Hosted by lifestyle expert Sira Williams, KARAMU: FEAST FOR THE 7TH DAY explores the tradition of Kwanzaa, focusing on the final feast that concludes the annual celebration. The half-hour program explores the history, principles, and symbols of Kwanzaa while celebrating the culinary traditions of West Africa. Featuring dishes from Mali, Ghana,and Nigeria, KARAMU: FEAST FOR THE 7TH DAY focuses on food and culture, and their integral relationship to building community. Sira also shares her personal story as a child born in Mali, West Africa, to her American mother and Malian father, giving viewers insight into her experience growing up and the importance of African roots in American culture.
Encore: Tuesday, December 30th 4pm
Great Performances - From Vienna: The New Year's Celebration 2026
Thursday, January 1st 8pm & 9:30pm
Ring in the New Year with the Vienna Philharmonic at the world-famous Musikverein, with Hugh Bonneville returning as host. The celebrations showcase the virtuosic dancing of the Vienna City Ballet performed on location in sumptuous Vienna landmarks.