The holidays will feel different in 2020, but you can count on VPR and VPR Classical to keep you company and make the most of the season. Tune in or stream for new, local collaborations, plus beloved and traditional holiday programs.
Listen on-demand to VPR's Christmas classic Favor Johnson by Willem Lange. It's the story of a hound named Hercules, a flatlander doctor, homemade fruitcake and the real spirit of Christmas. You'll can also stream more holiday classics, including Willem Lange's Rona & Alice and Christmas On The Party Line, Lange's reading of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, as well as The Loudest Voice read by Grace Paley.
Listen online: 'Favor Johnson' & other holiday classics.
On-Air Holiday Specials Schedule
Thursday, Dec. 10 — Hanukkah Lights, on VPR at 8 p.m. A perennial NPR favorite, Hanukkah Lights features all new Hanukkah stories, read by hosts Susan Stamberg and Murray Horwitz.
Saturday, Dec. 12 — It’s A Wonderful Life, a first-ever for VPR! This radio play is locally produced in collaboration with Northern Stage on VPR at 3 p.m., and available for streaming from Northern Stage.
Sunday, Dec. 20 — Celebrate the Solstice with The Light Show from All The Traditions, an annual celebration with songs of light on VPR News from 7-9 p.m., and on the Replay stream for 2 weeks after initial broadcast.
Monday, Dec. 21 — The long-standing tradition continues with celebrations in song for the Solstice with The Paul Winter Consort at 8 p.m. on VPR News.
Thursday, Dec. 24 — Favor Johnson at 8:51 a.m.; A Christmas Carol as read by Willem Lange following the COVID-19 media briefing; and NPR's All Songs Considered for the Holidays at 7 p.m. on VPR News. Over on VPR Classical, listen at 10 a.m. for the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.
Friday, Dec. 25 — Christmas with the Morehouse and Spelman College Glee Club at noon on VPR News. 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.
Saturday, Dec. 26 — A Season's Griot at 1 p.m. on VPR News, public radio's only nationally syndicated Kwanzaa program.
Thursday, Dec. 31 — Toast Of The Nation on VPR News at 11 p.m. Swing into the New Year with this public radio tradition and tune in to jazz, all night from coast to coast. You'll hear countdowns to midnight in all four continental time zones.
Friday, January 1 — New Year’s Day Live From Vienna, on VPR Classical at 11 a.m. The Vienna Philharmonic presents its ever-popular annual New Year's Day concert from the Golden Hall of the Musikverein in Vienna. You'll hear your favorite waltzes, polkas, and more - a festive way to start off the New Year.
