Turkey Confidential is The Splendid Table’s annual Thanksgiving show. Francis Lam takes calls and comes to the rescue of Thanksgiving cooks, kitchen helpers, and dinner guests during the biggest cooking day of the year.

We have amazing guests including chef Kristen Kish, Top Chef’s newest judge, Michigan chef and award-winning writer Abra Berens author of Pulp, A Practical Guide to Cooking with Fruit, Jocelyn Delk Adams of Grandbaby Cakes, Dan Pelosi aka “Grossy Pelosi” the exuberant author of Let’s Eat, 101 Recipes to Fill Your Heart and Home and of course, our charming Francis! 

Navajo pianist and composer Connor Chee has embarked on a mission to translate traditional Navajo vocables to the modern piano. Host Scott Blankenship talks with Chee about his artistic process, the importance of preserving Navajo music for future generations, and the Land Back movement.

With music and stories for Thanksgiving, host John Birge creates a thoughtful, contemporary reflection on the meaning of the holiday. Classical music is the heart and soul of the original Giving Thanks. Between the music, no clichés about pilgrims and pumpkin pies. Instead, it's a contemporary celebration of the spirit of Gratitude. Whether your listeners are early in the kitchen, on the road to a family gathering, or relaxing after the feast, Giving Thanks provides the perfect atmosphere for Thanksgiving: the warmth of great music, and truly memorable words. 

Sunday, December 10 at 8pm

Hanukkah Lights

NPR has celebrated Hanukkah with original stories inspired by the Jewish festival of lights. Hosted by NPR's Susan Stamberg, and Murray Horwitz, each year Hanukkah Lights marks the age-old Jewish celebration with contemporary fiction.

Saturday, December 23 at 6pm

It’s A Wonderful Life! 

In collaboration with the Niagara University Theater Department, Buffalo Toronto Public Media is presents “It’s a Wonderful Life” radio play, recorded live in its studios. This project brings back the “old-school” feel of a live radio play, complete with a studio audience, voice actors, and Foley sound effects. 

Sunday, December 24 at 11am

It’s A Wonderful Life! 

In collaboration with the Niagara University Theater Department, Buffalo Toronto Public Media is presents “It’s a Wonderful Life” radio play, recorded live in its studios. This project brings back the “old-school” feel of a live radio play, complete with a studio audience, voice actors, and Foley sound effects. 

Sunday, December 24 at 1pm

Handel’s Messiah Presented by the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus 

Immerse yourself in Western New York's Holiday Tradition in a whole new way! Experience the magnificent beauty of Handel's masterpiece, brought to life by the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus and members of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Music Director Dr. Adam Luebke. Prepare to be moved by the powerful voices and dynamic baroque orchestration as they perform in the historic Our Lady of Victory Basilica and Shrine, selections include "For Unto Us A Child is Born," "Let All the Angels of God," and the resplendent "Hallelujah Chorus." Filmed and recorded November 26, 2023, Buffalo, NY. 

Join host Jesse Sparks for a holiday edition of The Splendid Table’s newest “podbaby,” The One Recipe. Jesse talks to culinary superstars about their “One,” the recipe that signals the holiday has begun! They’ll get into traditions and food with influences from all over the world and leave you with recipes that could jumpstart your own festivities! It’s delicious eating all month long.

Sunday, December 24 at 4pm
The Thistle & Shamrock Presents ‘A Child’s Christmas In Wales'

Cerys Matthews is Welsh musician and patron of the Dylan Thomas Society.  In this program, originally broadcast in 2015, she narrates excerpts from the Dylan Thomas holiday classic, set to music that she created and recorded with her collaborator Mason Neely. One reviewer wrote:  "Dylan’s words are so deliciously descriptive to begin with, and Matthews’ lilting Welsh accent, and deep understanding of the culture illuminates them further. Her love of Dylan’s poetry shines throughout, and serves to make it accessible to a wide audience." Hosted by Fiona Ritchie.

Sunday, December 24 at 6pm
Tinsel Tales: NPR Christmas Favorites

This program features stories from the NPR archives that touch on the meaning of Christmas. David Sedaris, Bailey White, John Henry Faulk -- these and other NPR voices, past and present, tell stories of the season. Hosted by Lynn Neary.

Featured Stories: 

• Dad 'n' Sam (Jay Allison)
• Homeless Christmas (Lee Stringer)
• Christmas Morning, 1949 (Sylvia Seymour/Paul Auster)
• Low-Glamour Christmas Party (Bailey White)
• Doing it in the Closet (John McIlwraith)
• Christopher (Jay O'Callahan)
• Ode to Christmas (Chuck Kramer)
• Santaland Diaries (David Sedaris)
• Modern Day Joseph and Mary (Scott Simon)
• John Henry Faulk's Christmas Story (John Henry Faulk)

Sunday, December 24 at 7pm

It’s A Wonderful Life! 

In collaboration with the Niagara University Theater Department, Buffalo Toronto Public Media is presents “It’s a Wonderful Life” radio play, recorded live in its studios. This project brings back the “old-school” feel of a live radio play, complete with a studio audience, voice actors, and Foley sound effects. 

Sunday, December 24 at 9pm

Watching for the Star: A Polish Christmas Eve 

Father Czeslaw Krysa, Rector of the St. Casimir Roman Catholic Church and Sophie Hodorowicz Knab, author of the book, Polish Customs, Traditions & Folklore, are back to tell us about the music, events and celebrations in the Polish Community that surround the Holiday Season with a special emphasis on the most important of all Polish family traditions, Wigilia or Christmas Eve. 

Monday, December 25 at 10am

Handel’s Messiah Presented by the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus 

Immerse yourself in Western New York's Holiday Tradition in a whole new way! Experience the magnificent beauty of Handel's masterpiece, brought to life by the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus and members of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Music Director Dr. Adam Luebke. Prepare to be moved by the powerful voices and dynamic baroque orchestration as they perform in the historic Our Lady of Victory Basilica and Shrine, selections include "For Unto Us A Child is Born," "Let All the Angels of God," and the resplendent "Hallelujah Chorus." Filmed and recorded November 26, 2023, Buffalo, NY. 

Monday, December 25 at 11am 

Festivo Alt.Latino: Gaby Moreno In Concert

NPR Music’s Alt.Latino presents a 2015 encore featuring songwriter/performer Gaby Moreno and her band performing tracks from her popular holiday album Posada - recorded live at the KUT studios in Austin, Texas. She was joined by special guests Gina Chavez and Chicano Zen bandleader and record producer Michael Ramos.

Monday, December 25 at 12pm

Jonathan Winters’ ‘A Christmas Carol’

So begins A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Some say this short story, first published in 1843, transformed Christmas into a major holiday. Before A Christmas Carol, there was surprisingly little celebration during the Christmas season. After its publication, the holiday became a high point of the year. The tale has inspired movies, operas, readings and countless stage performances around the globe.

An updated version of a public radio tradition hosted by NPR's Susan Stamberg. Master comedian Jonathan Winters presents a distinctive reading of this holiday classic, using a special performing edition prepared by Dickens for his own presentations. He re-creates Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, Jacob Marley's spirit and the three Christmas ghosts: Past, Present and Future. Mimi Kennedy also performs.

Monday, December 25 at 1pm

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! Hosted by NPR Music frenemies Bob Boilen and Stephen Thompson. 

Monday, December 25 at 2pm

Selected Shorts | Holidays with Mom

Host Meg Wolitzer presents our holiday show--two stories about being home for the holidays and how you can count on your Mom to be there for you—and possibly to complicate things.  

Monday, December 25 at 3pm

Selected Shorts | Unwrapping the Holidays

Host Meg Wolitzer presents three unexpected stories that let us see the holidays’ associations—family, friends, food, gifts, and goodwill—in different ways. Selections from Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Sherrie Flick, and John Cheever will be read by Jayne Atkinson, James Naughton, Adina Verson and Teagle F. Bougere. 

Monday, December 25 at 9pm

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! Hosted by NPR Music frenemies Bob Boilen and Stephen Thompson. 

Saturday, December 31 at 11am

It’s A Wonderful Life! 

In collaboration with the Niagara University Theater Department, Buffalo Toronto Public Media is presents “It’s a Wonderful Life” radio play, recorded live in its studios. This project brings back the “old-school” feel of a live radio play, complete with a studio audience, voice actors, and Foley sound effects. 

Monday, January 1 from 10am-4pm

Ring in the New Year with Radio Classics!

10am– Jack Benny – Father Time Rides Again

10:30am– The Great Gildersleeve – New Year’s Eve with Peavey

11am – The Great Gildersleeve – New Year’s Costume Ball

11:30am – The Great Gildersleeve – Double Date on New Year’s Eve

12pm – Fibber McGee and Molly - New Year’s Eve Party

12:30pm – Fibber McGee and Molly – New Year’s Celebration

1pm – Phil Harris and Alice Fay – New Year’s Diet

1:30pm – Phil Harris and Alice Fay – New Year’s Eve Party

2pm – Eddie Cantor – New Year Preparation

2:30pm – Jack Benny – New Year’s Eve Show

3pm – Radio Hall of Fame Variety Hour Pt1

3:30pm – Radio Hall of Fame Variety Hour Pt 2