The holiday season on WNED PBS dazzles this year with programs and specials that will delight the entire family, featuring inspirational music, savory cuisine and beloved characters from across the pond.

November

Friday, November 24 at 8:30pm

Upstart Crow Christmas 2020

The righteous Will Shakespeare returns for a festive special, in this Ben Elton-penned comedy hit, staring David Mitchell as the Bard. Will and Kate are in lockdown (or 'Plaguey Lock In') thanks to the plague of 1603, and bemoaning the fact no one is wearing their 'Bubonic Plaguey Beaks' right.

Saturday, November 25 at 11:30pm

Vicar of Dibley | Christmas 2020 | Dibley in Lockdown

Dawn French reprises her role as the Vicar of Dibley, delivering lockdown sermons to her parishioners via Zoom. Favourite cast members return with a nod to those no longer with us.

Sunday, November 26 at 7pm

All Creatures Great and Small: Christmas in the Dales

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.

Additional Airings:
Saturday, December 2 at 10:30pm,
Wednesday, December 6 at 1:30pm,
Friday, December 8 at 8pm

December

Saturday, December 2 at 9:30pm

Christmas Carol Goes Wrong

The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society have been blacklisted by the BBC after ruining Peter Pan, however, they are not taking their ban lying down and force themselves back on the BBC by hijacking the jewel of the Christmas schedule, a 'live' production of A Christmas Carol. With a little help from Sandra's aunt, Dame Diana Rigg (All Creatures Great and Small), the Cornley gang try to make the show work but soon realize they are completely out of their depth, with no idea how to direct a live studio or handle the special effects. Worse still, internal rivalries are revealed during the broadcast while an angry professional cast tries to get back into the studio. Special guest star Sir Derek Jacobi (Last Tango in Halifax) tries to keep up!

Sunday, December 3 at 9:30pm

Mary Berry's Ultimate Christmas

Mary Berry provides a guide for a fool-proof Christmas dinner in this seasonal special. 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.

Additional Airings:
Wednesday, December 6 at 3pm,
Saturday, December 9 at 3pm
Saturday, December 23 at 5:30pm

Wednesday, December 6 at 7:30pm

Rick Steves European Christmas

From manger scenes and mistletoe to wintry wonderlands, this 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. It also 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.

Additional Airings:
Friday, December 8 at 3pm,
Saturday, December 9 at 4:30pm

Sunday, December 10 at 7pm

Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas

This irreverent documentary tells the story of the unlikely Jewish immigrants who, enamored with Broadway and Hollywood, wrote some of the most popular songs in America: Christmas music. The doc features rarely-seen archival footage, musical performances and interviews.

Additional Airing:
Saturday, December 16 at 5:30pm

Monday, December 11 at 12am

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.

Additional Airings:
Tuesday, December 19 at 12:59am,
Friday, December 22 at 8pm
Sunday, December 24 at 7pm

doorman standing outside entrance to the Saavoy hotel

Monday, December 11 at 9pm

Savoy at Christmas

The holiday season has arrived at The Savoy and staff are pushed to the breaking point as they welcome hundreds of residential guests and diners across Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. The six weeks from mid-November to New Year's Day are of utmost importance, as they generate 3.5 pound million in revenue. Go behind-the-scenes at the hotel during the holiday festivities as the first luxury hotel in Britain delivers the glamour, elegance, history and character their guests truly wish to experience. For the guests that visit, it is a home away from home.

Additional Airing:
Saturday, December 16 at 3:30pm

Tuesday, December 12 at 8pm

Season of Light | Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir

The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square join with award winning artists Lea Salonga and Sir David Suchet for Season of Light: Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir, a festive and uplifting Christmas special. This concert will illuminate your holiday experience with timeless carols, treasured songs, and a story of heroic service.

Additional Airing:
Thursday, December 14 at 1:30am
Monday, December 25 at 1am

Friday, December 15 at 8pm

Real Bedford Falls | It's a Wonderful Life

Explore the connections between Seneca Falls, New York, and Bedford Falls, the fictional setting of the beloved movie It's A Wonderful Life.

Additional Airing:
Tuesday, December 19 at 12am

woman walking outdoors through trees decorated with holiday lights

Friday, December 15 at 8:30pm

Christmas in New England

From the coast of Maine to the hills of the Berkshires, New England is a uniquely magical place to celebrate the holidays. Join host Lindsay Paris as she visits eight regional destinations to take a look at the traditions and events that make Christmas in New England so special.

Additional Airings:
Saturday, December 16 at 3pm
Tuesday, December 19 at 12:30am
Wednesday, December 20 at 3pm
Thursday, December 21 at 4:30am

Friday, December 15 at 9pm

Lookingglass Alice

An exhilarating live theatrical adaptation of Alice In Wonderland, created and performed by Chicago's Tony-Award winning Lookingglass Theatre Company. Inspired by Lewis Carroll's beloved stories and infused with physical risk world-class circus arts, this Alice transports audiences down the rabbit hole with new twists on the beloved characters and story, creating a wildly entertaining adventure for all ages.

Additional Airing:
Wednesday, December 20 at 1am

Saturday, December 16 at 4:30pm

Boy in the Dress

Dennis is an ordinary boy but he feels different. He creates a whole new persona and puts it to the ultimate test - can a boy wear a dress?

Additional Airing:
Sunday, December 17 at 7pm

Sunday, December 17 at 2pm

Holiday Handbells | The Raleigh Ringers

Raleigh Ringers, an internationally acclaimed community handbell choir based in Raleigh, North Carolina, present the sequel to their critically acclaimed holiday special, One Winter Evening at Meymandi. The program runs the gamut of song selections from old yuletide favorites to Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmasscore and other sounds of the season. In between, director and conductor David Harris explains the centuries-old history of handbells, the variety of bells and bell-like instruments used, and the teamwork required to perform a piece.

Additional Airing: Saturday, December 24 at 2am

Sunday, December 17 at 3pm

Liona Boyd | A Winter Fantasy

Filmed in historic Richmond Hill United Church in December 2017, Liona Boyd: A Winter Fantasy perfectly captures a magical evening concert performed by world-renowned classical guitarist, Liona Boyd and her protege, Andrew Dolson. The film also features special guest, Grammy nominated flautist Ron Korb, as well as the Chancel Choir of Richmond Hill. A Winter Fantasy is a one hour concert film that interweaves beloved traditional pieces, such as Silent Night and The Huron Carol, with Liona's own original material and the ethereal orchestrations of Peter Bond.

scne along the Danube river at Christmas

Sunday, December 17 at 4pm

Christmas on the Danube

Christmas on the Danube is a companion to European Christmas Market. It is true holiday treat that will fill your senses with warmth, touch your heart, and provide your mind with geography and history, as well. Traveling the majestic Danube River as it passes through stunning European landscape, history, and culture, Christmas on the Danube visits these cities along the Danube, which are particularly spectacular at Christmas.

Additional Airing:
Thursday, December 21 at 3pm

Monday, December 18 at 5pm

New Scandinavian Cooking | Happy Holiday Food

In this episode, Andreas makes a real Scandinavian Christmas feast and shares all his favorite Norwegian recipes of the season. He serves mulled wine with almonds and raisins, pressed pork and delicious crusted ham before he makes traditional roast duck and a Norwegian dessert barley cream with red berry.

Monday, December 18 at 8pm

25 Years with Lidia: A Culinary Jubilee

Beloved chef Lidia Bastianich celebrates 25 years on public television in this documentary special. Join Lidia's family and celebrity friends for an intimate look at the memorable moments of her life, both on and off the screen.

Additional Airing:
Saturday, December 23 at 2:30pm

Monday, December 18 at 9pm

Mary Berry's Highland Christmas

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.

Additional Airings:
Saturday, December 23 at 4:30pm
Tuesday, December 26 at 8pm

Wednesday, December 20 at 1:30pm

Call The Midwife Holiday Special 2019

Mother Mildred and the Nonnatus House team go to the Outer Hebrides in response to a nursing shortage. Navigating the terrain, they strive to keep up with the needs of the locals.

Wednesday, November 20 at 8pm

Nature | Santa’s Wild Home

Get an intimate look into life in Lapland, fabled land of Santa Claus and actual home of tenacious wildlife such as reindeer, wolverines, Brown bears and more.

Additional Airing: Wednesday, November 23 at 12am

midwives holding babys in front of Christmas tree

Thursday, December 21 at 1:30pm

Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2020

Everyone at Nonnatus House looks forward to a traditional holiday, but nothing goes quite to plan. Meanwhile, the Circus arrives in Poplar, bringing new friendships, new experiences and an exciting adventure for Nurse Crane.

Friday, December 23 at 1:30pm

Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2021

Christmas 1966 promises to be a 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.

Friday, December 22 at 3pm

The Magic of Christmas in Alsace

Christmas in the Alsace region of France is best experienced in the small towns and villages where each community has its own unique holiday traditions, celebrations, food, and of course wine. The Alsatian landscape is covered with medieval towns, castle ruins and vineyards that overflow with charm and history. And at Christmas, the townspeople go all out in decorating each of their towns to outdo the next in celebration of the season, and their Christmas markets are a truly magical take on this uniquely French celebration of Christmas. With Christmas being a magical time for children, the music accompaniment to this show are French carols sung by a The Maine Girls Chorus, which will delight the child in all of us.

Additional Airings:
Sunday, December 24 at 3pm
Monday, December 25 at 3:30am

Friday, December 22 at 9pm

Handel's Messiah: Presented by the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus

Experience the magnificent beauty of Handel's masterpiece, brought to life by the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus and members of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Additional Airing:
Sunday, December 24 at 5:30pm

Friday, December 22 at 10pm

Holiday Sounds of Fredonia

Join the choirs of SUNY Fredonia for a festive holiday concert. The Chamber Choir, Camerata, and College Choir from the renowned School of Music at SUNY Fredonia perform their annual Winter Holiday Concert with music to celebrate the season.

Additional Airing:

Sunday, December 24 at 4:30pm

Saturday, December 23 at 1pm

America's Test Kitchen Special: Home for the Holidays

The entire cast is home for the holidays, and they're sharing their tips and tricks for planning a stress-free gathering, while also recounting personal holiday memories and revealing their all-time favorite holiday recipes from the Test Kitchen archives. The special also spotlights five of the Test Kitchen's favorite holiday recipes, including new twists on classic holiday fare such as turkey en cocotte and beef tenderloin with smoky potatoes and persillade relish. Complete with an outtake reel over the credits, this show is a warm, inviting and fun-filled hour of cooking.

Bridget and Julia in Americas Test Kitchen

Saturday, December 23 at 2pm

America's Test Kitchen | Ultimate Yule Log

Bridget and Julia make the ultimate Caramel-Espresso Yule Log in time for the holidays.

Saturday, December 23 at 2:30pm

Mary Berry's Absolute Favourites | Christmas

Britain's much-loved home cook Mary Berry re-creates her favourite recipes in this six-part series. Inspired by her favourite places and memories, Mary cooks her best-loved dishes, which are easy to make and are a tried-and-tested success. As well as sharing the secrets to her fuss-free methods, the cook goes in search of the freshest ingredients to complement the plate she has in mind. Mary sources produce from the seaside to farmer's markets as well as using what a herb garden and the local countryside have to offer.

Mary Berry holding a cake in front of a Christmas tree

Saturday, December 23 at 4pm

Mary Berry’s Absolute Favourites | Christmas Day

Sunday, December 24 at 1pm

The Lawrence Welk Show | Christmas

Sandi Griffiths hosts this Christmas favorite that opens with the classic "Jingle Bells". Bobby and Elaine dance to "The Carol of the Bells", Joe Feeney's family celebrated "Christmas in Killarney", and Myron Floren, Bobby Burgess and his daughter, Becki dance to "Here Comes Santa Claus". "The Hallelujah Chorus" is the perfect highlight of the show right before the arrival of Santa Claus.

Christmas celerbation at Westminster Abbey

Sunday, December 24 at 2pm

Christmas at Westiminster: An Evening of Readings and Carols

Recorded in the Princeton University Chapel, the program features more than 400 musicians in five different choirs. The musical numbers performed in the hour-long special encompass a variety of styles, including traditional Christmas carols with audience participation, beloved choral works, a diverse array of holiday standards, and contemporary arrangements that both surprise and delight. Together with a number of secular readings, the evening brings beauty and comfort to viewers at this special time of year.

Additional Airing:
Monday, December 25 at 12am

Sunday, December 24 at 3pm

The Magic of Christmas in Alsace

Sunday, December 24 at 3:30pm

St. Thomas Christmas: Reflections of Gratitude

Continue the winter tradition with the University of St. Thomas and their annual Christmas concert.This year's concert theme is "Reflections of Gratitude." The program celebrates the Advent and Christmas season by drawing from both familiar traditional carols and innovative contemporary selections. This year's production also offers viewers two specifically commissioned pieces for the concert by Jack Stamp.

Sunday, December 24 at 4:30pm

Holiday Sounds of Fredonia

Additional Airing:

Sunday, December 24 at 4:30pm

Sunday, December 24 at 5:30pm

Handel's Messiah: Presented by the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus

Experience the magnificent beauty of Handel's masterpiece, brought to life by the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus and members of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Sunday, December 24 at 7pm

Lucy Worsley’s 12 Days of Tudor Christmas

Sunday, December 24 at 10pm

All Creatures Great and Small On Masterpiece | Merry Bloody Christmas

It's Christmas at Skeldale and Siegfried has to decide whether to protect Tristan at the cost of River's welfare. Mrs. Hall realizes she has to face her feelings for Gerald.

Sunday, December 24 at 11pm

A Christmas Carol (1977)

Miserly Scrooge is frightened into philanthropy by Marley's Ghost.

Monday, December 25 at 12am

Christmas at Westiminster: An Evening of Readings and Carols

Monday, December 25 at 1am

Season of Light | Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir

Monday, December 25 at 2:30am

Noel Triumphant

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 on December 2020 from the campus of Fountainview Academy

Monday, December 25 at 3:30am

The Magic of Christmas in Alsace

Monday, December 25 at 4am

When the Queen Spoke to the Nation

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II lived her life in the public eye yet remained an enigmatic figure throughout. But there is one way we can discover what was important to her - her speeches. This film looks back at the Queen's annual Christmas Day messages and the handful of momentous occasions when the Queen spoke directly to the United Kingdom - at times of crisis, commemoration, and celebration. It reveals how the very private Queen was able to use this public platform to deliver powerful messages to Britain and the Commonwealth that reflected her core values and beliefs.

Monday, December 25 at 1:30pm

Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2022

With Christmas approaching, the midwives move to their maternity clinic and are delighted when their first patient is a familiar face. Life in Poplar returns to normal after the tragic train crash, and everyone unites for a festive talent show.

Additional Airing:
Monday, December 25 at 9:30pm

Monday, December 25 at 3pm

European Christmas Markets

Join us on our discovery of Europe's Christmas Markets, where the town center, market square or just the narrow, cobblestone streets of the cities and towns of Europe come alive in winter with festively decorated wooden stalls offering all sorts of treats and delights. As we travel through Germany, France and Switzerland we visit cities and towns and learn of their history, see their major sights, and visit their charming markets. In Nuremberg, we visit the imposing castle, and one of the most famous of all the Christmas markets. You can almost smell the roasting sausages and gingerbread sold in the stalls. In Rothenburg, we learn of the traditional wooden Christmas decorations from the son of the founder of the Kathe Wolfhart Christmas store, and wander along the ramparts the fairy tale village. A unique visit is made to the ancient town of Michelstadt and its Christmas market. And then into France, to see how the French celebrate the season in Strasbourg. We conclude our travels in Switzerland, with the sights and sounds of the holidays in Basel and the alpine city of Lucerne.

Monday, December 25 at 8pm

Call The Midwife Holiday Special 2023

Adapted by Heidi Thomas from the best-selling memoirs of Jennifer Worth, this drama series is a moving, funny, colorful look at midwifery and family in 1950s East End London. It follows newly qualified midwife Jenny, who joins an eccentric, lovable community of nuns who are nurses at Nonnatus House. Jenny is surprised to find herself at a convent -- she thought she was being sent to a small private hospital -- and is initially daunted by her surroundings, most notably the formidable Sister Evangelina and the unconventional Sister Monica Joan. But Jenny gradually begins to find her way and develops incredible friendships among the nurses, as they are drawn into the lives and homes of the women and families they treat.

Tuesday, December 26 at 12am

Cultural Expressions|Kwanzaa

Honoring the heritage, unity, culture, and rich contributions of African Americans, Kwanzaa is more than just a celebration; it's a way of life. This documentary explores the seven principles that are the foundation of Kwanzaa by sharing seven real-life stories of impact. These stories reveal how each principle plays a role in the Black community, enhanced by cultural elements of dance, storytelling, music, and spoken word.

Additional Airing:
Friday, December 29 at 8pm

Tuesday, December 26 at 9pm

The Nutcracker and the Mouse King

Join Alan Cumming for the real story of the Nutcracker and the Mouse King with the beloved music of Tchaikovsky. Featuring the Royal Scottish National Orchestra under the direction of John Mauceri, this new version is a rare holiday treat.

Tuesday, December 26 at 9pm

CLOWN By Quentin Blake

Quentin Blake's Clown is a half-hour animation that brings to life the adventures of a little toy clown, who has been thrown away. On Christmas Eve he goes on an exciting journey to find a new home for himself and his toy friends.

Sunday, December 31 at 9pm

Next at the Kennedy Center | A New Year’s Eve Celebration

Ring in the New Year with a star-studded musical celebration on stage at the Kennedy Center.

January

Great Performances | From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2022

Monday, January 1 at 9pm

Great Performances | From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2024

Celebrate the New Year with waltzes by Strauss and more performed from Vienna’s Musikverein by the famed orchestra led by guest conductor Christian Thielemann. PBS favorite Hugh Bonneville returns to host.