Wednesday, November 16 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

Wednesday, November 30 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: Tuesday, November 29 at 12am, Saturday, December 3 at 3pm, Monday, December 5 at 12:30pm, Friday, December 9 at 2:30am and, and Saturday, December 16 at 9pm

Wednesday, December 3 at 9:30pm

Sarah Brightman | A Christmas Symphony

Join the world's best-selling soprano for her first-ever Christmas special. Breathing new life into holiday classics and festive fan favorites of the season, Sarah is joined by guests Andrew Lloyd Webber, Aled Jones and choir Gregoria.

Additional Airings: Thursday, December 1 at 2:30am, Friday, December 2 at 12am, and Friday, December 2 at 12pm

Sunday, December 4 at 2pm

Carpenters | Close to You & Christmas Memories

This is a music-filled documentary that traces the Carpenters' career through the eyes of Richard Carpenter and the group's friends in the music business, features all of their top recording hits, including "(They Long to Be) Close to You," "Top of the World," "Hurting Each Other," "Only Yesterday," "Rainy Days and Mondays" and "We've Only Just Begun." The show ends with a Carpenters' perennially popular Christmas music offering favorites "The Christmas Song," "Winter Wonderland," White Christmas" and more.

Additional Airings: Monday, December 5 at 2:30am and Tuesday, December 6 at 12:30pm

Sunday, December 11 at 7pm

Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas

This documentary tells the story of the unlikely Jewish immigrants who wrote popular Christmas music. 

Additional Airing: Monday, December 19 at 4am

Monday, December 12 at 12:30pm

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.

Monday, December 12 at 2pm

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.

Additional Airings: Saturday, December 17 at 3pm, Monday, December 19 at 12:30am, Wednesday, December 21 at 7:30pm, Friday, December 23 at 9pm, Saturday, December 24 at 10am, Sunday, December 25 at 12pm and 9pm, and Monday, December 26 at 2am

Monday, December 13 at 9pm

O Holy Night | Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir

Tony Award-nominee Megan Hilty and actor Neal McDonough star in this Irish-inspired holiday special.  Hilty and McDonough, who each share Irish heritage and traditions, join The Tabernacle Choir to deliver a deeply personal program that weaves together well-known holiday tunes and classic Christmas carols. This year’s program features traditional Irish musical numbers and storytelling about the role of family and celebrations at this time of year. With the music and musings intertwined, the result is an uplifting holiday and musical feast that inspires hope, stirs reflection, and invites the peace of the season for any viewer, regardless of background or belief.

Additional Airings: Thursday, December 15 at 2am and, Sunday, December 25 at 12am

Friday, December 16 at 8pm

Lights Before Christmas | Radiance By Rail

Amid the chaos of the holiday season, slow down and take an unhurried journey through the mesmerizing English countryside on board an illuminated antique steam train. All aboard!

Additional Airing: Tuesday, December 20 at 12am

Friday, December 16 at 9pm

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.

Saturday, December 17 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 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 and the alpine city of Lucerne.

Additional Airings: Monday, December 19 at 12:30am, Wednesday, December 21 at 7:30pm, Friday, December 23 at 9pm, Saturday, December 24 at 10am, Sunday, December 25 at 12pm and 9pm, and Monday, December 26 at 2am

Saturday, December 17 at 5pm

Santa School

Santa School is a heartwarming film that follows six would-be Santa Clauses as they take an intensive workshop to learn to dress, walk, and talk like Santa. But who are they and what inspires them to take this path?

Additional Airing: Wednesday, December 21 at 1am

Saturday, December 18 at 7pm

Mary Berry’s Country House at Christmas

Mary Berry visits Harewood House in Yorkshire as it prepares for Christmas on a grand scale, and demonstrates how to make delicious recipes inspired by festive dishes of the past.

Additional Airing: Thursday, December 22 at 4:30pm

Sunday, December 18 at 4pm

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.

Sunday, December 18 at 5pm

Holiday Handbells | The Raleigh Ringers

The 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. HOLIDAY HANDBELLS runs the gamut of song selections from old yuletide favorites to Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmasscore and other sounds of the season. Highlights include: a lighthearted take on "Flight of the Bumblebee," the solemn French carol "Pat-a-pan," "March of the Toys" from the operetta Babes in Toyland, Chopin's "Valse Brilliante," and an instrumental version of "Silent Night." 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

Monday, December 19 at 4:30pm

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 19 at 5pm

New Scandinavian Cooking | A Treat for the Holidays

Andreas visits Savalen in Eastern Norway, where he makes some of his Christmas favorites. He serves his best porridge with pinnekjøtt, a special holiday dish made with salted and dried goat ribs and served with almond potatoes. Andreas also prepares and savors the most common Norwegian holiday food: pork ribs, cooked twice.

Monday, December 19 at 9pm 

Mary Berry's Ultimate Christmas

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

Additional Airing: Saturday, December 24 at 3pm 

Monday, December 19 at 10pm

St. Olaf Christmas Festival | Love Divine  

The five choirs and orchestra of St. Olaf College perform festive music for the Advent and Christmas season.

Tuesday, December 20 at 12am

Lights Before Christmas | Radiance By Rail

Amid the chaos of the holiday season, slow down and take an unhurried journey through the mesmerizing English countryside on board an illuminated antique steam train. All aboard!

Tuesday, December 20 at 1am

Christmas in New York | Inside the Plaza

A world-famous hotel that epitomizes the best of everything, performs its annual transformation into a magical festive paradise in this enchanting piece of seasonal escapism. At the Plaza on New York's Fifth Avenue, where suites cost up to $40,000 a night, staff are tasked with fulfilling every whim of their guests. Watch as they prepare a Christmas feast for up to 500, turn rooms into magical yuletide havens and await the arrival of Father Christmas himself.

Tuesday, December 20 at 4:30pm

Cook's Country | Holiday Roast and Potatoes

A classic recipe for Boneless Rib Roast is streamlined with Yorkshire Pudding and Jus. 

Tuesday, December 20 at 5pm

Cook's Country | Holiday Feast

Test cook Ashley Moore makes a Crumb-Crusted Rack of Lamb that is perfect for the holidays.  

Tuesday, December 20 at 9pm

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 Airings: Thursday, December 22 at 1am and Saturday, December 24 at 5:05pm

Wednesday, December 21 at 2am

Anthony William's Urban Nutcracker

A celebration of multicultural communities puts a modern spin on the 19th-century fairy tale and transports viewers to an enchanted world not unlike their own. Drawing upon classical ballet, urban tap, hip-hop, swing, flamenco, step and jazz, the performance uniquely retells a Christmas classic.

Wednesday, December 21 at 4am

The Night Before Christmas Carol

David zum Brunnen portrays Charles Dickens and other familiar characters from "A Christmas Carol."

Additional Airdate: Saturday, December 24 at 10pm

Wednesday, December 21 at 4:30pm

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.

Wednesday, December 21 at 7:30pm

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.

Additional Airings:  Friday, December 23 at 9pm, Saturday, December 24 at 10am, Sunday, December 25 at 12pm and 9pm, and Monday, December 26 at 2am

Thursday, December 22 at 3am

American St. Nick

American Army troops returned hope and joy to the people of Wiltz, Luxembourg during World War II. 

Thursday, December 22 at 4am

Christmas at DePaul

Join Chicago's DePaul University as the story of the birth of Christ is retold in word and song. 

Thursday, December 22 at 4:30pm

Mary Berry’s Country House at Christmas

Mary Berry visits Harewood House in Yorkshire as it prepares for Christmas on a grand scale, and demonstrates how to make delicious recipes inspired by festive dishes of the past.

Friday, December 23 at 12:30pm

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 23 at 2pm

Mary Berry’s Absolute Favourites | Christmas Day

Mary shares some of her favourite recipes for the big day. 

Friday, December 23 at 4:30pm

P. Allen Smith's Garden Home | Embracing Winter

Don't let the winter blues put a chill on your seasonal party. Cool weather entertaining tips are shared. 

Friday, December 23 at 5pm

P. Allen Smith's Garden Home | Deck The Halls

Christmas comes to the farm and P. Allen Smith gets decorating help from flower expert, J. Schwanke.  

Friday, December 23 at 8pm

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 Airings: Saturday, December 24 at 12:30am, Saturday, December 24 at 1:30pm, Sunday, December 25 at 3:30pm and Thursday, December 29 at 2:30am

Friday, December 23 at 8:30pm

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: Friday, December 23 at 3am, Saturday, December 24 at 1:30am, Saturday, December 24 at 2:30pm, Sunday, December 25 at 4am and 4:30pm, and Friday, December 30 at 2:30am

Friday, December 23 at 9pm

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: Saturday, December 31 at 4:29am

Friday, December 23 at 9:30pm

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.

Saturday, December 24 at 1am

Ella WishesYou a Singin' Christmas, with Vanessa Williams

Ella Fitzgerald's iconic album of holiday classics is presented by the American Pops Orchestra. 

Saturday, December 24 at 2am

Holiday Handbells | The Raleigh Ringers

The 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. HOLIDAY HANDBELLS runs the gamut of song selections from old yuletide favorites to Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmasscore and other sounds of the season. Highlights include: a lighthearted take on "Flight of the Bumblebee," the solemn French carol "Pat-a-pan," "March of the Toys" from the operetta Babes in Toyland, Chopin's "Valse Brilliante," and an instrumental version of "Silent Night." 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.

Saturday, December 24 at 3pm 

Mary Berry's Ultimate Christmas

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

Saturday, December 24 at 4pm

Young People's Chorus of NYC's Once Upon the Holidays Part 1

Celebrate the music and magic of the season with the Young People’s Chorus of New York City.

Additional Airing: Sunday, December 25 at 4:30am

Saturday, December 24 at 4:30pm

Young People's Chorus of NYC's Once Upon the Holidays Part 2

Celebrate the music and magic of the season with the Young People’s Chorus of New York City.

Additional Airing: Sunday, December 25 at 5am

Saturday, December 25 at 6pm

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.

Saturday, December 24 at 7pm

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? 

Saturday, December 24 at 8:05pm

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.

Additional Airdate: Tuesday, December 27 at 2am

Saturday, December 24 at 9:35pm

Merry Christmas Mr. Bean

Mr. Bean goes Christmas shopping, conducts a Salvation Army band, and has Christmas dinner with his long-suffering girlfriend.

Additional Airdate: Tuesday, December 27 at 3:30am

Saturday, December 24 at 10pm

The Night Before Christmas Carol

David zum Brunnen portrays Charles Dickens and other familiar characters from "A Christmas Carol."

Saturday, December 24 at 11pm

Crane Candlelight Concert | Peace and Love

Students and faculty from SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music celebrate the holiday season. 

Sunday, December 25 at 12am

O Holy Night | Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir

Tony Award-nominee Megan Hilty and actor Neal McDonough star in this Irish-inspired holiday special.  Hilty and McDonough, who each share Irish heritage and traditions, join The Tabernacle Choir to deliver a deeply personal program that weaves together well-known holiday tunes and classic Christmas carols. This year’s program features traditional Irish musical numbers and storytelling about the role of family and celebrations at this time of year. With the music and musings intertwined, the result is an uplifting holiday and musical feast that inspires hope, stirs reflection, and invites the peace of the season for any viewer, regardless of background or belief.

Sunday, December 25 at 1am

Repeat the Sounding Joy | A Concordia Christmas 

The vocal and instrumental musical ensembles of Concordia University Irvine perform holiday songs. 

Sunday, December 25 at 2am

Celebrate & Sing! Glory to the Newborn King!  

This spectacular Christmas concert of secular and sacred music includes a variety of traditional favorites.

Sunday, December 25 at 3am

Christmas at Belmont

Belmont University students celebrate the season with holiday favorites and classic songs. The concert features a collage of familiar carols, classical masterworks, world music and light-hearted seasonal favorites. More than 400 student voices join with School of Music faculty to present the annual holiday production. 

Sunday, December 25 at 4am

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 The Maine Girls Chorus, which will delight the child in all of us.

Sunday, December 25 at 4:30am

Young People's Chorus of NYC's Once Upon the Holidays Part 1

Celebrate the music and magic of the season with the Young People’s Chorus of New York City.

Sunday, December 25 at 5am

Young People's Chorus of NYC's Once Upon the Holidays Part 2

Celebrate the music and magic of the season with the Young People’s Chorus of New York City.

Sunday, December 25 at 1pm

The Lawrence Welk Show | Christmas Reunion 1985

This is the special that reunited Lawrence and his Musical Family for the first time following their phenomenal 27-year run on National TV. At the time, no one realized it would also be the last time the Musical Family would perform together with their beloved boss. The most emotional moment in this heartwarming program is the singing of the traditional Christmas carols, conducted by Lawrence himself.

Sunday, December 25 at 8pm

All Creatures Great and Small On Masterpiece | The Perfect Christmas

James and Helen question their future together in the run up to Christmas Day, while things look grave for one of Darrowby’s most beloved animals.

Sunday, December 25 at 9pm

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 Airdate: Monday, December 26 at 12:30pm

Monday, December 26 at 2:30pm

Joseph Rosendo's Travelscope | Christmas in Switzerland

Visit Lausanne, Montreux and Basel to explore some of Switzerland's best Christmas Markets. 

Monday, December 26 at 9pm

When the Queen Spoke to the Nation

Queen Elizabeth II's annual Christmas Day messages and a handful of momentous speeches are explored.

Wednesday, December 28 at 10pm

Cultural Expressions|Kwanzaa 

Cultural Expressions: Kwanzaa presents seven stories that reveal how each principle plays a role in real-life progress in the Black community.

Sunday, January 1 at 8pm

Great Performances | From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2023

Great Performances continues the cherished tradition of ringing in the New Year with the Vienna Philharmonic at the opulent Musikverein. Guest conductor: Franz Welser-Möst. Host: Hugh Bonneville.