Click here for PBS Holiday Playlist
In December, PBS will capture the holiday spirit with musical celebrations, fan favorite specials and inspirational documentaries, beginning with an encore presentation of A CHEF’S LIFE HOLIDAY SPECIAL on Friday, December 13, 10:00-11:00 p.m. ET. American Chef Vivian Howard serves up the best of her Southern cooking heritage and the Chanukah traditions of her husband Ben. From humble Hoppin’ John to elegant red velvet cake, viewers will sample a charming and delicious holiday celebration.
American actress, singer, and Tony and Emmy Award winner Kristin Chenoweth is at the helm of the network’s annual CHRISTMAS WITH THE TABERNACLE CHOIR special premiering Monday, December 16, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET. The special features Chenoweth’s riveting 2018 performance with the iconic Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square during its annual Christmas concert – a beloved tradition featuring favorite holiday music, dancing and storytelling.
Drawing inspiration from the book by Yale University’s Sterling Professor of Humanities Maria Rosa Menocal (d. 2012), PBS will debut THE ORNAMENT OF THE WORLD on Tuesday, December 17, 8:00-10:00 p.m. ET. Filmed in Cordoba, Granada, Seville and Toledo, this is the story of a remarkable 800-year period when Muslims, Christians and Jews in medieval Spain forged a common cultural identity that often transcended their religious differences.
Hosts CeCe Winans and Michael W. Smith join nearly 700 student musicians, Belmont School of Music faculty and Nashville Children’s Choir for a production of traditional carols, classical masterworks, world music and light-hearted seasonal favorites in CHRISTMAS AT BELMONT on Monday, December 23, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET. An encore presentation is also scheduled for Tuesday, December 24, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET.
On Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25, PBS viewers are welcome to settle in for a few hours of holiday bliss with LUCY WORSLEY’S 12 DAYS OF TUDOR CHRISTMAS at 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET, 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, followed by CALL THE MIDWIFE HOLIDAY SPECIAL at 9:00-10:30 p.m. ET, which follows Mother Mildred and the Nonnatus House team to the Outer Hebrides as they respond to a nursing shortage.
PBS also invites viewers to join in year-end festivities with a few fun-filled celebrations: AUSTIN CITY LIMITS 6TH ANNUAL HALL OF FAME HONORS, LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER “New York Philharmonic New Year’s Eve 2019: Sondheim Celebration” and GREAT PERFORMANCES “From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2020.”
American singer-songwriter Robert Earl Keen will host the 2019 Hall of Fame inductees: Shawn Colvin, Buddy Guy and Lyle Lovett in the premiere of AUSTIN CITY LIMITS 6TH ANNUAL HALL OF FAME HONORS on December 28, 2019, 11:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. ET. Guest performers include Jackson Browne, Bruce Hornsby, Shemekia Copeland, Jimmie Vaughan, Sarah Jarosz and more.
On Tuesday, December 31, 8:00-9:30 p.m. ET, ring in the New Year with LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER “New York Philharmonic New Year’s Eve 2019: Sondheim Celebration.” Showcasing the New York Philharmonic and guest vocalist Katrina Lenk (The Band’s Visit), the 90-minute special celebrates the orchestral music of Stephen Sondheim with performances of Sunday in the Park, Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd and more.
In addition, viewers can celebrate 2020 with the Vienna Philharmonic at the Musikverein on New Year’s Day, Wednesday, January 1, 9:00-10:30 p.m. ET. Hosted by PBS favorite Hugh Bonneville (“Downton Abbey”), the special features the Vienna City Ballet as guest conductor Andris Nelsons directs the orchestra’s performances of the waltzes of Strauss.
An overview of the PBS holiday season and upcoming December premieres is outlined in the PBS Holiday Programming Guide
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