Texas Public Radio celebrates the season with holiday programming to get you into the spirit, or simply offer a moment of reflection. Join us on KPAC 88.3 FM, KSTX 89.1 FM, and all of TPR's stations for a cornucopia of programs, including music, spoken word, and more. This page will be updated as shows are added to the lineup.
On KPAC 88.3 FM
Thanksgiving, November 24, 1pm-3pm, Giving Thanks
Giving Thanks sounds the way Thanksgiving feels: inviting, warm, and festive. No clichés about pilgrims and pumpkin pies. Instead, it’s a contemporary, thoughtful celebration of spirit of the holiday. For listeners, whether they're up 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.
Special guest Ada Limon is the new Poet Laureate of the US (and host of APM’s The Slowdown). She joins our Thanksgiving table to read her poems and talk about how poetry amplifies gratitude. We’ll also revisit other US Poets Laureate who have been guests on Giving Thanks, including Billy Collins, Rita Dove, and Ted Kooser).
Broadcast made possible by H-E-Band Earth Burger.
Monday December 19, 3pm, Candles Burning Brightly
Mindy Ratner hosts this delightful hour for everyone to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights! Lots of music from Jewish communities around the world, plus a hilarious lesson on how to prepare a classic Chanukah dish, and a timeless and touching holiday story that brings light into every home. Broadcast made possible by H-E-B, Green Vegetarian Cuisine and Ivy Hall Events & Tim the Girl Catering.
Saturday December 24, 9am-11am: A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols
Michael Barone presents this live service of spoken-word and music (choral and organ) broadcast from the chapel of King's College in Cambridge, England. The 30-voice King's College Choir performs the legendary Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols service of Biblical readings and music. Broadcast made possible by Broadway Bank and Kinetico Water Softeners.
Saturday December 24, 7pm: St. Olaf Christmas Festival
The St. Olaf Christmas Festival is a chance for listeners across the country and around the world to participate in one of the nation’s most treasured holiday celebrations. Programming includes sacred choral and instrumental music from many traditions: beloved hymns, classical masterworks, folk songs from around the world, and African-American spirituals. Broadcast made possible by Broadway Bank and Kinetico Water Softeners.
Sunday December 25, noon: Festival Alt.Latino
NPR Music’s Alt.Latino presents the 2014 edition of Festival Alt.Latino -- a special holiday concert featuring the 20 piece choral ensemble Choral Cantigas. This musical performance also includes stories about holiday traditions and cultures. Hear a traditional Peruvian Christmas carol, folk music from Brazil, Spain, and Mexico plus Parrandas from Venezuela and Puerto Rico. The many rich styles of Latino choral music will unite listeners through the joyful and transformative power of music. Hosted by Felix Contreras. Broadcast made possible by Broadway Bank and Kinetico Water Softeners.
Sunday January 1, 10am: New Year's Day from Vienna
The ever popular annual New Year’s Day Concert will be performed by the Vienna Philharmonic under the baton of Franz Welser-Most. With this concert it is not only the desire of the Vienna Philharmonic to provide musically definitive interpretations of the masterworks of this genre, but also, as musical ambassadors of Austria, to send people all over the world a New Year's greeting in the spirit of hope, friendship and peace. Hosted by WBUR's Lisa Mullins. Broadcast made possible by the San Antonio Philharmonic, Broadway Bank and Kinetico Water Softeners.
ON KSTX 89.1 FM/TPR news stations:
Thanksgiving, November 25, 11am-1pm: Turkey Confidential
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 inner guests during the biggest cooking day of the year.
Featured Guests:
- Claire Saffitz, YouTube star and author of Dessert Person: Recipes and Guidance for Baking with Confidence: A Baking Book.
- Rick Martinez cohost of the Borderline Salty podcast and author of Mi Cocina , Recipes and Rapture from My Kitchen in Mexico.
- Jesse Sparks, host of The One Recipe and Senior Editor at Eater
Missed the show? Listen in the player below.
Broadcast of "Turkey Confidential" this year is made possible by Fickle Pickles, H-E-B, Ivy Hall Events & Tim the Girl Catering, and Earth Burger.
Thanksgiving, November 25, 7pm, Giving Thanks
Giving Thanks sounds the way Thanksgiving feels: inviting, warm, and festive. I’s a contemporary, thoughtful celebration of spirit of the holiday. Music, plus poetry and readings. This is a one-hour version of the program broadcast on KPAC 88.3 FM earlier in the day. (Will not be broadcast on KTXI 90.1 FM)
Broadcast made possible by H-E-Band Earth Burger.
Sunday, December 18, 3pm: Hanukkah Lights 2022
For the 32nd anniversary of Hanukkah Lights, Susan Stamberg and Murray Horwitz revisit old favorites and read a new story, "54 Menorahs." Broadcast made possible by HEB, Green Vegetarian Cuisine and Ivy Hall Events & Tim the Girl Catering.
Thursday, December 22, noon and 7pm: A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens’ 1867 American Reading Tour is off to a rough start. Due to an inexplicable loss of his luggage, he regretfully announces that he will be unable to read from his beloved classic, A Christmas Carol. All is not lost, however; Dickens delivers what he promised by performing from memory the magical story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey from miserliness to redemption with warmth and humor. This one-man radio play is based on the condensed version Dickens himself used on his historic reading tours of the United States, and produced by The Classic Theatre San Antonio. Broadcast made possible by Kinetico Water Softeners.
Saturday, December 24, 7pm: Christmas in Jazz, TX
Enjoy an hour of holiday music recorded live at Jazz, TX with Doc Watkins and friends. Broadcast made possible by Kinetico Water Softeners.
Saturday, December 24, 8pm: Christmas Around the World with Deirdre Saravia
TPR’s Deirdre Saravia shares holiday favorites from around the world on her weekly program, “World Music.” Broadcast made possible by Kinetico Water Softeners.
Saturday, December 24, 10pm: All Songs Considered for the Holiday Extravaganza
We decided to revisit the very first All Songs Considered holiday party from 2012. The guest list for this (trust us!) unforgettable night of music and tall tales included Kishi Bashi, Dan Deacon, Carrie Brownstein and Nellie McKay. We hosted the festivities at a secluded cabin we rented one weekend in a snowy woods. It was a chilly night, but we had a roaring fire, plenty of eggnog, vegan haggis and lots of holiday songs to keep everybody warm! Broadcast made possible by Kinetico Water Softeners.
Saturday, December 24, 11pm: Peabo's 22nd Annual Christmas Special... "Bride of Peabo"
For 22 years, Peabo the rooster, the official unofficial mascot of Texas Public Radio, has labored to produce his holiday special with only Nathan Cone and David Furst as company. This year, he's looking for love, but will it be in all the wrong places? Join David, Nathan, and Peabo as they count down to Santa's arrival at midnight, share some holiday classic tunes, and try to find Peabo's soulmate. Broadcast made possible by Kinetico Water Softeners.
Monday, December 26, noon and 7pm: A Season's Griot
A Season's Griot is public radio's only nationally syndicated Kwanzaa program. Hosted for 25 years by acclaimed storyteller Madafo Lloyd Wilson, this annual one-hour special captures the tales and traditions of African American and African peoples. The show’s poet laureate, Beverly Fields Burnette, and other members of the Season’s Griot family return with familiar and favorite elements of Griot. Broadcast made possible by Kinetico Water Softeners.