All your favorite Holiday traditions are on KUNC this year, along with some new surprises. We have all sorts of programs to keep your December merry! Special programming kicks off The Paul Winter Consort on December 21, just in time for the solstice. Hanukkah Lights joins the table on December 23, and gather around the radio for two full days of stories, music, and warmth on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Spend your holiday with the KUNC family.
Jump to a Date: December 21|December 23 | December 24 | December 25
December 21
7:00 p.m. — Paul Winter's Annual Solstice Celebration
Celebrate the return of the sun and the warming of the heart with Paul Winter's Winter Solstice Celebration. On the darkest night of the year, we head back to New York's Cathedral of St. John the Divine to hear The Paul Winter Consort and the glorious Cathedral Pipe Organ. The performance brings traditional holiday favorites and new sounds from around the world with special guests Ivan Lins and Renato Braz. Hosted by John Schaefer.
December 23
7:00 p.m. — Hanukkah Lights
A perennial NPR favorite with all new Hanukkah stories. Stories, music, and more - authors include R.L. Maizes and many more. Hosted by Susan Stamberg and Murray Horwitz.
December 24
8:00 a.m. — A Festival of 9 Lessons and Carols
Host 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.
10:00 a.m. — Hollywood Holiday
Host Lynne Warfel takes you on a one-hour musical retrospective of some of Hollywood's most cherished Christmas-themed movies.
11:00 a.m. — Tinsel Tunes from The Colorado Sound
A special collection of holiday tunes from our sister-station, The Colorado Sound. New discoveries, old favorites, and holiday fun for everyone.
2:00 p.m. — NPR's Tinsel Tales 1
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.
3:00 p.m. — NPR's Tinsel Tales 2
Continuing with the tradition of first Tinsel Tales program, this is another collection of the best and most requested holiday stories. Joy, hope, and childhood memories overflow as NPR voices, past and present, tell stories of the season. Hosted by Lynn Neary.
4:00 p.m. — All Things Considered
5:00 p.m. — Joy To The World: A Holiday in Pink
The internationally acclaimed “little orchestra" Pink Martini bedecks the airwaves with festive holiday songs from across the globe. From timeless classics to rarely heard gems, hear a multi-denominational, multi-cultural jubilee, overflowing with enough holiday spirit to warm your entire family. Hosted by All Things Considered's Ari Shapiro.
December 25
10:00 a.m. — The Moth Radio Hour
A special Holiday Hour from The Moth. The unexpected gifts of December: holiday customs, brand new traditions, flying cows, fruit, luminaries and a magical forest. Hosted by The Moth’s Executive Producer, Sarah Austin Jenness.
11:00 a.m. — Joy To The World: A Holiday in Pink (bonus airing!)
The internationally acclaimed “little orchestra" Pink Martini bedecks the airwaves with festive holiday songs from across the globe. From timeless classics to rarely heard gems, hear a multi-denominational, multi-cultural jubilee, overflowing with enough holiday spirit to warm your entire family. Hosted by All Things Considered's Ari Shapiro.
12:00 p.m. — Tinsel Tunes from The Colorado Sound
A special collection of holiday tunes from our sister-station, The Colorado Sound. New discoveries, old favorites, and holiday fun for everyone.
3:00 p.m. — This American Life
Celebrate the holidays with Ira Glass. Stories, laughter, and more from a public radio legend.
4:00 p.m. — All Things Considered
5:00 p.m. — NPR's Tinsel Tales 3
Baxter Black ponders the meaning of Christmas for Cows, Bailey White sneaks into her neighbor’s yard in search of an elusive hemlock tree; Julie Zickefoose serenades her neighbors on the coldest night of the year.
6:00 p.m. — Hollywood Holiday (bonus airing!)
Host Lynne Warfel takes you on a one-hour musical retrospective of some of Hollywood's most cherished Christmas-themed movies.
