Radio Catskill 2024 Holiday Specials

RADIO CATSKILL ANNOUNCES 2024 HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING
Celebrate the Season with Radio Catskill

Radio Catskill is excited to announce a special lineup of holiday programming designed to fill the season with festive cheer. From heartwarming stories to a diverse collection of holiday music, these programs will bring joy and holiday spirit to listeners throughout the yuletide season.

Whether you’re tuning in on-air, streaming online via our website, or using our free mobile app or smart speaker, Radio Catskill will provide a mix of holiday favorites, timeless classics, and unique seasonal offerings.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Radio Catskill!

DECEMBER 24
9PM: An Afro Blue Christmas
Howard University vocal ensemble Afro Blue and special guest pianist Cyrus Chestnut perform
a concert full of new and classic holiday songs that induce African-American spirituals, jazz and
pop tunes, and classical repertoire. From NPR, hosted by Michele Norris.

10PM: Christmas with Morehouse and Spelman Glee Clubs
The choirs of Morehouse and Spelman Colleges — two of the most prestigious historically black
institutions in the nation — present an annual holiday concert program of spirituals and carols.
This encore presentation features the best works of the last several years. From NPR, hosted by
Korva Coleman.

11PM: Jazz Piano Christmas
The annual concert of jazz-infused renditions of seasonal music. Featuring a distinctly
Afro-Cuban vibe this year with pianist, vocalist, and actress Melvis Santa and Cuban composer
& jazz pianist Alfredo Rodriguez. From The Kennedy Center and NPR, hosted by Felix Contreras.

MIDNIGHT: A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols
Recorded at King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, England, this service has been a Christmas Eve
tradition for more than a century, and it’s a Radio Catskill tradition, too. Featuring biblical
readings, a cappella and organ-accompanied anthems, hymns, carols, and related seasonal
music. From American Public Media, hosted by Michael Barone.

DECEMBER 25
10AM: A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols Encore Presentation
The Christmas Morning rebroadcast of the traditional Christmas Eve service Recorded at King’s
College Chapel, Cambridge, England.

Noon: 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 full of holiday spirit. From NPR, hosted by Ari
Shapiro.

1PM: The Big Tiny Desk Concert Holiday Special
Celebrate the season with amazing holiday performances from The Tiny Desk Concert series
including Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Steve Martin, Hanson, The Polyphonic Spree and
more! Hosted by NPR Music frenemies Bob Boilen and Stephen Thompson.

2PM: A World Cafe Holiday
World Cafe celebrated 30 years by revisiting special holiday performances from Sharon Jones
and the Dap-Kings, Los Lobos, Andrew Bird, The Bird and The Bee, Pink Martini, Preservation
Hall Jazz Band and more. Hosted by Raina Douris, this musical gift will provide a full hour of hip
holiday cheer. From NPR and WXPN, hosted by Raina Douris.

DECEMBER 28
2PM: Hanukkah Lights 2024
An annual favorite featuring favorite stories from NPR’s archives. We’ll hear “Gifts of the Last
Night” by Rebecca Goldstein, “Hanukkah Gelt, Hanukkah Money” by Sholem Aleichem, “Gifts of
the Jewish Magi” by Allegra Goodman, How to Spell the Name of God” by Ellen Orleans and
“Geek Week” by Rebecca O’Connell.

DECEMBER 31
9PM: NPR’s Toast of the Nation
An NPR tradition every New Year’s Eve since the 1970s, Toast of the Nation is a four hour festive
jazz party! Hosted by Christian McBride.