Happy Holidays

This December, the Washington area will be aglow with lights and the sound of carolers will fill the air.

Here at WETA we are getting into the holiday spirit with special broadcasts on WETA Television and WETA Classical 90.9 FM. So, while you are trimming your tree, lighting your menorah or celebrating some other way, let us share the season with you.

WETA Arts December 2023: Songs of the Season: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Monday, December 8 at 9 p.m. on WETA PBS & 8 p.m. on WETA Metro

Stream on WETA+

Celebrate the holidays with the 6th annual WETA Arts presentation of Songs of the Season! A WETA holiday tradition, this hour-long program offers beautiful vocal performances from 19 area choral groups.

Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir: Hope of the Season: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Monday, December 15 at 8 p.m. on on WETA PBS & WETA Metro

Stream on WETA+

This December, Tony Award®-winner Ruthie Ann Miles and iconic actor Dennis Haysbert inspire in this holiday special that combines classic Christmas carols with a contemporary story of how giving back and uplifting communities is the true meaning of the season.

Monday, December 15 at 9:30 p.m. on WETA PBS

In A Celebration of Hanukkah, host Geoffrey Baer explores the traditions, history, and cultural significance of this joyous holiday. From cherished family customs and popular culture to cooking classic dishes like latkes and sufganiyot, Geoffrey shares stories and memories that bring Hanukkah to life.

Rhys Antoni Yeomans as the Nutcracker Doll

Tuesday, December 16 at 8 p.m. on WETA PBS & WETA Metro

Enjoy Tchaikovsky's holiday classic set in Edwardian-era London. Clara embarks on a fantastical adventure with her enchanted nutcracker, featuring over 100 dancers and a magical, dreamlike realm. Choreographed by Aaron S. Watkin and Arielle Smith.

Too Hot to Handel: The Gospel Messiah: show-mezzanine16x9

Wednesday, December 24 at 9:30 p.m. on WETA PBS & WETA Metro

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Handel’s 18th-century masterpiece, “The Messiah,” has been reimagined and infused with Gospel, Jazz and R&B. The result is an uplifting reinterpretation of this seasonal favorite, captured at its European premiere at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

Thursday, December 25 at 8 p.m. on WETA PBS & WETA Metro

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Senior members of the convent embark on a mercy mission, swapping the snowy East End of London for the sun-drenched terrain of Hong Kong. The rise in hospital births, and wider changes in the NHS, have clipped their wings. But their mission to the Far East is a chance to take flight and work out what really matters. For her part, Sister Julienne suddenly finds herself excited about the Order’s future. After years of battling change, she decides to embrace it and see what love can do.

Stream Holiday Programs On Demand

WETA Arts presents the fourth year of Songs of the Season, a spirited holiday music special featuring choral groups from all around the D.C. area. Conceived in 2020 to celebrate choral music during the pandemic, Songs of the Season has become a WETA holiday tradition. This year’s special showcases 19 talented choral groups from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

Mary Berry's Highland Christmas: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Join Mary Berry as she travels to her mother’s homeland, Scotland, and is joined by her friends Andy Murray, Iain Stirling, and Emeli Sandé to cook indulgent Christmas dishes that can be enjoyed anytime over the holidays.

Season of Light: Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir: asset-mezzanine-16x9

The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square join with award winning artists Lea Salonga and Sir David Suchet for Season of Light: Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir, a festive and uplifting Christmas special. Filmed with a live audience, this concert will illuminate your holiday experience with timeless carols, treasured Christmas songs and a story of heroic service.

Holiday Special 2022: asset-mezzanine-16x9

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.

Mary Berry's Ultimate Christmas: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Mary Berry shares her ultimate Christmas feast with all the trimmings.

Holiday Special 2021: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Christmas 1966 promises to be 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.

Rick Steves European Christmas: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Rick visits friends and families in England, France, Norway, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy to reveal their customs and practices of the holiday season. This special is a colorful, musical celebration of Christmas across Europe, where viewers learn about customs from "the old countries" and discover holiday family traditions.

Enjoy the sounds of the season on WETA Classical 90.9 FM. Seasonal offerings air throughout December, increasing on December 17 and culminating with special programming on December 24-25.

This year’s Christmas Eve specials include:

Christmas Eve Carolfest (6 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King’s College, Cambridge (5 p.m.)
Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker (7 p.m.)

On Christmas Day, WETA Classical presents:

Christmas Day Carolfest (6 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
Christmas in Washington, featuring performances of holiday music by D.C.-area choral and instrumental ensembles (11 a.m.)
Handel’s Messiah (5 p.m.)
Bach’s Christmas Oratorio (9 p.m.)

Also tune in to WETA Classical on Sundays at 9 p.m. for Choral Showcase, which is devoted to Christmas music all month.