We have everything you need to get into the holiday spirit. Watch special shows, get delicious recipe ideas, and plan fun activities to do with your kids and entertain your guests.
Lucy Worsley’s 12 Days of Tudor Christmas
Join Lucy Worsley on a 12-day extravaganza as she discovers that much of what we enjoy in contemporary Christmas — from carols to gift-giving, feasting, and drinking — was just as popular 500 years ago, with some surprising Tudor twists.
- Tuesday, December 20th at 9 pm on PBS North
Craft in America – Menorah Maker Susan Garrison
Ceramic artist Susan Garson utilizes hand building along with her skills as a painter to create functional objects in clay. Garson demonstrates how to build your own menorah to celebrate the Jewish holiday
All Creatures Great and Small on Masterpiece – The Perfect Christmas
James and Helen question their future together as Christmas approaches, while things look grave for one of Darrowby’s most beloved animals.
- Sunday, December 25th at 7 pm on PBS North
Stories from the Stage – Holiday Spirit
Top storytellers share stories that conjure the holiday spirit. David Dean Bottrell discovers his passion after stealing the school play’s spotlight; Andrea Kamen’s bright menorah cuts through the darkness of anti-semitism; and Joe Charnitski tries to break a nightmare-before-Christmas bad luck streak.
Stories from the Stage – The Perfect Gift
It is often said that it is better to give than to receive. But no matter which side of the transaction we’re on, gifts – tangible or not – have the power to simply bring a smile or even save a life. Christine Gentry donates a kidney to a stranger; Stacey Bader Curry dreams of one gift but gets another; and on the night of her first big high school dance, Mary D’Alba gets an amazing gift from her dad.
- Tuesday, December 20th at 9:30 am on Explore
- Friday, December 23rd at 10:30 am on Explore
Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas with Vanessa Williams
In collaboration with the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, the American Pops Orchestra presents an evening celebrating the entire iconic album of holiday classics. This 60-minute performance stars host and vocalist Vanessa Williams with appearances by Dee Dee Bridgewater, Norm Lewis, Carmen Ruby Floyd, Nova Payton, Dave Detwiler, and Morgan James.
- Friday, December 9th at 9 pm on PBS North
- Saturday, December 10th at 9 pm on Explore
Christmas at Belmont
Christmas at Belmont features Belmont University students performing holiday favorites in the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville. This celebration of the season includes holiday favorites and classic songs.
- Friday, December 9th at 10 pm on PBS North
- Sunday, December 11th at 8:30 pm on Explore
Spirit of Christmas with Kevin Pauls and Friends
- Saturday, December 10th at 8 pm on PBS North
- Wednesday, December 14th at 7 pm on Explore
O Holy Night: Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir
Stars Megan Hilty and Neal McDonough join The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square to celebrate the holidays with a return to the Emerald Isle. McDonough and Hilty, who each share Irish heritage and traditions, deliver a deeply personal program that weaves together well-known holiday tunes, classic Christmas carols, and hymns with some traditional Irish musical numbers.
- Tuesday, December 13th at 7 pm on PBS North and 10 pm on Explore
- Sunday, December 18th at 7 pm on Explore
- Tuesday, December 20th at 8 pm on PBS North and 11 pm on Explore
- Thursday, December 22nd at 12 am on Explore
- Saturday, December 24th at 8 pm on PBS North
Christmas in New Orleans
While the celebrations of Christmas are universal, local traditions helped set an already unique city apart. Canal Street and Mr. Bingle, the decorated Centanni Home, bonfires along the Mississippi River levees, and a semi-tropical city under a rare blanket of snow – all part of Christmas in New Orleans.
- Wednesday, December 14th at 9 am and 4 pm on Create
All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914
The Western Front, Christmas, 1914. Out of the violence a silence, then a song. A German soldier steps into No Man’s Land singing “Stille Nacht.” Thus, begins an extraordinary night of camaraderie, music, and peace. A remarkable true story told in the words and songs of the men who lived it.
- Sunday, December 18th at 11 pm on PBS North
- Tuesday, December 20th at 6 pm on Explore
Mary Berry’s Ultimate Christmas
Monday, December 19th at 8 pm on PBS North and 11 pm on Explore
Saturday, December 24th at 7 pm on PBS North
How to Cook Well at Christmas with Rory O’Connell
Monday, December 19th at 11 pm on Create
Tuesday, December 20th at 11 pm on Create
All is Bright! A Concordia Christmas
Tuesday, December 20th at 7:30 pm on Explore
St. Olaf Christmas Festival: Love Devine
Experience the St. Olaf Christmas Festival, one of the oldest musical celebrations of Christmas in the United States. Led by five conductors, it features more than 500 student musicians who are members of the college’s world-renowned choirs and orchestra. The festival features a rich repertoire of classic Advent and Christmas compositions, familiar carols, global hymns, and contemporary pieces.
Tuesday, December 20th at 10 pm on MN Channel
Buttons A Christmas Tale
Buttons: A Christmas Tale is a magical, musical story that shows believing can be the greatest gift of all. Follow the heartwarming journey of two orphan girls whose only wish is to find a home for Christmas. With a little help from their guardian angels (screen legends Dick Van Dyke and Angela Lansbury), they discover that miracles really can happen when you find the power to believe. From director Tim Janis, this inspiring holiday film for the whole family features an all-star cast including Jane Seymour, Roma Downey, and Abigail Spencer, and is narrated by Kate Winslet and Robert Redford, with a special song by Sir Paul McCartney.
- Friday, December 23rd at 7 pm on PBS North
The Nutcracker and the Mouse King
Conceived by John Mauceri, this new work is a re-imagination of Tchaikovsky’s holiday favorite, “The Nutcracker.” Based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s 1816 book, Alan Cumming recounts the origin story of how a prince got put into a nutcracker. Unlike the ballet, we also learn what happens when the young girl grows up, having saved the prince, and what they are doing today.
- Thursday, December 22nd at 9 pm on PBS North
Lawrence Welk Show: Christmas Reunion 1985
Saturday, December 24th at 6 pm on PBS North
Josh Turner: King Size Manger
Saturday, December 24th at 9 pm on PBS North
Call the Midwife – Holiday Special 2022
It’s December 1967, and life in Poplar is returning to normal after the terrible train crash. The midwives move the maternity clinic into new premises and are delighted when one of their first patients through the door is Rhoda Mullocks, whom the team knows well. Rhoda is heavily pregnant, and understandably nervous after her last baby was born with limbs that have been affected by Thalidomide. Elsewhere, Fred decides that Poplar needs to come together to raise money for those families still affected by the train crash and pitches the wonderful idea of a festive talent show.
Note: Previous years’ Midwife holiday specials will air on December 25th starting at 12:30 pm
- Sunday, December 25th at 8 pm and 10:30 pm on PBS North