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Happy Holidays — Special Programming Dec. 22 - Dec. 28

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Happy Holidays

PBS Western Reserve Celebrates the Holidays

Get in the festive spirit with these holiday specials!

Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024

All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914

Midnight   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

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, peace. A remarkable true story, told in the words and songs of the men who lived it.

Spirit of the Season

1:30 AM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

Spirit of the Season 2024

Celebrate the joy and excitement of the holiday season with musical selections ranging from jazz to classical and pop performed by the U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America.

A Polka Christmas with The Chardon Polka Band

2 AM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

A Polka Christmas with The Chardon Polka Band

The Chardon Polka Band has a holiday surprise just for you! Enjoy the band’s special, A POLKA CHRISTMAS WITH THE CHARDON POLKA BAND, plus bonus clips featuring performing artists from around the globe. It’s a Chardon Polka Band holiday extravaganza!

Arthur’s Perfect Christmas

6:30 AM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

Arthur’s Perfect Christmas

Plans are underway in Elwood City for the best holidays ever as Arthur, D.W., their family and friends make preparations for perfect gifts, perfect parties and perfect family traditions for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and even "Baxter Day" (Buster and his mom's special celebration). The only problem is, just like in real life, perfection is hard to attain, and things start to fall apart.

Wild Kratts: A Creature Christmas

7:30 AM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

Wild Kratts: A Creature Christmas

It is Christmas time and the Wild Kratts are taking a break from creature adventuring to celebrate. However, when they receive an alert that their favorite creatures are suddenly disappearing around the globe, their holiday party quickly turns into a rescue mission. Our heroes must race against time to thwart their greedy archrivals' most miserly scheme yet! Will they be able to travel to the ends of the earth and return their baby animal friends to their homes in time for the holidays? 

Anthony Williams’ Urban Nutcracker

Noon   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

Anthony Williams’ Urban Nutcracker

This celebration of multi-cultural communities puts a modern spin on the 19th-century fairy tale and transports viewers to an enchanted world not unlike their own. Drawing upon classical ballet, urban tap, hip-hop, swing, flamenco, step and jazz, the performance uniquely retells a Christmas classic.

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1:30 PM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

Too Hot to Handel — The Gospel Messiah

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.

The Chardon Polka Band’s Holiday Extravaganza

3 PM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

The Chardon Polka Band’s Holiday Extravaganza

This hour-long, toe-tapping special highlights the band’s own polka arrangements of holiday favorites and features musicians from across the globe to deliver a musical variety of hometown holiday charm and humor that’s perfect for the season. Guests include Brave Combo, a Grammy-winning polka band from Texas; Delfeayo Marsalis, the jazz icon from New Orleans, Louisiana; and Pomplamoose, a viral independent duo, among others.

Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas

4 PM   Fusion (WNEO 45.2/WEAO 49.2)

Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas

This irreverent documentary tells the story of the unlikely Jewish immigrants who, enamored with Broadway and Hollywood, wrote some of the most popular songs in America: Christmas music. The doc features rarely-seen archival footage, musical performances and interviews.

Joy ­— Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir

5 PM   Fusion (WNEO 45.2/WEAO 49.2)

Joy ­— Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir

The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square join Broadway’s Michael Maliakel and Lesley Nicol of DOWNTON ABBEY for this spirited, heartwarming Christmas special. Filmed before a live audience in Salt Lake City, JOY will lift your spirits with stirring renditions of classic and popular Christmas music and a true story about French novelist, poet and dramatist, Victor Hugo at Christmastime.

Filer image

6:30 PM   Fusion (WNEO 45.2/WEAO 49.2)

Too Hot to Handel — The Gospel Messiah

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.

Death in Paradise, Christmas 2022

7 PM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

Death in Paradise, Christmas 2022, Part 2

There’s just one case that Selwyn has never solved – and this Christmas it will return to haunt him. As the inhabitants of Saint Marie prepare for the festive season, true-crime podcaster Jennifer Langan is found shot dead. Langan had been investigating the strange disappearance of a nine-year-old boy on Christmas Eve in 1977. When recordings from the night of the murder are uncovered, the team are left with a chilling question. Are supernatural forces at work? And, in the biggest shock of them all, will Neville find love just in time for Christmas?

Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2024

9 PM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2024

It’s Christmas 1969, and the funfair and carol concert add color to frosty Poplar. Yet, the festive spirit at Nonnatus House is dampened by the spread of influenza alongside growing fears of an escaped prisoner after a spate of break-ins.

Monday, Dec. 23, 2024

Death in Paradise, Christmas 2022

Midnight   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

Death in Paradise, Christmas 2022, Part 2

There’s just one case that Selwyn has never solved – and this Christmas it will return to haunt him. As the inhabitants of Saint Marie prepare for the festive season, true-crime podcaster Jennifer Langan is found shot dead. Langan had been investigating the strange disappearance of a nine-year-old boy on Christmas Eve in 1977. When recordings from the night of the murder are uncovered, the team are left with a chilling question. Are supernatural forces at work? And, in the biggest shock of them all, will Neville find love just in time for Christmas?

Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2024

2 AM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2024

It’s Christmas 1969, and the funfair and carol concert add color to frosty Poplar. Yet, the festive spirit at Nonnatus House is dampened by the spread of influenza alongside growing fears of an escaped prisoner after a spate of break-ins.

The Chardon Polka Band’s Holiday Extravaganza

5 AM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

The Chardon Polka Band’s Holiday Extravaganza

This hour-long, toe-tapping special highlights the band’s own polka arrangements of holiday favorites and features musicians from across the globe to deliver a musical variety of hometown holiday charm and humor that’s perfect for the season. Guests include Brave Combo, a Grammy-winning polka band from Texas; Delfeayo Marsalis, the jazz icon from New Orleans, Louisiana; and Pomplamoose, a viral independent duo, among others.

Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas

9 PM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas

This irreverent documentary tells the story of the unlikely Jewish immigrants who, enamored with Broadway and Hollywood, wrote some of the most popular songs in America: Christmas music. The doc features rarely-seen archival footage, musical performances and interviews.

Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024

Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas

2 AM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas

This irreverent documentary tells the story of the unlikely Jewish immigrants who, enamored with Broadway and Hollywood, wrote some of the most popular songs in America: Christmas music. The doc features rarely-seen archival footage, musical performances and interviews.

Wild Kratts: A Creature Christmas

7 AM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

Wild Kratts: A Creature Christmas

It is Christmas time and the Wild Kratts are taking a break from creature adventuring to celebrate. However, when they receive an alert that their favorite creatures are suddenly disappearing around the globe, their holiday party quickly turns into a rescue mission. Our heroes must race against time to thwart their greedy archrivals' most miserly scheme yet! Will they be able to travel to the ends of the earth and return their baby animal friends to their homes in time for the holidays? 

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas!

9 AM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas!

This adventure finds the Cat in the Hat, Nick and Sally on a journey around the world to help a lost reindeer find his way home to Freezeyourknees Snowland in time for Christmas. On the way, the Thingamajigger breaks down and they depend on a variety of animals to help them make an amazing journey home.

Peg + Cat + Holidays

10:30 AM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

Peg + Cat + Holidays

This is a special holiday episode of PEG + CAT featuring "The Christmas Problem," "The Hanukkah Problem" and "The Penguin Problem." This series is designed to engage preschool children and teach them how to solve math-based problems with Peg, a chatty and tenacious five-year-old; her feline pal, Cat; and her smart, handsome, cool friend Ramone.

Let’s Go Luna: Luna’s Christmas Around the World

Noon   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

Let’s Go Luna! Luna’s Christmas Around the World

When the Circo gets stuck at the South Pole on Christmas eve, Leo, Andy and Carmen are convinced that Santa will never find them. With the help of their friend Luna, the kids endeavor to save Christmas, learning about holiday traditions from around the world along the way.

Arthur’s Perfect Christmas

1 PM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

Arthur’s Perfect Christmas

Plans are underway in Elwood City for the best holidays ever as Arthur, D.W., their family and friends make preparations for perfect gifts, perfect parties and perfect family traditions for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and even "Baxter Day" (Buster and his mom's special celebration). The only problem is, just like in real life, perfection is hard to attain, and things start to fall apart.

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7 PM   Fusion (WNEO 45.2/WEAO 49.2)

The Lawrence Welk Show, Christmas (Sandi Griffiths)

Sandi Griffiths hosts this Christmas favorite that opens with the classic "Jingle Bells". Bobby and Elaine dance to "The Carol of the Bells", Joe Feeney's family celebrated "Christmas in Killarney", and Myron Floren, Bobby Burgess and his daughter, Becki dance to "Here Comes Santa Claus". "The Hallelujah Chorus" is the perfect highlight of the show right before the arrival of Santa Claus.

Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2023

8 PM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2023

Two weeks before Christmas, delicate situations cause uncertainty for the midwives. With the upcoming Apollo 8 launch and the celebration preparations starting, a treacherous heavy snowfall may complicate the holiday celebrations for everyone.

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8 PM   Fusion (WNEO 45.2/WEAO 49.2)

Too Hot to Handel — The Gospel Messiah

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.

20 Years of Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir

9:30 PM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

20 Years of Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir

Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell joins The Tabernacle Choir for this two-hour 20th anniversary retrospective with performances from Audra McDonald, Kristin Chenoweth, Gladys Knight, Angela Lansbury, Hugh Bonneville, Renée Fleming and more.

Joy ­— Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir

9:30 PM   Fusion (WNEO 45.2/WEAO 49.2)

Joy ­— Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir

The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square join Broadway’s Michael Maliakel and Lesley Nicol of DOWNTON ABBEY for this spirited, heartwarming Christmas special. Filmed before a live audience in Salt Lake City, JOY will lift your spirits with stirring renditions of classic and popular Christmas music and a true story about French novelist, poet and dramatist, Victor Hugo at Christmastime.

Celebrate & Sing! Glory to the Newborn King!

11:30 PM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

Celebrate & Sing! Glory to the Newborn King!

This spectacular Christmas concert of secular and sacred music is under the direction of Steven R. Jobman and performed by the Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church’s renowned 150-voice Sanctuary Choir, orchestra, and Organist/Artist-in-Residence, Bradley Hunter Welch. The program also features handbells, bagpipes, jazz ensembles, and soloists. Traditional favorites included in the program include “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “Carol of the Bells.”

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024

Let Your Heart Be Light: Christmas in the Adirondacks

12:30 AM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

Let Your Heart Be the Light: Christmas in the Adirondacks

LET YOUR HEART BE LIGHT: CHRISTMAS IN THE ADIRONDACKS features acoustic guitarist/kalimba artist Trevor Gordon Hall performing much-loved holiday classics from his album of the same name. This special celebrates a wintry Christmas in New York's Adirondack region.

20 Years of Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir

1 AM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

20 Years of Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir

Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell joins The Tabernacle Choir for this two-hour 20th anniversary retrospective with performances from Audra McDonald, Kristin Chenoweth, Gladys Knight, Angela Lansbury, Hugh Bonneville, Renée Fleming and more.

Joy ­— Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir

6 AM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

Joy ­— Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir

The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square join Broadway’s Michael Maliakel and Lesley Nicol of DOWNTON ABBEY for this spirited, heartwarming Christmas special. Filmed before a live audience in Salt Lake City, JOY will lift your spirits with stirring renditions of classic and popular Christmas music and a true story about French novelist, poet and dramatist, Victor Hugo at Christmastime.

Christmas with Sir John Rutter at Preston Hollow

7:30 AM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

Christmas with John Rutter at Preston Hollow

Sir John Rutter conducts the famous Preston Hollow Sanctuary Choir, the Boys Choir of St. Mark’s School of Texas, soloists Josefina Maldonado and Erin Hannigan, and a professional orchestra in a selection of his most popular works. The performance includes Rutter favorites “Star Carol,” “I Saw Three Ships,” “Away in a Manger,” “Go Tell it on the Mountain,” and “Silent Night.”

Classic Christmas with the Bach Festival Society

8:30 AM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

A Classic Christmas with the Bach Festival Society: Joyful Sounds

"A Classic Christmas" is a beloved Central Florida tradition. From the beautiful Knowles Memorial Chapel on the campus of Rollins College, the Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra, along with guest soloists Mary Wilson and Stephen Mumbert, as well as the Bach Festival Children’s Choir, perform custom arrangements of treasured holiday classics created specifically for this joyous celebration.

Crane Candlelight Concert

9:30 AM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

Crane Candlelight Concert: Let It Shine!

A long-time tradition returns for another year as hundreds of student musicians from SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music take to the stage to celebrate the holiday season. 

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10:30 AM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

St. Thomas Christmas: Reflections of Gratitude

Making a triumphant return to Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, Minnesota, "A St. Thomas Christmas: Reflections of Gratitude" enriches your holiday with the vitality of song. Featuring two world-premiere commissioned pieces by renowned composer Jack Stamp, sing-a-long holiday classics, and uplifting unique works, this hour-long concert elevates and sweetens your holiday festivities.

The Chardon Polka Band’s Holiday Extravaganza

11:30 AM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

The Chardon Polka Band’s Holiday Extravaganza

This hour-long, toe-tapping special highlights the band’s own polka arrangements of holiday favorites and features musicians from across the globe to deliver a musical variety of hometown holiday charm and humor that’s perfect for the season. Guests include Brave Combo, a Grammy-winning polka band from Texas; Delfeayo Marsalis, the jazz icon from New Orleans, Louisiana; and Pomplamoose, a viral independent duo, among others.

Nature Cat: A Nature Carol

12:30 PM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

Nature Cat: A Nature Carol

In the tradition of the Dickens holiday classic, Nature Cat is visited by the spirits of Nature Past (Daisy), Present (Squeeks) and Future (Hal) on Christmas Eve

Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2024

8 PM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2024

It’s Christmas 1969, and the funfair and carol concert add color to frosty Poplar. Yet, the festive spirit at Nonnatus House is dampened by the spread of influenza alongside growing fears of an escaped prisoner after a spate of break-ins.

Death in Paradise, Christmas 2022

9 PM   Fusion (WNEO 45.2/WEAO 49.2)

Death in Paradise, Christmas 2022, Part 2

There’s just one case that Selwyn has never solved – and this Christmas it will return to haunt him. As the inhabitants of Saint Marie prepare for the festive season, true-crime podcaster Jennifer Langan is found shot dead. Langan had been investigating the strange disappearance of a nine-year-old boy on Christmas Eve in 1977. When recordings from the night of the murder are uncovered, the team are left with a chilling question. Are supernatural forces at work? And, in the biggest shock of them all, will Neville find love just in time for Christmas?

Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024

Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2024

1 AM   PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1)

Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2024

It’s Christmas 1969, and the funfair and carol concert add color to frosty Poplar. Yet, the festive spirit at Nonnatus House is dampened by the spread of influenza alongside growing fears of an escaped prisoner after a spate of break-ins.