Sunday, December 14 (First night of Hanukkah)
Hanukkah Lights
This annual favorite marks the beginning of Hanukkah and a night full of stories and songs commemorating the Festival of Lights. We'll explore the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, the lighting of the menorah, and the spiritual strength of the Jewish people. (7 p.m.)
Candles Burning Brightly
This is a delightful hour for everyone to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Light: We'll hear music from Jewish communities around the world, plus a hilarious lesson on how to prepare a classic Hanukkah dish, and a timeless and touching holiday story that brings light into every home. (8 p.m.)
Chanukah Memories and Melodies
Six prominent artists share their memories of Chanukah, and the music the holiday brings to mind. From soothing to surprising, from reverent to rowdy, their musical choices will inspire and delight you. (9 p.m.)
A Great Miracle Happened There
Our celebration of Hanukkah concludes as Rabbi Ismar Schorsch and Host Larry Josephson discuss the history, rituals and meaning of Hanukkah — and its importance in our time. (10 p.m.)
Monday, December 22
Holiday Stories of Warmth and Light
Native American myths and tales help us endure or even enjoy the short days and long nights of winter. This year, Living on Earth’s annual celebration of wintertime stories includes how the Iroquois explain a twinkling constellation and an Abenaki custom that asks forgiveness for any wrongs from the previous year. (3 p.m. and 8 p.m.)
Tuesday, December 23
Handling the Holidays
From gift buying to family gatherings, the holidays can be extremely stressful. In this holiday special, we learn how science and pessimism can actually help make the holidays a little brighter. (3 p.m. and 8 p.m.)
Wednesday, December 24
Christmas Mashup
This fun, active, and somewhat quirky mix of holidays stories and sounds includes a bell-ringer at the Mall of America, holiday history as told by second graders, and carols sung by Zulu children in a South African orphanage. Sprinkled in, holiday bits from Bing Crosby, George W. Bush, and The Beatles Fan Club Christmas messages. (3 p.m.)
The True Story of the Twin Santas
This charming play is a delight for the whole family and kicks off a fun, thought-provoking evening of dramatic performances celebrating Christmas. In The True Story of the Twin Santas, the inherited title of Santa Claus is thrown for a loop when Ms. Claus gives birth to twins. (8 p.m.)
The Kindness of Time
This inspirational play for Advent and Christmas is a beautiful listening experience to nourish the spirit, banish midwinter blues, and remind listeners what lies at the heart of the Christmas story. (9 p.m.)
Ford's Theatre: A Christmas Carol
This adaptation of the popular Ford’s Theatre holiday tradition captures the magic of Dickens’ Yuletide classic. Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future as they lead Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption. (10 p.m.)
Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day)
Selected Shorts: What You Wish For
An exploration of Christmas through three different short stories, written by James Thurber, Jeannette Winterson and Truman Capote. (3 p.m.)
Tinsel Tales
Two hours of NPR's greatest holiday stories from NPR voices past and present, including Bailey White, John Henry Faulk and a Macy's elf named Crumpet (A/K/A David Sedaris. (8 p.m.)
The Big Tiny Desk Holiday Special
NPR's world-famous Tiny Desk becomes a place to celebrate the season each year with some of your festive holiday favorites, as well as some tunes you've never heard before. (10 p.m.)
Friday, December 26
Practices of Hope
When the headlines numb our feelings and the culture wars grind us down, what if hope isn’t a mood at all—but a practice you can do with your body, your friends, and your city? In this holiday special, we look for the different ways we can actually practice hope. (3 p.m. and 8 p.m.)
Monday, December 29
National Writers' Series: Adriana Trigiani
Adriana Trigiani grew up in an Italian-American family in western Virginia. Her roots have inspired many of her bestselling novels, including her latest, The View From Lake Como. To kick off a week of enlightening Writers' Series conversations, she joins Doug Stanton at the City Opera House in Traverse City (3 p.m. and 8 p.m.)
Tuesday, December 30
National Writers' Series: Rick Atkinson
Three-time Pulitzer Prize winning author Rick Atkinson discusses the latest addition to his Revolution Trilogy, an historical series on the American Revolution. The Fate of the Day is the second book in the trilogy and he joins Doug Stanton to talk about it at the City Opera House in Traverse City. (3 p.m. and 8 p.m.)
Wednesday, December 31
Remembering Susan Stamberg
As 2025 draws to a close, we remember the incomparable Susan Stamberg, one of NPR's "founding mothers," who died in October. Colleagues remember her as a yenta, a mentor, and a storyteller who was always tough and true to herself. (3 p.m.)
Remembering Dr. Jane Goodall
In October of 2025, we witnessed the passing of another female pioneer, legendary primatologist Jane Goodall. In this special memorial, we listen back to a 2024 conversation when the indefatigable Goodall encouraged us all to vote "like your children's lives depend on it — because they do." (8 p.m.)
2025 Remembered from the Current:
Join in honoring the life, music, and legacy of artists we lost this year with 2025 Remembered from The Current. This two-hour musical tribute is a celebration of all sounds - from indie to influential - and the perfect way for music lovers to unite in paying homage to the artists who have shaped music history.. (9 p.m.)
Thursday, January 1 (New Year's Day)
National Writers' Series: Antoni Porowski
Antoni Porowski is a food and wine expert and star of the Netflix series Queer Eye. He’s also written two cookbooks: Antoni in the Kitchen and Antoni— Let's Do Dinner. In this National Writers' Series special, he speaks with food and culture book author and editor Matt Rodbard, at the City Opera House in Traverse City (3 p.m. and 8 p.m.)
Friday, January 2
National Writers' Series: Carl Hiaasen
Carl Hiaasen is known for his humorous crime thrillers set in his home state of Florida, including Bad Monkey, Razor Girl, and Squeeze Me. In this Writers' Series conversation, he discusses his latest novel, Fever Beach, at the City Opera House in Traverse City. (3 p.m. and 8 p.m.)
