Holiday Specials | December 2022

James and Helen question their future together in the run-up to Christmas Day, while things look grave for one of Darrowby's most beloved animals.
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The Western Front. Christmas. 1914. Out of the violence comes 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. This award-winning docu-musical theater production recreates an astounding moment in history when Allied and German soldiers laid down their arms to celebrate the holiday together by trading carols, sharing food and drink, playing soccer and burying the dead. This remarkable story is told through the words of the great WWI poets, official war documents, diary entries and letters written by more than 30 WWI soldiers. The historic documents are woven together with iconic WWI songs and European Christmas carols to create a profound retelling of this extraordinary moment in history.
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In search of the perfect Christmas tree for the U.S. Capitol, Chuck Leavell travels to the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests to follow the journey - from selection and cutting to ornament making and community celebrations - of what will become the U. S. Capitol Christmas Tree as it makes its way from Colorado to Washington DC.
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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.
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My Music Presents The Carpenters: Close to You is a music-filled documentary that traces the Carpenters' career through the eyes of Richard Carpenter and the group's friends in the music business, features all of their top recording hits, including (They Long to Be) Close to You, Top of the World, Hurting Each Other, Only Yesterday, Rainy Days and Mondays and We've Only Just Begun. My Music Presents The Carpenters: Close to You is a special holiday program starring beloved brother-sister recording duo Richard and Karen Carpenter, the most successful American recording act of the 1970s. The all-new program focuses entirely on the Carpenters' perennially popular Christmas music offering favorites The Christmas Song, Winter Wonderland, White Christmas and more.
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Join the Grammy-nominated ensemble on a musical journey through stunning land and seascapes around Ireland. Shot in 14 locations on the island, the new special is filled with songs from their latest album, including The Dawning of the Day.
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Christmas at Belmont 2021 features Belmont University students performing holiday favorites in the new Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville. This celebration of the season includes holiday favorites and classic songs.
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Join Chicago's DePaul University as the story of the birth of Christ is retold in word and song. Christmas at DePaul invites viewers to the holiday celebration, which features the talents of DePaul faculty, staff, students and alumni. The concert includes song performances of Mary Did You Know, O Holy Night, The Angel Gabriel, Silent Night, The First Noel and more.
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Join hosts Gavin MacLeod (The Love Boat) and Marion Ross (Happy Days) for this festive, all-star special of favorite carols and popular standards. Performers include Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Judy Garland, Nat King Cole, The Carpenters and many more.
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Quentin Blake's Clown is a half-hour animation that brings to life the adventures of a little toy clown who has been thrown away. On Christmas Eve he goes on an exciting journey to find a new home for himself and his toy friends. After a series of unhappy incidents, he finds a poor but loving family (two children and a single mother) happy to welcome them in their humble home and love them. It's the story of an unusual outcast that talks about resilience and hope, which will resonate with many viewers in the difficult times we live. At the end of the film, we learn that toys only come alive when children love them.
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Join Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and their families for this joyful holiday special filmed in 1967. Songs include "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Silent Night" and many more. With special guest Sammy Davis, Jr. resonate with many viewers in the difficult times we live. At the end of the film, we learn that toys only come alive when children love them.
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Visit charming markets in festively decorated cities and towns in Germany, France and Switzerland.
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The Festival of Lights annual Parade of Lights features floats shaped by bright, colorful LED lights. Spectators spread out along the approximately two-mile route, which is mostly along East Washington Street and Taylor Street in East Peoria, Illinois.
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The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society is invited to stage televised plays for the BBC from their home in Cornley. The company decide their first episode will be about Santa Claus and his elves attempting to bring happiness to a sad little girl on Christmas Eve. However, mishaps occur due to some problematic scenery and props.
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Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society conduct a Nativity play for Christmas. They soon face problems as Robert tries to make himself noticed, Trevor struggles with setting up the play, and the group try their best to do the Nativity songs.
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Celebrate the holidays with a timeless special, featuring the magical combination of Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. In this early color broadcast from 1957, the two legends swap Christmas songs and stories and duet on some favorite holiday classics.
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The Raleigh Ringers, an internationally acclaimed community handbell choir based in Raleigh, North Carolina, present the sequel to their critically acclaimed holiday special, One Winter Evening at Meymandi. Holiday Handbells runs the gamut of song selections from old yuletide favorites to Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas score and other sounds of the season. Highlights include: a lighthearted take on Flight of the Bumblebee, the solemn French carol Pat-a-pan, March of the Toys from the operetta Babes in Toyland, Chopin's Valse Brilliante, and an instrumental version of Silent Night. In between, director and conductor David Harris explains the centuries-old history of handbells, the variety of bells and bell-like instruments used, and the teamwork required to perform a piece.
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The Murray State University Concert Choir, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Orchestra, a cappella group EQ Blu, and featured soloists highlight this annual seasonal special, The Holidays at Murray State, a one hour sojourn in sight and sound through Murray State University and the Purchase area of western Kentucky.
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This program is a celebration of the true spirit of Christmas and features some of the most beautiful choral and instrumental music of the season. Over 250 student musicians participate in Christmas Vespers in ensembles that include the Hope College Orchestra, Chapel Choir and College Chorus. A tradition at Hope College since 1941, Christmas Vespers is the perfect way to ring in your holiday season.
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Multi-platinum-selling recording artist Josh Turner heralds in the holiday season with his first Christmas special. King Size Manger showcases Turner's unmistakable baritone voice performing new songs as well as nostalgic classics including Silent Night, Holy Night and Joy to the World. Hosted by Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase, this concert features an intimate interview and performances by the Turner family and collaborations with special guests Pat McLaughlin, Rhonda Vincent and more.
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This is the special that reunited Lawrence and his musical family for the first time following their phenomenal 27 year run on national TV. At the time, no one realized it would also be the last time the musical family would perform together with their beloved boss. The most emotional moment in this heartwarming program is the singing of the traditional Christmas carols, conducted by Lawrence himself.
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Christmas in the Alsace region of France is best experienced in the small towns and villages where each community has its own unique holiday traditions, celebrations, food, and of course wine. The Alsatian landscape is covered with medieval towns, castle ruins and vineyards that overflow with charm and history. And at Christmas, the townspeople go all out in decorating each of their towns to outdo the next in celebration of the season, and their Christmas markets are a truly magical take on this uniquely French celebration of Christmas. With Christmas being a magical time for children, the music accompaniment to this show are French carols sung by a The Maine Girls Chorus, which will delight the child in all of us.
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Join the beloved British home cook and three special friends as they prepare her ultimate Christmas feast with all the trimmings. From the traditional turkey to her classic Christmas pudding, it's the perfect recipe for a deliciously festive holiday.
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Celebrate 30 years of musical holiday magic and 40 years of groundbreaking Fresh Aire compositions with this milestone special from the American group known for blending classical music and rock. Includes interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
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Join Alan Cumming for the real story of the Nutcracker and the Mouse King with the beloved music of Tchaikovsky. Featuring the Royal Scottish National Orchestra under the direction of John Mauceri, this new version is a rare holiday treat.
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Tony Award-nominee Megan Hilty and television and film actor Neal McDonough join The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for this Irish-inspired edition of this heartwarming annual celebration of music and holiday traditions.
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This one-hour condensed version of the 88th Anniversary Purdue Christmas Show features musical highlights from the full two-hour show. This production was originally performed without an audience and was produced solely for video. It includes high-energy production numbers, traditional choral music and familiar holiday favorites performed by every ensemble within Purdue Musical Organizations, including University Choir, Purdue Bells, Heart and Soul, the Purduettes and the Purdue Varsity Glee Club.
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Ray Stevens CabaRay Nashville is a weekly 30-minute visit with Nashville songwriter, Hall of Fame member and Nashville Cat musician, arranger and artist Ray Stevens and hundreds of multi-talented/famous guests. There's music, humor and insightful evergreen conversation that takes the viewer behind-the-scenes and tells the back stories on the hits, as well as the artists and the writers who brought them to us, plus special Juke Box Video of Ray's many hits. Taped before a live studio audience, it's a fast moving, fun-filled musical half hour all public television viewers will love!
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Ray Stevens CabaRay Nashville is a weekly 30-minute visit with Nashville songwriter, Hall of Fame member and Nashville Cat musician, arranger and artist Ray Stevens and hundreds of multi-talented/famous guests. There's music, humor and insightful evergreen conversation that takes the viewer behind-the-scenes and tells the back stories on the hits, as well as the artists and the writers who brought them to us, plus special Juke Box Video of Ray's many hits. Taped before a live studio audience, it's a fast moving, fun-filled musical half hour all public television viewers will love!
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Two-time Grammy-winning country music superstar Reba McEntire shines in concert at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, singing selections from her debut gospel album My Chains Are Gone. Reba lends her unmistakable voice to classic hymns and songs of hope and is joined on stage by the Issacs, Trisha Yearwood and Kelly Clarkson. Hosted by Bill Gaither (Classic Gospel series).
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The vocal and instrumental musical ensembles of Concordia University Irvine and friends invite you to join for a festive collection of music that repeats the sounding joy heard at the first Christmas. Songs include the Latvian folk song The Christmas Season, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, Alabanzas Al Rey, Joy to the World, Carol of the Bells and many more.
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From manger scenes and mistletoe to wintry wonderlands, Rick Steves' European Christmas celebrates the Christmas season throughout the European continent. In the special, Rick visits friends and families in England, France, Norway, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy to reveal their customs and practices of the holiday season. He begins his travels in England, where the Christmas pudding is the real centerpiece of a traditional English holiday meal. In Paris, the Eiffel Tower heralds the season with its red, twinkling lights. And in the countryside of Tuscany, villagers stack neat pyramids of wood for great bonfires. The lighting of the fires is a signal to villagers, dressed as shepherds , to come and sing old carols. Rick Steves' European Christmas offers a colorful, musical celebration of Christmas across Europe, where viewers will learn about customs from "the old countries," hear local choirs, and discover holiday family traditions.
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Join the U. S. Air Force Band of Mid-America for Spirit of the Season as we celebrate the 2021 holidays! This festive presentation will feature the Starlifter rock band, Airlifter Brass Ensemble, Roots in Blue and more. Musical selections will range from classical repertoire to modern pop hits, with a program spanning over a century of music. So gather the entire family and settle in for a musical event that's certain to be a delight for all ages!
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Celebrate 25 years with the nine members of the a capella collective as they belt out songs with style, swagger and spirit. The special features classic and contemporary songs like Proud Mary, Lean On Me and Shut Up and Dance.
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The Tidings: A Christmas Concert for Troubled Times, is a cantata composed by Paul Van Ness that reflects on a darker side of the Christmas story. Recorded live at the Cabot Theater in Beverly, Massachusetts, the beautiful musical meditation draws from the story in the Book of Matthew. The first Gospel tells how "tidings of comfort and joy" about the birth of Jesus quickly turn to news of devastation. King Herod orders his soldiers to kill all Jewish boys under the age of two, hoping to destroy the child who could grow up to challenge his political power. Warned by an angel, Mary and Joseph flee to Egypt, living as refugees to protect Jesus from the slaughter. In that first Christmas, joy is commingled with grief, fear and struggle. The story of The Tidings, filled with pain as much as promise, strikes a chord with many who have felt deep sorrow. Featuring piano, cello, acoustic guitar and a six-voice chamber choir, the cantata is flanked by new arrangements of traditional carols that revive their poignancy and draw the audience deeper into the mysteries of the Christmas story.
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Narrated by the late Ossie Davis, this a fantasy trip through the magic of Christmas. A runaway little girl decides to return to her family after she enters a rundown theater for shelter and encounters an old caretaker (Davis), who guides her on her journey. The caretaker brings the theater to life through various musical performances by singers Jewel, Michael Crawford and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
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The Wheaton College Christmas Festival: Through His Own Redeeming Love invites viewers to experience the story of the Bible through Nine Lessons and Carols. This traditional Christmas festival shares the wonder of creation, the sorrow of its brokenness, and the hope of redemption through the birth of Jesus Christ. Alternating between choral and instrumental pieces performed by 250+ talented musicians of the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music ensembles, this production presents a mixture of traditional and contemporary Christmas music. Featuring three Wheaton College Choirs, the Symphonic Band and the Harp Ensemble, this production of Nine Lessons and Carols is unique in its repertoire and deeply moving in its message. You are sure to come away with an illumined view of Christmas as you step into the story of humanity through the eyes of God and His Own Redeeming Love.
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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.
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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.
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Curious George and The Man with the Yellow Hat are having a wonderful time getting ready for Christmas. There's only one dilemma -- neither of them can figure out what to give the other for a present! In the end, both gift-giving predicaments are simply and beautifully resolved, revealing the true spirit of the holiday season.
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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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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 -- from African bush elephants to bottlenose dolphins to red crabs -- and their remarkable abilities to help them make an amazing journey home.
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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.
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In this one-hour special, it's Christmas time and the Wild Kratts are taking a break from creature adventuring to celebrate. But when the Wild Kratts 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? Find out on Wild Kratts: A Creature Christmas.
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