PBS Announces Its Festive Programming for the Holiday Season
By: Kaitlin Milligan Nov. 27, 2018
PBS has a merry and bright lineup of holiday programming, with new specials and returning fan favorites from series like CALL THE MIDWIFE, THE GREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW, ANTIQUES ROADSHOW, Great Performances and LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER, including treats for children and adults alike.
CHRISTMAS WITH THE MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR returns for its 15th year on Monday, December 17 at 9:00 p.m. with Tony Award winner Sutton Foster as this year's guest musical artist and Hugh Bonneville, star of PBS' own MASTERPIECE "Downton Abbey," reading the Christmas story from the Book of Luke.
Award-winning chef Lidia Bastianich hits the road to discover how small-town Americans celebrate the season in LIDIA CELEBRATES AMERICA"A Heartland Holiday Feast" on Tuesday, December 18 at 9:00 p.m. ET.
The CALL THE MIDWIFE HOLIDAY SPECIAL, airing Tuesday, December 25 at 9:00 p.m. ET, introduces a new nun who comes to Nonnatus House with some unexpected visitors who cause both joy and chaos.
PBS rings out the old and rings in the new with two sparkling musical performances. Enjoy New Year's Eve in New York with LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER "New York Philharmonic New Year's Eve with Renee Fleming" on Monday, December 31 at 9:00 p.m. ET. Then travel to Vienna and toast the New Year with Great Performances"From Vienna: The New Year's Celebration 2019" on Tuesday, January 1 at 9:00 pm ET, an effervescent evening of music from the Vienna Philharmonic.
Programs so delicious, you'll want a second helping include encore broadcasts of THE GREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW "Christmas Masterclass" on Saturday, December 1 at 8:00 p.m. ET, with beloved judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood.
Additional musical delights for the holidays include encores of Great Performances "Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn - The Broadway Musical" on Friday, November 30 at 8:30 p.m. ET, a cheerful and heartwarming adaptation of the 1942 film and its Irving Berlin score, and CHRISTMAS AT BELMONT on Friday, December 7 at 9:00 p.m. ET, featuring Grammy winner Sheryl Crow and nearly 700 musicians from Tennessee's Belmont University.
And for viewers ready to unwrap something special, ANTIQUES ROADSHOW "Greatest Gifts," airing Monday, December 24 at 8:00 p.m. ET, reveals the true value of some memorable presents, from a Tiffany necklace to a Fender bass guitar.
PBS KIDS' holly jolly lineup includes holiday favorites like ARTHUR'S PERFECT CHRISTMAS, THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT CHRISTMAS!, CURIOUS GEORGE: A VERY MONKEY CHRISTMAS, PEG + CAT + HOLIDAYS and WILD KRATTS: A CREATURE CHRISTMAS. And the newest PBS Kids program, LET'S GO LUNA!, debuts its very first Christmas special, "Luna's Christmas Around the World." When the Circo gets stuck at the South Pole on Christmas Eve, Leo, Andy and Carmen are afraid Santa Claus will never find them. But with help from their friend Luna, they embark on a mission to save Christmas - and learn some holiday traditions from around the world along the way.
NEW PROGRAMS
CHRISTMAS WITH THE MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR FEATURING Sutton Foster AND Hugh Bonneville
Monday, December 17, 2018, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET
Encore Broadcasts:Monday, December 24 at 9:00 p.m. ET and Tuesday, December 25 at 10:30 p.m. ET.
The latest version of a beloved Christmas tradition features Tony-winning actress Sutton Foster as guest musical artist and MASTERPIECE "Downton Abbey" star Hugh Bonneville as narrator. It includes powerful arrangements of cherished holiday carols such as "Joy to the World," "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," "Silent Night" and "Angels from the Realms of Glory," while Bonneville reads the Christmas story from the Book of Luke. Co-presented by PBS and BYUtv.
LIDIA CELEBRATES AMERICA "A Heartland Holiday Feast"
Tuesday, December 18, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET
Join Emmy and James Beard Award-winning chef Lidia Bastianich on a cross-country journey through the heartland of America as she immerses herself in diverse cultures - from Buffalo soldiers in Oklahoma to rural communities in Pennsylvania - that provide holiday inspiration.
CALL THE MIDWIFE HOLIDAY SPECIAL
Tuesday, December 25, 2018, 9:00-10:30 p.m. ET
A new nun arrives at Nonnatus House, her hands full with four Chinese orphans found abandoned in Hong Kong. With Christmas preparations in full swing and the midwives busy caring for the expectant mothers of Poplar, these unexpected visitors cause joy and chaos in equal measure. Meanwhile, the Order's Mother Superior has taken ill and a new spiritual leader needs to be elected. It soon becomes clear, much to Sister Julienne's horror, that she is the favored candidate to take over.
LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER "New York Philharmonic New Year's Eve with Renee Fleming"
Monday, December 31, 2018, 9:00-10:30 p.m. ET
Ring in 2019 with the New York Philharmonic, led by new Music Director Jaap van Zweden, and opera great Renee Fleming. Enjoy an evening of elegance and sophistication celebrating the intersection of classical music and dance.
Great Performances"From Vienna: The New Year's Celebration 2019"
Tuesday, January 1, 9:00-10:30 p.m. ET
Ring in the New Year with the Vienna Philharmonic, under the baton of conductor Christian Thielemann at the Musikverein. Hosted by Hugh Bonneville and featuring favorite Strauss Family waltzes accompanied by the dancing of the Vienna City Ballet.
ENCORE PROGRAMS
Great Performances "Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn - The Broadway Musical"
Friday, November 30, 2018, 8:30-11:00 p.m. ET
Enjoy the hit Broadway adaptation of the classic 1942 movie musical showcasing an Irving Berlin score, including the Oscar-winning "White Christmas," with big dance numbers, comedy and a hit parade of the great songwriter's famous tunes.
THE GREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW "Christmas Masterclass"
Saturday, December 1, 2018, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET
Step back into the Baking Show tent as Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood demonstrate recipes, methods, tricks and tips to ensure that even the most amateur bakers can get it right at home for the holidays.
CHRISTMAS AT BELMONT
Friday, December 7, 2018, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET
Join Grammy-winning host Sheryl Crow and nearly 700 student musicians, Belmont School of Music faculty and the NASHVILLE Children's Choir for a production of traditional carols, classical masterworks, world music and lighthearted seasonal favorites.
ANTIQUES ROADSHOW "Greatest Gifts"
Monday, December 24, 2018, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET
A Louis Comfort Tiffany necklace from a husband or a Fender bass guitar as a birthday present - these memorable gifts turned out to be valuable and interesting items. "Greatest Gifts," filled with appraisals featuring items that guests received as presents, will have you writing your own holiday wish list.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Justin Hackworth
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