Holiday Programming 2020

Stay safe and snuggled up at home this December with Austin PBS's holiday schedule.

PBS KIDS on Austin PBS
Winter holiday fun is plentiful this month with one-hour specials and holiday-themed episodes airing December 4 through December 27.

The seasonal offerings include:
Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas
Wild Kratts: A Creature Christmas
Nature Cat: A Nature Carol
Let's Go Luna! Luna's Christmas Around The World
The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas!
Peg + Cat + Holidays

A new holiday-themed episode from Pinkalicious and Peterrific premieres December 7: “Gingerbread House/Christmas Tree Trouble”

Three new episodes from Molly of Denali will premiere December 7-9, including a new seasonal story: “Tooey’s Hole-i-day Sweater”

Primetime on Austin PBS

Nature: Santa's Wild Home
Animals such as reindeer, wolverines and brown bears survive in the tundra and forest of Lapland, the northernmost region of mainland Europe.
Wednesday, December 2 at 7 p.m. on Austin PBS

Call the Midwife: Holiday Special 2018
See what happens when a new nun and four Chinese orphans arrive unexpectedly at Nonnatus House, causing both joy and chaos for the midwives. Meanwhile, Mother Superior falls ill, and it's time for a new spiritual leader to be elected.
Friday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m. on Austin PBS

European Christmas Markets
Visit charming markets in festively decorated cities and towns in Germany, France and Switzerland.
Friday, December 11 at 9 p.m. and Monday, December 14 at 10 p.m. on Austin PBS

Christmas on the Danube
Visit cities along the Danube River and explore stunning European landscapes, history and culture.
Friday, December 11 at 9:30 p.m. on Austin PBS

A Charlie Brown Christmas
Linus reminds the Peanuts gang of the meaning of Christmas in this beloved holiday classic. As Christmas approaches, Charlie Brown is depressed; he confides in Linus, who tries to cheer him. He visits Lucy's psychiatric booth, but she's no help. He tries throwing himself into the pageant, but it only makes him feel worse. Finally, he decides that they need a Christmas tree for their play, but his selection leaves the rest of the group laughing. Then Linus reads his friends the story of the Nativity, which prompts them to work on decorating the humble tree and exclaim gleefully, "Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!"
Sunday, December 13 at 6:30 p.m. on Austin PBS and Austin PBS KIDS

Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir featuring Kelli O’Hara and Richard Thomas
The Grammy and Emmy Award winning Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, Orchestra at Temple Square and Bells at Temple Square join Tony Award winning star Kelli O'Hara and renowned actor Richard Thomas to celebrate the holidays with a nostalgic program that exudes the warmth and peace that the season can bring. Set against a backdrop of a country farmhouse and church, the visual and musical spectacle is distinctly different from those of years past and serves as a soulful tribute to the holiday traditions, songs, stories and individuals that have contributed to the rich cultural fabric that is uniquely American.
Monday, December 14 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 20 at 2 p.m. on Austin PBS

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. Features rarely-seen archival footage, musical performances and interviews.
Monday, December 14 at 9 p.m. and Thursday, December 17 at 10:55 p.m. on Austin PBS

Christmastime in New Orleans
This festive holiday special showcases the music, sights and acclaimed cuisine of New Orleans. New Orleans native Wendell Pierce (HBO's Treme and The Wire) shares what makes the holidays in the Crescent City the only choice for him, and actor Jim Caviezel (CBS's Person of Interest) explains why this film destination is his favored "home away from home."
Monday, December 14 at 11:30 p.m. on Austin PBS

Call the Midwife: Holiday Special 2019
Mother Mildred and the Nonnatus House team go to the Outer Hebrides in response to a nursing shortage. Navigating the terrain, they strive to keep up with the needs of the locals.
Friday, December 18 at 7:30 p.m. on Austin PBS

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 turkey, gift-giving to mistletoe and mulled wine — has surprising Tudor origins, rooted in devotion and charity.
Friday, December 18 at 9 p.m. and Thursday, December 24 at 10:50 p.m. on Austin PBS

St. Olaf Christmas Festival
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, hymns from around the world and contemporary pieces from a diverse range of composers and cultures, offering music that both celebrates the Norwegian American history of the college while also highlighting beautiful works from around the globe.
Monday, December 21 at 9 p.m. on Austin PBS

Call the Midwife: Holiday Special 2020
It is December 1965. Everyone at Nonnatus House is looking forward to traditional celebrations with all the trimmings, but nothing goes quite to plan. Sister Monica Joan is rushed to hospital, and Trixie is incensed to receive a subscription to a marriage bureau as a Christmas gift. Meanwhile, a surprise reunion for Shelagh involves her in a deeply moving birth, and the circus arrives in Poplar, bringing new friendships, new experiences and an exciting adventure for Nurse Crane!
Friday, December 25 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, December 26 at 10:25 p.m. on Austin PBS

Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas with Vanessa Williams
Enjoy an evening celebrating Ella Fitzgerald's entire iconic album of holiday classics presented by the American Pops Orchestra. Featuring appearances by Dee Dee Bridgewater, Norm Lewis, Carmen Ruby Floyd, Nova Payton, Dave Detwiler and Morgan James.
Friday, December 25 at 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 26 at 11:58 p.m. on Austin PBS

United In Song: Celebrating The Resilience of America
For New Year’s Eve, these performances, filmed at George Washington’s Mt. Vernon as well as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, encourage our nation to come together and celebrate our irrepressible strength as Americans. From the enormity of COVID-19 to the significant presence of social injustice, this special evening brings us together in the ever-present pursuit of our uniting as one America.
Thursday, December 31 at 7 p.m. on Austin PBS