© 2024 KUNR
Celebrating 60 years in Northern Nevada and the Eastern Sierra
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

KUNR's Holiday Programs

KUNR and KNCJ will be offering a variety of holiday programs for you to enjoy this season!

Please refer to the schedule below for our list of programs and specials to celebrate from your public radio station--Reno Public Radio. 


On KUNR: 

"Joy to the World: A holiday in Pink featuring Pink Martini"

*Airs on KUNR, Sunday, December 18, 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Program Description: The internationally acclaimed “little orchestra" Pink Martini bedecks the airwaves with festive holiday songs from across the globe. From timeless classics to rarely heard gems, hear a multi-denominational, multi-cultural jubilee, overflowing with enough holiday spirit to warm your entire family. Hosted by All Things Considered’s Ari Shapiro, and co-produced by Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) and Murray Street Productions.

"The Moth Holiday Special 2016: Unexpected Gifts"

*Airs on KUNR, Sunday, December 18, 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Program Description: A special Holiday Hour from The Moth. The unexpected gifts of December: holiday customs, brand new traditions, flying cows, fruit, luminaries and a magical forest. Hosted by The Moth’s Executive Producer, Sarah Austin Jenness. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media.

"Tinsel Tales 2: NPR's Traditional Storytelling Special For Christmas"

*Airs on KUNR, Sunday, December 18, 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Program Description: NPR fills millions of homes each holiday with humor, warmth, and a host of festive voices.  Continuing with the tradition of first Tinsel Tales program, this is another collection of the best and most requested holiday stories.  Joy, hope, and childhood memories overflow as NPR voices, past and present, tell stories of the season.  Hosted by Lynn Neary.

"A Christmas Carol with Jonathan Winters"

*Airs on KUNR, Sunday, December 18, 11 p.m. to midnight

Program Description: A public radio tradition hosted by NPR's Susan Stamberg. Master comedian Jonathan Winters presents a distinctive reading of Dickens' holiday classic, with a special performing edition prepared by Dickens for his own presentations. 

“Tinsel Tales: NPR Christmas Favorites”

*Airs on KUNR, Thursday, December 22, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Program Description:  Stories from the NPR archives that touch on the meaning of Christmas. David Sedaris, Bailey White, John Henry Faulk -- these and other NPR voices, past and present, tell stories of the season.  Hosted by NPR’s Lynn Neary.

Featured Stories:  Dad 'n' Sam (Jay Allison), Homeless Christmas (Lee Stringer), Christmas Morning, 1949 (Sylvia Seymour/Paul Auster), Low-Glamour Christmas Party (Bailey White), Doing it in the Closet (John McIlwraith), Christopher (Jay O'Callahan), Ode to Christmas (Chuck Kramer), Santaland Diaries (David Sedaris), Modern Day Joseph and Mary (Scott Simon), John Henry Faulk's Christmas Story (John Henry Faulk).

“The Dinner Party Download Holiday Special”

*Airs on KUNR, Friday, December 23, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Program Description:  a special episode of The Dinner Party Download stuffed with holiday goodness. You'll hear: a Yuletide playlist; etiquette tips to save you from a work party snafu (or maybe create a memorable one?); a little-known chestnut of holiday history; conversations with special guests both nice and (delightfully) naughty; and lots more! Featuring good cheer, comic relief, and a tipple or two, the episode's a perfect companion to the hectic and happy holiday season. Join us, won't you?

“A Cowboy Christmas”

*Airs on KUNR, December 23, Friday night, 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Program Description:  From the Western Folk Life Center in Elko, Nevada:  “A Cowboy Christmas” celebrates the holiday with memories, music, and poetry of people who live and work in the isolation of America's outback.  Some of the stories and songs are family traditions passed down through the generations while others are new works inspired by Christmas on the lonely range. This program features poets Baxter Black, Waddie Mitchell, and Native American singer and comedian Vincent Craig.

“A Christmas Carol” (an adaptation of the Charles Dickens’ classic)

*Airs on KUNR, December 23, Friday night 9p.m. to 10 p.m.

Program Description:  An adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol", as performed by Rockford, IL's Artists’ Ensemble, recorded live at Northern Public Radio’s (WNIJ & WNIU) performance Studio A.

 “Candles Burning Brightly”

*Airs on KUNR, Sunday, December 25, 2 to 3 p.m.

Program Description:  A one-hour celebration of Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights with an exploration of Chanukah foods and traditional activities ... and plenty of music.  Hosted by C24’s Mindy Ratner and Bill Morelock. 

“Hanukkah Lights 2016”

*Airs on KUNR, Sunday, December 25, 2016 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Program Description:  A perennial NPR favorite with all new Hanukkah stories. Authors include R.L. Maizes, Elisa Albert, Ellen Orleans, and Lia Pripstein. Hosted by Susan Stamberg and Murray Horwitz.

A Baroque Christmas in the New World”

*Airs on KUNR, December 25, Thursday night 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Program Description:  We’re celebrating the holidays with a unique performance of music from 17th- and 18th-century Mexico, Peru and Bolivia, including a cantata and three free-standing works by colonial Mexican composer Manuel de Sumaya – works that have not been performed since his lifetime!  Join us as musicians of the Historical Performance Institute at the Jacobs School of Music of Indiana University bring these sparkling works to life once again.   We’ll also hear villancicos, motets and so much more—all marking some part of the story of Christmas. 
Music in this program is from a live performance at Indiana University's Jacob School of Music, October 2014 by members and faculty of Historical Performance Institute. Dana Marsh, Dir.

“St. Olaf Christmas Festival”

*Airs on KUNR, Sunday, December 25, 9 to 11 p.m.

Program Description:  A service in song and word that has become one of the nation’s most cherished holiday celebrations. Tickets to the event - which takes place at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN - are always gone months in advance. The festival includes hymns, carols, choral works, as well as orchestral selections celebrating the Nativity and featuring more than 500 student musicians in five choirs and the St. Olaf Orchestra.

“Candles Burning Brightly”

*Airs on KUNR, Sunday, December 25, 11 p.m. to 12 midnight

Program Description:  A one-hour celebration of Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights with an exploration of Chanukah foods and traditional activities ... and plenty of music.  Hosted by C24’s Mindy Ratner and Bill Morelock. 


On KNCJ:

“A Baroque Christmas in the New World”

*Airs on KNCJ, December 22, Thursday night 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Program Description:  We’re celebrating the holidays with a unique performance of music from 17th- and 18th-century Mexico, Peru and Bolivia, including a cantata and three free-standing works by colonial Mexican composer Manuel de Sumaya – works that have not been performed since his lifetime!  Join us as musicians of the Historical Performance Institute at the Jacobs School of Music of Indiana University bring these sparkling works to life once again.   We’ll also hear villancicos, motets and so much more—all marking some part of the story of Christmas. 
Music in this program is from a live performance at Indiana University's Jacob School of Music, October 2014 by members and faculty of Historical Performance Institute. Dana Marsh, Dir.

“St. Olaf Christmas Festival”

*Airs on KNCJ, Sunday, December 25, Noon to 2 p.m.

Program Description:  A service in song and word that has become one of the nation’s most cherished holiday celebrations. Tickets to the event - which takes place at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN - are always gone months in advance. The festival includes hymns, carols, choral works, as well as orchestral selections celebrating the Nativity and featuring more than 500 student musicians in five choirs and the St. Olaf Orchestra.

“Candles Burning Brightly”

*Airs on KNCJ, Sunday, December 25, 2 to 3 p.m.

Program Description:  A one-hour celebration of Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights with an exploration of Chanukah foods and traditional activities ... and plenty of music.  Hosted by C24’s Mindy Ratner and Bill Morelock.