PBS reveals Holiday programming guide for Christmas 2020
With the festive season just around the corner, PBS has announced some upcoming highlights.
While this year’s Christmas episode of Call the Midwife is the show we’re most excited about, there’s a whole month of wonderful programming to look forward to ahead of that.
Here’s a preview of what viewers in the US can see this Holiday season on PBS:
Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn – The Broadway Musical
Friday, November 20, 9:00-11:30 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.
Nature: Santa’s Wild Home
Wednesday, November 25, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET
Get an intimate look into life in Lapland, fabled land of Santa Claus and actual home of tenacious wildlife such as reindeer, wolverines, Brown bears and more.
Call the Midwife: 2018 Christmas Special
Sunday, December 6, 8:00-9:30 p.m. ET
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.
Call the Midwife: 2019 Christmas Special
Sunday, December 6, 9:30-11:00 p.m. ET
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.
Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir featuring Kelli O’Hara and Richard Thomas
Monday, December 14, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET (repeated Thursday, December 24, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET)
The 17th annual “Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir” holiday special features Tony Award winner and Emmy and Grammy nominee Kelli O’Hara, Emmy Award-winning television, film and stage actor Richard Thomas, and the Emmy Award-winning Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square along with Orchestra at Temple Square and Bells at Temple Square in an Americana-themed program that exudes the warmth and peace the season can bring.
Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas with Vanessa Williams
Tuesday, December 15, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET (repeated Friday, December 18, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET and Friday, December 25, 10:30-11:30 p.m. ET)
In collaboration with the Ella Fitzgerald Foundation, the American Pops Orchestra presents an evening celebrating the entire iconic album of holiday classics.
This 60-minute performance stars host and vocalist Vanessa Williams with appearances by Dee Dee Bridgewater, Norm Lewis, Carmen Ruby Floyd, Nova Payton, Dave Detwiler and Morgan James.
Christmas at Belmont
Tuesday, December 15, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET
Christmas at Belmont 2019 features Belmont University students along with Michael W. Smith, CeCe Winans and the Nashville Children’s Choir. Taped in Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the show includes classic holiday songs and festive tunes.
Lucy Worsley’s 12 Days of Tudor Christmas
Friday, December 18, 10:00-11:00 p.m. ET (repeated Sunday, December 27, 10:00-11:00 p.m. ET)
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.
Call the Midwife: 2020 Christmas Special
Friday, December 25, 9:00-10:30 p.m. ET
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!
United in Song: A Celebration of America’s Resilience
Thursday, December 31, 8:00-9:30 p.m. ET (repeated Thursday, December 31, 9:30-11:00 p.m. ET)
As part of a national PBS broadcast 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.
A tenth season of Call the Midwife is currently filming in England and will air on PBS in 2021.
In the meantime, check out the brilliant official Call the Midwife board game!
Call the Midwife Season 9 is available on DVD on Amazon.