KLCC's 2024 Holiday Program Guide

Thursday, December 19

8:00PM - Thursday eKLeCtiC Presents: Merry Beatles, A Cool Yule with the Fab Four

It's a uniquely Eugene way to celebrate the longest night of the year! Settle in with your radio or favorite streaming device and stay warm with an eclectic mix of Beatles' covers.

Saturday, December 21

3:00pm - Eye 5 Holiday Special

Settle in warmly for the Eye 5 Holiday Special! We'll get a bit demented, go "drone" for the holidays, and play all sorts of sad and surprising songs of the season. Plus, you get the Eye 5 guarantee for a Whamageddon-safe listening experience. Tune in, and Happy Holidays!

7:00pm - Dead Air

Dead Air will have tunes celebrating Solstice/Winter/Christmas and all of the above for the holidays.

Sunday, December 22

3:00pm - The Front Porch

Dan Plaster brings you a Front Porch Christmas this Sunday. From traditional to out there, cynical to joyous, we've got you covered on the Front Porch!

Monday, December 23

7:00pm - A Special Thistle & Shamrock Christmas

Join Fiona Ritchie for a winter walk along the banks of the River Tay in Scotland, accompanied by music from the Celtic Christmas repertoire. Among restored riverside woodlands, Fiona finds her favorite bench, and sits there to reflect upon the scenes of midwinter. The location inspires seasonal tales, joyful songs, and tunes of rare beauty, with guitarist Tim Edey, singer Emily Smith, and more.

Christmas Eve

9:00-11:00am Tinsel Tales

This program features 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 Lynn Neary.

2:00pm - The "All Songs Considered" Holiday Extravaganza

This year, Robin Hilton and Stephen Thomson head back to the snowy cabin in the woods where the annual All Songs Considered get-togethers began many years ago. Join us as we attempt to throw another party for the ages, with one simple, fate-tempting question: What could possibly go wrong?

7:00pm - The Big Tiny Desk Holiday Special

Celebrate the season with amazing holiday performances from The Tiny Desk Concert series including Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Steve Martin, Hanson, The Polyphonic Spree and more!

8:00pm - The Origin Records Holiday Special

Seattle-based jazz label Origin Records presents their 9th annual Origin Records Holiday Special. Host Matt Jorgensen guides you through 2 hours of joy, harking heralds & drummers drumming, from Thomas Marriott, Greta Matassa, David Friesen, Rodney Whitaker, Joachim Mencel, Don Lanphere, and many more.

Christmas Day

9:00-11:00am - Tinsel Tales

NPR revisits interviews with musicians about their Christmas albums.Some, like Katie Melua and Sting, celebrate tradition and winter mystery in their Christmas songs. Others, like Kenny Rogers and Amy Grant, find spirituality and stability in holiday music. Jon Batiste and Anthony Hamilton bring new energy to old favorites on their Christmas albums. Hosted by Lynn Neary.

2:00pm - Jazz Piano Christmas

Your favorite holiday classics as you’ve never heard them! The Kennedy Center and NPR present A Jazz Piano Christmas, the annual sell-out event featuring jazz-infused renditions of the season’s most-loved music. This year, we spotlight remarkable pianist, vocalist, and actress Melvis Santa—whose eclectic Afro-Cuban style has made her one of the most electrifying artists on the scene—in addition to internationally acclaimed Cuban composer and jazz pianist Alfredo Rodriguez. Hosted by Felix Contreras.

7:00pm - The "All Songs Considered" Holiday Extravaganza

This year, Robin Hilton and Stephen Thomson head back to the snowy cabin in the woods where the annual All Songs Considered get-togethers began many years ago. Join us as we attempt to throw another party for the ages, with one simple, fate-tempting question: What could possibly go wrong?

8:00pm - Jazz Piano Christmas 

The Kennedy Center and NPR present A Jazz Piano Christmas, the annual sell-out event featuring jazz-infused renditions of the season’s most-loved music. This year, we spotlight remarkable pianist, vocalist, and actress Melvis Santa—whose eclectic Afro-Cuban style has made her one of the most electrifying artists on the scene—in addition to internationally acclaimed Cuban composer and jazz pianist Alfredo Rodriguez. Hosted by Felix Contreras.

9:00pm - Joy To The World: A Holiday in Pink

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.

December 26

2:00pm - Hanukkah Lights

This NPR favorite returns with some of our favorite stories. We’ll hear “Gifts of the Last Night” by Rebecca Goldstein, “Hanukkah Gelt, Hanukkah Money” by Sholem Aleichem, “Gifts of the Jewish Magi” by Allegra Goodman, How to Spell the Name of God” by Ellen Orleans and “Geek Week by Rebecca O’Connell.

December 28

3:00pm - Musicians Memorial

Music Special Producer Paul Ingles' annual tribute to musicians lost in the current year. Paul plays a track each featuring artists like Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead, Quincy Jones, Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers Band, Jazz Sax greats David Sanborn and Benny Golson, JD Souther, Melanie Safka, Sergio Mendes, John Mayall, Cissy Houston and more.

New Year's Eve

8:00pm - Toast of the Nation

Joy to the New Year. It's time to connect with your family and friends with music. Join us as we celebrate a special homecoming concert with singing sensation Samara Joy. We also check out the hottest live recordings from New York City's Village Vanguard, and then venture to Copenhagen and get immersed in the sounds of "Apollonian Circles" by Hess Is More, a musical feast for the ears. We conclude our New Years' celebration with a Brazilian party on the beach featuring the Ricardo Herz Trio and Samuca e a Selva. The party goes all the way up to midnight on KLCC!

New Year's Day

2:00pm - From NPR's Bullseye, we present The Best of 2024 Stand Up Comedy Special

You'll hear stand up sets from Tig Notaro, Kyle Kinane, Kimberly Clark, Ali Siddiq, Rory Scovel, and many more - maybe even your next favorite standup.

8:00pm - New Year's Day From Vienna 2025

The ever popular annual New Year’s Day Concert will be performed by the Vienna Philharmonic under the baton of Riccardo Muti in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein in Vienna. Hosted by WBUR's Lisa Mullins.