Arkansas PBS highlights holiday programming from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve

Nov. 26, 2024

‘All Creatures Great and Small’ marathon, ‘Call the Midwife,’ ‘Next at the Kennedy Center: Cynthia Erivo & Friends: A New Year’s Eve Celebration’

CONWAY, Ark. (Arkansas PBS) — Arkansas PBS is gearing up for the holidays with a full list of special programming from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve, including a marathon of “All Creatures Great and Small” on Thanksgiving Day, “Call the Midwife: Holiday Special 2024” on Christmas Day and “Next at the Kennedy Center: Cynthia Erivo & Friends: A New Year’s Eve Celebration.” A full holiday programming schedule is available for download at myarpbs.org/holidays.

Additional holiday programming can be found on demand at myarpbs.org/ondemand. Members with Arkansas PBS Passport – a member benefit for donors who give as little as $5 per month or $60 annually – gain access to public media favorites new and old. Arkansas PBS Passport also makes an excellent gift. More information is available at myarpbs.org/passport.

On Thanksgiving Day, Arkansas PBS will feature a marathon of “All Creatures Great and Small” from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., continuing Friday, Nov. 29, from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. This fan favorite follows James Herriot’s adventures as a veterinarian in 1930’s Yorkshire in this adaptation based on his internationally celebrated books.

Perhaps the most anticipated year-end special each year, “Call the Midwife: Holiday Special 2024” will premiere Wednesday, Dec. 25, at 7 p.m. The nurses, midwives and nuns from Nonnatus House visit the expectant mothers of Poplar, providing the poorest women with the best possible care.

Wrapping up the year will be “Next at the Kennedy Center” with two holiday programs on New Year’s Eve: “Sara Bareilles: New Year’s Eve With The National Symphony Orchestra & Friends” at 7 p.m. and “Cynthia Erivo & Friends: A New Year’s Eve Celebration” following at 8:30 p.m.

Other holiday programming throughout the month will include:

  • “Rick Steves’ European Christmas,” Sunday, Dec. 1, at 4 p.m. Repeats Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m. and Monday, Dec. 9, at 1:30 p.m.
  • “All Creatures Great and Small: Christmas in the Dales,” Sunday, Dec. 1, at 6 p.m. The special examines the “MASTERPIECE” series with clips and behind-the-scenes memories of its Christmas finales where viewers can experience the kindness, empathy and love in the magical village of Darrowby and the stunning Yorkshire Dales during the holiday season.
  • “Celebrating Arkansas: Holiday Traditions – Winter,” Monday, Dec. 2, at 2:30 p.m. This Arkansas PBS original series will explore how Arkansans celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Sukkot, Kwanzaa and New Year’s Eve. Repeats Friday, Dec. 6, at 4:30 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 26, at 7 p.m.
  • “Hauser – Classic Gala Concert, Live at the Royal Albert Hall,” Sunday, Dec. 8, at 12:30 p.m.
  • “American Masters | Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around,” Monday, Dec. 16, at 9 p.m. Brenda Lee shares her iconic songs and explores how her early fame and life of poverty shaped her artistry across pop, rock ‘n’ roll and country.
  • “Joy: Christmas With the Tabernacle Choir,” Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. Repeats Tuesday, Dec. 24, at 8:30 p.m.
  • “Too Hot to Handel – The Gospel Messiah,” Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 8 p.m. This all-new special captures the essential core of Handel’s famous piece and reinterprets it with chords of R&B, jazz and gospel in front of nearly 5,000 people at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Repeats Tuesday, Dec. 24, at 7 p.m.
  • “A Classic Christmas With the Bach Festival Society: Joyful Sounds,” Friday, Dec. 20, at 8 p.m.
  • “A Christmas With Sir John Rutter at Preston Hollow,” Friday, Dec. 20, at 9 p.m.
  • “Mary Berry’s Ultimate Christmas,” Monday, Dec. 23, at 9 p.m. Mary Berry shares her ultimate Christmas feast with all the trimmings. Friends and chefs Angela Hartnett and Monica Galetti join her to share favorite festive recipes from their heritage, and Berry and TV host Rylan Clark try to convert some kids to Brussels sprouts.
  • “Navidad: A Concordia Christmas,” Wednesday, Dec. 25, at 1 p.m.
  • “Crane Candlelight Concert: Celebrating a Miracle,” Wednesday, Dec. 25, at 2 p.m.
  • “Hope College Christmas Vespers,” Wednesday, Dec. 25, at 3 p.m.

The full schedule, including PBS KIDS programming, is available at myarpbs.org/schedule.

About Arkansas PBS
Arkansas PBS, Arkansas’s only statewide public media network, empowers learners of all ages by educating, informing, entertaining and inspiring communities. Arkansas PBS serves as a daily and essential resource for Arkansans by creating, sharing, celebrating and driving conversation around Arkansas stories and classic, trusted PBS programs through multiple digital platforms, including livestreaming at myarpbs.org/live, on-demand services and YouTube TV, and the distinct channels Arkansas PBS, Arkansas PBS Create, Arkansas PBS KIDS, Arkansas PBS WORLD and Arkansas PBS AIRS on SAP. Members with Arkansas PBS Passport have extended on-demand access to a rich library of public television programming. Arkansas PBS depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. Additional information is available at myarkansaspbs.org. Arkansas PBS is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), KETZ (El Dorado), KETS (Russellville), KETS (Forrest City), KETS (Gaither) and KETS (Yancy).

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