Harmonious Holiday Highlights

Celebrate the season of Harmonious Holidays with Classical California on-air and online!

Live On-Air:

Tune in all December long for holiday pieces added throughout our schedule, leading up to our iconic 48 Hour of Christmas on December 24 and 25.  

Saturday, December 20, 7-9PM: Celebrate a new Christmas tradition: The Classical California Sing-Along Special. Join with listeners across California and beyond as Jennifer Miller Hammel leads you through favorite carols and selections from Handel’s Messiah. Tune in to Classical California on Saturday, December 20, 7-9PM.

Find the lyrics HERE!

Sunday, December 21, 7-9PM – On NorCal Sunday Night: Hear the San Francisco Symphony perform Handel’s Messiah, a work that has become a seasonal favorite. Tune in for an evening of music that reflects the spirit of the holidays.  

Sunday, December 21, 7-9PM: A beloved holiday favorite returns. The story of a young boy who learns that the simplest gift can be the most important and how the power of love can lead to miracles. Gian Carlo Menotti's one act opera Amahl and the Night Visitors.

Wednesday, December 24th through Thursday, December 25th enjoy 48 hours of Christmas on Classical California! Wall-to-wall Christmas favorites from first thing Christmas Eve morning all the way through Christmas night. Just turn on your radio, press play on the website, open up the app, or ask your smart speaker to play KUSC.

Sunday, December 28, 7-9PM –  Get ready for 2026 with NorCal Sunday Night’s broadcast of San Francisco Symphony's New Year’s Eve concert 

Sunday, December 28, 9PM: Pop the champagne because this week the Opera Show heads to Vienna to celebrate the New Year with some of the best from the waltzing, celebratory world of Strauss, Hoffmann, Lehar, and more! The very best in operetta to get you ready for another year of music and fun!

Monday, December 29th to Wednesday December 31st – It’s the Ultimate101 Encore. You voted and we’re playing back your favorites as we count down to the end of the year. Plus, join Brian Lauritzen for mini-deep dives into why we love some of these masterpieces.

Stream On-Line:

Feel the holiday spirit 24/7 with our festive streaming stations: A Classical California Christmas (now with more music!) and Nuestra Navidad. We’re even giving Glissando a winter make-over.  

A Classical California Christmas, a 24/7 stream of favorite classical carols.

Listen to A Classical California Christmas

Joyful music for whenever you need a little dose of Christmas magic!

Listen Now

Nuestra Navidad, our new holiday music from around the Spanish-speaking world.

Join Us for Nuestra Navidad

Tune in to Classical California’s Nuestra Navidad and let us take you on a musical journey filled with festive rhythms, heartfelt stories, and holiday joy. We hope it fills your home with warmth, your days with joy, and your holiday with music as magical as the people you share it with.

Feliz Navidad!

Listen Now

Tune into the updated Glissando stream for a brand new mix highlighting sounds of the season for kids and families.

Stream Glissando Now with Suraj Partha

Glide through musical worlds with a different adventure every 20 minutes. Hosted by Suraj Partha.

Listen Now

Past 2025 Events:

Saturday, December 6, 7PM: Cozy up to the Glissando Holiday Special. Join host Suraj Partha for a musical trip through winter holidays. This one-hour special broadcast features music and merry-making for kids, families and the young at heart.

Saturday, December 6, 8PM: From the studios of WQXR in New York, Jeff Spurgeon host a program featuring Chanticleer, the professional men’s ensemble that has been one of the shining stars of the choral world for 45 years. You'll hear works ranging from the English Renaissance to today, in classic, original form and in settings by members of Chanticleer past and present, beginning with two familiar Christmas carols, each arranged by a member of Chanticleer singing with the group.

Saturday, December 13, 7-9PM: Join Alan Chapman for a special two-hour program filled with music that honors the spirit and traditions of Hanukkah. This broadcast shines a light on the rich cultural heritage, and joyful sounds of the Festival of Lights.

Sunday, December 14, 9PM: The Opera Show celebrates Hanukkah this week with selections that inspire warmth and good fortune for the holiday season.  Jennifer will spotlight works from Leonard Bernstein, Erich Korngold, Giacomo Meyerbeer, and more!

Happy Holidays from Classical California!

A holiday greeting from Classical California's Resident Artist and Evening Host Lara Downes. Please enjoy this beautiful arrangement by Dave Brubeck of "Silent Night" to bring you peace and joy for this holiday season.