Celebrate the 2020 Holiday Season with KCET and PBS SoCal

Charlie Brown decorates a tree next to Snoopy's Christmas-decorated doghouse. | "A Charlie Brown Christmas"

November 18, 2020

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This December, PBS SoCal and KCET will celebrate the 2020 holiday season with a festive array of special programming! Enjoy lively musical and theatrical performances and seasonal specials, all set to provide viewers an opportunity to come together over the holiday season.

Headlining the lineup is "The 61th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration," offering viewers a vibrant new format this year. A local tradition presented in conjunction with The Music Center since 1959, this year’s three-hour music and dance spectacular will offer a new take on a holiday classic, with more than 22 L.A.-based artists who showcase the diverse talents of L.A. County.

Find the full holiday program lineup below.

Great Performances: Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn Friday, November 20 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal

Stage performers gather to pose onstage next to a large cardboard cutout of champagne labeled "Happy New Year: 1947." | "Great Performances: Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn

Enjoy the hit Broadway adaptation of the 1942 movie musical, showcasing an Irving Berlin score with big dance numbers, comedy and a hit parade of the great songwriter's famous tunes. Watch Preview.

Nature: Santa's Wild Home Wednesday, November 25 at 8 p.m. on PBS SoCal

Closeup photo of a reindeer. | From "Nature: Santa's Wild Home"

Explore the Lapland, a region in northern Finland, the fabled home of Santa Claus and actual home of reindeer, great gray owls, wolverines, eagles, wolves, musk oxen, brown bears and more. Watch Now.

A Charlie Brown Christmas Sunday, December 13 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal

Feeling down about the commercialism of Christmas, Charlie Brown becomes the director of the gang's holiday play. Can he overcome his friends’ preference for dancing over acting, find the “perfect” tree, and discover the true meaning of Christmas? Watch Preview.

Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir Monday, December 14 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal

Title card for "Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir" featuring four posed people and an orchestra and choir behind them.

Tony Award®–winning star Kelli O’Hara and renowned actor Richard Thomas join the Tabernacle Choir, Orchestra at Temple Square and Bells at Temple Square for a visual and musical spectacle with vocalists, instrumentalists, bell ringers, dancers, the Gabriel Trumpet Ensemble, and the Cold Creek bluegrass band. Watch Now.

Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas with Vanessa Williams Tuesday, December 15 at 8 p.m. on PBS SoCal Wednesday, December 16 at 10 p.m. on KCET

A graphic illustration of Ella Fitzgerald singing into a microphone. | From "Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas with Vanessa Williams"

Join the American Pops Orchestra for an evening celebrating the entire iconic album of holiday classics. Starring host and vocalist Vanessa Williams with the performance includes appearances by Dee Dee Bridgewater, Norm Lewis, Carmen Ruby Floyd, Nova Payton, Dave Detwiler and Morgan James. Watch Now.

The St. Olaf Christmas Festival: A New Song of Grace and Truth Friday, December 18 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal Friday, December 25 at 7 p.m. on KCET

A conductor conducts an orchestra on stage.

For many people, the celebration of the Advent - Christmas - Epiphany season begins with the annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival, a century-old tradition of the college located in Northfield, Minnesota. Enjoy a rich repertoire of classic Advent and Christmas compositions, familiar carols, hymns from around the world, and contemporary pieces offering music that both celebrates the history of the college while also highlighting beautiful works from around the globe. Watch Now.

All is Bright: A Concordia Christmas Tuesday, December 22 at 8 p.m. on PBS SoCal Friday, December 25 at 11 a.m. on KCET

A wide-angle shot of a concert hall with an orchestra on stage. | From "All is Bright: A Concordia Christmas" | Courtesy of Concordia University Irvine

The vocal and instrumental musical ensembles of Concordia University Irvine and friends present a festive collection of music of the season. Watch Now.

All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 Tuesday, December 22 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal

Performers haul sacks over their shoulders on stage. | From "All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914"

The Western Front, Christmas, 1914. Out of the violence a silence, then a song. A German soldier steps into No Man’s Land singing “Stille Nacht.” Thus, begins an extraordinary night of camaraderie, music, peace. Watch Now.

European Christmas Markets Tuesday, December 22 at 11:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal Friday, December 25 at 6:30 p.m. on KCET

Nuremburg Christmas Market lights up at night. | Courtesy of NETA

Visit charming markets in festively decorated cities and towns in Germany, France and Switzerland. Watch Preview.

The 61st Annual Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration Thursday, December 24 at 3 & 7 p.m. on PBS SoCal Friday, December 25 at 12 p.m. on KCET

A dancer from Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles in the middle of a performance. | From "The 61st Annual Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration" | Photo by Will Yang

Experience the dynamic, rich cultures of the county and enjoy a diverse lineup of music ensembles, choirs and dance companies from the many neighborhoods and cultures of Los Angeles County. Filmed on location around the county, the holiday tradition continues with a vibrant new format. Watch Preview.

Holiday Handbells: The Raleigh Ringers Friday, December 25 at 9 a.m. on KCET

The acclaimed community handbell choir based in Raleigh, North Carolina perform holiday favorites. Watch Now.

Purdue 86th Anniversary Christmas Show Friday, December 25 at 10 a.m. on KCET

A woman sings a solo in front of a choir. | From "Purdue 86th Anniversary Christmas Show"

Holiday favorites and sacred music are performed by Purdue Musical Organizations ensembles.

Call the Midwife Holiday Special Friday, December 25 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal

Cast members of the 2020 "Call the Midwife" holiday special pose for a group photo.

It is December 1965. Everyone at Nonnatus House is looking forward to traditional celebrations with all the trimmings, but nothing goes quite to plan. Watch Now.

United in Song: A Celebration of America's Resilience Thursday, December 31 at 8 p.m. on PBS SoCal

A woman belts out in a song on stage. | From "United in Song: A Celebration of America's Resilience"

Filmed at George Washington’s Mt. Vernon as well as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, these performances encourage our nation to come together and celebrate our irrepressible strength as Americans. Watch Preview.