Tune into WQED-FM’s Q the Music station to hear 24/7 local holiday music from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day!

We’ve assembled your commercial free holiday soundtrack featuring a multitude of local ensembles, artists and composers. It’s all local, all the time, and available to you online, on smart speakers and the WQED app.

Listen live to Classical WQED-FM 89.3

Giving Thanks
Thursday November 23rd, 6-8p.m.

Giving Thanks brings music and stories together for thoughtful reflection on the meaning of the holiday.  Whether you’re up early in the kitchen, on the road to a family gathering, or relaxing after the feast, Giving Thanks provides the perfect atmosphere for Thanksgiving: the warmth of great music, and truly memorable words.

Every Good Thing
Thursday November 23rd, 8-9p.m.

On Thanksgiving, host Andrea Blain and classical music fans from all around the country take some time to give thanks and celebrate one of life’s most meaningful gifts: music. It’s “Every Good Thing” — an hour of stories and music to celebrate Thanksgiving.

The Thanksgiving Visitor
Thursday November 23rd, 10-11p.m.

Truman Capote reads his classic – The Thanksgiving Visitor.

River City Brass Live
Tuesday December 5th, 7:30-10pm

A live broadcast of the River City Brass Christmas Brasstacular from Bethel Park High School.

CMU Philharmonic Live
Wednesday December 6th, 8-10 p.m.

A live broadcast of the CMU Philharmonic and Chorus December concert – live from Soldiers and Sailors Hall.  Daniel Nesta Curtis conducts Gabrielli’s Canzon Duodecimi Toni; the world premiere of Kate Pukinskis’ Winter: Outside, In; Selections from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio; and Stravinsky’s Suite from Pulcinella.  Thomas Douglas conducts Glen Rudolph’s “The Dream Isiah Saw.”

A Chanukah Celebration Across the Globe
Thursday December 7th, 6-7 p.m.

Illuminate the Festival of Lights with this fascinating journey into the rich and varied melodic traditions of countries where Jews have lived and worshiped for centuries.  This program includes Jewish music from Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Balkans, Central Asia …and Africa!  You’ll hear performances from top New York ensembles East of the River, Shashmaqam, and the Marty Levitt Klezmer Orchestra – plus a recording of the astounding Jewish community of Putti Village, in Uganda.

A Chanukah Celebration with Chicago A Cappella
Friday December 8th, 6-7 p.m.

This inspiring and informative program features choral music set to Chanukah texts.  Heartfelt original compositions by American and British composers provided added depth of expression to celebrating the holiday.

Performance in Pittsburgh
Friday December 8th, 7-8 p.m.

Dr. Susan Medley joins WQED-FM’s Anna Singer to take you through the Pittsburgh Concert Chorale’s 2022 Holiday Concert, recorded at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church.  

Heinz Chapel Choir Live
Friday December 8h, 8-9:30pm

A live broadcast of the Heinz Chapel Choir Holiday concert from Heinz Chapel, directed by Dr. Susan Rice.

A Taste of Chanukah
Monday December 11th, 6-7pm

Theodore Bikel hosts a joyous Chanukah concert for the whole family, with traditional and contemporary storytelling and music from more than 150 musicians of the New England Conservatory and Boston Community Choir.

Candles Burning Brightly
Tuesday December 12th, 6-7 p.m.

A delightful hour for everyone to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights! There is lots of music from Jewish communities worldwide, a hilarious lesson on preparing a classic Hanukkah dish, and a timeless and touching holiday story that brings light into every home.

Itzhak Perlman’s Chanukah Radio Party
Wednesday December 13th, 6-7 p.m.

Join the superstar violinist as he tells the story of the Jewish festival of lights, and shares his favorite recordings for the holiday – some serious, some silly.  This engaging one-hour special includes numbers from Itzhak Perlman’s radio-addicted childhood in Israel; evocative songs in Yiddish and Ladino; classical music that revolves around the Maccabee heroes of the story; and Chanukah gems by American folk singers.

Live from Pittsburgh International Airport
Thursday December 14th, 7-10am & 2-6pm

We get you ready for your holiday travels with a live broadcast in front of the big Christmas Tree at Pittsburgh International Airport.

Chanukah in Story and Song 2023
Thursday December 14th, 6-7 p.m.

Leonard Nimoy and the Western Wind with a musical celebration spanning Ladino songs of Spanish Jews, Yiddish melodies from Europe, and modern Israeli tunes.

River City Brass at Carnegie Museum of Art
Thursday December 14th, 7-9pm

A broadcast of members of the River City Brass from their performance in the Great Hall at the Carnegie Museum of Art.  Recorded on Saturday December 9, 2023.

Chanukah Memories and Melodies (new for 2023)
Friday December 15th, 6-7 p.m.

A new special featuring interviews with artists and public personalities about their Chanukah memories grounded in the music tied to their holiday memories. Guests include cellist Alisa Weilerstein, Broadway actress Tovah Feldshuh, Sephardic music expert and flutist Daphna Mor, musician and Yiddish musicologist Henry Sapoznik, poet, musician and author Aaron Dworkin, and Eric Jacobsen, artistic director of The Knights.

Performance in Pittsburgh
Friday December 15th, 7-9 p.m.

A broadcast of the 2023 Pitt Men’s Glee Club Holiday concert.  Recorded at First Baptist Church on December 9, 2023.

The Ballad of the Brown King and Other Music for Christmas by Black Composers
Monday December 18th, 8-9 p.m.

Dr. Louise Toppin, a noted performer and scholar who specializes in the concert repertoire of African American composers, presents the world premiere recording of Margaret Bonds’s The Ballad of the Brown King. With a libretto by Langston Hughes, this Christmas cantata which focuses on Balthazar, the dark-skinned king who journeyed to Bethlehem to witness the birth of Jesus Christ, is beautifully interpreted by New York City-based The Dessoff Choirs and Orchestra, soloists soprano Laquita Mitchell, mezzo-soprano Lucia Bradford and tenor Noah Stewart, led by Malcolm J. Merriweather.

The Film Score: Music for the Winter Holidays
Tuesday December 19th, 8-9pm

An hour-long special devoted to holiday and wintertime movie music. In addition to beloved standards (“White Christmas” from “Holiday Inn” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” from “Meet Me in St. Louis”), Michael shares an eclectic mix of wintry film scores, ranging from “It Happened in Sun Valley” (from “Sun Valley Serenade”) to Alexandre Desplat’s folk-inspired score for “The Grand Budapest Hotel” to Bernard Herrmann’s bracing sleigh ride accompaniment composed for the Orson Welles drama “The Magnificent Ambersons.”

Carols as Home with the Imani Winds
Wednesday December 20th, 6-7pm

Carols as Home features a modern take on classic Christmas carols, hosted by Imani Winds founding oboist, Toyin Spellman-Diaz. Toyin coaxes intimate stories of Christmas memories from the members of the ensemble, and why these classic carols are still essential today.

Pittsburgh Symphony Radio
Wednesday December 20th, 7-9 p.m.

Manfred Honeck conducts the orchestra, soloists and Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh in Handel’s Messiah.

A Dear Friend’s Christmas
Thursday December 21st, 6-7 p.m.

Polish Christmas Cheer
Thursday December 21st, 7-8 p.m

Polish holiday music, hosted by guest announcer Eva Tumiel Kozak.

In Winter’s Glow
Thursday December 21st, 8-9pm

A winter solstice program, with modern classical sounds for the longest night of the year, chosen especially to compliment the chilly, starry nights of the season.

A Chanticleer Christmas
Friday December 22nd, 6-7 p.m.

This one-hour program of holiday favorites, new and old, will be presented live in concert by Chanticleer, the superb 12-man ensemble known as “an orchestra of voices.” Chanticleer is one of the premiere vocal ensembles in the nation. The ensemble has won two Grammys and is a member of the American Classical Music Hall of Fame.

Performance in Pittsburgh
Friday December 22nd, 7-9pm

The 2021 Butler County Symphony Orchestra Holiday concert, with guest conductor Michael Gelfand.

St. Olaf Christmas Festival
Saturday December 23rd, 6-8 p.m.

The St. Olaf Christmas Festival has become one of the nation’s most cherished holiday celebrations. Started in 1912 by F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the St. Olaf College Music Department, the festival includes hymns, carols, choral works and orchestral selections celebrating the Nativity. It features the St. Olaf Choir, the St. Olaf Orchestra, the St. Olaf Cantorei, the St. Olaf Chapel Choir, the Manitou Singers and the Viking Chorus, performing as individual groups and as a massed ensemble.

Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols – Live
Live from Kings College, Cambridge, England
Sunday December 24th, 10 – noon.

An annual and beloved Christmas tradition, “A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” is an extraordinary and memorable live service of word and music from the Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, England.

Your Classical Christmas Favorites
Sunday December 24th, noon-2pm

Join us this holiday season as we count down the top Christmas songs as voted by you in a two-hour special.

Jim & Rick Play Holiday Classics
Sunday December 24th, 2-5pm

Rick Sebak joins Jim Cunningham for 3 hours of holiday music and storytelling.

Pittsburgh Symphony Radio
Sunday December 24th, 7-9 p.m.

Manfred Honeck conducts the orchestra, soloists and Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh in Handel’s Messiah.  (repeat)

All Is Bright
Sunday December 24th, 9-10pm

Lynne Warfel hosts an hour of gorgeous, contemplative choral music that tells the traditional Christmas story with songs about angels, the star and the manger scene. Featured artists include Cantus, Chanticleer, Cambridge Singers, Bryn Terfel, Emma Kirkby, Jessye Norman, and a variety of choirs.

A Christmas Memory
Sunday December 24th, 11pm-midnight

Truman Capote reads this traditional classic.

Welcome Christmas
Monday December 25th, 5-6am.

There’s no better way to welcome Christmas than Welcome Christmas!, the VocalEssence holiday concert. It’s an hour of joyful, classic holiday music from VocalEssence, one of the world’s premiere choral groups, singing traditional carols and new discoveries.

Jim & Rick Play Holiday Classics (repeat)
Monday December 25th, 7-10 a.m.

Rick Sebak joins Jim Cunningham for 3 hours of holiday music and storytelling.

Heinz Chapel Choir Holiday Concert (repeat)
Monday December 25th, 10-11:30am

A rebroadcast of the Heinz Chapel Choir Holiday concert from Heinz Chapel

Pitt Men’s Glee Club (repeat)
Monday December 25th, 11:30am-1 p.m

A broadcast of the 2023 Pitt Men’s Glee Club Holiday concert.  Recorded at First Baptist Church on December 9, 2023.

Pittsburgh Concert Chorale (repeat)
Monday December 25th, 1-2pm

Dr. Susan Medley joins WQED-FM’s Anna Singer to take you through the Pittsburgh Concert Chorale’s 2022 Holiday Concert, recorded at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church. 

River City Brass from CMOA (repeat)
Monday December 25th, 2-3pm

A quintet from the River City Brass play holiday favorites, recorded at Carnegie Museum of Art on December 9, 2023.

CMU Philharmonic (repeat)
Monday December 25th, 3-5 p.m.

A rebroadcast of the CMU Philharmonic and Chorus December concert – live from Soldiers and Sailors Hall.  Daniel Nesta Curtis conducts Gabrielli’s Canzon Duodecimi Toni; the world premiere of Kate Pukinskis’ Winter: Outside, In; Selections from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio; and Stravinsky’s Suite from Pulcinella.  Thomas Douglas conducts Glen Rudolph’s “The Dream Isiah Saw.”

Thiel College Choir Holiday Concert and Harp Society
Monday December 25th, 5-7 pm

Hear the Thiel College Holiday Concert, recorded at First Lutheran Church on Friday November 22, 2019.  Plus hear the Holiday Harp Ensemble concert from the lobby of Carnegie Music Hall from December 10, 2019.

River City Brass Live (repeat)
Monday December 25th, 7-9 p.m.

A rebroadcast of the River City Brass Christmas Brasstacular from Bethel Park High School.

New Year’s Day from Vienna
Monday January 1st, 11 – 1 p.m.

The Vienna Philharmonic presents its ever popular annual New Year’s Day concert from the Golden Hall of the Musikverein in Vienna. You’ll hear your favorite waltzes, polkas and more — a festive way to begin the new year.