Enjoy the Holiday Season
On NJN Public Television

STATEWIDE – It’s that time of year again, and NJN is ready with a collection of NJN holiday specials. This December, viewers are invited to experience an array of celebratory traditions – traditions that may be familiar and shared or traditions that may be relatively unknown to the viewer. Escape from the demands of the season with relaxing and inspiring programming from public television.

Chanukah on Planet Matzah Ball!
Saturday, December 4, at 8 am; Monday, December 6, at 5:30 pm

This children’s programs tells the story of a family from the Planet Matzah Ball who finds it is Jewish and rockets down to Cleveland, Ohio, to find out all about Chanukah. The music-driven video takes the family tumbling through space to learn the 2,000-year-old story of Judah Maccabbee recapturing the temple in Jerusalem and lighting the one-day supply of oil that miraculously burned for eight days. Jewish children celebrate the holiday by spinning dreidels, eating latkes, singing Chanukah songs and lighting one candle each night in the menorah until on the final night there are eight candles burning to commemorate the event.

Arthur’s Perfect Christmas
Saturday, December 11, at 8 am; Friday, December 17, at 8:30 am; Friday, December 24, at 11 am

Everyone’s favorite aardvark gives kids a new spin on seasonal traditions showing children the many ways to celebrate the holidays. Plans are underway in Elwood City for the best holiday ever as Arthur, DW, their family and friends make preparations for perfect gifts, perfect parties and perfect family traditions for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and even “Baxter Day,” which is Buster and his mother’s special celebration. The only problem is, just like in real life, perfection is hard to attain and things start to fall apart.

Chris Isaak Christmas: A Soundstage Special
Monday, December 13, at 10 pm

Chris Isaak, known for his classic pop and rock sounds as he integrates modern touches into timeless songs, has recorded the Christmas album he has always wanted to make; and Soundstage has captured it for television. Isaak and his long-time band will perform some of his childhood favorites including Mele Kalikamaka and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in addition to classic standards White Christmas and Auld Lang Syne. Joining Isaak are special guests Michael Buble, Brian McKnight and Stevie Nicks.

Raleigh Ringers: One Winter Evening at Meymandi
Thursday, December 16, at 9 pm

Lauded by critics as “a rare combination of technical perfection” and “exceptional by any standard,” the Raleigh Ringers bring a delightful reverence to the holiday season. Under the direction of David M. Harris, the Raleigh Ringers have earned widespread recognition as a community hand bell ensemble, performing both sacred and secular music.

Tradicion: A Holiday Celebration
Thursday, December 16, at 10 pm

Tradicion is a special that brings the holiday season, as it was celebrated in pre-revolutionary Cuba, to life. From the nostalgic accounts of those who were there during the country’s heyday in the 1940s and 50s, viewers are transported to a tropical paradise where they experience the warmth and hospitality of the Cuban people during this joyful time of year.

A Christmas Tradition with Tommy Makem
Monday, December 20, at 10 pm

Renowned folk singer Tommy Makem welcomes viewers for a concert of Christmas music with an Irish emphasis in A Christmas Tradition with Tommy Makem. Taped before an enthusiastic audience, the performance is an unforgettable evening of folk music, festivity and fellowship. Poems and stories, traditional carols, hymns and original songs evoke memories of Christmases past. Joining Makem are Maine-based folk trio Schooner Fare and Irish-American singer-songwriter Cathie Ryan, formerly with the all-women ensemble Cherish the Ladies. This concert includes two new original songs by Tommy Makem – Wishes and Long Winter Nights. Other songs include Go Where I Send Thee, The Holly Bears a Berry, Old World Christmas Nights and Auld Lang Syne.

The 20th Annual Ft. Lauderdale Christmas Pageant
Thursday, December 23, at 9 pm

The Pageant unfolds in an uplifting musical drama featuring a 250-voice choir, a 40-piece orchestra and a 1,400-member cast and crew from the First Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. More than just a dramatic retelling of the story of Christ, this program is a full-scale musical production with elaborate costumes, original choreography, flying angels and live animals.

Happy Holidays in Pittsburgh
Thursday, December 23, at 10 pm

It’s a holiday season with Rick Sebak and his jolly crew. Whether he's looking at diners in Pennsylvania, ice cream places across the country, or some of the wonderful neighborhoods in his hometown of Pittsburgh, his work is celebratory in nature. He is a friendly guide to various aspects of American culture, reminding viewers of people and places in their neighborhoods, explaining the history and inevitably finding good things to eat along the way. In this program, Sebak looks at how the people of Pittsburgh cope with the gloom of winter. It’s a time of parties, shopping, celebrating, going to worship services, renewing friendships and jumping in the frozen river – a joyous, light-filled celebration of hometown happiness.

Barra MacNeil’s Cape Breton Christmas
Friday, December 24, at 10 pm

Filmed in St. Matthew’s Church in Halifax, Nova Scotia, this intimate concert features Canada’s premiere Celtic performers, The Barra MacNeils, with special guests The Ennis Sisters and Fiona and Ci’ ran MacGillivray. Rich harmonies are accompanied by harp, accordion and tin whistle, adding a distinctly Celtic touch to well-known Christmas favorites like God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and Auld Lang Syne. There are fiddle tunes, compelling original numbers and even a little step dancing.