Arkansas PBS is gearing up for the holidays with a full schedule of seasonal programs to help you celebrate this December. A full list of Arkansas PBS programs, including PBS KIDS, can be found at myarpbs.org/schedule.
Highlights for this year include the 2025 Arkansas State Capitol Lighting Ceremony, Sounds of the Season Children’s Choir performances, “A Garden Home Christmas” and “From the Archives: Ozark Mountain Christmas.”
But that’s not all! We have programming for kids and families, music, travel, culture, drama and seasonal specials.
Local Programming
2025 Arkansas State Capitol Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 5:30 p.m./Sounds of the Season from Dec. 8-19 at 9 a.m. daily – Arkansas PBS will livestream the 2025 Arkansas State Capitol Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 5:30 p.m., along with the Sounds of the Season Children’s Choir performances Dec. 8–19 at 9 a.m. daily, as part of its Arkansas Live initiative at myarpbs.org/arkansaslive. Now celebrating its 87th year, the Capitol Lighting Ceremony continues a cherished tradition that began with former Secretary of State Crip Hall and has since grown into one of Arkansas’s most beloved holiday events. Secretary of State Cole Jester will lead this year’s festivities, and Arkansas PBS will highlight student choir performances from across the state as part of the ongoing celebration. The 2025 Arkasnas State Capitol Lighting Ceremony and the Sounds of the Season Children’s Choir Performances will be available at myarpbs.org/arkansaslive.
“A Garden Home Christmas” – Thursday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. – Television host, author and lifestyle expert P. Allen Smith, alongside floral creative designer Holly Heider Chapple, offer inspiration for the holiday season in “A Garden Home Christmas.” Taped at Smith’s Moss Mountain Farm in Roland, Arkansas, this one-hour special features a vision for holiday cooking, decorating and entertaining with family and friends.
“From the Archives: Ozark Mountain Christmas” – Thursday, Dec. 25, at 7 p.m. – “From the Archives: Ozark Mountain Christmas” captures an evening of live musical performances at the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View. Featuring local and regional artists performing Christmas songs, the program highlights the musical craftsmanship and community spirit that define the Ozarks. Preserved in its original form from 1991, it offers a warm and authentic look at the region’s cultural heritage and the enduring legacy of the Folk Center’s holiday celebrations.
Kids and Family Programming
“Arthur’s Perfect Christmas” - Friday, Dec. 5, at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 24, at 11 a.m.
“Wild Kratts: A Creature Christmas” - Friday, Dec. 12, at 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 25, at 11 a.m.
“Weather Hunters” - Monday, Dec. 8, at 6:30 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 14, at 6:30 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 6:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 25, at 6:30 p.m.
“Rosie’s Rules” - Monday, Dec. 1, at 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 8:30 a.m.
“Pinkalicious and Peterrific” - Thursday, Dec. 11, at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Dec. 19, at 10:30 a.m.
“Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas!” - Monday, Dec. 15, at 11 a.m.
“Donkey Hodie” - Friday, Dec. 26, at 10 a.m.
“Alma’s Way” - Friday, Dec. 26, at 11:30 a.m.
Music, Choir and Performance Specials
“A Celebration of Hanukkah” - Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 4:30 p.m.
“Hope of the Season: Christmas with the Tabernacle” - Monday, Dec. 15, at 8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 24, at 7 p.m.
“The St. Olaf Christmas Festival: Our Hope for Years to Come” - Monday, Dec. 15, at 9:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 24, 4:30 p.m.
“Great Performances: Nutcracker from English National Ballet” - Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 8 p.m.
“Merry Berry’s Highland Christmas” - Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 3:30 p.m.
“Merry Berry’s Ultimate Christmas” - Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 4:30 p.m.
“Garden Home Christmas” - Thursday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m.
“American Masters: Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around” - Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 8 p.m.
“St. Thomas Christmas: Love Divine” - Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 9 p.m.
“Come and See! A Concordia Christmas” - Wednesday, Dec. 24, at 2:30 p.m.
“Too Hot to Handel - The Gospel Messiah” - Wednesday, Dec. 24, at 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 25, at 2:30 p.m.
“Gospel Live! Presented by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.” - Friday, Dec. 26, at 8 p.m.
“Great Performances: The Magic of Spirituals” - Friday, Dec. 26, at 9 p.m.
Travel and Culture
“Rick Steves European Christmas” - Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 4 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 11, at 2:30 p.m.
“Christmas on the Danube” - Friday, Dec. 25, at 3:30 p.m.
Holiday Dramas and Seasonal Specials
“Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2025” - Thursday, Dec. 25, at 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 30, at 3:30 p.m.
“Death in Paradise: Christmas Special” - Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 3:30 p.m.
HOW TO WATCH ON DEMAND
You can also check out these great offerings from Arkansas PBS Passport when you contribute a tax-deductible gift of at least $5 per month, or an annual gift of $60 or more. Arkansas PBS Passport is an extended, on-demand library of your favorite PBS shows, films and specials.
As a reminder, you can watch anywhere, anytime on myarkansaspbs.org, or by using the PBS app, available on your TV, phone or tablet.
LEARN MORE:
See our complete schedule at myarpbs.org/schedule and all of the ways you can watch at myarpbs.org/watch.
GIVE THE GIFT OF GREAT PROGRAMMING:
Arkansas PBS Passport makes an excellent gift – for you or someone on your list! Learn more, and give the gift of great programming at myarpbs.org/passport.