Eight brings sparkle to the season with special arts, history and kids programming

The nuns of Nonnatus House return for another “Call the Midwife Holiday Special” at 8 p.m., Dec. 25 on Eight HD. (Photo credit: Courtesy of Laurence Cendrowicz/© Neal Street Productions)

PHOENIX – (Dec. 19, 2014) Eight, Arizona PBS is ringing in the season with a little something for everyone – from holiday concerts, to kids’ specials to history and contemporary stories of the world’s major religions – and of course, some PBS holiday favorites, including the “Call the Midwife Holiday Special.”

Here’s a complete list of Eight’s holiday programming for the 2014-15 holiday season:

Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir – Friday, Dec. 19, at 8 p.m. 
Soprano Deborah Voigt and acclaimed actor John Rhys-Davies join the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra for a Christmas concert of holiday favorites.

National Christmas Tree Lighting – Friday, Dec. 19, at 9 p.m.
Celebrate the 92nd annual lighting of the National Christmas Tree at President's Park in Washington, D.C. The festivities will feature top musical artists and actors, and will be capped off by a very special guest.

Purdue 80th Anniversary Christmas Show – Thursday, Dec. 25, at 9:30 p.m. The ensembles of Purdue Musical Organizations perform holiday favorites at the Elliott Hall of Music in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2014 – Thursday, Dec. 25, at 8 p.m. 

It's Christmas at Nonnatus House! Chummy finds that a home for pregnant women could use her help, and Dr. Turner witnesses the results of mental health reforms.

Vicious Holiday Special – Sunday, Dec. 28, at 10:30 p.m.
Freddie and Stuart host a holiday soiree. Ash volunteers to cook the meal, Violet is up to her old tricks and a wicked game of Truth or Dare brings out secrets and surprises.

Frontline “From Jesus to Christ” – Tuesday, Dec. 23, and Dec. 30, at 9 p.m.
Step two thousand years back in time to examine the life and legacy of Jesus of Nazareth.

New Year’s:

Live from Lincoln Center “Gershwin Celebration at the New York Philharmonic with Dianne Reeves” – Wednesday, Dec. 31 at 7 p.m.
Ring in 2015 with the New York Philharmonic's annual New Year's Eve celebration concert.

Michael Feinstein New Year’s Eve at the Rainbow Room – Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 9 p.m. and midnight
Celebrate New Year's Eve with Michael Feinstein and celebrity guests including Darren Criss (Glee), Aaron Tveit (Graceland), Leslie Odom (Smash), Broadway star Kelli O'Hara, Tony winner Christine Ebersole, and many more!

Great Performances “From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2015” – Thursday, Jan. 1, at 8 p.m.
Join host Julie Andrews, the Vienna Philharmonic and guest conductor Zubin Mehta to celebrate the New Year with Strauss waltzes at Vienna's opulent Musikverein.

Kids: 

Odd Squad “Reindeer Games” – Wednesday, Dec. 24, and Thursday, Dec. 25, at 4:30 p.m.
Olive and Otto help Santa track down his missing reindeer while Oscar helps get Ms. O removed from Santa’s naughty list.

Curious George “A Very Monkey Christmas” – Thursday, Dec. 25, at 9 a.m.
Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat are having a wonderful time getting ready for Christmas. There's only one dilemma – neither of them can figure out what to give the other for a present!

Sesame Street “Elmo’s Christmas Countdown” – Monday – Thursday, Dec. 22-25, at 8 a.m.
Count down to Christmas with Elmo, Abby Cadabby and some very special guests.

Peg + Cat “Peg + Cat + Holidays” – Sunday, Dec. 21, at 9 a.m.
Peg and Cat help Santa deliver presents and spend Hanukkah with Albert Einstein.

Daniel Tiger “Daniel’s Winter Adventure/Neighborhood Nutcracker” – Monday, Dec. 22, and Thursday, Dec. 25, at 10 a.m.
Daniel and his friends go on a sledding adventure and put on the Nutcracker ballet.

Media Contact:  Colleen O’Donnell Pierce
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