From festive tips and holiday-themed programming to everyone’s favourite classics, CBC is your one-stop destination this holiday season
A Canadian tradition continues this holiday season as CBC returns with all the classics and soon-to-be-classics the whole family will enjoy. From film favourites to holiday-themed programming on CBC-TV, Radio One, Radio 2, CBCMusic.ca and CBC.ca , CBC offers a variety of programming that is sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit.
Whether your idea of a holiday classic is Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Sunday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m./7:30 NT) or Home Alone (Friday, Dec. 20 at 8 p.m./8:30 NT), CBC has something for everyone. Other returning favourites include Elf (Monday, Dec. 9 at 8 p.m./8:30 NT), The Santa Clause (Sunday, Dec. 15 at 8 p.m./8:30 NT), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Monday, Dec. 16 at 8 p.m./8:30 NT) and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Sunday, Dec. 22 at 8 p.m./ 8:30 NT).
Highlights of CBC-TV’s holiday programming include special episodes of Dragons’ Den, This Hour Has 22 Minutes and George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight, animated TV special The Magic Hockey Skates featuring the voice of Don Cherry, and star-studded figure skating specials Stars on Ice and Holiday Festival on Ice.
• Dragons’ Den Holiday Special - Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT)
On this holiday special, a fashion faux pas has the Dragons feeling festive; a pitcher hopes she has the whole package; an invention hopes to wipe away any frosty comments; and another pitcher hopes to keep the Dragon’s interest rolling.
• The Magic Hockey Skates - Dec. 16 at 8:30 p.m. (9 NT)
This soon-to-be classic returns with Joey, a boy who is determined to prove to his older brother Zach that he can be an all-star hockey player, too - all he needs are some new skates. Much to Joey’s dismay, he has to settle for a pair of second-hand blades. Joey is skeptical when he is told the skates are magic, but all that changes when he hits the ice. Listen for CBC’s Don Cherry and legendary announcer, Bob Cole.
• Stars on Ice - Dec. 2 at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT)
This annual skating special offers viewers the rare opportunity to witness some of the nation’s most creative and cherished champions performing in a theatrical environment. The cast includes three-time and reigning world champion Patrick Chan; 2010 Olympic gold medalists and 2012 world champions Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir performing their captivating Carmen; 2010 Olympic medalist Joannie Rochette, once again bringing the audience into her space in her performance of Caro Emerald’s That Man; and four-time world champion Kurt Browning bringing the magic of Singin’ in the Rain to this live performance.
• Holiday Festival on Ice - Dec. 16 at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT)
Celebrate the holiday season with some of world’s greatest figure skaters. Kurt Browning, Elvis Stojko, Joannie Rochette and Jeffrey Buttle are some of the Canadian icons who will perform to the music of world-renowned Canadian jazz artist Holly Cole as part of this CBC holiday tradition.
• This Hour Has 22 Minutes - Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT)
Catch the funniest holiday special of the season! 22 Minutes turns on the fireplace and heats up the laughs for its annual hour-long special.
In addition, viewers will be treated to special holiday-themed episodes of:
• Steven and Chris - beginning Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. (2:30 NT)
Join Canada’s beloved daytime television hosts Steven Sabados and Chris Hyndman this holiday season as they share entertaining tips, hot holiday fashions, gift guides and a whole lot of fun! The boys’ very special guests include Martha Stewart and House and Home‘s Lynda Reeves. Stay tuned to see their set transform into a fabulous winter wonderland.
• George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight - Dec. 24 at 11:30 p.m. (12 midnight NT)
Celebrate the holidays with a one-hour Christmas music special with live performances and celebrity appearances from Michael Bublé, Blue Rodeo, Chris Hadfield and more.
CBCMusic.ca celebrates the holidays by featuring continuous holiday music with two new limited-play streams. From now to Dec. 26, Seasonal Favourites will feature vintage tunes and soulful sounds from the likes of Bing Crosby and Aretha Franklin, as well as popular holiday hits from Diana Krall, Michael Bublé and Anne Murray. A second holiday station, Classical Holidays, features the perfect holiday mix for classical fans, with a great mix of everything from The Messiah and The Nutcracker to Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. Go to CBCMusic.ca for our festive music mix, the perfect soundtrack for holiday celebrations.
Beginning Tuesday, Dec. 24, CBC Radio One and CBC Radio 2 join in the holiday spirit with a wide range of festive music. CBC Radio 2 holiday programming begins at 5 p.m. (5:30 NT), with CBC Radio One starting at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT). The holiday music continues until midnight (12:30 NT) Dec. 25. In addition, Radio has its traditional annual reading of The Shepherd on As it Happens, Tuesday, Dec. 24 at 6:30 p.m. (7 NT).
Ring in the New Year with CBC, beginning at 7 p.m. (7:30 NT) with the This Hour Has 22 Minutes Holiday Special, followed by the all new Royal Canadian Air Farce New Year’s Eve Special at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) and the Gerry Dee New Year’s Eve Special at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT). George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight wraps up 2013 with a special exclusive interview at 11:30 p.m. (12 NT).
Finally, join CBC News as we recap the issues, events and personalities that defined 2013, with special year-end programming on CBC-TV, CBC News Network, CBC Radio and CBCNews.ca.
For the full holiday schedule, visit CBC.ca/holidayguide.
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