The Euroradio Christmas Music Special Day has been one of the EBU’s most popular offerings ever since it first aired in 1995. The winning format has never varied: on the Sunday before Christmas, around a dozen EBU Radio Members contribute live or deferred hour-long concerts of classical music focused on the theme of Christmas. The repertory is vast, ranging from Gregorian chant and traditional carols to Baroque sacred music and contemporary a cappella works.

One of the keys to the Special Day’s appeal resides in its closeness, not only to radio listeners but also to the live audiences at the concert venues, who may witness traditional ceremonies or even be asked to sing along with the performers.

This year’s offering features, among others, a contemporary Russian Orthodox oratorio, an arrangement of Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concerts performed by the Bulgarian Radio Big Band, Handel’s Messiah from Vienna and, of course, Jean Sibelius’ tune specially written for and performed on the bells of Helsinki’s Kallio Church, one of the Day’s venues.

Available to all Euroradio Members taking the Season, this beautiful programme of Christmas music will be aired on Sunday, 22 December, from 9.00 to 23.00 GMT – 14 concerts making up a day that is special in every sense of the word.

Broadcasters include:

• ORF (Austria)
• BNR (Bulgaria)
• CR (Czech Republic)
• BR (Germany)
• MDR (Germany)
• SWR (Germany)    
• DR (Denmark)
• ERR (Estonia)
• YLE (Finland)      
• PR (Poland)
• ROR (Romania)
• OP (Russia)
• SR (Sweden)
• RTVS (Slovenia)