Skip to main content

Viewers in the Albion/Malta area may experience reception issues. Learn more

Decemberfest banner

Join us for a weekend of music & holiday specials and brand-new episodes of local programming! 

DecemberFest

In this season of giving, we are humbled by the support from our viewers, like YOU, who make it possible for Idaho Public Television to provide the programs, local productions and educational outreach opportunities that enrich, educate and inspire us all.

 

Thank you for watching and supporting Idaho Public Television!

Program Highlights

SARA: A Life in Dreams and Symbols | createid

Delve into the life and work of Sara Joyce, a prolific artist who lived in Idaho from 1947 to her death in 2011. 

‘Sara,’ as she was simply known, worked in multiple mediums, including ceramics, fiber arts and painting. Many of her works were inspired by her dreams. This is the first broadcast look at her art.

"SARA: A Life in Dreams and Symbols" premieres Sunday, December 3 at 5PM.

 

Idaho's Nuclear Navy | Idaho Experience

In the early fifties, the U.S. Navy under the leadership of Admiral Hyman Rickover was hard at work developing a nuclear-powered engine to drive submarines and aircraft carriers. The efforts created the Naval Reactors Facility in the desert outside Idaho Falls. 

Idaho Experience working with the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office will tell Idaho’s part in creating the U.S. Nuclear Navy.

"Idaho's Nuclear Navy" premieres Sunday, December 3 at 6PM.

Joy Ride: Bicycling in Idaho | Outdoor Idaho

There’s more to biking than just rolling on two wheels, there’s a joy that comes from being free to explore, unencumbered by windshields and metal. Idahoans are using bicycles to get to beautiful places; from backcountry hunting to rural commutes; from hot springs to secret camp spots. 

Using a human-powered bicycle to get from one pretty view to another is just another way Idahoans are appreciating our unique landscape. 

"Joy Ride: Bicycling in Idaho" premieres Sunday, December 3 at 7PM.


Click the image below for additional information

  • Artwork of Lawrence Welk on a holiday print background
  • Image of Lucy Worsley reading an Agatha Christie book
  • Image of a dancer in The Impossible Tour
  • Image of the four women from Celtic Woman
  • The sicilian tenors singing in Highclere castle

Program Schedule


Friday, December 1


The longest-running legislative show in the West, Idaho Reports covers the issues on what is happening in the Idaho state legislature.

Host Marcia Franklin talks with Dr. Abraham Verghese about his latest blockbuster novel, The Covenant of Water. The epic, which includes a mystery at its core, covers more than 70 years in the intertwined lives of families in the Indian state of Kerala. Verghese discusses the ties the story has to his own family history and shares his joy of writing.

Filmed at the beautiful Highclere Castle, the home of the hit TV series and movies Downton Abbey, the special features The Sicilian Tenors, the acclaimed international singing sensations, performing some of their classic repertoire along with songs from that show’s period (1910-1930).

Conceived by John Mauceri, this new work is a re-imagination of Tchaikovsky’s holiday favorite, "The Nutcracker." Based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s 1816 book, Alan Cumming recounts the origin story of how a prince got put into a nutcracker. Unlike the ballet, we also learn what happens when the young girl grows up, having saved the prince, and what they are doing today.


Saturday, December 2


Few things in the world make us feel more confident and alive than good posture. Join Miranda Esmonde-White for AGING BACKWARDS 4: THE MIRACLE OF FLEXIBILITY, where viewers learn how simply incorporating gentle flexibility and range of motion exercises can improve posture and help reverse the signs of aging, improve organ health, and increase energy.

After years of teaching and practicing, Peggy Cappy has designed a way of incorporating yoga into our daily routine, revealing how taking even five-minute exercise breaks throughout the day can bring great rewards. Each short period of stretching, strength-building, and specialized breathing contributes to greater flexibility, strength, and mental clarity. Equally important, balancing the hip and back muscles can counter the effects of prolonged sitting and improve posture.

In WHAT TO EAT WHEN, viewers discover how the food choices they make each day – and, most importantly, when they make them – can impact their health, energy, waistline, attitude and the way they age. Hosts Dr. Michael Roizen (chief wellness officer, Cleveland Clinic) and Dr. Michael Crupain (medical director, The Dr. Oz Show) demystify the intermittent fasting trend and offer science-based, easy-to-implement strategies about what to eat, and when, for optimal health.

From manger scenes and mistletoe to wintry wonderlands, RICK STEVES EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS celebrates the Christmas season throughout the European continent. In the special, Rick visits friends and families in England, France, Norway, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy to reveal their customs and practices of the holiday season. RICK STEVES EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS offers a colorful, musical celebration of Christmas across Europe where viewers will learn about customs from "the old countries," hear local choirs, and discover holiday family traditions.

This heart-warming Celtic Thunder Show features holiday standards such as “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas,” “Let It Snow,” “Winter Wonderland” and “Silent Night” as well as a few specially-written originals, “Going Home For Christmas”, “Christmas Morning Donegal” and “Our First Christmas Together”.

Travel across Ireland with internationally renowned singer Michael Londra in a celebration of Irish culture, history, and music. Combining glorious video footage from the Emerald Isle, fascinating travel destinations, exciting cultural experiences, and performances from Irish stars, Ireland with Michael allows you to tour Ireland from your own home.

Filmed at National United Methodist in Washington, DC, this new concert special features performances across classical, pop, Motown, and country genres. Bringing together renowned solo vocalists, a 25-piece ensemble of The American Pops Orchestra, and a robust combined choir from community groups and churches in the Washington, D.C. area, the concert represents the vast fellowship that is united through sacred pieces.

JOHN FARNHAM AND OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN – TWO STRONG HEARTS is an unforgettable 2015 music special featuring two long-time friends embracing a catalog of monster hits and fan favorites – delivered with a wit and emotion gained only through a close personal relationship. Backed by a 60-piece orchestra, this thrilling concert showcases Olivia as she digs into her songbook with stunning results. Songs include “Physical,” “Have You Never Been Mellow,” as well as “Summer Nights” and “You're the One That I Want” from the hit movie musical Grease.

Christmas on the Danube is a companion to European Christmas Markets which is still in rights. It is true holiday treat that will fill your senses with warmth, touch your heart, and provide your mind with geography and history, as well. Traveling the majestic Danube river as it passes through stunning European landscape, history and culture, Christmas on the Danube visits theses cities along the Danube, which are particularly spectacular at Christmas.

In the years since its debut, global musical sensation Celtic Woman has emerged as both a formidable multimedia presence and a genuine cultural phenomenon. In concert, their angelic voices and instrumental virtuosity bring centuries of musical tradition to life. To celebrate their 20th anniversary, Celtic Woman returns to where the magic started — The Helix in Dublin! Although the lineup of artists has evolved since the group's inception, the signature sound of Celtic Woman remains consistent, showcasing the individual and collaborative talents of the performers. But no anniversary celebration would be complete without special performances by founding members Chloë Agnew, Lisa Kelly, Méav Ní Mhaolchatha and Máiréad Nesbitt.

Christmas on the Danube is a companion to European Christmas Markets which is still in rights. It is true holiday treat that will fill your senses with warmth, touch your heart, and provide your mind with geography and history, as well. Traveling the majestic Danube river as it passes through stunning European landscape, history and culture, Christmas on the Danube visits theses cities along the Danube, which are particularly spectacular at Christmas.


Sunday, December 3


The unmistakable voice of Whitney Houston is powerful and timeless. She became one of the most accomplished recording artists of all time, but her heart was always in Gospel music. From her first performance in front of an audience to the best-selling Gospel album of all time, The Preacher's Wife, experience how profoundly Gospel music influenced her personal life and helped shape her career. Join host CeCe Winans and discover Whitney’s deep faith and love of Gospel music.

For over six decades, the musical duo of Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme has brought back warm and nostalgic memories from the early days of ‘50s Rock and Roll, ‘60s Pop, Tin Pan Alley, Broadway and The American Songbook. Amazingly, there has never been a tv show celebrating their long illustrious careers as individuals and singing together.– that is, until now, exclusively for public television stations.

The legendary dance show returns with a new generation, led onstage by Michael Flatley’s handpicked successor: Lord of the Dance Matt Smith, one of only four people in the world capable of performing Michael’s legendary Feet of Flames solo

Delve into the life and work of Sara Joyce, a prolific artist who lived in Idaho from 1947 to her death in 2011. ‘Sara,’ as she was simply known, worked in multiple mediums, including ceramics, fiber arts and painting. Many of her works were inspired by her dreams. This is the first broadcast look at her art.

In the early fifties, the U.S. Navy under the leadership of Admiral Hyman Rickover was hard at work developing a nuclear-powered engine to drive submarines and aircraft carriers. The efforts created the Naval Reactors Facility in the desert outside Idaho Falls. Idaho Experience working with the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office will tell Idaho’s part in creating the U.S. Nuclear Navy.

There’s more to biking than just rolling on two wheels, there’s a joy that comes from being free to explore, unencumbered by windshields and metal. Idahoans are using bicycles to get to beautiful places; from backcountry hunting to rural commutes; from hot springs to secret camp spots. Using a human-powered bicycle to get from one pretty view to another is just another way Idahoans are appreciating our unique landscape.

Lucy Worsley explores the enigma of Agatha Christie. Over three episodes, she applies her historian’s powers of investigation to the Queen of Crime. And she uncovers a complex woman whose life – and work – reflects the upheavals of the 20th century.

Christmas at Belmont 2021 features nearly 650 Belmont University students performing holiday favorites, traditional carols and festive tunes. Christmas at Belmont includes 15 student music groups – among them the Belmont Symphony Orchestra, Belmont Chorale, Bluegrass Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble and Jazzmin vocal jazz ensemble – performing a variety of genres.

Double Your Impact!

Did you know that you can double your donation to Idaho Public Television through our matching gift program? 

Thousands of community-minded companies offer matching gift programs that can double the impact of their employees’ donations to Idaho Public Television. Many employers sponsor matching gift programs to match charitable contributions made by their employees. Gifts from employees’ spouses and retirees may also qualify for a match. 

Search to see if you company has a matching gift program - simply type your company name into the search below to find out if they will match your gift to IdahoPTV.

Information you may need:

IdahoPTV’s EIN: 82-0400218

Our Mailing Address:

Idaho Public Television
Attn: Matching Gifts
PO Box 4
Boise, ID 83707

Our contact information:

Phone: (208) 373-7220     |     Email: donorservices@idahoptv.org

For more information or if you have any questions, please use our Donor Services contact form.

Matching Gift and Volunteer Grant information provided by
Powered by Double the Donation