Singers, dancers, actors, musicians — even animals and animations — bring joy to PBS audiences throughout December and into 2013. Acclaimed actress Jane Seymour and baritone Nathan Gunn join the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in a Christmas special, the Cat in the Hat helps a lost reindeer find his way home in the first-ever Cat in the Hat Christmas special, ANTIQUES ROADSHOW surveys gift items that turned out to be memorably valuable and beloved songstress Julie Andrews returns for the fourth time to host the New Year’s Day festivities in Vienna.

In the finale of “Downton Abbey, Season 2,” the noble and notable Crawleys and their staff celebrate Christmas and New Year’s as the conclusion of that series prepares the way for the highly anticipated premiere of season three on January 6, 2013.

“PBS celebrates the holidays with inspiring music, drama and even nature,” said Sr. Vice President and Chief TV Executive John F. Wilson. “We wish all of our viewers a joyous holiday season and hope they find a bit of respite from busy lives with these entertaining specials.”

Following are the new and encore programs that salute the holiday season:

THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT CHRISTMAS! 

 Premieres Wednesday, November 21, with encore presentations in November and December 2012 (check local listings)

Sure to be a holiday favorite for years to come, this adventure finds the Cat in the Hat, Nick and Sally on a journey around the world to help a lost reindeer find his way home to Freezeyourknees Snowland in time for Christmas. On the way, the Thinga-ma-jigger breaks down and they depend on a variety of animals — from African bush elephants to bottlenose dolphins to red crabs — and their remarkable abilities to help them make an amazing journey home.

With gorgeous animation and pull-out-all-the-stops musical numbers, THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT CHRISTMAS! will have families singing and celebrating all season long.

• “Flight of the Penguin” –Monday, December 17
• “Reindeer Games” –December 19, 24, 25
• “A Long Winter’s Nap” –Friday, December 21

 

WORD GIRL “Hello New Year, Goodbye Moon/Art in the Park”

Premieres Monday, December 31 (check local listings)

“Hello New Year, Goodbye Moon”: It’s New Year’s Eve! While the Botsfords celebrate with the greatest party ever, Dr. Two Brains is planning to turn the moon into cheese. Will the new year begin with Two Brains acting on his resolution to feast on a cheesy moon or will Word Girl be able to stop him in time?

“Art in the Park”: Becky agrees to help Violet with her poetry/painting/music performance. Meanwhile, Mr. Big has turned into a self-help guru, touting a good kind of mind control. Can Becky help out her best friend while finding out the truth behind Mr. Big’s big ruse?

“Oh, Holiday Cheese” –December 19, 24, 25, 30

 

ARTHUR’S PERFECT CHRISTMAS

December 2012 (check local listings)

Everyone’s favorite aardvark gives kids a new spin on seasonal traditions in his first one-hour primetime special, showing children many ways to celebrate “the holidays.” Plans are underway in Elwood City for the best holidays ever as Arthur, D.W., their family and friends make preparations for perfect gifts, perfect parties and perfect family traditions for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and even “Baxter Day” (Buster and his mom’s special celebration). The only problem is, just as in real life, perfection is hard to attain and things start to fall apart.

 

CURIOUS GEORGE: A VERY MONKEY CHRISTMAS

December 2012 (check local listings)

In A VERY MONKEY CHRISTMAS, 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! In the end, both gift-giving predicaments are simply and beautifully resolved, revealing the true spirit of the holiday season.

• “Jumpy Warms Up” –Monday, December 17
• “Ice Station Monkey” –Tuesday, December 18
• “Monkey on Ice” –Wednesday, December 19
• “Snow Use” –Thursday, December 20
• “Ski Monkey” –Friday, December 21

 

ANGELINA BALLERINA: THE NEXT STEPS

“Angelina’s Holiday Treats/Angelina and the Front Row Ticket” –Saturday, December 15

 

BARNEY & FRIENDS

“Gift of the Dinos and A Visit to Santa” –December 14, 25

 

CAILLOU

“Caillou’s Christmas” –Tuesday, December 25

 

CLIFFORD’S PUPPY DAYS

“The Big, Big Present/Hanukah Plunder Blunder”- Monday, December 10

 

CYBERCHASE

“When Penguins Fly” –December 6, 20

“Starlight Night” –December 11, 27

 

DINOSAUR TRAIN

“Dinosaurs in the Snow” –December 7, 18, 22, 24

“Don’s Winter Wish / Festival of Lights” –December 14, 20, 25

MAYA AND MIGUEL

“Miguel’s Wonderful Life” – = December 10, 24

 

SHALOM SESAME

“CHANUKAH: THE MISSING MENORAH” –Monday, December 3

 

SID THE SCIENCE KID

“Sid’s Holiday Adventure” –December 18, 25

 

SUPER WHY!

“The Nutcracker” –December 14, 16, 20, 25

“’Twas the Night Before Christmas” –December 12, 21, 23, 24

 

THOMAS & FRIENDS

“Fun in the Snow” –Saturday, December 1

“Let It Snow” –Saturday, December 15

 “Winter Delights” –Saturday, December 22

 

WORD WORLD

“The Christmas Star / A Christmas Present for Dog” –December 17, 21, 25