WXPN ramps up for the holidays with Jingle Jams music stream, other special programming

With the holidays on the horizon, WXPN is setting the soundtrack this year with Jingle Jams, an all-holiday music stream launching this Wednesday, November 21, at 88.5 HD2 in Philadelphia, 88.7 HD2 in Harrisburg, and XPN2.org online. The mix will be curated by DJ Robert Drake – who also hosts The Night Before, XPN’s annual 24-hour music marathon on Christmas Eve – and will showcase an eclectic assortment of holiday tunes, from the new and quirky to the classic.In addition to Jingle Jams, XPN has a slate of special holiday programming lined up for the next month, kicking off on Thanksgiving day when midday host Helen Leicht blends holiday tunes in with her annual broadcast of Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant.”

On December 6, Leicht begins her annual 12 Days of XPN Local Christmas – a dozen original holiday songs by Philadelphia artists that she’ll showcase her Philly Local Picks of the day.

On December 18, the XPN Philly Local Show will include Leicht’s 4th annual Home for the Holidays special, featuring performances by Aaron Brown and the York Street Hustle, Christie Lenee, High Kick and more.

On World Cafe, the December 24 episode will feature Tracey Thorn of Everything But the Girl talking about Tinsel and Lights, her new holiday album. A holiday music session with Pink Martini will also air from the World Cafe Archives, while The Polyphonic Spree’s Cafe session will air on December 25, along with a guest DJ set from Alvin of Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Also on Christmas day, Chuck Elliot will host his annual Sleepy Hollow Christmas from 6 a.m. to noon, while XPN’s listener-voted top 200 songs of 2012 countdown airs on December 31 and January 1. Wrapping the season up, Bruce Warren will ring in 2013 on New Year’s Eve, and David Dye will recap 2012 on January 1. For more on all of these specials, visit the XPN website.