✨Christmas on Magic Classical: Highlights to enjoy

Unwrap the magic this Christmas!

Author: Paul CarterPublished 17th Dec 2025
Last updated 1 day ago

This Christmas we have the perfect soundtrack to accompany the festivities – from live carols to the most relaxing Christmas music, here are some of the highlights to enjoy with Magic Classical.

Christmas Eve

7pm: The Kings Trust Christmas Concert

Join us for a beautiful evening of festive celebration as our very own Charles Nove hosts The King’s Trust Carol Concert, recorded live at the historic St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge.

Captured earlier this month, this star-studded carol concert features an array of much-loved celebrity readers and performers, including Dame Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan OBE, Jamie Cullum, and many more.

9pm: Christmas Eve with Fran Godfrey

Fran has the perfect Christmas music and carols to get those all-important last few things done, before you finally retire with a glass of something chilled!

Christmas Day

7am: Christmas Day with Charles Nove

Charles welcomes Christmas Day with your messages, carols, Christmas music, plus highlights from The Kings Trust Carol Concert.

6pm: David & Carrie Grant's Christmas Carols

The BAFTA award-winning broadcasters join the Magic Classical family to share a selection of their favourite carols.

New Year’s Eve

8pm: Andre Rieu with Magic Classical's New Years Eve Party (Part 1)

The 'King of the Waltz' joins us for two hours of upbeat and positive classical music, including some of his own recordings with his Johann Strauss Orchestra.

10pm: Alex James with Magic Classical's New Years Eve Party (Part 2)

Ahead of a year where he takes his Classical Britpop show on tour, Alex plays more upbeat classical music to see in the Big Ben Chimes at midnight that bring in 2026.

New Year’s Day

5am: A New Year's Morning In The Park

Enjoy an extended five-hour programme that mixes classical music and the sounds of nature for those early dog walkers and those of a fragile disposition!

Meet the Magic Classical family:

Charles Nove at Breakfast: 7-10am Monday to Friday

Start the day right with Charles, as he plays a blend of vibrant and soothing music for the morning and gives us a light and humorous look at the day's news stories.

Tim Smith: 10am-2pm Monday to Friday

Tim has amazing music, guests, listener features and the Book Club each weekday morning from 10am

Jo Cochrane: 2-6pm Monday to Friday

Join Jo for a relaxing sound to weekday afternoons from 2pm.

Fran Godfrey: 6-10pm Sunday to Thursday

Fran has the perfect soundtrack to wrap up your day from 6pm, including Mindfulness Music at 8pm to give yourself some me time with music designed to help you reset.

Simon Mayo: 10am-12pm Sunday

Simon Mayo plays a perfect Sunday morning mix of classical favourites as you devour the Sunday papers, and maybe a croissant or two!

Darren Redick: 6-9pm Saturday and 12-2pm Sunday

As well as playing the magic of classical music on a Saturday night, Darren presents the Magic Classical Request Show on a Sunday afternoon with the music selected by you – submit your requests here

Jack Pepper: 2-6pm Saturday and Sunday

There's two doses of Jack alongside a superb weekend mix of classical music including Jack's Jukebox – those pop songs so expertly turned into classical favourites, plus an homage to Movie music on Saturday and Musical Theatre on Sunday

Hannah Cox: 7-10am Saturday and Sunday

Enjoy calming and uplifting music with Hannah Cox every weekend morning.

Ayanna Witter-Johnson: 11am-2pm Saturday

Join composer, singer, songwriter and cellist Ayanna Witter-Johnson on Saturdays from 11am.

Tony Minvielle: 6-10pm Friday

Join Tony every Friday night from 6pm with a programme tailored to that end-of-the-week vibe.

How to listen to Magic Classical:

Listen to Magic Classical across the UK on your digital radio, the free Rayo app, via the play button below or ask your smart speaker to "Play Magic Classical”. Listen live to your favourite music and presenters, keep up with the latest news and shows, enter competitions, and check out our playlists.