One of the area’s finest holiday traditions, the Spirit of Christmas offers commercial-free holiday music and is broadcast 24 hours a day from Thanksgiving through January 2. This festive programming is presented annually by WCSF 88.7 FM, the student-run radio station at the University of St. Francis. This is the 30th anniversary season of the Spirit of Christmas program that USF has offered to the community.
Classics, current hits and children’s songs will be featured as well as a variety of special programming, including local choirs and bands, according to Don Burke, Spirit of Christmas producer. Listeners may call in requests at selected times. Burke says that thousands of listeners tune into the Spirit of Christmas programming each year.
In addition to reaching listeners throughout greater Will County, WCSF 88.7 FM can be accessed worldwide through live streaming. For more information, call the station at 815-740-3214 or tune in today for commercial-free Christmas tunes!
Spirit of Christmas was established in 1993 by Bob Zak. It originally aired December 1st through the 25th. In 1999, Don Burke began producing the program and expanded it to run from the day after Thanksgiving through January 2. In 2002, the start date became Thanksgiving day. Not only has Spirit of Christmas expanded while still remaining true to its original vision, but each year, selected students help produce the program and gain invaluable experience. Spirit of Christmas has become a holiday tradition in Will County, generating a tremendous response from the community since its inception.
Spirit of Christmas is also the major fundraiser for WCSF-FM, the University of St. Francis radio station. WCSF is a non-profit, educational radio station and is reliant on donations and the generosity of local business to support and underwrite the holiday programming, allowing USF to provide its students with a quality educational experience.
Spirit of Christmas Special Programming – 2023
November 23 – January 2
All times indicated are Central Standard Time
Daily (Nov. 29-Dec. 24)
Cinnamon Bear – 5pm (rebroadcast) and 6pm
Classic 1937 children’s radio drama featuring the quest for the silver star
Saturday, Nov. 25
Christmas Across the Lands – 7pm
Saturday, Dec. 2
Christmas Across the Lands – 7pm
Sunday, Dec. 3
Christmas in Our Town – 7pm
All your requests and dedications
Monday, Dec. 4
Motown Christmas – 7pm
R&B Christmas – 8pm
Tuesday, Dec. 5
A Country Christmas – 7pm
Wednesday, Dec. 6
Instrumental Christmas – 7pm
Thursday, Dec. 7
Bing Crosby Christmas Collection – 7pm
Christmas Crooners – 8pm
Friday, Dec. 8
Chipmunk Christmas – 7pm
Christmas Comedy – 8pm
Saturday, Dec. 9
Christmas Across the Lands – 7pm
Sunday, Dec. 10
Children’s Christmas – Noon
Christmas in Our Town – 7pm
All your requests and dedications
Monday, Dec. 11
Polka Christmas Celebration – 7pm
Featuring Joliet’s own Bob Doszak
Big Band Christmas – 8pm
Tuesday, Dec. 12
Acapella Christmas – 7pm
Christmas “Live!” – 8pm
Wednesday, Dec. 13
Christmas Across America – 7pm
Christmas Around the World – 8pm
Thursday, Dec. 14
Bing Crosby Christmas Collection – 7pm
Christmas Divas – 8pm
Friday, Dec. 15
Pop Stars Sing Christmas – 7pm
Rockin’ Christmas – 8pm
Saturday, Dec. 16
Christmas Across the Lands – 7pm
Sunday, Dec. 17
Old-Time Radio Christmas Classic – Noon
Christmas in Our Town – 7pm
All your requests and dedications
Monday, Dec. 18
A Boy Band Christmas – 7pm
Swingin’ Christmas – 8pm
Tuesday, Dec. 19
Sing Along w/Mitch Miller and Ray Conniff – 7pm
Christmas with Leroy Anderson and Percy Faith – 8pm
Wednesday, Dec. 20
Christmas with the Rat Pack – 7pm
Christmas w/Nat “King” Cole & Natalie Cole – 8pm
Thursday, Dec. 21
Bing Crosby Christmas Collection – 7pm
Christmas Duets – 8pm
Friday, Dec. 22
University of St. Francis Music & Performing Arts – 7pm
USF’s own student choirs
Saturday, Dec. 23
World’s Greatest Choirs – 7pm
Sunday, Dec. 24
Top 25 Christmas Songs of 2023 – Noon
A countdown of your Christmas favorites of 2023
Snoopy vs. the Red Barron – 5:30pm
Cinnamon Bear – 6pm
The exciting conclusion!
Christmas Eve with Bing Crosby & Friends – 7pm
Monday, Dec. 25
Cinnamon Bear – 5pm
Rebroadcast of the conclusion!
Christmas Across the Lands – 6pm
Friday, Dec. 29
Tribute – 7pm
A tribute to those Christmas recording artists we lost in 2023.
Sunday, Dec. 31
Top 25 Christmas Songs of 2023 – Noon & 9pm
A replay countdown of your Christmas favorites of 2023
Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024
Spirit of Christmas ends – Noon
Commercial-free Christmas music 24 hours a day!
Listen on the radio at 88.7FM or online at stfrancis.edu/spirit
Sponsorship of the Spirit of Christmas program gives local businesses and friends of USF the opportunity to support the university’s educational mission while sharing holiday greetings with the community. Choose from one of the five sponsorship programs below. Gift amounts under the amounts listed below will receive on-air acknowledgement.
- Christmas Star Sponsors will be recognized 500 times during the entire program.
The tax deductible contribution for this sponsorship is $5,000.
Only 5 Star Sponsors will be accepted. - Christmas Spirit Sponsors will be recognized 250 times during the entire program.
The tax deductible contribution for this sponsorship is $2,500.
Only 10 Spirit Sponsors will be accepted. - Christmas Cheer Sponsors will be recognized 100 times during the entire program.
The tax deductible contribution for this sponsorship is $1,000.
Only 12 Cheer Sponsors will be accepted. - Christmas Greeting Sponsors will be recognized 50 times during the entire program.
The tax-deductible contribution for this sponsorship is $500.
Only 15 Greeting Sponsors will be accepted. - Christmas Friend Sponsors will be recognized 25 times during the entire program.
The tax-deductible contribution for this sponsorship is $250.
Only 15 Friend Sponsors will be accepted.
Payment:
- To pay online: click here.
- To pay by check, please make checks payable to the University of St. Francis and mail to:
Institutional Advancement Office
University of St. Francis
500 Wilcox St.
Joliet, IL 60435
Questions?
- Contact USF’s Institutional Advancement Office at 815-740-3610.
Contact the station:
- Call 815-740-3214
- Email WCSF887@stfrancis.edu
Learn more about campus media at USF
- Learn more by clicking here.
