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 year that USF has offered the Spirit of Christmas for 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.
Special Programming runs from Nov. 24 through Jan. 2, with Christmas music playing 24 hours a day!
- Listen online on this webpage, on the radio at 88.7FM.
- All program times are Central Standard Time.
Daily from Nov. 29-Dec. 24
Cinnamon Bear – 5 p.m. (rebroadcast) and 6 p.m.
Classic 1937 children’s radio drama featuring the quest for the silver star.
Saturday, Nov. 26
Christmas Across the Lands – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 3
Christmas Across the Lands – 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 4
Christmas in Our Town – 7 p.m.
All your requests and dedications.
Monday, Dec. 5
Motown Christmas – 7 p.m.
R&B Christmas – 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 6
A Country Christmas – 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 7
Instrumental Christmas – 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 8
Bing Crosby Christmas Collection – 7 p.m.
Christmas Crooners – 8 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 9
Pop Stars Sing Christmas – 7 p.m.
Rockin’ Christmas – 8 p.m.
Christmas Comedy – 9 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 10
Christmas Across the Lands – 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 11
Children’s Christmas – Noon
Christmas in Our Town – 7 p.m.
All your requests and dedications.
Monday, Dec. 12
Polka Christmas Celebration – 7 p.m.
Featuring Joliet’s own Bob Doszak.
Big Band Christmas – 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 13
Acapella Christmas – 7 p.m.
Christmas “Live!” – 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 14
Christmas Across America – 7 p.m.
Christmas Around the World – 8 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 15
Bing Crosby Christmas Collection – 7 p.m.
Christmas Divas – 8 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 16
University of St. Francis Music & Performing Arts – 7 p.m.
USF’s own student choirs.
Saturday, Dec. 17
Christmas Across the Lands – 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 18
Old-Time Radio Christmas Classic – Noon
Christmas in Our Town – 7 p.m.
All your requests and dedications.
Monday, Dec. 19
A Boy Band Christmas – 7 p.m.
Swingin’ Christmas – 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 20
Sing Along with Mitch Miller and Ray Conniff – 7 p.m.
Christmas with Leroy Anderson and Percy Faith – 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 21
Christmas with the Rat Pack – 7 p.m.
Christmas with Nat “King” Cole & Natalie Cole – 8 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 22
Bing Crosby Christmas Collection – 7 p.m.
Christmas Duets – 8 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 23
World’s Greatest Choirs – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 24
Top 25 Christmas Songs of 2022 – Noon
A countdown of your 2022 Christmas favorites.
Snoopy vs. the Red Barron – 5:30 p.m.
Cinnamon Bear – 6 p.m.
The exciting conclusion!
Christmas Eve with Bing Crosby & Friends – 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 25
Cinnamon Bear – 5 p.m.
Rebroadcast of the conclusion!
Christmas Across the Lands – 6 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 30
Tribute – 7 p.m.
A tribute to those Christmas recording artists we lost in 2022.
Saturday, Dec. 31
Top 25 Christmas Songs of 2021 – Noon & 9 p.m.
A replay countdown of your Christmas favorites of 2021.
Monday, Jan. 2, 2023
Spirit of Christmas ends – Noon
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@stfancis.edu
Learn more about campus media at USF
- Learn more by clicking here.