It’s like a Christmas selection box at BBC Radio Wales this year

BBC Radio Wales Editor Carolyn Hitt says the station will be “Like a Christmas selection box” as the festive schedule is revealed.

Listeners will hear an array of new programmes starring the likes of Amy Dowden, Wynne Evans, Bryn Terfel, Amy Wadge, Aleighcia Scott and Welsh rugby’s first family, the Quinnells.

The schedule includes Christmas with the Quinnells on Friday 23 December at 7pm and Sunday 25 December at 1pm.

Scott Quinnell and his family have an exclusive Christmas party featuring their very own house band, for a packed show with a live audience. There will be performances from The Voice winner Anthonia Edwards, West End performer Luke McCall and Scott’s son, Steele.

Guests popping in for a chat include rugby legend Shane Williams, actor Alexandra Roach and DJ Katie Owen, plus a few surprise guests.

Scott will also be preparing a festive feast in the Christmas kitchen, under the expert supervision of Colleen Ramsey and Chris Roberts.

Other programmes from the listins include:

A Swingin’ Christmas – Friday 23 December, 8pm and repeated Sunday 25 December, 5pm

Swing into Christmas with an uplifting and nostalgic night of music with a jazz and swing twist at BBC NOW’s Swingin’ Christmas concert. Hear festive favourites and a big-band sound with Louise Dearman, the leading lady of West End musicals, award-winning vocalist and crooner, Matt Ford and famed conductor and composer Andrew Cottee.

Wynne-ter Wonderland: The Christmas Townhall Showdown – Saturday 24 December, 2pm and Sunday 25 December, 2pm

Join Wynne Evans and friends his Christmas for a feast of festive live music and chat from his live stage show with a seasonal twist. BBC Radio Wales will bring listeners all the best bits from Wynne-ter Wonderland – The Christmas Townhall Showdown, recorded in front of a live audience at Cardiff’s Hoddinott Hall. Wynne will be joined on stage by the City of Cardiff Melingriffith Community Brass Band, alongside Cardiff University’s A Cappela group, CU VOX.

BBC NOW Carol Service – Saturday 24 December, 5pm and repeated Sunday 25 December, 8am

Join the BBC National Chorus of Wales and their artistic director, Adrian Partington, for the BBC Wales Carol Concert. Accompanied by members of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, listeners can expect to hear rousing carols, readings from your favourite Radio Wales presenters and exquisite choral performances.

A Very Reggae Christmas with Aleighcia Scott – Saturday 24 December, 6pm

BBC Radio Wales celebrates Christmas, reggae-style, with Cardiff born Welsh-Jamaican reggae artist and presenter, Aleighcia Scott.

Christmas with Bryn Terfel – Sunday 25 December, 11am

Spend Christmas with one of Wales’ most iconic voices, opera star Bryn Terfel. Bryn will bring listeners two hours of his personal selection of perfect Christmas music, or how he describes it, “something old, something new, something borrowed and something Bublé!”

Bryn will be joined by Pontypridd song writing superstar Amy Wadge for a chat and a live performance, as well as his wife, former official harpist to the Prince of Wales Hannah Stone, who will also be performing, and actor Matthew Gravelle (Broadchurch, Keeping Faith), who will lend his voice to Christmas readings throughout the programme.

New Year’s Day with Amy Dowden – Sunday 1 January, 9.30am

Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden will be welcoming in 2023 with a swing and a shimmy. Listeners can join the Caerphilly dancer and presenter for great music, chat and guests to soundtrack their New Year’s Day. Amy will also be sharing some of the songs that have inspired her on and off the dancefloor, as well as catching up with Strictly stars past and present.