The Midnight Special

Saturdays at 9:00 pm
instruments

Unique weekly series featuring songs, silliness, and show tunes

Original and offbeat, this three-hour Saturday night romp presents fresh new singer-songwriters alongside well-known artists who have played at Chicago area clubs, concert venues, festivals, and on the comedy scene. Inclusive, high-energy, and always entertaining, The Midnight Special offers listeners a lively potpourri of folk songs, ballads and blues, showtunes, spoken word, and hilarious novelty routines. Escape into the stories, experience the emotions, and let loose with a good guffaw whenever you tune in. Get onboard here, on wfmt.com, or use the WFMT app. The Midnight Special first aired in 1953 with Mike Nichols as host. View The Midnight Special archived playlists.

You might also be interested in WFMT's weekly series Folkstage featuring a one-hour folk concert.

The Midnight Special is available for free streaming in two different ways – live during the broadcast and on demand via the rights-compliant 5-hour, non-interactive player below within two weeks of the broadcast.


Operator, Get Me Long Distance!

January 25, 2025, 9:00 pm

Songs of miracle and wonder 110 years after Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas A. Watson first spoke coast-to-coast on a call from New York to San Francisco.

Chill Out in Frigid February

February 1, 2025, 8:00 pm

February songs to take the edge off the mid-winter chill and a “Happy Birthday!” to local the folk music hero with the warm voice, Joe Jencks!