Saturdays at 9:00 pm
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.
Songs to Shop By for the Holidays
Making a list and checking twice? From scarlet ribbons to strangely wrapped gifts, this week’s playlist will provide a soundtrack for shopping, wrapping, and remembering. Also, a few tunes from the toybox.
Keeping the Lights On
“The street lights are on in Chicago tonight…” Songs to brighten the longest of the year as winter arrives in earnest and Christmas bell ring out. Also, birthday wishes to Billy Bragg and Lori McKenna.
Kindle a Candle and Start Anew
Songs for endings and beginnings and a tuneful celebration of Hanukkah.
