Chicago’s annual wave of holiday spirit is arriving just a little later this year. Popular radio station 93.9 LITE FM has announced that it will officially begin broadcasting nonstop Christmas music on Tuesday, November 4, marking the start of its 25th year as Chicago’s go-to station for festive tunes.
The station confirmed that the seasonal switch will take place at 3 p.m., when it transitions to “around-the-clock holiday music.” Listeners across the Chicago area can tune in for a commercial-free two-hour celebration to kick off the change, signaling the beginning of the city’s most beloved radio tradition.
“93.9 LITE FM listeners have joined us each holiday season to celebrate the most magical time of year in Chicago,” said Mick Lee, program director and afternoon show host for iHeartMedia Chicago’s 93.9 LITE FM. “We’re thrilled to celebrate our 25th year as Chicago’s Christmas station, spreading cheer, unity and warmth all season long.”
The station’s decision to delay the start of holiday programming comes as a slight surprise to loyal fans. Over the past several years, the switch to festive music has consistently taken place earlier in November, making this year’s start date one of the latest in recent memory. In 2024, the holiday music began on November 1, while in 2023 and 2022, the transition happened on November 2 and November 1 respectively. The last time 93.9 LITE FM began its holiday lineup this late was in 2020, when the switch occurred on November 6.
While the station has not announced an official end date for this year’s holiday broadcast, 93.9 LITE FM traditionally continues its Christmas programming through December and into the New Year, concluding the season after the holidays wrap up. During this period, the station’s playlist features a blend of timeless classics and contemporary favorites, from Bing Crosby and Mariah Carey to modern pop renditions of seasonal hits.
For many Chicagoans, the station’s holiday music signal marks an unofficial start to the city’s festive season. Listeners often describe the moment the first Christmas song airs as a mood-shifting event that sets the tone for everything from decorating homes to preparing for family gatherings. Over the years, 93.9 LITE FM’s switch has become synonymous with the city’s holiday spirit, creating a sense of community across the airwaves.
This year’s programming milestone also highlights the station’s enduring popularity and its role in Chicago’s cultural landscape. Since its first all-holiday broadcast in 1999, 93.9 LITE FM has established itself as one of the leading seasonal radio stations in the country. Its consistent listener engagement and nostalgic playlists have made it a staple of local holiday traditions.
The special two-hour commercial-free event will serve as a festive launch, featuring audience favorites and surprises curated to celebrate the occasion. Afterward, the station will maintain its 24-hour holiday rotation, offering a mix of traditional carols, pop standards, and heartwarming holiday stories designed to carry Chicagoans through the winter months.
As the city’s streets begin to glow with festive lights and downtown holiday markets prepare to open, 93.9 LITE FM’s annual transformation reminds residents that the season of joy has officially begun — even if it arrived a few days later than expected.
Whether driving through the city’s neighborhoods, wrapping gifts at home, or sipping a warm drink downtown, listeners can now tune in to the sounds of the holidays and join Chicago’s 25-year-old radio tradition of Christmas cheer. For many, the return of 93.9 LITE FM’s Christmas music is more than just a change in programming — it’s a familiar signal that the holidays have finally arrived in the Windy City.
