Festive Highlights
Plan your Radio 2 listening over the festive season with our pick of the highlights.
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Craig Charles sits in for Janice Long with music and chat.
03:00 Alex Lester
Radio 2 Events
Future Events
December 2009
Radio 2 Live: Bon JoviSaturday 26 December
Radio 2 provides another chance to hear the world's biggest rock band, Bon Jovi performing an exclusive show at the BBC Radio Theatre, featuring classic hits and tracks from their latest album.
BBC Electric Proms: Smokey RobinsonSaturday 26 December
Another chance to enjoy soul legend, Smokey Robinson celebrating 50 years of Motown in a special concert with the BBC Concert Orchestra, originally broadcast as part of the BBC Electric Proms season.
BBC Electric Proms: Dame Shirley BasseyMonday 28 December
Another chance to hear Dame Shirley Bassey celebrating 50 years at the top of showbusiness for the BBC Electric Proms earlier this year.
Radio 2 Live: Michael BubléMonday 28 December
Another chance to enjoy Canadian singing star, Michael Bublé performing an exclusive concert for Radio 2 from the BBC Radio Theatre in London.
Children In Need Rocks The Royal Albert HallWednesday 30 December
Radio 2 presents highlights of a fundraising spectacular at the Royal Albert Hall. Organised by Gary Barlow, the event featured an all-star line-up of rock and pop's finest, all helping to raise money for the 2009 Appeal.
January 2010
Ella, Aretha, Dusty and MeOn-air: Friday 1 January
Enjoy an evening of wonderful music made famous by three of the world's most loved divas - Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin and Dusty Springfield, in a special Friday Night Is Music Night concert presented by actor Michael Brandon.
Jeff Wayne's The War Of The WorldsFriday 1 January
Steve Lamacq presents Jeff Wayne's The War Of The Worlds performed live at London's 02 Arena, featuring Jennifer Ellison, The Moody Blues' Justin Hayward, Manfred Mann's Chris Thompson, and the voice of Richard Burton.
Friday Night Is Music NightVarious dates
Keep an eye on the BBC Tickets website for details of free tickets to see the Friday Night Is Music Night concerts featuring the BBC Concert Orchestra and guest artists.
February 2010
Radio 2 Folk Awards 2010Monday 1 February
Find out who's in the running to receive an award at the annual Radio 2 Folk Awards ceremony.
Big Band Special – What the World Needs Now... with the BBC Big BandRecording: Friday 12 February
Find out how to get ticketsFind out more about the show
Join the BBC Big Band for a space age pop celebration of those easy listening kings, Burt Bacharach and Henry Mancini, at the Birmingham Town Hall.
Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist 2010Saturday 20 February
Frank Renton introduces the grand final of the Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist competition from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.
March 2010
- Big Band Special – Duke Ellington's Sounds of Harlem with the BBC Big Band
Recording: Friday 12 March
Find out how to get ticketsFind out more about the show
The BBC Big Band performs the best of Duke Ellington, including movements from his acclaimed 'Nutcracker' and 'Peer Gynt' suites, at the Birmingham Town Hall.
April 2010
- Big Band Special – A Tribute to Louis and Ella with the BBC Big Band
Recording: Friday 23 April
Find out how to get ticketsFind out more about the show
Join Australian trumpet virtuoso James Morrison, singer Anita Wardell and the BBC Big Band at the Birmingham Town Hall, as they recreate the great jazz partnership of Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.
Previous Events
December 2009
Radio 2 Live: U2Monday 21 December
Radio 2 presented highlights from U2's worldwide tour, recorded at London's Wembley Stadium on Saturday 15 August 2009.
Radio 2 Live In The Morning: Leona LewisThursday 3 December
See the photos
Leona Lewis performed an exclusive session for Ken Bruce's show from the BBC Radio Theatre in London.
November 2009
Radio 2 Live: Spandau BalletSaturday 21 November
In an exclusive concert from the BBC Radio Theatre in London, Spandau Ballet performed their classic hits alongside tracks from their new album.- Radio 2 Live: Bon Jovi
14 November 2009
The world's biggest rock band, Bon Jovi performed an exclusive show for Radio 2 at the BBC Radio Theatre, featuring classic hits and tracks from their latest album.
Friday Night Is Mercer Night13 November 2009
Find out about other Friday Night Is Mercer Night programmes
To celebrate the centenary of lyricist Johnny Mercer, singer Curtis Stigers hosted a special edition of Friday Night is Music Night with the BBC Concert Orchestra.
Cliff Richard and The Shadows in Concert7 November 2009
Radio 2 recorded Cliff Richard and The Shadows performing in concert at Wembley Arena in October 2009, as part of their arena tour to celebrate their 50th anniversary.
Radio 2 Young Choristers of the Year 20091 November 2009
Find out about the winners and see the pictures
Eight young hopefuls took part in the final of 2009's Radio 2 Young Choristers of the Year competition in St Paul's Cathedral, London.
October 2009
BBC Maida Vale at 7526 - 31 October 2009
Find out more
Jamie Cullum, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Stereophonics and Yusuf all gave exclusive performances for Radio 2 as part of the celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the BBC's Maida Vale studios in London.- Smokey Robinson - BBC Electric Proms
24 October 2009
Soul legend, Smokey Robinson celebrated 50 years of Motown in a special concert with the BBC Concert Orchestra, as part of the BBC Electric Proms season. - Dame Shirley Bassey - BBC Electric Proms
23 October 2009
Britain's most successful female artist, Dame Shirley Bassey joined by the BBC Concert Orchestra for a concert featuring her most famous hits, alongside new tracks from her forthcoming album. 
Radio 2's Great British Songbook: Don Black Masterclass23 October 2009
From the BBC Electric Proms, award-winning lyricist Don Black gave an exclusive masterclass for Radio 2's Great British Songbook. The event also featured West End star, Marti Webb performing extracts from some of Don Black's best known songs.
Radio 2 Live: Michael Bublé21 October 2009
Watch Michael Bublé's backstage tour of the BBC Radio Theatre
Canadian singing star, Michael Bublé performed an exclusive concert for Radio 2 from the BBC Radio Theatre in London.
September 2009
Thank You For The Music: A Celebration Of The Music Of ABBA13 September 2009
See the photos
Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Nerina Pallot and The Feeling were just some of the artists who celebrated the music of ABBA in an amazing concert in London's Hyde Park.
BBC Proms In The Park12 September 2009
See the photos
Barry Manilow joined Katherine Jenkins, Garđar Thór Cortes and the BBC Concert Orchestra for a concert in London's Hyde Park to celebrate the Last Night Of The Proms.
Radio 2 Live In Blackpool4 & 5 September 2009
See the photos
Will Young, Mika, Paloma Faith, Tony Christie and Pixie Lott were just some of the artitsts who performed in a series of live shows from Blackpool, celebrating the switch-on of the Illuminations.
July 2009
Cambridge Folk Festival 200930 July - 2 August 2009
See the photos
It's one of the highlights of the folk calendar and Radio 2 was there to bring you the best of the festival.
Lorna Luft & Friends Celebrate The Music Of Judy Garland31 July 2009
Friday Night Is Music Night celebrated the music of one of the world's best loved icons with a concert starring Judy Garland's daughter, Lorna Luft.- Radio 2 Live: Jeff Wayne's The War Of The Worlds
21 July 2009
Find out about the show and see the photos
Steve Lamacq presented Jeff Wayne's musical version of The War Of The Worlds, performed live at London's 02 Arena. 
Radio 2 at Latitude 200916 - 19 July 2009
Find out more, see the pictures and watch the videos
Radio 2 presented live from the Latitude Music and Arts Festival in Suffolk.
Radio 2 Live: Diana Krall6 July 2009
Listen to Clare Teal interviewing Diana Krall
Diana Krall performed tracks from her latest album in an exclusive performance.
June 2009
Radio 2 Introduces... Paloma Faith20 June 2009
Watch Paloma's video interview and see the photos
Former magician's assistant and actress, Paloma Faith performed an exclusive set on Dermot O'Leary's show, featuring songs from her debut album.
Radio 2 Live in the Morning... Lionel Richie8 June 2009
See the photos
Lionel Richie performed an amazing live session on Ken Bruce's show and was joined on one of the tracks by R'n'B star Akon.
Radio 2 Live... Yusuf6 June 2009
See the photos
The artist previously known as Cat Stevens performed in an exclusive concert for Radio 2 from the BBC Radio Theatre in London.
May 2009
Eurovision Song ContestSaturday 16 May
Find out all there is to know about the Eurovision Song Contest, and who won this year's competition.
Friday Night Is Music Night with Paul CarrackFriday 15 May
Singer-songwriter, Paul Carrack joined the BBC Concert Orchestra to perform his greatest hits in a show that also featured American jazz singer Melody Gardot.
ABC and the BBC Concert Orchestra present The Lexicon of Love4 May 2009
ABC performed all the songs from their 1982 debut album, the Lexicon of Love, at London's Royal Albert Hall.
Cheltenham Jazz Festival 200928 April - 4 May 2009
Radio 2 presented an exclusive concert from this year's Cheltenham Jazz Festival telling the story of Billy Strayhorn's controversial relationship with Duke Ellington.
April 2009
Radio 2's Great British Songbook13 April 2009
Watch video of the artist interviews
Radio 2 presented a celebration of the work of British songwriters, with artists of today performing classic British songs.
Radio 2 Introduces... Pixie Lott25 April 2009
Watch Pixie's Great British Songbook video interview
Pixie Lott performed an exclusive session on Dermot O'Leary's show.
February 2009
U2 at the BBC27 February 2009
U2 spent the day at the BBC and joined Chris Evans on the Drivetime show prior to a surprise gig on the roof of BBC Broadcasting House.
January 2009
Radio 2 Live: Elbow31 January 2009
See photos from the performance
In an exclusive concert, Elbow teamed up with the BBC Concert Orchestra for a unique live performance of their 2008 Mercury Award winning album The Seldom Seen Kid.
Coming Soon
Big Band SpecialThe BBC Big Band are recording a series of concerts at Birmingham Town Hall in the coming months, featuring the music of Burt Bacharach, Henry Mancini, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.
Find out how to get tickets
Radio 2 celebrates the work of British songwriters, with artists of today performing classic British songs.
Watch our artist interviews and find out more
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