93.9 Lite FM Starts Non-Stop Christmas Programming in Chicago
The iHeartRadio station begins holiday broadcasts on Nov. 5, coinciding with the opening of a light display exhibit at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.
By Vincent Parker ·
iHeartRadio's 93.9 Lite FM will begin broadcasting continuous holiday music at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5. The Chicago-based adult contemporary station is rebranding as Holiday Lite for the season, replacing its regular format with Christmas songs. This change initiates the local radio holiday season seven weeks before the winter solstice.
The station's programming will include a mix of classic crooners, country artists, and contemporary performers. The lineup features recordings from Bing Crosby, Johnny Mathis, Donnie Hathaway, Michael Jackson, John and Yoko Ono, Michael Bublé, and the Ronettes. The format blends traditional hymns with modern pop arrangements.
The switch to holiday music will occur during a live broadcast from the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. The museum is launching its Christmas Around the World and Holidays Of Light exhibit on Nov. 7. The display runs through Jan. 3, 2027, and includes more than 50 trees and installations. Community volunteers decorate these displays to share family and cultural traditions.
The exhibit features seasonal celebrations of light from around the globe. Specific displays represent Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Diwali. The museum uses these decorations to highlight global heritage and seasonal customs within the local community.
The station announced the format change in a release published Wednesday morning. The announcement included a promotional message stating, "Roses are red, violets are blue. We have Christmas music just for you." The station also introduced a promotional contest for listeners.
The "Pay Your Holiday Bills" contest allows listeners to win $1,000. To enter, listeners must tune in during weekday broadcasts between 8:25 a.m. and 8:25 p.m. A special keyword is broadcast at the 25-minute mark of every hour. Listeners hear the keyword during these specific time slots to participate in the drawing.
The station's new format begins at the 3 p.m. switch. The Griffin Museum exhibit opens two days later on Nov. 7. The holiday music programming will continue through the duration of the museum's light display, which ends in early January 2027.
