Highlights Archive

November’s Family Movie Friday: Carnival of the Animals

WXXI’s Family Movie Friday in November will highlight a brand new special from PBS KIDS, Carnival of the Animals!

About the “Movies”

Carnival of Animals is a PBS KIDS animated special that brings the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s performance of the beloved classical music piece in a whole new playful way. The vibrant 2D animated special features French composer Camille Saint-Saëns’ full iconic composition recorded live by the renowned, multiple Grammy-winning conductor, Gustavo Dudamel, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, recorded at the Hollywood Bowl.

During this special screening, WXXI Early Learning Team will be joined by our WXXI Classical friends as well as our neighbors from Hochstein School of Music and Eastman School of Music.

What to Know & Registration

Family Movie Fridays are a series of free family movie nights hosted at WXXI Studios. Families can join our WXXI Education team to watch a PBS KIDS movie or group of themed-episodes, play, and connect with other local families. All Family Movie Fridays are free, but registration is required.

Who: Family Movie Fridays are open to all kids and their families. All kids must be accompanied by an adult (over the age of 18). All adults must stay with their children throughout the entire event. Events are most appropriate for kids ages 2-8 years old.

When: Friday, November 20, 2026. Doors open at 5:45 p.m., movie starts at 6 p.m. Movie running time is about 1 hour; includes either one 1-hour movie or two 30-minute special episodes. Families are welcome to stay for part or all of the movie night experience.

Where: WXXI Studios – 280 State Street, Rochester, NY, Parking is available next door at High Falls Parking Garage

Family Movie Friday Registration

Grownup Name(Required)

First Last

Phone Number

Please include area code.

Email(Required)

Families who register will receive a confirmation email and a reminder email.

Number of children attending(Required)

Number of adults attending(Required)

Zip code(Required)

I understand that Family Movie Fridays are a whole family experience. Children must be accompanied by an adult (18+) at all times.(Required)

I understand

I understand that Family Movie Fridays will be captured with video and photo for documentation purposes and to share portions with WXXI’s funders, as well as our local community.(Required)

I understand

Does anyone in your family have accessibility needs?

Please describe any accesibility needs below or contact Rachel Rosner at RRosner@wxxi.org.

Any other questions or comments?

Pati Jinich Explores Panamericana — WXXI-TV

Join chef Pati Jinich on a Pan-American journey exploring cultural connections.

Pati Jinich Explores Panamericana airs Mondays, October 26- November 9 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streams live on the WXXI and PBS apps.

Join chef Pati Jinich as she continues her journey inspired by the Pan-American Highway through the Western United States from Montana and Wyoming to Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona to the Mexico border. From ranching towns to desert borderlands, she connects with people whose traditions and dreams reflect the many threads that make up this country. Through food, culture, and personal connection, Pati continues to explore what unites the Americas.

Episodes include:

Montana & Wyoming – Small Acts, Wide Ripples airs Monday, October 26
In Montana and Wyoming, Pati meets people restoring language, land, and livelihood.

New Mexico & Colorado – Life Along the Rio airs Monday, November 2
Pati travels Colorado to New Mexico, finding the Rio Grande and the lives it sustains.

Arizona – Abundance in the Desert airs Monday, November 9
In Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, Pati finds culture, history, and unexpected abundance.

Stephen King, A Necessary Evil — WXXI-TV

Stephen King has been one of the world’s most successful bestselling authors for decades.

Stephen King, A Necessary Evil airs Saturday, October 31 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streams live on the WXXI and PBS apps.

Stephen King, A Necessary Evil includes film clips (Carrie, The Shining, Christine, The Dead Zone, Misery) and rarely shown interviews with the author, exploring why King’s horror stories touch the reader so deeply and how he succeeded in creating such popular work over the years.

Photo credit: Getty Images, Toronto Star, Dick Loek

Dia de los Muertos — WXXI-TV

Enjoy a cultural and musical celebration of a wonderful, ancient tradition.

Dia de los Muertos airs Thursday, October 29 at 10:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streams live on the WXXI and PBS apps.

“Dia de los Muertos” is a musical celebration of this much-anticipated and highly celebrated fiesta by people of Mexican heritage everywhere. Special guests include Latino rock greats, Los Lobos, the salsa-rap-reggae-funk of Ozomatli — both Los Angeles-based — and the all-female mariachi band Flor de Toloache from New York City.

In Pursuit: Lessons of American Leadership — WXXI-TV

History comes alive with leadership lessons from presidents and first ladies for America’s 250th.

In Pursuit: Lessons of American Leadership airs Tuesday, October 27 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streams live on the WXXI and PBS apps.

What can history teach us about leadership? Based on More Perfect’s In Pursuit, Retro Report explores leadership lessons from America’s presidents and first ladies through new voices, archival material, and documentary storytelling.

Independent Lens “Seeds” — WXXI-TV

A visual exploration of Black farmers and the power of owning land across generations.

Independent Lens “Seeds” airs Monday, October 26 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streams live on the WXXI and PBS apps.

Seeds is a visual exploration of centennial farmers in the Southern U.S. This film examines the decline of generational Black farmers and the significance of owning land. Through the perspectives of three different lives, the film creates an intimate portrait of farmers and the landscapes they steward, illustrating how generations of Black family farms persevere despite enduring obstacles.

An Anthem to America — Ken Burns & Florentine Film Celebrates 50 Years — WXXI-TV

Ken Burns and the filmmaking team look back over five decades of groundbreaking documentaries. (57m 6s)

An Anthem to America — Ken Burns & Florentine Film Celebrates 50 Years airs Sunday, October 25 at 1 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streams live on the WXXI and PBS apps.

Join Ken Burns and the filmmaking team as they look back over five decades of making groundbreaking documentaries. Meet the people who create the films, explore their signature style, and discover how they bring American history to life. The film includes archival video clips from a half-century of films and interviews with Burns and many of his closest collaborators.

Great Performances “Tammy Wynette: Forever Yours” — WXXI-TV

Great Performances pays tribute to Tammy Wynette’s musical legacy.

Great Performances “Tammy Wynette: Forever Yours” airs Friday, October 23 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streams live on the WXXI and PBS apps.

Tammy Wynette’s musical success and legacy was achieved through personal grit and a determination to sing, write music, and raise herself above her humble beginnings. From Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, GREAT PERFORMANCES pays tribute to Wynette’s musical legacy, presenting a star-studded concert that includes her iconic duets with former husband George Jones. Introduced by Wynette and Jones’ daughter Georgette Jones, the concert features performances by Kimberly Perry (of The Band Perry), Terri Clark, Wynonna Judd, Katie Pruitt, War & Treaty, Carter Faith, Tami Neilson, Valerie June, Troubadour Blue, Jaci Velasquez, Gretchen Wilson, Brittney Spencer, Jamie O’Neal, The Isaacs, Kaitlin Butts, Patti Griffin, Mandy Barnett, Debby Boone, K.T. Tunstall, Lorrie Morgan and Ann Wilson (of Heart).

Following “Tammy Wynette: Forever Yours” at 10:30 p.m. stay tune for Great Performances “George Jones: Still Playin’ Possum,” which honors one of the most beloved stars in country music history with this all-star tribute concert featuring Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Wynonna, Jelly Roll, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt, Lorrie Morgan, Justin Moore, Trace Adkins and more.

Great Performances “George Jones: Still Playin’ Possum” repeats Saturday, October 24 at 3 p.m. followed by Great Performances “Tammy Wynette: Forever Yours” at 4:30 p.m.