With Christmas and New Year just around the corner, Australians can cross one thing off their holiday to-do list: the music.
Nova has you covered with the soundtrack for Australia’s festive season, rolling out a curated mix of Christmas programming and commercial-free New Year’s Eve music across broadcast radio, DAB+ and the Nova Player.
From Christmas morning through to the first hours of 2026, the network is leaning into its strength in music-led moments, offering listeners a set-and-forget alternative to personal playlists during one of the year’s biggest listening periods.
Christmas Day programming across the network
Christmas Day on Nova will begin with Jase & Lauren from 7am to 9am, followed by Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie from 11am to 1pm, delivering a Christmas special aimed at keeping the mood light and celebratory.
The afternoon schedule will shift into a continuous run of Christmas hits and contemporary favourites, designed to sit in the background of long lunches, backyard gatherings and family celebrations.
Brendan Taylor, group programming director for the Nova Network, said the goal was to create a seamless listening experience across the entire holiday period.
“This year, our goal is simple: to deliver the ultimate holiday soundtrack for Australian listeners that flows effortlessly throughout the season, whether they’re hosting a big celebration or enjoying a quiet moment with friends and family. From Christmas classics to non-stop New Year’s Eve beats, we’ve got every festive moment covered.”
A commercial-free New Year’s Eve takeover
Nova will extend that approach into New Year’s Eve, switching to commercial-free music from 6pm on 31 December through to 6am on New Year’s Day.
The evening will begin with The Jermaine Plane from 6pm to 8pm, before Nova Nation takes over from 8pm with a lineup of local and international DJs drawn largely from the network’s existing Nova Nation residencies.
The New Year’s Eve DJ schedule includes Sgt Slick at 8pm, Tom Evans at 9pm, Jazzy at 10pm, Sonny Fodera at 11pm, Yes Boone at midnight and Mell Hall at 1am, closing out the night.
Sonny Fodera said the collaboration reflected the long-standing relationship between the artist and the network.
“Buzzing to help Nova celebrate the New Year with a new mix. Nova have been a big supporter of mine and I’m happy to ring in the New Year where it happens first in the world.”
Jase & Lauren will return just before midnight to lead the on-air countdown into 2026, marking the transition from DJ-led programming into the new year.
Scott Baker-Smith, head of music at the Nova Network, said the New Year’s Eve lineup was designed to balance established acts with emerging artists introduced by the network throughout the year.
“Our music team has worked tirelessly to craft a New Year’s Eve soundtrack that truly delivers, so our listeners can simply enjoy the party. From celebrating artists we introduced this year to championing established favourites, this set-and-forget lineup keeps the energy high all New Year’s Eve.
“It’s also a fantastic opportunity to showcase the depth and talent of Australia’s homegrown EDM scene through Nova Nation.”