Buffalo’s The New 96.1 kicks off holiday season with all-Christmas music

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — If you hear the familiar jingle of The New 96.1’s Christmas commercial, you know the holiday season has officially arrived in Buffalo. The station flipped to all-Christmas music over the weekend and celebrated the kickoff with a festive morning show on Monday.

Morning host Dave Fields said the station wanted to get an early start on the holiday season.

“Where the only station in Buffalo playing all Christmas music. We wanted to get a jump on the holiday season,” said Fields, “We know people of Western New York love hearing Christmas music, especially right after Halloween. So, we wanted to go all Christmas that’s what we’re doing 24/7 all the way through the big day and beyond.”

The celebration included a lineup of special guests, including Joshua Vacanti from The Voice, other local musical artists, and even a visit from Santa Claus.

Fields also highlighted the station’s Cans for Christmas food drive in partnership with St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy.

“So we have our Cans for Christmas Food Drive. We’re teaming up with St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy. We’re collecting non-perishable food items now through Dec. 14. We have tons of great locations all across Western New York, like Vidler’s down in East Aurora, the law offices of William Mattar,” said Fields.

For many listeners, Christmas music evokes memories and gets families into the holiday spirit. Fields shared one of his own favorites.

“My biggest one is Little Drummer Boy. I was like four or five years old. My dad would dance around the kitchen with me back in West Seneca to that song, and every time I hear that song, it brings me back to that memory. That’s one of my core memories that I absolutely love. That’s why I love playing Christmas music,” said Fields.

The station will continue playing Christmas music through Christmas Day and beyond. Listeners can submit song requests through The New 96.1 app.