A Musical Jewel: The St. Olaf Christmas Festival

Experience the magic of the St. Olaf Christmas Festival, a timeless musical tradition that brings the holiday spirit to life! 🎄🎵✨

✅ Listen to A Musical Jewel: The St. Olaf Christmas Festival on our podcast. We release new episodes of Travel with Jack and Kitty every day! Subscribe and listen on your favorite podcast app. 🎙️❤️

Quick Summary

Discover the enchanting world of the St. Olaf Christmas Festival, a century-old musical celebration.

• 🎶 Traces the festival’s history from its 1912 inception to its current global acclaim.
• 🌍 Showcases the evolution, leadership, and media presence that has shaped this festive event.
• 🏞️ Highlights Northfield’s charm, offering a complete cultural and musical experience.

St. Olaf Christmas Festival: A Century-Old Tradition

The St. Olaf Christmas Festival is a time-honored event that has been enchanting audiences since 1912. Originating from the visionary F. Melius Christiansen, founder of St. Olaf’s music department, this festival has become a global choral phenomenon. 🎵🌎

As a local Minnesotan, one of my fave family traditions was experiencing the majesty of this holiday choral event!

The Birth of a Legacy

Back in 1912, the first Christmas Program showcased the St. Olaf Choral Union in Hoyme Memorial Chapel. 🌟 Christiansen’s passion for a cappella singing led the St. Olaf choir to regional fame. This marked the beginning of an enduring musical tradition. 🎼

✔ Read more: Today in Minnesota History

A Growing Phenomenon

From its humble chapel origins, the festival moved to the school’s gym in 1922 due to its rising popularity. 📈 Despite a brief scale-back during World War II, the event bounced back, expanding to four shows and moving to larger venues to accommodate the growing audience. 🏫

Leadership Through the Ages

The festival flourished under the leadership of Olaf Christiansen and later Kenneth Jennings. 🎤 In 1990, Anton Armstrong, a St. Olaf graduate, took over, continuing the legacy of musical excellence. 🎶

A Tapestry of Choirs

Today, the festival features five distinct choirs: the St. Olaf Choir, Cantorei, Chapel Choir, Viking Chorus, and Manitou Singers. Each group brings a unique flavor to the festival, culminating in a grand finale with over 500 voices joined in harmony. 🧵🎉

Global Reach and Media Presence

Since 1975, the festival has been televised, reaching audiences worldwide, including broadcasts on MPR and affiliates, Armed Forces Television and Radio, and online streaming. Its highlights also feature in PBS Christmas specials and movie theaters. 🌍📺

✔ Read more: Things To Do in Southern Minnesota

Future Festivities

The festival continues to evolve, with plans to alternate between Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis and St. Olaf College campus in a two-year rotation. 📅 This new strategy promises to offer varied experiences while respecting the festival’s rich heritage. 🏛️

Beyond the Music: Discover Northfield

Northfield, the festival’s home, is a picturesque town with over 150 years of history. 🏞️ Recognized for its beauty and cultural richness, it offers a perfect complement to the musical experience with its scenic trails, vibrant music scene, and delicious dining options. 🍽️

✔ Read more: Northfield, MN – Let’s Explore Antique Stores

Embracing the Holiday Spirit

The St. Olaf Christmas Festival is more than a concert; it’s a celebration of the holiday spirit through music. 🎅 This event reminds us of the power of music to unite and inspire, reflecting the warmth and joy of the holiday season. 🌟

Celebrate the season’s harmony with the St. Olaf Christmas Festival, a musical tradition that resonates with the heart and soul. 🎵🎄💖

✅ Don’t miss out! Listen to today’s podcast episode, A Musical Jewel: The St. Olaf Christmas Festival – where we go even deeper into this story. Remember, we release new episodes of Travel with Jack and Kitty every day! Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. 🎙️❤️

The St. Olaf Christmas Festival
Plan in advance! Tickets usually sell out. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of ways to make this event part of your holiday tradition thanks to broadcasts on PBS and NPR.

Christmas Song from Jack and Kitty’s PBS Kids Show
We briefly mentioned our PBS Kids show we created and filmed in Nashville. Here’s a special holiday music video featuring Santa Claus himself! Families with preschoolers will enjoy this colorful and festive tune. Watch on YouTube.

Listen on YouTube