Christmas at Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø, other holiday events planned

Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø celebrates the season with several events and performances open to the public.

Nov. 23: Lessons and Carols

Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025
3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Ascension Chapel, Bahls Center (formerly Founders Hall)
820 38th St.
Rock Island, Ill. 

Enjoy a beautiful, spiritual presentation of lessons and carols within the intimate setting of Ascension Chapel. The Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Chamber Singers and Campus Ministries present the story of Christ's birth in readings and song.

Free and open to the public.

Dec. 1: Sankta Lucia

Monday, Dec. 1, 2025
7 p.m.
Ascension Chapel, Bahls Center (formerly Founders Hall)
820 38th St.
Rock Island, Ill. 

Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø's annual celebration of the Festival of Sankta Lucia will commemorate the holiday with traditional Scandinavian Christmas carols, lessons and poetry. The Ascension Ringers will play, directed by Ben Holmes, in addition to special music by several Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø students. The singing is led by the Swedish language students and campus organist Chris Nelson.

Free and open to the public.

Dec. 3: Joy of Christmas

Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025
Jenny Lind Chapel
628 6th St.
Andover, Ill.

Students and faculty from Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø join the community for this beautiful service of worship and music that starts at Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Lutheran Church in Andover. The Christmas story will be read in several different languages.

The service concludes with a procession to the Jenny Lind Chapel, which is illuminated by 100 candles, and where Holy Communion will be celebrated to the strains of familiar Christmas carols.

Attendees are advised to dress warm for the weather, as the candle procession is about a 5-minute walk to the chapel.

Sponsored by Campus Ministries.

Dec. 4: An Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Christmas Tree Lighting & Holidays Around the World

Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025
2-6 p.m.
Various campus locations

"An Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Christmas Tree Lighting & Holidays Around the World - Tis the Season of Light and Community" includes events and activities throughout campus. All events are free and open to the public.

• Holidays Around the World, 2 p.m., Gerber Center G?vle rooms, 3435 9 1/2 Avenue, Rock Island: Explore interactive, student- and campus-led exhibits showcasing the world¡¯s many joyful traditions of the season. Each station will feature a hands-on activity ¡ª crafts, treats or cultural demonstrations. Gather at 4 p.m. for a festive storytime, and then head to the Wilson Center.
• Lighting of the Christmas tree program, 5 p.m., Wilson Center, 3750 7th Ave., Rock Island: 
  (Moved indoors to the Wilson Center due to inclement weather.) Celebrate the lighting of our campus Christmas tree with remarks from Pastor Melinda Pupillo and caroling led by choir alumni.
• Tree lighting program reception, 5:30 p.m., Wilson Center, 3750 7th Ave., Rock Island: Experience many traditions of the season with treats and warm drinks. 

Dec. 6-7: Christmas at Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø

Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025
2 p.m.
Centennial Hall, 3703 7th Ave.
Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø, Rock Island

Celebrate Christmas at Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø with performances by the Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Symphony Orchestra, Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Brass Ensemble, Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Choir, Jenny Lind Vocal Ensemble, Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Concert Chorale and the Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Handbell Choir.

Guests of all ages are invited to experience the warmth and excellence of this cherished Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø tradition.

The performance is 90 minutes with no intermission. Guests are asked to be seated no later than 1:55 p.m.

Tickets are available October 1 and can be purchased online or by phone through the Ticket Office.

Feb. 22, 2026: "Messiah"

Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026
3 p.m.
Centennial Hall, 3703 7th Ave.
Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø, Rock Island

Directed by Dr. Jon Hurty, the 200-member Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Oratorio Society will perform Handel's masterwork "Messiah" at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Centennial Hall.

"Messiah," the beloved baroque masterpiece that has moved audiences for nearly three centuries with its soaring choruses and profound musical storytelling of hope and redemption, has been performed by the Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Oratorio Society since 1881. Musicians of the Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Oratorio Society include community members, Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø students, members of the Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Choir and the Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Choral Artists.

Tickets can be purchased online or by phone through the Ticket Office.