Christmas at Augustana, other holiday events planned

Augustana College 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 Augustana 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. 

Augustana'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 Augustana 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 Augustana College join the community for this beautiful service of worship and music that starts at Augustana 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. 6-7: Christmas at Augustana

Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025
2 p.m.
Centennial Hall, 3703 7th Ave.
Rock Island, Ill.

Celebrate Christmas at Augustana with performances by the Augustana Symphony Orchestra, Augustana Brass Ensemble, Augustana Choir, Jenny Lind Vocal Ensemble, Augustana Concert Chorale and the Augustana Handbell Choir.

Guests of all ages are invited to experience the warmth and excellence of this cherished Augustana 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.
Rock Island, Ill.

Directed by Dr. Jon Hurty, the 200-member Augustana 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 Augustana Oratorio Society since 1881. Musicians of the Augustana Oratorio Society include community members, Augustana students, members of the Augustana Choir and the Augustana Choral Artists.

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