SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2026 4 P.M.
RESERVED SEATING - TICKETS REQUIRED - SEE BELOW
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2026 7 P.M.
doors open at 6 p.m. - no tickets required
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2026 4 P.M.
DOORS OPEN AT 3 P.M. - NO TICKETS REQUIRED

Worship In Sewanee Just Before Christmas

On Christmas Eve, 1918, the Chaplain of King's College, Cambridge took a Cornish Christmas tradition and brought it to the world. Weaving together biblical readings with seasonal music, the service prepared participants to hear the announcement of the birth of Jesus Christ. For over 60 years, Sewanee has hosted its own service, and coming as it does at the end of the Advent semester, the gathering becomes, for many, the Christmas celebration of the University. In addition to the students, staff, and faculty of the University, the service is open to the broader community in Sewanee and beyond.

Attending This Year's Services

We look forward to welcoming the extended Sewanee family and friends to the Festival of Lessons and Carols at All Saints' Chapel in 2026. The first service-Saturday, Dec. 5, at 4 p.m.-features reserved seating. Tickets will be made available to students and employees of the University during the first week of November. The other two services—Saturday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 6 at 4 p.m.—feature walk-up seating. Doors will open an hour in advance of the service and overflow seating will be provided as needed. Doors close 15 minutes before each service, so please arrive early. Please note that large bags or backpacks will not be allowed in All Saints' Chapel. Email us with questions.

We hope you’ll also plan to join the extended Sewanee family for the greening of All Saints’ Chapel on Friday, December 4 beginning at 9 a.m. Come and go as you are able and help the Chapel be transformed!

Livestreaming This Year's Services

All services will be livestreamed for friends and family who are unable to attend in person. The livestream can be accessed approximately 10 minutes prior to the service time.

View the recordings from 2025 below:

Parking

Parking on University Avenue is permitted but limited. It is recommended that guests park at the Fulford Hall (navigate), the duPont Library (navigate), or Mississippi Avenue (navigate) parking lots. Accessible parking spots are available along Georgia Avenue—just north of All Saints' Chapel. You can also review the online map for other visitor parking options.

Previous Years

Beginning in 2021, All Saints' Chapel began livestreaming the Saturday evening service of Lessons and Carols so that those unable to make it to the mountain could still participate in the service. In 2014, Stephen Garrett, C'01, produced a short film that captures the highlights of a typical year. Below are links to the 2024 livestream and the highlights video from the 2014 services.