Love Divine – 2021 St. Olaf Christmas Festival

The St. Olaf Christmas Festival

First held in 1912, the St. Olaf Christmas Festival is one of the oldest musical celebrations of Christmas in the United States. Led by five conductors, it features more than 500 student musicians who are members of the college’s world-renowned choirs and orchestra.

The festival features a rich repertoire of classic Advent and Christmas compositions, familiar carols, hymns from around the world, and contemporary pieces from a diverse range of composers and cultures, offering music that both celebrates the Norwegian American history of the college while also highlighting beautiful works from around the globe. It traditionally closes with the hymn “Beautiful Savior.”

This year also marks the last St. Olaf Christmas Festival for St. Olaf Orchestra Conductor Steven Amundson, who will retire this spring after 40 years at the college.

For more information, please visit stolafchristmas.com.

COVID-19 Protocols

The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and guests remains our top priority. The following protocols were developed in partnership with our epidemiologist, taking into account a variety of factors, including the conditions at St. Olaf and in our broader community, building ventilation, estimated attendance numbers, and the planned duration of the Christmas Festival program:

— All visitors attending Christmas Festival events will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination before entry. Individuals unable to provide proof of vaccination will not be allowed into the dinners or concerts.

— Masks will be required for all visitors attending Christmas Festival events.

— We are offering one fewer live performance this year, and seating capacity for the three live performances will be reduced by 10%.

All musicians performing in the St. Olaf Christmas Festival are fully vaccinated, and will be tested for COVID-19 three separate times before and during the weekend of the festival, to further ensure maximum safety for our students, conductors, staff, and audience members.

If ticket holders have COVID-19 symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, they must stay home and not attend the festival. They will be able to request a refund, with no fees or penalties.