Christmas at Augustana, other holiday events planned

Augustana College celebrates the season with several events and performances open to the public.

Nov. 24: Lessons and Carols

Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024
3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Ascension Chapel, Bahls Center (Founders Hall)

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.

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Dec. 2: Festival of Sankta Lucia

Monday, Dec. 2, 2024

Ascension Chapel, Bahls Center (Founders Hall)

Augustana's annual celebration of the Festival of Sankta Lucia will commemorate the holiday with traditional Scandinavian Christmas carols, lessons and poetry.

The Sankta Lucia Festival is a cherished tradition of the Advent season in all the Nordic countries. A candlelight procession of singers is led by a young woman robed in white with a crown of candles on her head, to commemorate the martyred St. Lucy (d. 304 AD), whose feast day is Dec. 13.

Free and open to the public.

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Dec. 4: Joy of Christmas

Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024
7:30 p.m.
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.

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Dec. 5: Lighting of the tree

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024
4:30 p.m.

Behind Old Main

Join President Andrea Talentino for the annual lighting of the Christmas tree and a celebration of traditions of the season. Gather by the tree for holiday treats and festivities.

Free and open to the public.

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Dec. 7-8: Christmas at Augustana presented by Quad City Bank & Trust

Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024
2 p.m.
Centennial Hall, 3703 7th Ave.

Christmas at Augustana has thrilled audiences for more than a decade. Three hundred student musicians share their talents in what has become a highlight of the Quad-Cities holiday season. The concert features performances by the Augustana Brass Ensemble, Augustana Bell Choir, Augustana Symphony Orchestra, Augustana Choir, Jenny Lind Vocal Ensemble and Augustana Concert Chorale.

Tickets are available online beginning October 1, or by phone through the Ticket Office.

Julbord Dinner

Date TBD

The Gerber Center for Student Life., Gävle Banquet Rooms

The Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center at Augustana will serve its annual Julbord Dinner from 5-6:30 p.m. in the Gerber Center. (Julbord in Swedish means "Christmas table.")

Guests may arrive at any time. There will be brief remarks at 5:30.

Traditional Swedish-American Christmas smörgåsbord fare will be served, including salads, relishes, fruit, herring, bread, cheese, potatoes, salmon, potato sausage, meatballs, rice pudding and Christmas desserts. 

→ More information and tickets

Season of Light planetarium show

Date TBD
John Deere Planetarium

"Season of Light" tells the story of how our holiday traditions are connected to the sky through a multimedia show that uses the planetarium sky projector, astronomical images, music and narration, all projected onto a 30-foot dome. Recommended for visitors ages 8 and up.

Free and open to the public. Tickets required.

→ More information
→ Buy tickets (available Nov. 20)