Christmas Festival
149th Annual Carthage Christmas Festival
Rejoice, O World!
Carthage College invites the community to celebrate the holiday season with the 149th Annual Carthage Christmas Festival Dec. 1-3, 2023. Held every year in the magnificent A. F. Siebert Chapel, the concert features performances by the Carthage Choir, Wind Orchestra, Carthage Philharmonic, Carthage Treble Choir, Carthage Chorale, and Lincoln Chamber Singers. The concert concludes with the Service of Light and the singing of “Silent Night, Holy Night,” sending audience members forth with the joy and reverence of the holiday season. Christmas Festival concert tickets and holiday buffet tickets will be available Sunday, Oct. 1. Tickets are available to purchase online or by calling our box office at 262-551-6661.
Concert Times
- 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, 2023
- 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023
- 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023
- A. F. Siebert Chapel (see campus map)
Concert Tickets (concert only, reserved seating)
- Adults — $14
- Seniors 55+ — $10
- Students (under 18) — $8
Holiday Buffet
- 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, 2023
- 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023
- 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023
- $28 per person (children under 5 eat free)
The Carthage Christmas Festival was first conceived in 1874 as a holiday band concert. In 1974, it evolved into the concert form we know and love today. Nearly 50 years later, the festival is now one of the largest and most beloved events on campus, bringing together more than 3,500 people throughout the festival weekend.
About the Holiday Buffet
Begin your Carthage Christmas experience with an elevated dinner crafted by our award-winning Parkhurst Dining, complete with a hot chocolate bar. Each attendee will receive one ticket for an alcoholic beverage with a cash bar available thereafter. The Holiday Buffet will be held in the Todd Wehr Center Jockey Club Rooms.
5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, 2023
5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023
2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023
$28 per person (children under 5 eat free)
Click the “Buy Tickets” link above to purchase.
Ticket Insurance
Consider purchasing ticket insurance to cover your complete transaction (not including fees) for $10 at the time of your original purchase. Ticket insurance enables you to receive a full refund for an event up to 24 hours prior to the performance start time for the tickets in that transaction. Without ticket insurance, all sales are final and no refunds are allowed. Tickets eligible for refund will be processed once the physical tickets are returned to the box office. Ticket insurance is not taxable.
Parking Information
Free parking will be available to Carthage Christmas Festival-goers.
General Parking
Continuous shuttle service will be provided from the following lots:
- North Lots
- 14th Avenue Lot, 2800 block of 14th Avenue (across from the Kenosha Dream Playground, 2820 14th Ave.)
- South Lower Lot (limited parking)
See the parking lot map
See a campus map
Preferred and Handicapped Parking:
- Preferred parking with a permit will be in the South Upper Lot.
- Handicapped parking will be available in South Upper Lot, adjacent to the Todd Wehr Center.
Shuttles
- Event shuttles will pick up and drop off patrons in the North Lots, South Lower Lot, at the Todd Wehr Center, and in the 14th Avenue Lot.
- Shuttles will drop off and pick up in a designated lane front of the A. F. Siebert Chapel.
- Regular Carthage shuttles will run a modified schedule during the events to facilitate southbound directional traffic.
Additional Notes
- The South Upper Lot will close the night of Thursday, Nov. 30, and remain closed on Friday, Dec. 1, except to concert-goers with a preferred or handicapped parking permit.
- Campus Drive will be converted to one-way southbound traffic from 3:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1 and Saturday, Dec. 2, and from noon to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3.
Donate
Your generous contribution will support Carthage music students in providing accessible and affordable arts experiences such as international travel. You can purchase your tickets and donation in one transaction! All donations are 100 percent tax-deductible.
DONATE TO THE Arts at CARTHAGE
Livestream/Watch Party
Can’t join us in person? A livestream will be available to watch the Christmas Festival from your home. Grab your hot chocolate and favorite Christmas cookies before tuning in to watch the performance with your friends and family. Make sure to post pictures of your watch party on social media, tag Carthage (@carthagecollege), and use the hashtags #CCF2023 and #RejoiceOWorld for more fun! See our livestream schedule for more details