Poster St. Olaf Christmas Festival 150 Years
Holiday

Enjoy 'St. Olaf Christmas Festival: Celebrating 150 Years of St. Olaf College'

St. Olaf Christmas Festival

Editor's note: On-demand audio for this year’s St. Olaf Christmas Festival, which was aired live on Dec. 8, is not available. On-demand audio for YourClassical MPR’s 150th-anniversary celebration of St. Olaf College, along with a playlist, is expected to be added Dec. 9.

For one and a half centuries, St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, has been a hub of connections, knowledge and growth. And for more than a century, the St. Olaf Christmas Festival has been a cherished part of that history. Join us as we celebrate their legacy.

Started in 1912 by F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the St. Olaf College Music Department, the St. Olaf Christmas Festival includes hymns, carols, choral works and orchestral selections celebrating the Nativity. It has grown over the years to feature the St. Olaf Choir, the St. Olaf Orchestra, the St. Olaf Cantorei, the St. Olaf Chapel Choir, the Manitou Singers and the Viking Chorus, performing as individual groups and as a massed ensemble.

Sponsors

Radio broadcasts of the St. Olaf Christmas Festival are made possible as a gift to the community by Tad and Cindy Piper.

Video is produced through the generosity and support of St. Olaf's sponsors:

Paul and Margot Grangaard

David and Cynthia Hill

The Mark and Laura Johnson Family

Tim and Jan Maudlin with gratitude for the Lutheran Center for Faith, Values and Community

The Tomson Family Foundation

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest Holiday Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Holiday Episodes

2024 YourClassical Holiday Programming Schedule
Listen to our 2024 winter holiday specials on demand
59:00
Listen to the Holiday Stream
'Candles Burning Brightly'

'Candles Burning Brightly'

A new, delightful hour for everyone to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights! Hosted by Mindy Ratner, ‘Candles Burning Brightly’ features lots of music from Jewish communities worldwide, a hilarious lesson on preparing a classic Hanukkah dish, and a timeless and touching holiday story that brings light into every home.

59:00
Enjoy 'St. Olaf Christmas Festival: Celebrating 150 Years of St. Olaf College'
1:59:00
Lynne Warfel shares her Christmas movie watch list

Lynne Warfel shares her Christmas movie watch list

On Saturday Cinema, I mentioned in passing that my sons, Peter and Joshua, and I had a list of Christmas films we watched in a certain order. In response to the many listener requests I’ve received, here’s our list, starting with ‘Miracle on 34th Street.’

Conspirare brings its holiday choral collage to town
Christmas at Luther: 'Love, the Rose, Is on the Way'

Christmas at Luther: 'Love, the Rose, Is on the Way'

Each December, the Center for Faith and Life at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, rings out with the sacred and the exuberant: the sounds of the Christmas season. Enjoy the 2023 program, ‘Love, the Rose, Is on the Way.’

59:00
Coming soon: YourClassical Christmas Favorites

Coming soon: YourClassical Christmas Favorites

You ranked your favorite holiday tunes. Now, we’re reviewing your choices to help determine which carols we play on our ‘YourClassical Christmas Favorites’ special later in December. So be sure to check back to hear the results!

'Chanticleer Christmas'

'Chanticleer Christmas'

Celebrate the season with song! Steve Staruch hosts this one-hour program of holiday favorites, new and old, presented live in concert by Chanticleer, the two-time Grammy-winning 12-man ensemble known as ‘an orchestra of voices.’

59:00
VIEW ALL EPISODES