Advent & Christmas at the Cathedral

  • Advent at the Cathedral

    Christmas Memorial Flowers
    All are welcome to give a donation for Christmas flowers in memory or thanksgiving of a loved one. We will list the names in the Christmas Eve service leaflets. The deadline for submission is Thursday, December 7. You may submit names for honorifics or memorial here, and you may make a donation here.

    Preparing Room: Advent Wreath Creation
    Sunday, December 3 at 11:30 am
    This annual gathering to create Advent Wreaths helps us begin our observance of this season at home. Greens, wreath forms, candles, and decor will be provided. There will be resources for families to observe Advent at home with children as well.

    Kantorei Choral Concert:
    Caroling, Caroling Now We Go!

    Friday, December 15 at 7:30 pm
    Kantorei celebrates the season with some favorite carols old and new, including some of John Rutter’s most famous settings including Candlelight and Angels’ Carols. Our very own Associate Director of Music and Organist, Joseph O’Berry, will accompany Kantorei on our great Kimball organs. You can find more information and purchase tickets here.

  • A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols
    Saturday, December 16 & Sunday, December 17 at 3 pm
    A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is a beloved service in the Episcopal Church and at Saint John’s Cathedral. This year’s services will feature an exceptional variety of music that embodies the scope of our Anglican choral tradition. The service on Saturday, December 16 will be live-streamed at sjcathedral.org. This event is free to attend.

    Christmas Hymn Singalong
    Sunday, December 17 at 9:15 am
    During the formation hour on the third Sunday of Advent, December 17, all are warmly invited to gather in the cathedral for a multigenerational Advent and Christmas hymn singalong. Parishioner Aims McGuinness will once again accompany us on the organ.

    Advent IV at the Cathedral
    Sunday, December 24 at 10:30 am
    On Sunday, December 24, we will hold one morning service of Choral Eucharist to observe the fourth Sunday of Advent before celebrating Christmas at our afternoon and evening services. We will not hold the 8 am or the Wilderness services on December 24.

  • Christmas at the Cathedral

    Christmas Eve Family Services
    Sunday, December 24 at 1, 3, & 5 pm
    This child-friendly service includes a telling of the Nativity Story and the singing of some of our favorite Christmas Hymns. The 3 pm service will be live-streamed at sjcathedral.org. The nursery will be open from 12:30 to 6:15 pm for children ages 2 and younger; please register your child in advance.

    Christmas Eve Choral Eucharist
    Sunday, December 24 at 8 & 11 pm
    This traditional midnight mass includes beautiful music selections sung by the Cathedral Choir and fragrant incense. The 8 pm service will be live-streamed at sjcathedral.org. We will have an ASL interpreter at the 8 pm service; please email Annie Zander at to reserve a seat by the interpreter.

    Community Dinner
    We are excited to bring back the beloved tradition of Christmas Eve Dinner in Dagwell hosted with our neighbor, Carl Schmidt of the Capitol Hill Mansion Bed & Breakfast. Carl prepares an incredible feast, and with his family and Saint John’s volunteers, Dagwell becomes a festive place for those needing the joy of community this holiday. Join us after the 5 pm service until the food runs out.

    Christmas Day Holy Eucharist
    Monday, December 25 at 10:30 am
    We’ll gather for a service of Holy Eucharist at 10:30 am on Christmas morning. Join us in-person or online at sjcathedral.org.