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The 151st Annual Carthage Christmas Festival, “To Wake the Sky,” took place Dec. 5-7, 2025.

“To Wake the Sky” featured performances by the Carthage Choir, Carthage Wind Orchestra, Carthage Philharmonic, Carthage Treble Choir, Vox Ignis, Voces Aquae, and Lincoln Chamber Singers. The festival concluded with the Service of Light, in which audience members participate in filling the chapel with candlelight, and the singing of “Silent Night, Holy Night,” sending audience members forth with the joy and reverence of the holiday season.

Many attendees also enjoyed the brand-new pre-concert experience, Wassail Wonderland, which showcased a glowing forest of Christmas trees, festive food and drinks, creative activities, regional vendors, and holiday photo spots.

The Carthage Christmas Festival was first conceived in 1874 as a holiday band concert and evolved in 1974 to the festival 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 over 3,500 people throughout the festival weekend.

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