Festival of Lessons & Carols: UMD Choral Activities

UMD Choral Activities presents its 25th annual Festival of Lessons and Carols, a holiday program centered on music and spoken word that express hope and celebrate the season. Choirs, a brass quintet, and organ combine for performances of carols and hymns under the direction of Jason Max Ferdinand.

UMD’s choral program is internationally regarded and offers students opportunities to perform music from a wide range of styles and eras. Its ensembles have collaborated with the National Symphony Orchestra and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at venues including Carnegie Hall, the Music Center at Strathmore, and Meyerhoff Symphony Hall.

When: Friday, December 4, 2026

Showtime: 8:00 p.m.

Venue: Memorial Chapel at the University of Maryland

Tickets: $25 general admission, $15 for seniors, and $10 for students and youth.

Ticketing note: On the day of the event, ticket sales and pickups will be available only at Memorial Chapel beginning at 7:00 p.m. Tickets cannot be purchased or collected from The Clarice ticket office that day.

Director: Jason Max Ferdinand, music director and UMD choral conducting alumnus, D.M.A. ’15.

Program: UMD choirs, brass quintet, and organ perform seasonal carols and hymns alongside spoken-word readings.

Discounts: This event is not eligible for standard discounts, including packages, promotional codes, or free-ticket offers.

Accessibility: Available services include wheelchair-accessible seating, size-inclusive seating, large-print programs, assisted-listening devices, adult and child-friendly sensory packs, and quiet spaces. ASL interpretation, audio description, and captioning are available for select events or by request at least six weeks in advance.