St. Olaf College breaks with tradition, moves Christmas Festival to Minneapolis
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For the first time in more than a century, St. Olaf College will not perform its Christmas Festival in Northfield during the holiday season.
The college says it decided to move the event from the school’s auditorium to Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis because the venue was available.
A tradition since 1912, the St. Olaf Christmas Festival is one of the oldest musical celebrations of the holiday in the country.
Students are looking forward to the change.
“Orchestra Hall is a gorgeous venue,” student Jack Slavik said. “It’s the top concert hall in the state, so the opportunity to perform in a place that really makes the music kind of come alive and gives us the acoustics that are deserving of such a spectacular performance.”
Members of St. Olaf College's orchestra and choirs perform in the St. Olaf Christmas Festival. (Courtesy of St. Olaf College)
The three performances of the Christmas Festival this weekend are sold out.
The college says no decision has been made if they will move the festival permanently to Orchestra Hall.