Our 42nd annual Christmas Revels begins with caroling on Christmas Eve in the country village of Mellstock, where the festive season provides a backdrop for this story of mirth, mayhem and merriment that will change the village and its inhabitants forever.
View Full Program PDFWhen schoolmistress Fancy Day returns home from the big city, the village is delighted—especially, three gentlemen: stiff-collared Parson Maybold; ambitious gentleman-farmer Frederick Shiner; and the young, innocent Dick Dewey, a member of the village “quire,” a motley group of musicians who have provided pub tunes and church music for generations.
It is the 1830s and change is in the air as manpower is being replaced by machines. Progress comes to Mellstock with the arrival of a new “harmonium,” or pump organ, but the quire has some opinions about being replaced by what they perceive as a new-fangled machine. Love blossoms, traditions are challenged, generations spar, and old becomes new in this lighthearted tale based on the early writings of Thomas Hardy.
Photo credit: Alain Lázaro Gutiérrez Almeida
TICKETS
Please note that the online viewing period for the 2024 Christmas Revels is now past. Please stay tuned for more information about the 2025 Revels!
Enjoy “An English Country Christmas Revels” again and again from the comfort of your own home! Your on-demand ticket includes unlimited access to our online performance from December 29, 2024 until January 31, 2025. This 42nd annual production of Christmas Revels was recorded during a live performance at the Cultural Arts Center Montgomery College, Silver Spring. Share this delightful performance with friends and family–On-demand tickets make great gifts!
On-demand Ticket: $35
View and Download:
- Full program notes [PDF]
- Song sheet for sing-alongs [PDF]
Photo credit: Alain Lázaro Gutiérrez Almeida
Please note that in-person performances for An English Country Christmas Revels took place from December 20-22, 2024 at the Cultural Arts Center (CAC) at Montgomery College (7995 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910).
The following information describes the in-person Christmas Revels performances that took place in December of 2024:
IN-PERSON PERFORMANCES
Friday, December 20, 7pm
Saturday, December 21, 2pm & 7pm
Sunday, December 22, 1:30pm & 5:30pm
Cultural Arts Center (CAC) at Montgomery College
7995 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910
View Map, Directions, and Parking Information [PDF] Please note that all parking at the CAC is free.
IN-PERSON TICKETS
Premium Seating (rows L through O):
$85 (Adult) / $45 (Youth, 18 and under)
Orchestra & Balcony Seating:
$75 (Adult) / $35 (Youth, 18 and under)
Photo credit: Sheppard Ferguson
ON-DEMAND RESOURCES & TECH INFO
General Info
- On-Demand Access: Watch anytime, as many times as you like, from approximately Sunday, December 29 until the end of January 2025.
- Your ticket link enables access for a single device only.
- This pre-recorded event will play in an online video player. You do not need Zoom to watch.
- The video includes general Closed Captions that can be turned on by clicking the “CC” icon in the video player.
Ticket Information
- Your Christmas Revels on-demand access link will be available and sent sometime on Dec 29, 2024. You will not see an access link in your order confirmation email with your e-tickets. If you are unable to find your access link or do not receive it by COB Dec 29th, please email tickets@revelsdc.org. Search for “Revels On-demand” in your inbox (and be sure to check your spam folder). If you still cannot find it, send an email to tickets@revelsdc.org and we will resend your on-demand access link.
- If you purchased tickets for multiple households in a single order, remember to forward the ticket email to each recipient, with instructions for which link they should use (ex. “Dear Susan, please click the second button to watch”).
- Be sure to share this resource page, and our pre-show emails, with anyone you sent tickets to.
- Please remind your guests to contact you if they have issues locating their tickets. Washington Revels will not know which ticket email/link your guests received and we can only reissue tickets to the email address they were purchased with.
Resources for Revelry!
Program & Lyrics:
- You can now download the full Christmas Revels program, including program notes and singalong lyrics. We encourage you to print this in advance.
- If you prefer to print only the audience “All Sings,” you can download/print those below.
Get in the Yuletide Spirit
Unlike inside the Cultural Arts Center, enjoying food and drinks while you watch the on-demand Christmas Revels is totally up to you! For those seeking a seasonal beverage, here are recipes from our Revels community, including:
- Board Member Bill Conway’s traditional Quoit Club Punch, which he makes for the Washington Revels cast party every year. It serves many and serves them well!
- Three festive treats from the kitchen of Reveler Colin Bills and his mother, Beryl: wassail, glögg, and egg nog
Technical Advice & Resources
Resources for Connecting Your Device to a TV:
There are so many different devices and options for viewing The Christmas Revels that we cannot provide one set of instructions. If you would like to watch this event on a larger screen, such as a TV, we have identified several websites that may help. We encourage you to test your viewing setup in advance of the performance.
- Hooking Up to a Smart TV (Windows)
- Hooking Up to a Smart TV (Mac)
- Connecting a Phone/Tablet to a Smart TV
If You Need Help:
You can contact Washington Revels Staff for help Monday-Friday at tickets@revelsdc.org or by calling 301-587-3835.
Technology Disclaimer
We understand that our patrons have a wide range of technical savvy and internet capabilities. However, it is the responsibility of the ticket holder to have a reliable internet connection and technical knowledge of the equipment they will be using to watch this event. We realize that technical difficulties may arise and, as noted above, we will do our best to help; however our staff cannot provide in-depth technical support.
Thank you for your understanding.
Photo credits: Alain Lázaro Gutiérrez Almeida
Frequently Asked Questions
This year has been an important one for our Washington Revels family. As we look forward to bringing our annual Christmas Revels to the Cultural Arts Center (CAC) at Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring, here are answers to your frequently asked questions about the new venue, ticket availability, and purchasing options.
What are the performance dates for the 2024 Christmas Revels?
There will be five performances, December 20-22, including matinees and evenings.
Learn more about this year’s English Country Christmas Revels.
Where is the Cultural Arts Center (CAC) located?
The CAC is located on Montgomery College’s Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus. The address for the theater is 7995 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, Maryland.
View a map showing the location.
Why are we no longer performing in GW Lisner Auditorium?
The rental and production-related costs at Lisner Auditorium were simply too high and made this venue no longer viable for the organization.
How does the CAC compare to the GW Lisner Auditorium?
The CAC is a smaller, more intimate venue than Lisner Auditorium, with 500 seats in the orchestra and balcony levels combined. The CAC, which opened its doors in 2009, is fully ADA compliant, including accessibility ramps at all entrances, elevators, and ample restrooms. The seating is much more comfortable, offering additional legroom and better cushioning. In contrast to paid parking surrounding Lisner, the CAC offers free parking.
What additional ADA services are available?
Patrons who are hearing impaired will be able to take advantage of a free infrared system from any seat during any performance. Receivers are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Box Office. There are multiple ADA/Handicapped seating options available at the new theater; please call the office at 301-587-3835 for assistance in booking this type of ticket for one or more members of your party.
How do I get to the CAC?
The CAC is located a ½-mile walk from both the Silver Spring Metro station on the Red Line. From the Silver Spring Metro, Metrobus line 70 (direction Archives) departs every 15 minutes to reach the CAC. If you are driving, the CAC is located just outside of the District of Columbia on Georgia Avenue. There is ample free parking available in the 5-level West Garage located at 930 King St. (right off of Georgia Avenue.).
View a detailed map and directions [PDF]
Are there dining options near the CAC?
Yes. There are multiple pre- and post-show dining opportunities in downtown Silver Spring. In addition, below is a selection of restaurants that are very close to the Cultural Arts Center:
- Crisfield Seafood (.1 miles) 8012 Georgia Ave – 301-589-1306
- Vicino Restaurante Italiano (.3 miles) 959 Sligo Ave – 301-265-3015
- Beteseb Restaurant (Ethiopian) (.4 miles) 8201 Georgia Ave – 301-448-1625
- FireStation 1 Restaurant (.4 miles) 8131 Georgia Ave – 301-585-1370
- The Angry Jerk (.4 miles) 8223 Georgia Ave
- Quarry House Tavern (.5 miles) 8401 Georgia Ave – 301-844-5504
- Mandalay (Burmese) (.6 miles) – 930 Bonifant St – 301-250-4078
- Lamoon Thai (.6 miles) – 906 Thayer Ave – 301-328-5159
- Copper Canyon Grill (.7 miles) 928 Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring – 301-589-1330
- J. Hollingers Waterman’s Chophouse (.7 miles) 8606 Colesville Road, Silver Spring – 301-328-0035
- El Sapo Cuban Social Club (.8 miles) 8455 Fenton Street, Silver Spring – 301-326-1063
- All Set Restaurant & Bar (.9 miles) 8630 Fenton Street, Silver Spring – 301-495-8800
- McGinty’s Public House (.9 miles) 911 Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring – 301-587-1270
Will tickets be more expensive in this new venue?
Yes. With only five performances, and fewer seats available (500 vs. 1,500), we needed to increase ticket prices. In addition, there will be fewer pricing tiers:
- Premium Seating (rows L through O)
- Orchestra and Balcony Seating
What about Youth (ages 18 and under) tickets?
With the limited seating in the CAC, Washington Revels wants to ensure we can continue to connect with the next generation of Revelers. Toward that end, we have kept youth prices low and have started the “Youth Ticket Fund” for the purpose of keeping those low prices sustainable. We would be deeply grateful if you’d consider a donation to this fund.
Donate now to the Youth Ticket Fund: Fostering a New Generation of Christmas Revelers.
What about discounts for groups?
We still offer the following group discounts: *
- 10% off group orders of 10 or more
- 20% off group orders of 20 or more
* Group discounts must be purchased by calling the office at 301-587-3835.
When can we purchase tickets?
Tickets go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, October 22. Donors of $100+ (September 1, 2023 to September 17, 2024) will have early priority access to purchase tickets as follows:
- Group 1 ($1,000+ donors) | Early ticket access begins September 24
- Group 2 ($500+ donors) | Early ticket access begins October 1
- Group 3 ($250+ donors) | Early ticket access begins October 8
- Group 4 ($100+ donors) | Early ticket access begins October 15
To check if your donation qualifies for Early Priority Ticketing, email info@revelsdc.org and we will verify your donation history.
Will there be any comp tickets available?
Because this year’s show run is so limited, donors qualifying for complimentary tickets will be able to use them for our online performance: “Christmas Revels On-Demand.”
What is “Christmas Revels On-Demand”?
As in past years, we will offer tickets to our online Christmas Revels performance. This year, On-Demand access will begin a bit later in the season and the viewing period will be extended. More details will be forthcoming.
Select a link below to learn more about that production.
2021-2023
- 2023: “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” (Medieval)
- 2022: “Celtic Crossroads” (American)
- 2021: American Revels
2011-2020
- 2020: Winter Solstice Revels (virtual show during COVID-19)
- 2019: “Celestial Fools”
- 2018: An Elizabethan Celebration of the Winter Solstice
- 2017: A French-Canadian Celebration of the Winter Solstice
- 2016: A Nordic Celebration (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway & Sweden)
- 2015: A Medieval Celebration of the Winter Solstice
- 2014: An Irish Celebration of the Winter Solstice
- 2013: “Echoes of Thrace” (Bulgaria, Greece & Turkey)
- 2012: “Spirits of Haddon Hall”
- 2011: “Treasures of Andalusia” (Jewish, Arabic & Spanish)
2001-2010
- 2010: Thomas Hardy (featuring The Mellstock Band)
- 2009: Leonardo’s Workshop (Italian Renaissance)
- 2008: French Canadian (Québécois)
- 2007: Elizabethan English
- 2006: Early American
- 2005: Northlands (Nordic)
- 2004: “The King and the Fool” (English Medieval)
- 2003: “Roads of the Roma”
- 2002: Victorian England
- 2001: Leonardo’s Workshop (Italian Renaissance)
1991-2000
- 2000: Celtic
- 1999: Celestial Fools
- 1998: Shepherd Alley – Washington, D.C.
- 1997: Medieval – King and the Fool
- 1996: Northlands
- 1995: French
- 1994: Victorian
- 1993: Celtic
- 1992: Celestial Fools
- 1991: Russian and American
1983-1990
- 1990: Medieval
- 1989: Storybook
- 1988: Medieval
- 1987: Celtic
- 1986: French
- 1985: Appalachian-American (featuring Jean Ritchie)
- 1984: “Haddon Hall”
- 1983: Medieval
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