Many of our member colleges present holiday concerts and services — and there's a dance performance and art exhibit too — that are open to the public. They often sell out quickly; click on the links for ticket information.

Augsburg College, Minneapolis

Advent Vespers, Nov. 30 at 5 and 8 p.m., Dec. 1 at 2, 5 and 8 p.m., Central Lutheran Church. Free — but seating envelopes are required for each service.
Advent Vespers celebrates the beginning of the Christmas season with traditional and contemporary hymns, anthems and carols. Entertaining an audience of nearly 10,000 annually, the Augsburg College Advent Vespers celebration is one of the largest holiday music events in the Twin Cities.

Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato

Christmas at Bethany, Dec. 5-9 at 4 p.m., Trinity Chapel. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made online or by calling 507-344-7365. Freewill offering.
Bethany Choral and Handbell Choirs, along with the Bethany Concert present this annual concert of sacred music for the Christmas season.

Bethel University, St. Paul

Festival of Christmas: Oh How Joyfully! An International Festival, Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 1 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 2 at 2 and 8 p.m., Benson Great Hall. Ticket prices vary.
This cherished holiday tradition features more than 300 of our talented student musicians joyfully celebrating our King Jesus and ushering in the Christmas season with music from around the world.

College of St. Benedict/Saint John's University, Collegeville and Minneapolis

In Collegeville: Christmas at Saint John's, Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 1 at 2 p.m., Great Hall.
Join the CSB/SJU Chamber Choir, CSB Women's Choir, SJU Men's Chorus, St. John's Boys' Choir, CSB/SJU Brass Choir and the Amadeus Chamber Symphony for their celebration of Christmas.

In Minneapolis: Celebrating the Season, Dec. 1 at 8 p.m., Basilica of Saint Mary. Tickets are $18 for adults and $13 for children.
Join the CSB/SJU Chamber Choir, CSB Women's Choir, SJU Men's Choir, Saint John's Boys’ Choir, CSB/SJU Brass Choir and the Amadeus Chamber Symphony for their celebration of Christmas.

College of St. Scholastica, Duluth

O Holy Night, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m., St. Michael’s Catholic Church
Join the St. Scholastica Choirs for a beautiful night of reflection and adoration as they perform sacred Christmas music by composers such as Chilcott, Elgar, Rutter and Britten.

Christmas at St. Scholastica, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m., Mitchell Auditorium
Christmas at St. Scholastica is an exciting tradition featuring all Music Department ensembles in an annual holiday gala.

Handel’s Messiah Sing-along, Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m., Mitchell Auditorium
Bring your friends, family and your voice to our 32nd annual sing-along of Handel's Messiah. You provide the singing and the St. Scholastica Center for Early Music Orchestra will provide the accompaniment.

Concordia College, Moorhead and Minneapolis

All Are Welcome!
In Moorhead: Dec. 7 at 7 p.m., Dec. 8 at 2 and 7 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 2 p.m., Memorial Auditorium, $15
In Minneapolis: Nov. 29 at 6 and 8:30 p.m., Minneapolis Convention Center, $20-28
The concert features 450 student musicians presenting the Christmas story through art and music.

Concordia University, St. Paul

In Strength and Beauty Come, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m., Dec 8 at 4:30 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 3 p.m., Buetow Music Auditorium. $12 for adults and $10 for students/seniors. Call 1-866-811-4111 or order online.
The 90-minute program features Concordia's Christus Chorus, Jubilate choir, Handbell Ensemble, organist and a Chamber Orchestra of faculty and students. The massed choir and chamber orchestra will perform Vivaldi's Magnificat and other seasonal works. The concert will also include many audience carols and closes with the Concordia favorite, "E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come" by Paul and Ruth Manz.

Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter

Christmas in Christ Chapel, Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 1 and 2 at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 apiece and can be purchased online or by calling the Office of Marketing and Communication at 507-933-7520.
This is the 40th year of Christmas in Christ Chapel at Gustavus and this year's service is titled Jubilee: Proclaiming the Year of the Lord's Favor. A Gustavus tradition since 1973, Christmas in Christ Chapel is an opportunity for students, their parents, faculty and staff members, alumni, and friends of the College to gather and celebrate the birth of Christ through music and visual art. Approximately 250 students, faculty, and staff bring this program to life each year, sharing music, dances, spoken word, and prayer with the Gustavus community.

Hamline University, St. Paul

A Cappella Choir, Dec. 2 at 4 p.m, Hamline Church (1514 Englewood Ave)
Women's Chorale and Hamline Winds, Dec.8 at 2 p.m., Sundin Music Hall (1531 Hewitt Avenue)
Hamline Orchestra, Dec. 9 at 3 p.m., Sundin Music Hall (1531 Hewitt Avenue)
Jazz Ensemble, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m., Anne Simley Theatre (1530 Taylor Avenue)

Macalester College, St. Paul

Macalester Early Music Ensemble Concert, Dec. 1 at 3 p.m., Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center & Gallery, free
Macalester Orchestra Concert, Dec. 1 at 8 p.m., Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center & Gallery, free
Fall Dance Concert, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Theater Building, adults $7 and children free. This concert features choreography by faculty, students and guest artists.
Mac Jazz Concert, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m., Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center & Gallery, free
Macalester African Music Ensemble Concert, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m., Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center & Gallery, free
Macalester Chamber Ensembles Concert , Dec. 9 at 3 p.m., Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center & Gallery, free

Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis

MCAD Art Sale, Nov. 15, 6-9 p.m., $150; Nov. 16, 6-9 p.m., $20 in advance/$25 at the door; Nov. 17, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., free
Fall 2012 Commencement Exhibition, Dec. 5-14, free

St. Catherine University, St. Paul

Gloria in excelsis, the 2012 Candlelight Christmas Concert, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m., Our Lady of Victory Chapel, free
Presented by the Women’s Choir and String Chamber Orchestra. Lit by the soft glow of candles and interspersed with seasonal readings, the concert will feature contemporary and traditional settings of music for the Advent and Christmas season.

Saint Mary's University, Winona

Lessons & Carols, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m., Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors
The performance by the Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Women's Choir celebrates Advent and the Nativity through sung and spoken word.
Concert Band, Dec. 9 at 3 p.m., Page Theatre, $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors
This concert will feature many holiday favorites for everyone in the family. Lobby party cookie reception follows in the Ben Miller Lobby after the concert, where small ensembles will entertain.

Tickets for both are available at www.pagetheatre.org.

St. Olaf College, Northfield

St. Olaf Christmas Festival, Nov. 29, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 2 at 3 p.m., Skoglund Center Auditorium, $30 (most of the tickets are for current students, parents, donors and alumni)
The Dec. 2 concert will be broadcast live by Minnesota Public Radio on most regional classical music stations, including 99.5 KSJN in the Twin Cities. Participating choral ensembles include the St. Olaf Choir, Viking Chorus, Chapel Choir, Cantorei, Manitou Singers and the St. Olaf Orchestra. Each group performs individually and as part of a mass ensemble.

University of St. Thomas, Minneapolis

Venite Adoremus: O Come Let Us Adore Him, Dec.2 at 4 p.m., Minneapolis Convention Center Auditorium, $15. Tickets can be purchased online or by phone at 612-371-5656.
The 25th anniversary concert features performances by the Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, Liturgical Choir, Women's Choir, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Brass Ensemble and Handbell Choir.