On the darkest nights of the year, Plymouth fills with candlelight, carols, music, and neighbors. Everything this season is open to everyone: Sunday worship through Advent, evensong and concerts, a Christmas festival for the whole neighborhood, and Christmas Eve by candlelight.
You don't have to be a member to walk through our doors. You don't have to be religious, know the words, or be sure what you believe. There's no ticket to buy and no reason needed. Whoever you are and wherever you're coming from, you're welcome here, and there's a seat for you.
The whole season is laid out below, week by week. Come once or come every week, and bring someone with you.
Find Your Way to Christmas
Whether you’ve been coming to Plymouth for years or this is your first time through the door, the season is full of ways to gather: candlelit worship, music, and a day of holiday fun for the whole neighborhood. Browse the full schedule below and come as you are. You don’t need to be a member, or religious, to join us.
First Week of Advent
Sunday, November 29
9:00 & 11:00 AM | Worship | Sanctuary
Wednesday, December 2
6:00 PM | Evensong | Plymouth Chapel
Second Week of Advent
Sunday, December 6
9:00 & 11:00 AM | Worship | Sanctuary
Wednesday, December 9
6:00 PM | Evensong | Plymouth Chapel
Saturday, December 12
4:30 PM | Community Christmas Festival | Jackman & Lenmark
Third Week of Advent
Sunday, December 13
9:00 & 11:00 AM | Worship | Sanctuary
Wednesday, December 16
6:00 PM | Evensong | Plymouth Chapel
Thursday, December 17
4:00 PM | 42nd Annual Homeless Memorial and March | Plymouth Church
Sunday, December 20
9:00 & 11:00 AM | Worship | Sanctuary
Fourth Week of Advent
The Plymouth Choir and Philip Brunelle, Organist-Choirmaster, lead this service with a major choral work each year. Details announced in fall.
Monday, December 21
6:00 PM | The Longest Night: A Solstice Service of Remembrance and Light | Plymouth Chapel
Thursday, December 24
5:00 PM | Family Service | Sanctuary
6:00 PM | Christmas Eve Social | Guild Hall
8:00 PM | Candlelight Service of Lessons & Carols
Sunday, December 27
11 AM | Carols & Meditation Worship Service | Sanctuary
Community Christmas Festival
Saturday, December 12 | 12:30 - 4:30 PM
Make it a day at Plymouth
Coming to Plymouth for a concert or a show? Come early, stay late, and make an afternoon of it. Our free Community Christmas Festival fills the building with holiday fun for all ages: food trucks, cookie decorating, holiday crafts, cookies and cocoa, Christmas movies, music, and balloon animals with Chik’n Wing the clown. If you’ve ever wanted to experience Plymouth, this is the day to do it. Everyone is welcome, and you don’t need to be a member or religious to join us.
Festival location: Jackman & Lenmark Rooms, with food trucks on the Nicollet Avenue lawn
Getting here: Plymouth Congregational Church, 1919 LaSalle Ave, Minneapolis. Parking is available at Plymouth, in nearby lots, and on the street, with on-site parking help. For more information on location, directions, accessibility, and parking, click here.
Performances by Our Partners
Performances are ticketed separately through each partner organization. The festival is free.
Welcome Christmas · VocalEssence
December 12 | 12 PM and 3 PM | Sanctuary
Sing in the season with all four VocalEssence choirs, plus harp, marimba, brass, guitar, piano, and you, the audience. This interactive concert of holiday favorites from around the world features Conrad Susa’s beloved Carols and Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest and the world premiere of a new work by Minnesota’s own Shruthi Rajasekar, set to the poetry of Christina Rossetti. Get tickets
A Year with Frog & Toad · Youth Performance Company
December 12 | 1 PM and 4 PM | Conn Theatre
Beloved storybook friends leap from page to stage in this charming musical about friendship, adventure, and the magic of the seasons. Join Frog and Toad through a year of simple joys, from planting gardens to sledding in winter, in a cozy show that reminds us our differences often make our friendships strongest. Get tickets
42nd Annual Homeless Memorial March & Service
Thursday, December 17, 2026 | 4 pm - 7:30 PM
Plymouth hosts the Annual Homeless Memorial March and Service each December in partnership with Simpson Housing Services — a public witness to the lives of Minnesotans lost to homelessness during the year. The march, service, and meal are open to the community.
4:00 PM — Gather at Plymouth in the designated parking lot area. Hot chocolate and coffee provided
4:45 PM — The 1.5-mile silent march departs from the Plymouth parking lot
6:00 PM — Memorial service in the Sanctuary
7:00 PM — Community meal in Jackman/Lenmark
The Longest Night
A Solstice Service of Remeberance & Light
Monday, December 21 | Meditation at 6 PM | Service begins at 6:15 PM | Plymouth Chapel
Within the holiday season lies the longest period of darkness. The Longest Night Service holds that space with intention — honoring those who bring us light and love, and gathering in collective comfort and understanding. Music and meditation begin before the service for those who want to slow down. Holiday tea and treats are served afterward.
Christmas Eve Services
Our glorious tradition of Christmas Eve at Plymouth returns each year with two services: an early family service featuring youth ensembles and young worship leaders, and a late candlelit Service of Lessons & Carols with the Plymouth Choir and soloists. Both services are available in person and online.
Family Service
5 PM | Sanctuary
A spirited candlelight service featuring music from Plymouth’s children and youth choirs, bells ensemble, and Chapel Singers, with liturgy led by young people and a Living Nativity.
Families are invited to bring one food or personal care item for the Little Free Pantry.
Christmas Eve Social
6 PM | Guild Hall
A reception following the 5 PM service for the Plymouth community to gather, mix, and celebrate together.
Service of Lessons & Carols
8 PM | Sanctuary
The Plymouth sanctuary is aglow in candlelight for this traditional Service of Lessons & Carols, featuring the Plymouth Choir, scripture readings, and congregational carols.
The service closes with everyone singing Silent Night by candlelight.
Carols and Meditations Service
Sunday, December 27 | 11 AM | Sanctuary
The Sunday following Christmas, Plymouth offers a reflective Carols and Meditation service at 11 AM — a gentle return to community after the intensity of the holiday, featuring the Plymouth Choir, soloists, Philip Brunelle, and chamber musicians.
The Christmas Offering
Each year, Plymouth designates a special Christmas offering to support community partners doing essential work in housing, immigration, and social justice.
The Board of Outreach, the Immigration Justice Committee, and the Housing Justice Committee choose the recipients together.