The Christmas Revels

The Christmas Revels is a cherished holiday tradition for over 70,000 people throughout the country. Every December, the Washington Revels community gathers to celebrate the season through the traditional songs, dances, and stories of cultures from around the world.An English Country Christmas Revels

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.

When 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.

Join us at the Cultural Arts Center (CAC) at Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring for five performances, December 20-22, as quirky characters, rustic tunes, pub carols, joyful anthems, and rousing dances, come together in this classic tale, performed by our multigenerational cast (ages 8-92), along with the Whiskey Before Breakfast Band, Washington Revels Brass, and talented local artists in this fully staged holiday production.

Please contact tickets@revelsdc.org for assistance with tickets and for resolution of any ticketing issues.

Join us for a delightful Yuletide Soirée before the two evening performances of An English Country Christmas Revels!

Your ticket to this special pre-show event includes unlimited food & holiday treats, historical craft cocktails (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), and revelry led by our own Father Christmas. Enjoy songs and surprise guests. Merriment awaits.
Each soirée runs from 5:30pm to 7pm, prior to the 7pm evening shows on Friday, December 20th and Saturday, December 21st at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center in our specially reserved “Greenwood Room” at the theater. Come revel with us!

Friday, December 20, 7pm
Saturday, December 21, 2pm & 7pm
Sunday, December 22, 1:30pm & 5:30pm