Festival of Carols Returns: Indianapolis Symphonic Choir Brings Light, Harmony, and Holiday Spirit to The Palladium

Each December, the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir turns the city’s most elegant concert halls into sanctuaries of light, harmony, and togetherness. This year’s Festival of Carols, returning December 19–22 to The Palladium and the Schrott Center for the Arts, promises to expand one of Indianapolis’s most cherished holiday traditions with new experiences and an even deeper sense of community.

“In a world that moves so quickly, there’s something profoundly grounding about coming together to sing—and to listen—as one,” says Dr. Eric Stark, Artistic Director of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir. “Festival of Carols offers everyone in our community the chance to pause, to remember what this time of year means, and to celebrate it together through music.”

The 2025 performances will feature the full Indianapolis Symphonic Choir alongside the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and returning guest vocalist Bruno Sandes, whose rich, expressive voice has become a crowd favorite. The program includes holiday staples such as The Twelve Days of Christmas and Hallelujah Chorus, plus a few festive surprises. A new, interactive “Battle of the Carols” segment led by ISC Keyboard Artist David Duncan invites audiences to help decide which holiday classics take center stage—making every performance a little different.

Adding to the festivities, the Choir is introducing a new pre-concert experience on December 19 and 21 at The Palladium: a holiday Walk & Talk with Sampson Levingston of Through2Eyes. Known for his engaging storytelling and immersive walking tours, Levingston will guide guests through a reflective exploration of Indianapolis’s cultural and artistic heritage—offering a fresh lens through which to experience the music that follows.

“Festival of Carols has become one of our most meaningful traditions because it reflects who we are as a city,” says Jennifer Cooper, Executive Director of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir. “This choir is about more than music; it’s about belonging. Each performance is a reminder that the simple act of gathering and singing together has the power to restore hope, strengthen community, and remind us of the good that still binds us.”

In keeping with that spirit of inclusion, both the December 21 and 22 performances will feature ASL interpretation by Chuck Daube, continuing the Choir’s commitment to accessibility and ensuring that all can share in the joy of the season.

Festival of Carols Performance Schedule:

Friday, December 19 | 8:00 p.m. | The Palladium

Saturday, December 20 | 3:00 p.m. | The Palladium

Sunday, December 21 | 3:00 p.m. | The Palladium (ASL interpreted)

Monday, December 22 | 7:30 p.m. | Schrott Center for the Arts

Tickets range from $37 to $64 and are available now at indychoir.org.