National Acolyte Festival
October 11, 2025
Registration now open
National Acolyte Festival
Washington National Cathedral is delighted to welcome acolytes, servers, and vergers from across the country each year to celebrate this vital ministry of service and faith. The festival is a time-honored tradition for many congregations, and we are eager for this year’s edition on Saturday, October 11, 2025. Read below for details and register your group now!
national acolyte festival at a glance
The festival runs from 9 am to 2:30 pm, and begins as participants join in the longest and most colorful procession imaginable—the Grandest of Processions—as we prepare to gather around Christ’s table for a festival Holy Eucharist.
Following the service, participants are invited to spend the afternoon exploring the Cathedral, the grounds, or join a variety of fun workshops and offerings: perfect your thurible techniques, help build the LEGO® Cathedral, create a liturgical streamer, take a look at Cathedral treasures, or peruse exhibitors.
Lunch is available for pre-purchase during the registration process, or you are welcome to bring your own.
Register Now
Please register your group below. You may also pre-purchase lunches and any extra tours/activities. Have planning questions? Jump to FAQ.
Register by October 3 for your group to be included in the printed leaflet.
2025 Acolyte Festival Schedule
8:30 am
Doors open and check-in begins
10:00 am
Festival Holy Eucharist with Grandest of Processions
11:30 am
Prepaid lunches available
12:00 – 2:00 pm
Cathedral Activities & Tours (those with specific start times are noted)
- Cathedral LEGO® exhibit open (All registered acolytes will have the opportunity to add a brick to the LEGO® Cathedral now under construction as a part of their registration fee.)
- Cathedral treasures on view
- Liturgical kite and streamer making
- Now and Forever Windows display/puzzles
- Tower Climb: 1:00 & 2:00 (prepaid fee/space limited – add on at registration)
- Guided Spotlights Tour: 1:30 (prepaid fee/space limited – add on at registration)
12:30 – 1:00 pm
Organ Demonstration
1:15 – 2:15 pm
Workshops
Planning FAQs
To help your group's planning, tap the items below for more information.
All acolytes, vergers, servers, and clergy are invited and encouraged to vest and participate in the Grandest of Processions. Clergy should wear white/festive stole. All are welcome to bring crosses and torches, banners, streamers, umbrellas, and other appointments from your parish. You are also welcome to bring thuribles, but for safety reasons they cannot be lit.
A local vendor will have boxed lunches available immediately after the services. You can pre-purchase lunches on the registration page. Lunches must be ordered and paid for in advance by October 3. Box lunches will not be available to purchase on-site. Order lunches now →
Free parking for cars and vans will be available in the on-site parking garage.
Parking reservations are required if your group is coming by bus, and there is a $50 fee for bus parking. Please contact [email protected] for parking procedure and payment information.
We encourage groups arriving early on Friday, October 10 to take advantage of available pre-festival activities. Note that the Guided Spotlights Tour has limited space and it is recommended to reserve tickets during the registration process. On-site tickets will depend on availability.
- Guided Spotlight Tour: 3:30 pm (prepaid fee; space limited)
- Holy Eucharist: 12 pm, Great Choir
Registration is open now! The registration page also contains instructions for purchasing lunches, reserving bus parking, and adding on any pre-festival or festival activities that require an additional fee.
Please contact us at [email protected].
In the hands of acolytes, servers and vergers, tasks—no matter how small—take on profound significance. They uplift the spirit and strengthen our shared faith. The Festival affirms and celebrates their shared sense of purpose, joy, and community. Welcome home!”
—Dr. Torrence N. Thomas, Head Cathedral Verger and Acolyte Master, WNC