National Acolyte Festival

Save the date: Acolyte Festival 2024 is Saturday, Oct. 12!

2024 Registration Opens May 1

Washington National Cathedral is delighted to welcome acolytes 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 already eager next year’s edition. Save the date and we hope you’ll join us on October 12, 2024!

Gallery

Scenes from the 2023
National Acolyte Festival

Children and adults in acolyte vestments walk down the Cathedral aisle.
Participants in vestments hold processional crosses as they wait for the service to begin.
An older adult acolyte swings a thurible over their head.
Participants wearing vestments are seated in the audience for the Acolyte Festival.
Two children in acolyte vestments carry a bible and a processional staff. Other service attendees watch in the background.
A young adult acolyte leads a group of youth acolytes down the aisle.

Acolyte Festival 2023

Re-experience the Grandest of Processions and the rest of the 2023 Acolyte Festival Holy Eucharist. We can't wait to see you back for next year's Acolyte Festival on October 12, 2024!