Press Room

Today, President Joe Biden issued a proclamation directing the flag of the United States to be flown at half-staff in remembrance of the more than 500,000 Americans who have died from the virus COVID-19. As flags are lowered, he will be joined at sunset by the First Lady, the Vice President, and the Second Gentleman for a moment of silence at the White House. Flags are to remain at half-staff until sunset on February 26, 2021.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) planning the events and activities surrounding the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has invited bells and bell towers across the nation to ring out together on January 19, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. Eastern.

The second annual National Bell Festival is concluded and we couldn’t be more excited by all we accomplished this last year. Even in the face of a pandemic, our intrepid Bell Raisers and festivalgoers came together (safely, of course) to ring in the New Year like never before. Throughout the day, we brought the community together around free and digitally-streamed events, activities, and concerts – and of course, our much-anticipated citywide ringing had the skies over Washington trembling with the resounding tolls of bells.
 

New Year's Day has traditionally been celebrated at Washington National Cathedral with change ringing by the Washington Ringing Society on the Cathedral’s 10-bell peal. That occasion has been interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Cathedral carillonneur Edward M. Nassor continues the bell-ringing tradition by playing a recital on the Cathedral’s 53-bell carillon.

Early Saturday morning, just before 5:00am, a yet cause-unknown fire broke out and then rapidly spread through three buildings in New York City’s East Village along Second Avenue. The fire department responded with gallant speed, arriving to the scene within three minutes to combat what grew into a six-alarm fire. Their rapidity was not enough to prevent one of the buildings – the historic Middle Collegiate Church – from nearly entirely succumbing to the flames.

The annual National Bell Festival, taking place on New Year’s Day, will this year conclude with a performance on piano by acclaimed musician, Elizabeth Hill. A recognized leader in contemporary music advocacy, Ms. Hill has toured across the U.S. and Europe as a solo performer, educator, and lecturer. Her appearance at the National Bell Festival will close a day-long program of community events, cultural experiences, world-class performances, and one-of-a-kind activities – all free, streamed online, and open to the public.

The National Bell Festival has tapped D.C.-based illustrator Cris Clapp Logan to serve as the official artist for the second annual festival on New Year’s Day.
 

Reconfirming an investment in and commitment to the Washington, D.C. community, Metro Motor has announced it is renewing Carillon-level sponsorship of the National Bell Festival, making possible a day-long festival of free community events and experiences on New Year’s Day.

The sponsorship enables the festival to transition programming online, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Events will be streamed from National Bell Festival social media channels throughout January 1, 2021. Digital festivalgoers will be able to:

Looking for even more reason to love New Year’s Day? Not only is the first day in January the annual date of the National Bell Festival, it’s also now National Ring a Bell Day! A festival and a holiday? You betcha.

The global and regional response to the novel coronavirus has challenged many organizations to reevaluate their operations and adjust their programming to keep everyone safe. The National Bell Festival is no exception. It will take a commitment from each and every one of us to beat back this pandemic – and we want to make sure we do our part. 

We have adjusted our festival lineup to accommodate these extraordinary circumstances, streaming events online and only coming together in person at open and well-ventilated outdoor areas. Your wellness is our first priority.