Blessings of the Solidarity Bell
Location: Multiple Locations
Time: Dec. 22, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025

Join us at an upcoming faith service – across two weeks and four locations – during which the Solidarity Bell will be unveiled, blessed by the presiding minister, and solemnly tolled.

In Concert: Multiple Artists at the Netherlands Carillon
Location: Netherlands Carillon
Time: Dec. 31, 2024 | 12:00-2:00pm (Eastern)

Gather at the foot of the Netherlands Carillon, the 127-foot-tall instrument with 53 bells that looks out over the Washington Mall, for an open-air concert to ring in the New Year. Enjoy the exceptional talent of carillonists Liam Flood, Kevin Liebermann, and Noah Kravitz as the cascade of melodies on bells resounds around you.

First Ring: Bell at Children's National Hospital
Location: Children’s National Rehabilitation & Specialized Care
Time: Dec. 31, 2024 | 1:00-1:30pm (Eastern)

Celebrate the resilience of the region’s youngest patients at the unveiling of a new bell for the Children’s National Hospital network. The bell, cast in brass and engraved with the familiar bear logo, will be sounded when patients reach significant milestones in their treatment and recovery.

Quarter Peal Attempt at the Old Post Office Tower
Location: Old Post Office and Clock Tower
Time: Dec. 31, 2024  |  1:30-2:30pm (Eastern)

This New Year’s Eve, the Bells of Congress will erupt into a cacophony of sound as members of the Washington Ringing Society attempt a quarter peal at the Old Post Office Tower, just a stone’s throw from the White House (the Secret Service recommends against that). 

Quarter Peal Attempt at Washington National Cathedral
Location: Washington National Cathedral
Time: Dec. 31, 2024 | 10:30-11:30pm (Eastern)

To ring out the old and welcome in the new, members of the Washington Ringing Society will attempt a quarter peal on the bells of Washington National Cathedral this New Year's Eve, followed by general ringing at midnight.

In Concert: Mr. Widmann at Baker Park
Location: Joseph D. Baker Tower and Carillon
Time: Dec. 31, 2024 | Midnight (Eastern)

From within the 70-foot Joseph Dill Baker Tower and Carillon, John Widmann, the city carillonist for Frederick, Maryland, will enchant festivalgoers with a selection of beloved songs as the hour strikes midnight.

Ring around the World
Location: Multiple Locations
Time: Dec. 31, 2024 | Midnight (Local)

This New Year’s Eve, the third annual Ring around the World will invite bells to resound in an international moment of unity and celebration. At midnight local time on 31 Dec. 2024, bells are set to toll the hour near the international date line with a stirring arrangement of “Auld Lang Syne.”
 

First Ring: Litter Bell
Location: Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum
Time: Jan. 1, 2025 | 11:00-11:30am (Eastern)

How does a clean environment sound? A lot like the gentle ringing of a perfectly-tuned bell. Join us on a bright and fresh New Year’s Day to hear the first rings of Washington’s newest bell with a remarkable creation story: the Litter Bell.

In Concert: Mr. Nassor at Washington National Cathedral
Location: Washington National Cathedral
Time: Jan. 1, 2025 | 12:00-12:15pm (Eastern)

Prepare for a cascade of rolling sound as Edward Nassor, carillonist at Washington National Cathedral, enchants festivalgoers with a prelude of spiritual hymns and traditional Ukrainian melodies before a service to toll the Solidarity Bell. 

First Ring: Solidarity Bell
Location: Washington National Cathedral
Time: Jan. 1, 2025 | 12:15-1:00pm (Eastern)

Gather with us at Washington National Cathedral for a special service of scripture and prayer, along with a ceremonial tolling and blessing of the Solidarity Bell. 

Full Peal Attempt at Washington National Cathedral
Location: Washington National Cathedral
Time: Jan. 1, 2025  |  1:00-4:00pm (Eastern)

Bask in a cacophony of sound as the grand bells of Washington National Cathedral erupt overhead. Members of the Washington Ringing Society will attempt a full peal on the Cathedral's 10-bell ring following the 12:15pm service. If the peal attempt is successful, the ringing will last between 3 and 3.5 hours, or 5,040 changes, from start to finish. 

In Concert: Dr. Grogan at the Basilica
Location: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Time: Jan. 1, 2025  |  2:00-2:20pm (Eastern)

Celebrate the repertoire of music on bells as Robert Grogan performs a community recital from the soaring Knights' Tower at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. From high above the tranquil gardens and Byzantine Revival architecture, the carillonist will enchant listeners with a selection of classical melodies and beloved hymns.

Nationwide Bell Ringing
Location: Multiple Locations
Time: Jan. 1, 2025  |  2:00-2:20pm (Eastern)

The National Bell Festival invites bells and bell towers across America to ring out together on New Year’s Day, creating a canopy of sound over our nation. Cathedrals and churches, community organizations and historical structures, national parks and memorials, and people from coast to coast are encouraged to gather and contribute to the sound.
 

Order of St. Dunstan Honors
Location: Washington, D.C.
Time: Jan. 1, 2025  |  7:00-9:00pm (Eastern)

The National Bell Festival is pleased to acknowledge leaders in artistry, performance, community building, foundry science, historical research, record keeping, and philanthropy – and those who work tirelessly to keep bells resounding for generations to come – at the second annual Order of St. Dunstan Honors.