Events on New Year's Day

Across genres and across America, you'll find fascinating events, cultural experiences, world-class performances, and one-of-a-kind activities to ring in the New Year like never before – all of which are absolutely free! See what BellFest has in store for you.

Ring around the World
Location: Multiple Locations
Time: Midnight (Local)

This New Year’s Eve, the first-ever Ring around the World will invite bells to resound in an international moment of unity and celebration. At midnight local time on 31 Dec. 2021, bells are set to toll the hour in Bathurst, Australia, before Carillonneur Denise Garland plays a stirring arrangement of “Auld Lang Syne” from the 47-bell Bathurst War Memorial Carillon.
Opening Ceremony
Location: Georgetown Lutheran Church
Time: 11:00-11:50am (Eastern)

Get ready for the third annual National Bell Festival and ring in the New Year like never before! Our Opening Ceremony is packed with good people and good vibrations. Enjoy an exclusive preview of the bell ringing events to come on New Year’s Day, all while sipping a complimentary cup of cocoa to help you warm up for the festival experiences ahead.
Tribute: 200 Years of Harriet Tubman
Location: Military Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery
Time: 12:00-12:25pm (Eastern)

Born into slavery as Araminta Ross in 1822, Ms. Tubman escaped to the North in 1849 to become the most famous conductor on the Underground Railroad. A portrait of dignity and courage, she helped escort more than 70 people to freedom. Join us as we celebrate 200 years of Harriet Tubman with a bell ringing tribute.
 
Full Peal Attempt
Location: Washington National Cathedral
Time: 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 this New Year's Day. Ringing will begin following the noon 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. 
Video: Meet the Carillon
Location: Streaming Online
Time: 1:30-1:50pm (Eastern)

What is a carillon? Tune in on New Year’s Day for a look into the history and art of the world’s largest instrument. You’ll learn what the carillon sounds like, how it is played, where carillons are located, how bells are made, and where you can learn to play, too!
In Concert: Dr. Grogan at the Basilica
Location: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Time: 2:00-2:20pm (Eastern)

Celebrate the repertoire of music on bells as Robert Grogan, carillonneur, 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 (329 ft. at the tower's pinnacle), Dr.
Nationwide Bell Ringing
Location: Multiple Locations
Time: 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.
 
In Concert: Charlie St. Cyr-Paul of ‘Cast in Bronze’
Location: Streaming Online
Time: 3:30-4:00pm (Eastern)

Experience a legendary performance on bells by carillonneur Charlie St. Cyr-Paul of Cast in Bronze! Cast in Bronze was created in 1991 by Frank DellaPenna to share the beauty and versatility of the carillon with listeners.