Christmas at the Basilica of St. Josaphat

Songs of comfort and joy at the iconic Milwaukee Basilica
EVENT INFORMATION

December 5, 2025 | 7:30 PM
December 6, 2025 | 12:00 PM
December 6, 2025 | 7:30 PM
December 7, 2025 | 4:00 PM

The Basilica of St. Josaphat
2333 South 6th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53215

Run time: approximately 80 minutes
​Know Before You Go

Christmas Program Highlights
Once in Royal David’s City
In dulci jubilo
Veni et ilumina
Adam Lay Ybounden
Hodie
What a Gift
Plus... Our favorite classic carols and songs of the season!

What's Interesting ​​
  • Don't be afraid to join in! This concert features several audience sing-a-longs to help you get into the spirit of the season.
  • In talking about his piece, "Hodie", Z. Randall Stroope says that it was literally one of the most enjoyable works that he has ever written. He continues to say that "this work was built on an earlier version of “Hodie!” that I wrote in the 1990’s, but is quite different in that the first movement has been entirely replaced, and the other two moments – especially the third movement, is largely new material". 
  • Ever wondered where many of the carols we sing came from? The earliest carols were a form of both religious and secular song, first originating in the 14th century – although their evolution dates back even further. Even before Christianity, it is thought that midwinter songs existed to keep up people’s spirits, along with dances, plays and feasts.
  • Some modern carols like "Good King Wenceslas" and "The Holly and the Ivy" trace back to this period in the Middle Ages - along with many others appearing in a 1582 collection. 
Deep Dive​

What You'll Hear