The National Acolyte Festival 2025 Saturday October 11 2025 at 9:00 AM
2025 National Acolyte Festival
Saturday, October 11, 2025
9 am to 2:30 pm
Washington National Cathedral is delighted to welcome acolytes, servers, and vergers from across the country for the National Acolyte Festival.
The day includes the Grandest of Processions and the celebration of a festival holy Eucharist, along with opportunities for exploring the Cathedral and joining a variety of workshops.
Registration is $10 per adult and youth acolyte. There is no registration fee for processing clergy or vergers, or family and friends attending the service.
Lunch
Box lunches are available for pre-purchase through October 3. You’re also welcome to bring your own lunches. Click here to pre-purchase lunches for your group now.
Bus Groups
If you are arriving by bus, you must email groups@cathedral.org for parking procedure and payment information. Reservations are REQUIRED if your group is coming by bus and there is a fee for bus parking.
Sightseeing and Tours
Following the service, all attendees are welcome to sightsee in the Cathedral and visit the chapels and the observation gallery in the towers. Workshops and demonstrations are free of charge and do not require pre-registration.
Additionally, specialty guided tours, including a Tower Climb, are available for purchase. Click here if you'd like to purchase tickets for additional tours now. You will receive a follow-up email after you complete your Acolyte Festival registration that will also have this link so you can register later as well. Note that all tower climbs and tours have limited capacity and will fill quickly.
Saturday, October 11, 2025
9 am to 2:30 pm
Washington National Cathedral is delighted to welcome acolytes, servers, and vergers from across the country for the National Acolyte Festival.
The day includes the Grandest of Processions and the celebration of a festival holy Eucharist, along with opportunities for exploring the Cathedral and joining a variety of workshops.
Registration is $10 per adult and youth acolyte. There is no registration fee for processing clergy or vergers, or family and friends attending the service.
Lunch
Box lunches are available for pre-purchase through October 3. You’re also welcome to bring your own lunches. Click here to pre-purchase lunches for your group now.
Bus Groups
If you are arriving by bus, you must email groups@cathedral.org for parking procedure and payment information. Reservations are REQUIRED if your group is coming by bus and there is a fee for bus parking.
Sightseeing and Tours
Following the service, all attendees are welcome to sightsee in the Cathedral and visit the chapels and the observation gallery in the towers. Workshops and demonstrations are free of charge and do not require pre-registration.
Additionally, specialty guided tours, including a Tower Climb, are available for purchase. Click here if you'd like to purchase tickets for additional tours now. You will receive a follow-up email after you complete your Acolyte Festival registration that will also have this link so you can register later as well. Note that all tower climbs and tours have limited capacity and will fill quickly.