Winter is a time for family and for fun. Christmas is often celebrated as a single day during which the birth of Jesus Christ is remembered, yet, for observant Christians, the weeks before constitute an entire sacred season called “Advent” (which means “the arrival”). Advent is celebrated for four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve.
Many Christian churches throughout the South Sound provide special services throughout Advent. Many non-Christians celebrate Yule and the Winter Solstice with special gatherings, as well. And Temple Beth Hatfiloh also offers a celebration of Hanukah, a minor holiday on the Jewish calendar.
OLY ARTS provides a selection of holiday service listings here, and we invite you to join the faith community of your choice during the winter holidays.
ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
stjohnsoly.org | 114 20th Ave. SE Olympia
6 p.m. Dec. 11: Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass and Celebration
6:30 p.m. Dec. 21: Festival of Advent Lessons and Carols
8 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. (Spanish), 10:30 p.m. Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Mass
10:30 a.m. Dec. 25: Christmas Day Mass
ST. BENEDICT’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
stbenedictlacey.org | 910 Bowker St. SE, Lacey
5:30 p.m. Dec. 24: Worship with Children’s Pageant
10:30 p.m. Dec. 24: Festival Christmas Worship
No Service on Christmas Day
ST. MICHAEL’S CATHOLIC PARISH (DOWNTOWN AND WESTSIDE)
saintmichaelparish.org | 1055 Boundary St. SE, Olympia
5 p.m., 8 p.m. and Midnight Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Services (Downtown)
5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Services (Westside)
9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Dec. 25: Christmas Day Service
UNITED CHURCHES (UCC + PRESBYTERIAN)
theunitedchurches.org | 110 11th Ave. SE, Olympia
Advent Services every Sunday: 9 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m. Dec. 3: Festival Choir
10:30 a.m. Dec. 10: Children’s Christmas Pageant
10:30 a.m. Dec. 17: Advent Service
10:30 a.m. Dec. 24: Carols and Cocoa
6 p.m. Dec. 24: Family Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
8 p.m. Dec. 24: Traditional Lessons and Carols Candlelight Service
No Service on Christmas Day
OLYMPIA UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION
ouuc.org | 2315 Division St. NW, Olympia
10 a.m. Dec. 24: Congregational Service
5:30 p.m. Dec. 24: Candlelight Family Service
9 p.m. Dec. 24: Traditional Family Service
No Service on Christmas Day
UNITY CHURCH OF OLYMPIA
unityofolympia.org | 1335 Fern St. SW, Olympia
3 p.m. Dec. 2: Christmas Concert
6 p.m. Dec. 21: Winter Solstice Spiral Walk
6 p.m. Dec. 24: Family Service
No Service on Christmas Day
TEMPLE BETH HATFILOH
Beth Hat Filoh.com | 201 8th Ave. SE, Olympia
6-9:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17: Annual Hanukah Party
GLORIA DEI LUTHERAN CHURCH
gloriadeiolympia.org | 515 Harrison Avenue NW, Olympia, WA 98502
6:30 p.m. Dec 6, Wednesday Advent Worship
5:30 p.m. Dec 13 New Song Christmas Carol Sing-Along
6:30 p.m. Dec 13, Wednesday Advent Worship
1:00 p.m. Dec 17 Christmas Caroling (meet at church)
6:30 p.m. Dec 20, Wednesday Advent Worship
10:00 a.m. Dec 24, Christmas Eve Worship Service
5 p.m. Dec 24, Candlelight Service & Children’s Christmas Program
5 p.m. Dec 24, NewSong Candlelight Worship
7 p.m., 9 p.m., 11 p.m. Dec 24, Candlelight Worship
No Service on Christmas Day
CHURCH OF LIVING WATER
livingwater.com | 1615 Chambers St SE, Olympia
2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 2: One Starry Night, Children’s Musical
6:30 p.m. Dec 22: Christmas Service
5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec 23: Christmas Services
8:15 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Dec 24: Christmas Eve Services
No Service on Christmas Day