Carols by Candlelight
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | 6:30 PM
City Hall Park, 101 N. Court Street
Free to Attend
Don’t miss one of the holiday season’s most delightful events.
Formerly the Festival of Lights, Carols by Candlelight brings the true spirit of the season to young and old alike. Celebrate the season with holiday carols performed by local choirs and festive sing-alongs!
This event is held outdoors. Onsite ASL Interpreting.
Program
Join us at City Hall Park for an evening of festive sing-alongs led by The Frederick Chorale and The Oakdale High School Choir, featuring several Frederick-area choirs! Sing-alongs include: Deck the Halls, Jingle Bells, Silent Night, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas!
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The Frederick Chorale was organized in 1977 to provide an outlet for talented area singers who wanted to learn and perform excellent choral music. The Chorale is known for the high caliber of its performances and its community involvement. The auditioned chorus has sung for many cultural, civic, and celebratory events in Frederick and further afield in Annapolis, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., England, Germany, Canada, and the Middle East, as well as at the White House and on the Today Show.
The group’s repertoire is wide: art songs and masterworks, classic American songs, Broadway songs, rock and roll, spirituals, and works by contemporary composers. It has collaborated with orchestras, dancers, military bands and choruses, flute choirs, children’s choirs, gospel groups, storytellers, and hand bell ensembles. Recently, the Chorale joined with actors to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death in a unique program of dramatic scenes and songs set to Shakespeare’s words. And in the summer of 2017, the Chorale traveled to Germany to participate in the Luther 500 Choral Festival in Berlin, as well as performing in Erfurt, Leipzig, and Frederick’s sister city, Schifferstadt. The Chorale has been an important contributor to its hometown of Frederick, Maryland, for over 48 years!
Baltimore-based Heidi Ackerman is a sought-after conductor, clinician, and vocalist. With extensive experience conducting professional ensembles, she has added a focus on community choruses; diversifying ensembles through dynamic programming while invigorating membership by harnessing the joy of singing together. Musical Director of The Frederick Chorale, an ensemble renowned for its high-caliber performances and strong community involvement, Ms. Ackerman embodies their mission to enrich the cultural life of Frederick through beautiful and diverse choral works.
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The Oakdale High School Choir was (re)established in 2023 after a several year hiatus. We are so proud to boast numbers of 48 members strong that have more than tripled since our re-establishment; which is due to to the hard work and dedication of our wonderful singers who have devoted so much of their schedules and passions to helping our choir grow and thrive. The Choir is looking forward to many more community events this school year, including being selected to perform at the Maryland Music Educators Conference in February. The OHS Choir is honored to have the opportunity to sing under the fabulous Ms. Heidi Ackerman and join the wonderful Frederick Chorale for the Carols by Candlelight event.
Conductor, Jacqueline Grimm is in her 3rd year at Oakdale High School and her 15th year in Frederick County Public Schools. After serving in elementary school music for 12 years, Mrs. Grimm was excited for the challenge of rebuilding a choir program, joining the musical theatre department, and exploring teaching piano and guitar classes. Jacqueline currently conducts the OHS Mixed Chorus, Concert Choir, Camerata – an all female choir, and is the vocal director for Oakdale High Musicals. She is so excited to showcase her students talents around Frederick and New Market this school year!
Beverage Truck
Arrive early to grab a hot cup of cocoa, coffee, or a specialty latte from this year’s vendor, Eklectic Coffee Bar! They’ll be onsite at the City Hall courtyard from 6 PM to 8 PM.
| Menu: Coffee, Cappuccino, Latte (mocha, vanilla, peppermint, orange, caramel, and gingersnap), Cider, Hot Chocolate (peppermint and regular), and Chai Tea. |
Event History
Over 30 years ago, Julia Hanna, a Frederick City resident, expressed concerned that the world was losing sight of the real meaning of holiday season. She asked area residents to display single white candles in their windows to bring back the feeling of an old-fashioned holiday, and to focus on the warmth and fellowship of the season. She encouraged community togetherness… and the candlelight festival was begun. Since that time, the tradition has evolved into this ecumenical gathering.
