Messiah Festival of the Arts │ 145th Season: Every Valley
March 27 & March 29, 2026
Bethany Lutheran Church, 320 N Main St
Presser Hall, Bethany College Campus
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The Swedish immigrant pioneers who established Lindsborg in 1869 in the Smoky Valley of central Kansas came to the New World primarily for religious freedom of worship and expression, which at the time was unattainable in their part of Europe. They brought with them intense sensitivities and appreciation for music and the fine arts.
In December 1881, because of a variety of historical factors, they established the renowned Messiah oratorio musical tradition — which has come down to the present-day, due largely to the devotion and commitment of the people of Lindsborg and Bethany College. Today, a fully comprehensive Festival of the Arts, concluding with a full length performance of Handel's Messiah, presented on Palm Sunday (March 29, 2026), is the climax of weeks of community preparation and local arts exhibitions leading up to the festival. Bach's The Passion According to St. Matthew is performed on Friday (March 27, 2026).
Catch the soloists in recital on Thursday, March 26, at 7:30pm.
More festival and performance information as well as ticket purchases are found at the Messiah Festival website.
Photography by Jim Turner
