Revels - Midwinter Revels: The Feast of Fools

The Midwinter Revels

Midwinter Revels is a cherished holiday tradition for over 70,000 people throughout the country. Every December, the Cambridge Revels community gathers in Harvard University’s historic Sanders Theatre to celebrate the season through the traditional songs, dances, and stories of cultures from around the world. This year’s production will be performed live at Sanders Theatre December 15 – 28 and will be followed by a virtual encore streaming option!

Midwinter Revels: The Feast of Fools

A Medieval Celebration of the Solstice

About This Year’s Production

Our 53rd Midwinter Revels drops us into the colorful medieval Feast of Fools, where everything is topsy-turvy by design. The status quo quickly becomes the status disruptus as the body politic officially lets off steam. Rulers are temporarily deposed by servants, wit triumphs over power, and a fool finds himself steering the ship of state. This musical feast will feature vibrant processionals, lively carols, delicate harmonies, vigorous dances, and a full ritual serving of the wild and the holy. Come sing favorites old and new and dance your way with us into the lobby of Sanders Theatre and out into the brand new year! On this shortest day of the year, what could possibly go wrong?

COVID-19 Precautions
The health, safety, and comfort of our patrons and performers are of paramount importance to Revels. Revels will be continuously monitoring the situation in Cambridge and Boston regarding the prevalence of COVID-19 and will take appropriate measures accordingly. We are also pleased to let patrons know that Sanders Theatre’s air filtration system has been upgraded to a MERV 13 system.

For a full performance schedule and ticket price information, click the Read More link below.

Location: Harvard University’s Sanders Theatre in Memorial Hall. 45 Quincy Street, Cambridge MA

FREE PARKING at the Broadway Garage

Live Performance Schedule

Friday, December 15 – 7:30 PM*
Saturday, December 16 – 3:00 PM
Sunday, December 17 – 1:00 PM*
Sunday, December 17 – 5:30 PM*
Thursday, December 21 – 7:30 PM
Friday, December 22 – 3:00 PM
Friday, December 22 – 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 23 – 3:00 PM
Saturday, December 23 – 7:30 PM
Tuesday, December 26 – 3:00 PM
Tuesday, December 26 – 7:30 PM
Wednesday, December 27 – 7:30 PM
Thursday, December 28 – 1:00 PM

*Performances on December 15 and 17 will be accompanied by ASL interpreters
Performance length 2.5 hours including intermission

Ticket Prices

Premium Adult $105
Premium Student/Child $80

Top Adult $85
Top Student/Child $60

Middle Adult $65
Middle Student/Child $40

Partial View Adult $45
Partial View Student/Child $20

Virtual Performance

We will again offer a fully virtual Midwinter Revels experience to audiences around the world!

If you are unable to attend Midwinter Revels live this year (or just want to see it again!), join us for a virtual extended run. Your virtual Event Pass will include unlimited access during the viewing period to a digitally enhanced version of this year’s Midwinter Revels, recorded during a live performance in Sanders Theatre. More information on the virtual Event Pass streaming window will be made available soon!

LIVE PERFORMANCE TICKETS

Midwinter Revels: The Feast of Fools

Tickets for the live performances will go on sale to the public on Thursday, October 19*

*Revels donors who give $125+ annually get special early access to tickets beginning Thursday, October 5! Learn how you can join our chorus of supporters and access Midwinter Revels tickets early here.

Learn how EBT and WIC card holders can receive ticket discounts for Midwinter Revels: The Feast of Fools

Your tickets to Midwinter Revels: The Feast of Fools include free parking at the nearby Broadway Garage, Felton Street, Cambridge. We also encourage Revels attendees to use public transportation. Sanders Theatre is a short walk from the Harvard Square Red Line stop.

Performance Schedule:

Friday December 15th - Thursday, December 28th

13 Performances – Matinees and Evenings

Location: Harvard University’s Sanders Theatre, Cambridge, MA

FREE PARKING at the Broadway Garage – Learn More

Midwinter Revels Ticket Prices

Premium Adult $105
Premium Student/Child $80

Top Adult $85
Top Student/Child $60

Middle Adult $65
Middle Student/Child $40

Partial View Adult $45
Partial View Student/Child $20

Performance Schedule

*Performances on December 15 and 17 will be accompanied by ASL interpreters
Performance length 2.5 hours including intermission

Parking

VIRTUAL ENCORE EVENT PASSES

Midwinter Revels: The Feast of Fools

Dates and Ticket Prices for the Virtual Encore will be available soon!

Join us for a virtual encore of Midwinter Revels! Your virtual event pass includes unlimited access during the viewing period to our 53rd annual Midwinter Revels, recorded during a live performance at Sanders Theatre.

Learn more about accessing and using your virtual event pass!

How to Watch the Virtual Show

Get Started

Get Set Up

Purchase Tickets

First, purchase your Midwinter Revels 2023 Virtual Event Pass – available soon!
Get the Link and Code

After you purchase your Midwinter Revels 2023 Event Pass, you will be sent an email with a blue button that links to the virtual performance. This email should arrive almost immediately. When you click the blue button, it will bring you to a screen that asks you to enter your access code. The code should auto-fill, but if for some reason it doesn’t, you can find that access code in your confirmation email.
Agree to Terms of Service

Once your code is entered, make sure you check the box that indicates you agree with the terms of service. You’ll then be able to click the big “Begin Watching” button. Sit back, and enjoy the show!
Sending The Midwinter Revels as a Gift

To send someone the gift of Midwinter Revels: The Feast of Fools, purchase your event pass as above and simply forward the confirmation email to the recipient. If you purchase more than one link, be sure to let your recipient know which link is for them. Remember – only one device can use a link at a time.

Performance Dates

Information on Virtual Encore viewing dates will be available soon!
Pick a Device

Decide in advance which device you would prefer to use to watch the performance. You can only watch the performance on one device at a time. If you click on the link on a second device, the performance will close on the first device. For example, if you are watching on your computer and you open the email on your tablet and click on the Start Watching button, the performance will open on your tablet but close on your computer.
Internet Browser Requirements
As of August 2021, Microsoft has sunset the browser Internet Explorer. Any updates made using Internet Explorer as your browser are no longer supported and may cause changes to not update. Our patrons have also had technical difficulties using Safari to watch Midwinter Revels.

The following browsers are officially supported:
- Chrome for Android 34+
- Chrome for Desktop 34+
- Firefox for Android 41+
- Firefox for Desktop 42+
- Edge for Windows 10+
- Safari for Mac 8+ (beta)
What if I’m unable to open the video?

If you click on the Start Watching button before the performance is available, you will see a pink bar across the top of the page that tells you when the video will be available.

If you continue to experience issues with your viewing, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
How many times can I watch?

As many times as you want! Once you purchase your event pass tickets and receive your code, you’ll be able to watch at any time during our performance window dates.
What if my video is glitching?

You can fix this by adjusting your video quality to a lower resolution. To do this, clicking the gear on the bottom right corner of the screen. In order to stream, we suggest having an internet speed of least 25 mbps.
Can I watch on a bigger screen?

Yes! Virtual events must be viewed in a web browser, whether that is on your computer, tablet, mobile device, or smart TV. You can use an HDMI cable to hook your computer up to a television, allowing you to stream the performance on your TV screen. Or you can cast directly to your television if you have a device that allows you to do so. Here are some tips.
What if I've lost my link?

No worries! Sometimes, our confirmation and/or reminder emails go directly to junk or spam folders in your email. If you cannot locate your confirmation, contact us and we will help you access the video.

Rave Reviews

The colder and stormier the December, the better the Revels……the annual festival of song, dance and drama reflects feelings as old as humanity itself: fear of chill and darkness at the winter solstice, celebration as the sun begins to return.

New York Times

Thank you for still finding a way to share Revels with us; I am newer to the show, but in the last few years it has truly become a part of my holiday traditions, and I would have missed it sorely.

Amber R.

Revels exemplifies the power of good ideas not contained! By creating its own annual custom, Revels has found a unique way to celebrate the seasonal rituals of the world…To my family, the celebration has become tradition wrapped in tradition.

Yo-Yo Ma, cellist

Card to Culture at Revels

Revels believes the arts should be accessible to all who wish to participate!

That’s why we’re proud to partner with Mass Cultural Council and Mass Department of Transitional Assistance to offer the Card to Culture program, the most comprehensive effort of its kind in the nation to open doors to arts and culture experiences for low-income families.

Card holders may purchase up to 6 tickets at $10 each; a limited number of seats are available for each performance so tickets should be purchased at least 48 hours prior to the event to ensure availability.

Tickets for EBT and WIC cardholders will be held at will call, and cardholders must present their card in person at the Harvard Box Office to receive the Card to Culture $10 ticket price.

See the full list of participating organizations offering EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare discounts and learn what you can access with Card to Culture!

Learn more about Card to Culture.