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Every fall, the U.S. Naval Academy welcomes thousands of visitors for football games, colorful autumn walks across the Yard, and time-honored traditions. But once a year, something a little more mysterious takes over the Chapel.
Lights dim. Shadows dance across centuries-old walls. The unmistakable sound of one of the world's great pipe organs fills the air, sending chills through the audience (in the very best way).
Welcome to the USNA Halloween Concert, officially known as the All Saints' Day/Halloween Organ Concert. Since its debut in 1997, this unforgettable performance has become one of the Academy's most anticipated annual events, delighting midshipmen, alumni, Annapolis residents, and visitors with an evening equal parts musical masterpiece and theatrical spectacle.
If you're looking for a memorable fall tradition unlike any other, this is one performance you won’t want to miss.
When Halloween Meets All Saints' Day
Few events capture the spirit of the season quite like this one.
Held each year around All Saints' Day, the concert embraces both the reflective traditions of the Christian calendar and the playful excitement of Halloween. The result is an evening that's dramatic without being frightening, reverent without being formal, and entertaining from the opening note to the final encore.
The magnificent Naval Academy Chapel provides the perfect setting. With soaring architecture, stained-glass windows, and extraordinary acoustics, it creates an atmosphere that’s unmistakably Navy.
Meet the Master Behind the Music
At the center of every organ concert is the Naval Academy's Director of Chapel Music and Chapel Organist, Monte Maxwell.
A graduate of The Juilliard School, Maxwell has become something of a legend at the Academy. For almost three decades, he has amazed audiences with performances ranging from quiet, contemplative works to thunderous pieces that seem to shake the Chapel itself.
His instrument is every bit as impressive.
The Naval Academy Chapel organ contains more than 15,000 pipes and is played from an extraordinary five-manual console, making it one of the largest and most versatile pipe organs in the country.
Maxwell's remarkable musicianship has become part of Academy lore. During his audition for the position, candidates were asked to prepare three selections. Maxwell reportedly arrived with ten pieces ready to perform, invited the committee to choose any three, and then played them entirely from memory.
It's that same combination of talent, creativity, and showmanship that has made this concert a favorite year after year.
More Than Music
Calling this simply a Halloween concert doesn't quite do it justice.
The performance blends live music with theatrical storytelling, dramatic lighting, fog effects, video projections, and appearances from midshipmen who bring humor and energy to the evening. Every production is different, giving returning guests something new to enjoy each year.
You might hear Bach's iconic Toccata and Fugue in D Minor reverberate through the Chapel before transitioning into patriotic favorites like Battle Hymn of the Republic or God Bless America. Other selections range from classical masterworks to familiar tunes with a delightfully spooky twist.
And then there are the surprises.
One famous tradition from previous performances featured a casket being wheeled slowly down the Chapel aisle, only for Monte Maxwell to emerge from inside and launch directly into the opening number. Moments like these have become part of the concert's enduring legend.
A Fall Tradition Worth Experiencing
Because the USNA Halloween Concert has developed such a loyal following, tickets often disappear quickly. Each year, performances are scheduled during the final days of October and around All Saints' Day, giving audiences several opportunities to attend:
Friday, October 30, 2026 – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, October 30, 2026 – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 31, 2026 – 7:00 p.m.
A USNA shuttle will be available for all performances, running from the old NEX at 693 Kinkaid Road, Annapolis. It runs on Friday from 5:00 p.m. to midnight and on Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
If you're attending, plan to arrive early.
Pre-show entertainment outside the Chapel adds to the festive atmosphere, and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Giving yourself extra time also allows you to admire one of the Academy's most beautiful buildings before the performance begins.
Related: Navy Chapel Magic: Take a Sneak Peek!
Make It a Full Day on the Yard
The concert is an ideal centerpiece for an autumn visit to Annapolis.
Before the performance, consider taking a guided walking tour of the Naval Academy, exploring the historic Chapel, visiting landmarks like the Herndon Monument, or enjoying a meal at the Naval Academy Club.
Fall is one of the most beautiful seasons to experience the Yard, with crisp air, colorful foliage, and plenty of Academy traditions happening throughout the season.
Related: The Naval Academy Club: Home on the Yard
More Music Is on the Way
If this performance leaves you wanting more, the Academy offers several outstanding musical events throughout the remainder of the year.
The soul-stirring Gospel Choir takes to the stage on Friday, October 16th at 7:00 p.m. Then the Midshipman Instrumental Ensembles Orchestra Concert showcases the remarkable talents of musicians within the Brigade of Midshipmen in a string ensemble and mariachi group on Friday, November 13th at 7:00 p.m.
There’s a fan favorite Trident Brass Holiday Concert on Wednesday, December 2nd at 7:00 p.m. The Pipes and Drums Fall Concert also brings vibrant Scottish traditions to Annapolis with the only active-duty pipe band in the Navy on Friday, December 4th at 7:00 p.m..
Don’t forget the annual presentation of Handel's Messiah, which has inspired audiences for around eight decades and remains one of the Academy's most cherished holiday traditions. Catch one of the two shows on Saturday, December 5th at 7:00 p.m. or Sunday, December 6th at 3:00 p.m.
Together, these USNA concerts highlight the extraordinary musical talent found within the Brigade of Midshipmen.
Every Ticket Helps Build the Brigade
Attending the All Saints' Day/Halloween Organ Concert is about more than enjoying an unforgettable evening.
Revenue generated through concerts, USNA tours, dining, and purchases from Academy retail locations like the USNA Gift Shop and Navyonline.com help fund programs that enrich the midshipman experience beyond the classroom. These include music ensembles, theater productions, cultural arts, club sports, and other extracurricular activities that foster teamwork, leadership, and camaraderie.
Every visit helps strengthen the programs that contribute to developing well-rounded future U.S. Navy and Marine Corps officers.
An Annapolis Tradition Unlike Any Other
Whether you're captivated by magnificent pipe organ music, fascinated by Academy traditions, or simply looking for a unique way to celebrate the season, the All Saints' Day/Halloween Organ Concert delivers an experience you won't soon forget.
Come see this sorcerer of the sprawling Naval Academy organ and the midshipmen who light up the stage.
It's dramatic. It's patriotic. It's inspiring. And it's just the right amount of spooky.
This fall, step inside the Naval Academy Chapel, settle into your seat, and prepare for an evening where music, history, and Halloween come together in spectacular fashion.
