October 5: St. Francis Day, New York City

Paul Winter’s 31^st Annual Feast of St. Francis at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, with an expanded Paul Winter Consort, featuring gospel singer Theresa Thomason, playing the music of the Missa Gaia/Earth Mass.

The Missa Gaia (or Earth Mass) brings together a massed choir of hundreds of voices, a dance performance by Forces of Nature, and musical performances by the Paul Winter Consort, all in celebration of the beauty of the animal kingdom. The service concludes with the Procession of the Animals, a silent parade of creatures great and small down the Nave of the Cathedral.

Following the Procession, the Cathedral hosts an outdoor fair, with many animal, environmental, and other social justice organizations sharing information on their efforts. You can also grab a bite at one of the vegetarian-friendly food trucks, have your creature companions blessed, have your face painted, or enjoy a performance by the Mettawee River Theatre Company.

Day Of passes will be available on the morning of October 5th, but they go quickly! You can make online pass reservations starting on September 2nd.