(Photo Jena Cumbo, used with permission)

Unsilent Night is a family-friendly, free music parade coming to Sherman Circle on December 21st — and you’re invited to participate.

A unique worldwide phenomena of a musical non-religious holiday event soundwalk, Unsilent Night, returns to Petworth after a short hiatus on Wednesday, December 21st at 7:30pm at Sherman Circle.

What’s different about this musical performance is that it’s you — the public — who “performs.” The magic begins when the crowd hits PLAY simultaneously on any 1 of 4 original instrumental tracks downloadable from the Unsilent Night website on portable speakers, phones and boom boxes.

The collective launch of four streams of shimmering electronic bell-tones into the night sets the "orchestra" off joyously on foot through neighborhood streets festooned with holiday lights in a moving orchestral processional.

Originated in 1992 by downtown New York City musician and composer Phil Kline (former bandmate of noted independent filmmaker Jim Jarmusch), Unsilent Night blends modern technology with centuries-old processional musical traditions to create a unique composition.

The DC event has attracted a growing crowd of participants each year and 2022 is expected to be the biggest soundwalk yet, enveloping the Petworth neighborhood in sound.

For tips on what kind of music to bring, check the Unsilent Night website. There’s even an iPhone app and an Android app.

“This event balances the communal desire to be together with friends and neighbors during the holidays with the safety of being outside in the time of a surge in coronavirus and flu,” said one of the organizers.

Phil Kline's Unsilent Night has been presented in more than 150 cities across five continents since its debut 30 years ago on the streets of Greenwich Village.