The Citadel's Christmas Candlelight Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. on December 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

It’s the most wonderful season of the year, indeed, and the Christmas spirit escapes no one, not even the hard-edged Citadel cadets.

They’ve been practicing songs, decorating the altar and pews, and anticipating the event for months, and it will all come together with the songs and stories of Christmas in just a couple of days.

The Citadel’s Christmas Candlelight Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. on December 2nd, 3rd and 4th. As it’s a free event and incredibly popular, program organizers say you should get there early. Standing room only seating is expected even though the chapel seats well more than 1,000 people.

“I know that it’s always a packed house,” third battalion religious officer Haddon Kellahan told ABC News 4. “It’s wise to be here an hour ahead of time. For parking predominantly and also for seating. We don’t turn away people at the door, but the past nights I have performed it’s been standing room only.”

The hour-long program is no easy feet, but Kellahan says it’s all OK.

“It’s a big deal, lot of work, but totally worth it,” Kellahan said.

For more information, call 843-953-5049.