Holiday Retreat 2026

Annual Holiday Retreat: The Art of Love

Tuesday, December 29, 2026 – Saturday, January 2, 2027

“Love is a living practice—an art rooted in presence, listening, understanding, and everyday nurture.”

– Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh

Dear Friends,

Love has the quiet power to heal, soften suffering, and build the foundation for a truly harmonious life. But how do we love in a way that brings genuine warmth to both ourselves and those we hold dear?

As the year comes to a close, let us step away from the busyness of daily life and come home to what truly matters.

This retreat offers you a dedicated space to pause, breathe, and renew the heart of your family. By learning to embrace your own vulnerability with self-compassion, you unlock the capacity to deeply understand and love those around you.

What does this retreat include?

Daily Mindfulness Practice: Learn to be fully present in every moment—sitting, walking, eating, and resting together.
Nourishing Dharma Talks: Gain practical wisdom on bringing peace and harmony into your home and daily relationships.
Heartfelt Sharing Circles: Join safe, compassionate spaces to speak and listen deeply from the heart.
New Year’s Midnight Ceremony: Reflect on the past year, release old burdens in a mindful burning ritual, and plant seeds of intention for the year ahead.
Five Mindfulness Trainings: Receive the transmission for those wishing to deepen their spiritual journey.

A home filled with understanding is the greatest gift we can offer one another—a lifelong source of strength for the journey ahead.

Give your family the most meaningful gift of presence, understanding, and love this holiday season.

We hope to see you this Holiday Retreat as we welcome the New Year of 2027!

–Magnolia Grove Monastery Monastics

Some important information that might be helpful:

Retreat Costs Per Individual:

– Camping (bring your own tent/camper van): $ 240.00

– Commuter (staying in nearby accommodation): $ 240.00

– Bed in shared room (dorm/cabin): $ 400.00

Please note that cabins are reserved for families and couples, based on “requested roommates.” All families/parents with children will be placed in cabins, if available – if not, they will be waitlisted. Other options are camping or commuter; or staying in the men’s/women’s dorms (if no cabin becomes available), which may mean splitting the group up. If waitlisted, we will follow up about these options – and/or you may include your preference in the notes section.

A 20% discount for seniors (over 64) and young adults (under 27) is automatically included when you register. For students who require financial assistance, please mention this in the Notes section at the bottom of the registration form. For anyone else who requires financial assistance, please contact our office.

When

The retreat opens on December 29th with onsite arrival between 2 and 5 pm CT, and the retreat ends on January 2nd after lunch.

Retreat Program

There will be morning meditations, mindful meals, walking meditation, Dharma teachings, chanting, singing, group sharing, mindful services, Five Mindfulness Trainings transmission, and Noble Silence for certain hours.

Please note the Holiday Retreat is a kind of family retreat, and with many children and teens attending, it is a very joyous occasion; quite different from a silent retreat or personal retreat with less retreatants.

Will there be youth programs?

Yes! We are pleased to offer three youth programs this retreat:

Teens (Ages 13–17) will be offered a safe, supportive space to explore identity, navigate stress, build emotional resilience, and form meaningful friendships.
Tweens (Ages 10–12) will enjoy interactive activities that combine fun with mindfulness, fostering self-expression, and empathy.
Children (6–10) will be offered playful, engaging sessions designed to cultivate joy, kindness, and presence through creative arts, music, storytelling, and nature exploration.
(We currently do not have a program for children and toddlers 5 and under. We ask that if you would like for your child to join, that at least one parent/guardian in your family unit accompany your child at all times. We’ve had parents assure us that their 4 or 5 year old was fine with an older sibling in the program but in reality they tend to cry for their parent, and that leaves us in a pickle, having to leave a group of children to search for individual parents. We thank you for your understanding!)