9 Of The Best Christmas Carol Services To See This Year
Its our favourite time of year again! London has some of the best Christmas activities from Christmas markets to magical Christmas igloos, the list is full of endless fun. But what about getting in the caroling spirit form the iconic performances at St Paul’s Cathedral to the Tower of London shows, the capital is home to plenty of splendid carol services worth visiting. Get into the festive spirit and book now to experience one of London’s magical Christmas carol services.
St Paul’s
St Paul’s has been through the Great Fire of London, The Blitz and Covid. And still this Christopher Wren beauty stands, majestically surveying London as it sprawls itself out around it.
Throughout advent it will be celebrating the story of Jesus with different events. Listen to angelic voices reverberate around the great dome and take in a few of your favourite festive carols.
Throughout December, they’ll be telling the story of the birth of Christ through words and music with help from the Cathedral Choir and local London community singers.
When: 2nd December – 21st December 2023
Where: St. Paul’s Churchyard, The City, EC4M 8AD
Website:stpauls.co.uk
The Royal Albert Hall
Carols at The Royal Albert Hall promises to be spine-tinglingly rousing.
Expect to be singing along to all the faves, ancient and modern accompanied by the Royal Choral Society, National Youth Choir of Great Britain, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Richard Cooke.
When: Saturday 17th December – Saturday 24th December, 11am, 3pm, 7.30pm
Where: Kensington Gore, Kensington, SW7 2AP
Website:www.royalalberthall.com
St John’s Smith Square
If you like things to be traditional and central then there’s a wide variety of Christmassy options thanks to St John’s Smith Square.
The Westminster church is hosting various choirs to perform a number of no doubt spine-tingly Christmas numbers. Our pick would be the Choristers and Clerks of Christ Church Cathedral Choir, down from Oxford and directed by Steven Grahl. They’ll be performing a selection of Christmas music including works ranging from the 16th century to the present day and taking in Praetorius, Poulenc and Rutter along the way.
When: Tuesday 13th December at 7:30pm
Where: St John’s Smith Square, Westminster, SW1P 3HA
Website:www.sjss.org.uk
Great Ormond Street Hospital Carols
Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) has been making sick kids better for over a century; it really is one of the best causes in the capital and you can support their work, and enjoy a top-notch carol service to-boot, by attending their carol concert.
Held at St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, join over 750 people to enjoy beautiful music, popular carols and professional performances along with celebrity turns. Along with the concert, there’s a champagne and canapé reception afterwards nearby at The Berkeley Hotel, with all proceeds going to Great Ormond Street Hospital.
When: Tuesday 12th December at 5:30pm
Where: 32a Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, SW1X 8SH
Website:www.goshcarolconcert.com
St Helen’s, Bishopsgate
If you work in the city, why not get your Christmas carols fix during your lunch break? St Helen’s, Bishopsgate, are holding a series of carol concerts, with some falling on weekday lunchtimes, which is ideal for city workers.
The magical Church, a piece of the ancient juxtaposed with the modern (it’s surrounded by the glass towers that make up London’s financial centre) will be honouring the birth of Christ with a mix of biblical truths, fabulous music and mince pies with mulled wine. All in enough time to escape and return to the office no questions asked!
When: Tuesday-Thursday 5th, 7th, 12th, 13th and 19th December at 1:10pm, 7pm and 7:30pm
Where: Great St Helen’s, Bishopsgate, The City, EC3A 6AT
Website:www.st-helens.org.uk
Tower Of London
If you want a trad service in an even trad-er it doesn’t get better than the Tower of London, one of the oldest and most iconic buildings in London.
The Chapel Royal’s Carols Around The Crib service will make Christmas feel cosy and special with the ones you love.
When: 25th December at 10am
Where: The Tower Of London, EC3N 4AB
Website: www.thechapelsroyalhmtoweroflondon.org.uk
Christmas at St Martin’s
This holiday season, St.Martin’s is providing every kind of Christmas Carol imaginable – from carols for kids to carols by candlelight, St.Martin’s is housing a plethora of festive cheer for the winter.
While we love all of the caroling options, the festive family carols have caught our eye. Enjoy a wonderful afternoon of Christmas Carols for all the family.
When: Each Saturday of December at 2pm and 4pm
Where: Trafalgar Sq, London WC2N 4JJ, United Kingdom
Website:st.martin-in-the-fields.org
Christmas at All Souls
Spend your holiday season with what Time Out is calling “one of the west end’s most vibrant, free traditional carol services”. All Souls Langham Place will be spreading Christmas cheer with a live choir and orchestra performing some of the nation’s most loved carols. Head along on Saturdays and Sundays from 16 December to experience the Nativity story told through music and festive readings.
Take a break from your Christmas shopping for an hour for free mince pies and a cup of warm Christmas punch after the service. For families with younger children, the 9.30am carols are perfect.
When: Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday from the 16th of December
Where: All Souls Church, Langham Place London, W1B 3DA
Website: carolservice.com
Christmas Carol Singalong at The Barbican Hall
A Christmas Carol Singalong is coming to town at the Barbican Hall this festive season. Join Jonathan Cohen and Louise Dearman for some family fun. Songs will include some of the very best Christmas tunes along with beloved seasonal classics.
To prepare for the music filled night, start practicing classics like Let It Snow and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. We can hardly wait for this wonderful night of music and fun.
When: Sunday the 17th of December
Where: Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
Website: barbican.org.uk