Christmas as St Paul's

Services & Events
Unless stated, all services and events during Advent and Christmas are free and unticketed. Doors open one hour before the published start times. Many of the services are very popular and unfortunately we are often unable to accommodate all who wish to join us. We advise early arrival, especially on December 13 and 24.


DECEMBER
Saturday 1 and Sunday 2
6pm - Advent Procession
One of the year’s most dramatic services as the procession moves from darkness to light. Words and music focus on the Advent theme of light in darkness, hope in despair, and a new relationship with God in Christ. Sung by the Cathedral Choir.

Thursday 6
6.30pm - Messiah, George Frederic Handel
The Cathedral Choir and Chorus, together with the City of London Sinfonia, perform Handel’s perennial favourite. Conducted by Andrew Carwood.
This is a ticketed event. THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY SUBSCRIBED.

Tuesday 11
7pm - Cancer Research UK Christmas Concert
A carol concert in aid of Cancer Research UK. Music by the Cathedral Choir, soloists including Joan Rodgers CBE and Sir John Tomlinson, and the Band of the Scots Guards, with readings by guest celebrities.
Tickets from £25, available from the Barbican ticket website.

Thursday 13
6.30pm - A Celebration of Christmas
Celebrity readers come together with the Cathedral Choir and City of London Sinfonia, conducted by Andrew Carwood.
Sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group.

Sunday 16
12.45 - 2.15pm - Tuba Carols
One hundred tuba players will play carols on the Cathedral steps to raise money for charity.

Friday 21
5pm - Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols
The ever-popular work for boys’ voices and harp, performed by the Choristers of St Paul’s and Sioned Williams, with motets sung by the Vicars Choral.

Saturday 22
1pm - Family Carols
Enjoy Christmas favourites in a service lasting 45 minutes, sung by the chamber choir, Cantate. Children especially welcome.

Sunday 23
4pm - Christmas Carol Service
Sung by the Cathedral Choir.

Monday 24, Christmas Eve
4pm - Christmas Carol Service
Sung by the Cathedral Choir.
11.30pm - Midnight Eucharist
The perfect way to begin Christmas; with well-loved carols and seasonal music sung by the Cathedral Choir. The Bishop of London will preside and preach.

Tuesday 25, Christmas Day
8am - Holy Communion
Book of Common Prayer.
11am - Sung Eucharist
Popular carols with festive Christmas music sung by the Cathedral Choir make this a joyful celebration for Christmas morning. The Bishop of London will preside and the Dean of St Paul’s will preach.
3.15pm - Festal Evensong
A traditional service of seasonal music and well-loved carols. Sung by the Cathedral Choir.

Wednesday 26, Feast of St Stephen, Deacon, First Martyr
5pm – Evening Prayer with carols
Thursday 27, Feast of St John, Apostle and Evangelist
5pm – Evening Prayer with carols
Friday 28, Feast of the Holy Innocents
5pm – Evensong, sung by the Damian Singers


JANUARY
Sunday 6, The Epiphany
Sunday services as usual, including:
11.30am - Sung Eucharist for the Epiphany
Sung by the Vicars Choral.
6pm - La Nativité du Seigneur Olivier Messiaen
Messiaen’s organ meditation on the mystery of the birth of Christ. Performed by Simon Johnson, with readings and prayers.

Sunday 13
Sunday services as usual, including:
3.15pm Epiphanytide procession
We celebrate the visit of the Magi to the infant Christ in words and music. Sung by the Cathedral Choir.


FEBRUARY
Saturday 2
5pm – Sung Eucharist for Candlemas