There's nothing like a carol concert or service to get you in the festive mood. And the UK has a long history of belting out carols, among other traditions - some quirkier than others!
The good news is that there are lots of them right across the UK, taking place in all manner of venues from the end of November until December. So whether you prefer a family-friendly sing-along, or something more traditional, there's something for everyone. Here are just some that we’d recommend...
Best carol concerts across the UK
Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford
30th November 2024
For many people, tuning in to BBC Radio 4 to hear the Nine Lessons and Carols service from King’s College, Cambridge on 24th December is one of the essential final touches of a perfect Christmas.
Why not begin the festive season, then, with Advent in Oxford? Though not as familiar as its Christmas equivalent, the Advent carol service is always a moving occasion, with a theme of darkness to light accompanied by haunting carols such as the timeless ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’.
Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff
3rd December 2024
Lit up at Christmas, this gem of a cathedral will hold most visitors in awe, as will the voices of leading soprano Rebecca Evans and the Cowbridge Male Voice Choir. A reading by Welsh rugby legend Sir Gareth Edwards is the icing on the Christmas cake. The event will be raising money in aid of Horatio’s Garden Wales at the Welsh Spinal Cord Injury and Neuro Rehabilitation Centre in University Hospital Llandough.
Speke Hall, Liverpool
4th, 5th, 6th December 2024
The National Trust does Christmas rather well, staging an array of events at its properties across the country. All are recommendable, but we're going to direct you in particular towards the oak beams and historical ambience of Speke Hall, the Tudor manor that is the pride of Merseyside. And while Tudor music is magnificent too, the carols sung in the Great Hall by Liverpool’s own Singing Our Socks Off community choir will be a little more current.
Dudley Canal, West Midlands
4th, 5th, 18th, 19th December 2024
Christmas carol concerts don’t have to take place in churches and cathedrals, of course. For something completely different, head underground… on a canal boat! In the heart of the Black Country, a yuletide trip through the Dudley Tunnel will bring you to the ‘Singing Cavern’, whose name should give you a good idea of its amazing acoustics. Filling the cavern with harmonious carols will be the local Tipton Community Choir.
St Martin-in-the-Fields, London
From 7th December 2024
The venerable church on the corner of Trafalgar Square is a peaceful haven from busy Christmas shoppers, especially if you pop in to their relaxed candlelit carol service. In the family carols service, classic carols will be performed alongside children’s favourites such as Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Little Donkey.
Audley End House, Saffron Walden, Essex
8th, 9th December 2024
English Heritage also likes to push the festive boat out in style, in this instance at its magnificent Jacobean Audley End House property. Nipping down the M11 to lead the singing at Carols at Audley End will be the choir of Christ College, Cambridge, one of the bright lights of the university’s exceptional choral scene. Expect the students’ immaculate harmony and polished performance to match the beauty of the surroundings.
Scone Palace, Perth
12th December 2024
Speke Hall and Audley End House are but wee nippers compared to Scone Palace – this imposing edifice’s history dates back to the 12th century, no less. In Scottish folklore, the Bell of Scone was said to be heard when a new law was made, but this Christmas it will be the voices of Fair City Singers that will be ringing out. An all-girls choir, the Singers are renowned across central Scotland and, thanks to appearances on radio and TV, further afield too.
St Mark’s, Belfast
13th December 2024
For creating that really special festive feel, you can’t beat the magic of music by candlelight. And this is exactly what concert-goers will be getting at St Mark’s Church, Dundela, when the Ulster Consort cast their choral spell to the atmospheric flicker of gentle flames. The Consort founder and conductor, Matthew Owens, knows a little about how to create the ideal Christmas vibe – he was previously conductor at Wells Cathedral, to where visitors come from afar each year to hear the acclaimed choir.
Brangwyn Hall, Swansea
15th December 2024
Join the BBC National Chorus of Wales with their artistic director Adrian Partington, alongside a massed Children’s Choir from schools across South Wales and the BBC National Chorus of Wales for this annual Christmas festivity – featuring carols in cosy jumpers, readings by BBC Wales presenters and uplifting brass and percussion. The BBC NOW - Carols for Christmas concert is BSL interpreted.
Brush up on your lyrics with some help from BBC Music magazine:
- What are the lyrics to 'Deck The Halls'?
- What are the lyrics to 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing'?
- What are the lyrics to 'O Come all ye Faithful' ('Adeste Fideles')?
Cadogan Hall, London
16th, 17th December 2024
One of the world’s greatest choral ensembles, The Sixteen are well known for their annual ‘Choral Pilgrimages’, in which they travel the country, inspiring audiences with music of the Renaissance period and more. For Christmas, however, they’ll be hanging their stockings up at home in London where, at Cadogan Hall, they will enthral with carols old and new, familiar and unknown. Expect to be well and truly wowed.
Wells Cathedral, Somerset
19th, 20th, 21st December 2024
The famed and frilly-collared children of the Wells Cathedral Choir sing their hearts out in the medieval cathedral, beautifully lit by thousands of flickering candles. A special guest will provide readings and poetry as well.
York Minster, York
20th December 2024
The impressive York Minster cathedral is hosting plenty of Christmas events over the festive season. A particular highlight is the Carols by Candlelight concert in the Nave of York Minster. In addition to traditional choral items old and new, there will be festive music performed by the Handbell Ringers of the Chapter House Choir – a uniquely Christmassy combination in the perfect candlelit setting!
Skipton Town Hall, Skipton
21st December 2024
Brass bands are a quintessential part of the British music scene, and that applies to Christmas too – hearing the likes of ‘God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen’ and ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ in that distinctive warm sound gives them something a little extra special. As the big day approaches, then, a family sing-along in the company of the excellent Huddersfield University Brass Band seems something of a must.
Truro Cathedral, Truro
23rd December 2024
How many who tune in to the King’s College, Cambridge Nine Lessons and Carols are aware that the tradition actually started in Cornwall in 1880, when Edward Benson, Bishop of Truro, invented a new type of Christmas service to try and persuade the good townsfolk to come out of the pub? So, likewise, put your drink down for a while and head to where it all began. Or, of course, you can keep you glass in hand while watching the live stream. Happy Christmas!
National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire
23rd December 2024
Heroes’ Square in the National Memorial Arboretum is illuminated by hundreds of candles and thousands of tree lights for the annual Christmas carol concert. Warm up your vocal chords and enjoy performances from Black Voices choir, Lichfield Gospel Choir and the Reggae Choir. Don't forget to wrap up warm!
King’s College Chapel, Cambridge
24th December 2024
Perhaps the most famous carol concert of them all – broadcast around the world on BBC Radio 4 – is the Christmas Eve Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King’s College Chapel, Cambridge. While tickets can be difficult to come by, the service is broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and the BBC World Service on Christmas Eve at 3pm. The service is also broadcast at 1pm on BBC Radio 3 on Christmas Day, and at various times on the BBC World Service.
More Christmas activities to do this season:
