St Paul's Cathedral Christmas | Carols, Services & Festive Music

What to expect at St Paul’s Cathedral during Christmas

Advent & carol services: Multiple Advent carol services and the main Christmas Carol Services mark the season with the Cathedral Choir and guest musicians. Expect congregational carols, readings, and choral items.
A Celebration of Christmas: A glittering, family-friendly evening of readings and music with celebrity readers and the City of London Sinfonia—tickets free via ballot.
Family Carols: A morning carol service aimed at families, also distributed via the free ballot this year.
Handel’s Messiah & concerts: Special concerts (paid and free), such as Handel’s Messiah and paid candlelit concerts, are expected—book paid concerts separately.
Midnight Mass & Christmas Day services: Midnight Eucharist, Christmas Day Choral Eucharist, and Festal Evensong are unticketed worship services—arrive early for seating.

Practical notes: Sightseeing is ticketed, and parts of the Cathedral may close for services or rehearsals.

St Paul’s Advent services and events

Advent Carol Service

This service, sung by the renowned Choir of St Paul's Cathedral, is one of the year's most dramatic. A powerful candlelit procession moves from darkness into light, using music and spoken word to focus on the key Advent themes of hope and renewal in Christ.

Dates: Nov 29 and 30, 2025
Timings: 5:30pm–6:30pm
Location: Cathedral floor
Price: Free (Booking not required)

Handel’s Messiah

Performed by the world-renowned Choir of St Paul’s Cathedral, the Cathedral Chorus, and the City of London Sinfonia, Handel’s masterpiece Messiah is brought to life. Witness the famous 'Hallelujah' Chorus in the setting beneath St Paul’s dome.

Dates: Dec 3, 2025
Timings: 6:30pm–9pm
Location: Cathedral floor
Price: £30 for seats under the Dome; £15 for seats in the Nave and Transepts

A Celebration of Christmas

Experience a magical evening of music and laughter! Celebrity readers join the prestigious Cathedral Choir and the City of London Sinfonia for a glittering night blending festive words, sophisticated music, reflection, and joyous carols for everyone to sing.

Dates: Dec 9, 2025
Timings: 6:30pm–8pm
Location: Cathedral floor
Price: Free ticket via ballot

Britten's Ceremony of Carols

Experience Benjamin Britten’s inspiring A Ceremony of Carols, his celebrated 1942 masterpiece originally composed on a sea voyage, featuring the St Paul’s Cathedral Choristers and harpist Brenda Dor-Groot, alongside readings for Advent and music from the St Paul’s Cathedral Vicars Choral.

Note: This is a performance of the composition and not a traditional carol service.

Dates: Dec 13, 2025
Timings: 5pm–6pm
Location: Cathedral floor
Price: Free (Booking not required)

Messiaen's La Nativité du Seigneur

Witness the deep spiritual power of Olivier Messiaen's organ masterpiece on the Nativity, punctuated by thoughtful and evocative seasonal readings.

Dates: Dec 14, 2025
Timings: 5pm–6:15pm
Location: Cathedral Floor
Price: Free (Booking not required)

Family Carols

This morning carol service welcomes the whole family, offering well-known carols that everyone, regardless of age, can easily join in singing.

Dates: Dec 20, 2025
Timings: 11am–12pm
Location: Cathedral floor
Price: Free ticket via ballot

Blessing of the Crib

As the birth of Christ draws nearer, the Cathedral Choir provides a beautiful musical backdrop for the significant ceremonies of the Lighting of the Christmas Trees and the Blessing of the Crib, complete with festive readings.

Dates: Dec 21, 2025
Timings: 3pm–4pm
Location: Cathedral floor
Price: Free (Booking not required)

St Paul’s Christmas services and events

Christmas Carol Services

Celebrate the start of Christmas with the traditional Service of Lessons and Carols. Enjoy music from the St Paul's Cathedral Choir, alongside seasonal readings by London community representatives, recounting the story of the birth of Christ.

Dates: Dec 23 and 24, 2025
Timings: 4pm–5pm (doors typically open earlier)
Location: Cathedral floor
Price: Free ticket via ballot

Midnight Eucharist

Celebrate the first Eucharist of Christmas (Midnight Mass) featuring the Cathedral Choir and BSL interpretation. If you take communion in your church, you are welcome here; all others are invited forward for a blessing.

Dates: Dec 24, 2025
Timings: 11:30pm–1am
Location: Cathedral floor
Price: Free (Booking not required)

Christmas Day Choral Eucharist

This is the principal service of Christmas Day, featuring carols for both Choir and congregation. The service is the Eucharist (Holy Communion). If you receive communion in your own church, you are welcome here; all others are invited forward to receive a blessing.

Dates: Dec 25, 20225
Timings: 11am–12:30pm
Location: Cathedral floor
Price: Free (Booking not required)

Christmas Day Festal Evensong

Experience the famous and traditional service of Evensong, performed by the St Paul's Cathedral Choir. The choir sings the core elements (psalms, canticles) on your behalf, allowing you to immerse yourself in the music and prayers.

Dates: Dec 25, 20225
Timings: 3pm–4pm
Location: Cathedral floor
Price: Free (Booking not required)

Plan your St Paul’s Cathedral Christmas visit

Sightseeing opening hours:

Monday–Saturday: 8:30am–4:30pm
Wednesdays open later from 10am
Sundays for worship only

Note: Check the Cathedral for service-related closures.

Last entry: Sightseeing last entry usually 4pm (Dome Galleries access times may vary).

Best time to visit: Weekday mornings for sightseeing to avoid service rehearsals and carol queues; arrive early on event days for unticketed services.

Address: St Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD | Find on Maps

By Underground: St Paul’s station (Central line) ~3 mins’ walk. Mansion House, Blackfriars (Circle, District, and Thameslink/National Rail) are 5–10 mins on foot.
By bus: Numerous City routes stop nearby (check TfL).
By car: Central London congestion and limited parking—avoid driving; use public transport.

Restrooms: Located on site; signage directs visitors.
Stroller/Wheelchair rental: Wheelchair access and loaner options are available. Wheelchair availability is on a first-come basis; ask staff. Dome galleries and some routes include steps.
Gift shop: On-site shop offering books, souvenirs, and seasonal items; concessions and online store available.

Step-free routes: The Cathedral provides accessible routes through many areas; the Dome Galleries involve steps and may be restricted.
Accessible restrooms: Located in accessible areas—check signage.
Service animals: Assistance dogs are permitted.
Hearing & visual support: Hearing loops and large-print service sheets are available for worship; you can ask the welcome staff.

Worship & services: Services are places of worship, so please arrive quietly and respect worshippers.
Photography: For copyright reasons and to protect the privacy of others, filming and photography are not permitted during any of the services and events.
Food and drinks: Do not bring open food and drink to the service or event.

Frequently asked questions about St Paul’s Cathedral Christmas services

Do I need to book in advance for St Paul’s Cathedral Christmas services?

For many headline events (A Celebration of Christmas, Family Carols, some Carol Services) you must enter the free ticket ballot or book in advance. Regular worship services (e.g., Midnight Eucharist) are usually unticketed, but arrive early to secure seats.

Can I book tickets just for the Christmas events without a general admission ticket?

Yes. Major Christmas concerts and the Cathedral’s sightseeing are separate. Many festive services are free to worship, while concerts and sightseeing require booked tickets or, for selected services in 2025, free ballot tickets.

How do I enter the free ticket ballot for Christmas services?

For 2025, the Cathedral opened a free ticket ballot for A Celebration of Christmas (Dec 9), Family Carols (Dec 20), and the Christmas Carol services (Dec 23 & 24). The ballot window runs from 10am on Nov 7 until 10am on Nov 21.

Can I attend the Midnight Eucharist or Christmas Day services without a ticket?

Yes. Midnight Eucharist and the principal Christmas Day services are unticketed acts of worship. Arrive early to secure a place, as seating is on a first-come basis for many unticketed services.

Do the Christmas services include St Paul’s Cathedral Choir?

Yes. Many Christmas services and concerts feature the world-renowned Choir of St Paul’s Cathedral, who lead choral items, anthems, and carols throughout Advent and Christmas.

Is there a capacity limit for the events?

Yes. The Cathedral manages capacity for safety and worship. For 2025, several headline services use a free ticket ballot because demand exceeds available seating; paid concerts also have limited capacity.

Are the Christmas events suitable for children?

Many events are family-friendly, especially Family Carols (Dec 20) and daytime carol services. Midnight services and long concerts may be less suitable for very young children.

How long do Christmas services and concerts at St Paul’s usually last?

Most services and concerts run between about 60 and 90 mins. Special performances (like Messiah) can be longer; check the specific event listing for exact start and end times before you book.

Will the events continue in poor weather?

Most Cathedral services and concerts are indoors and proceed in poor weather.

Is St Paul’s open for sightseeing during the Christmas season?

Yes, but sightseeing hours differ around major services. The Cathedral often restricts sightseeing on key dates (Christmas Day is for worship only).

Will St Paul’s be decorated for Christmas?

Yes. The Cathedral maintains a dignified, festive atmosphere at Christmas with wreaths, greenery, candlelit services, and seasonal music.