Your guide to Christmas at Westminster Abbey

At Westminster Abbey in London, the festive season brings choral splendour, candlelit services, and special events in a historic royal church. Some services are free, others ticketed, and regular visitor access may be altered during key events. Here's what you can expect this Christmas and how to join in.

What to expect at Westminster Abbey during Christmas

Northern entrance of Westminster Abbey with intricate Gothic architecture.
  • Choral highlights: The Choir of Westminster Abbey presents concert programmes and the annual Festival of Lessons & Carols; expect the choir’s voices, harp, and the Abbey’s great acoustics. 
  • Key services: Attend the Midnight Mass (First Eucharist of Christmas) on 24 Dec and the Sung Eucharist on 25 Dec for seasonal worship.
  • Special concert events: On selected evenings, the Abbey holds a ticketed Christmas Concert in early December with festive repertoire and readings.
  • Festive décor & gift shop: The Abbey shop offers exclusive Christmas decorations and cards; the building and surroundings take on a seasonal ambience.
  • Visitor adjustments: Note that public visiting times may be reduced or modified during major services, so check ahead before you visit.

Westminster Abbey Christmas services & events

An Advent Liturgy

  • Dates: Nov 30 & Dec 7 2025 2025
  • Timings: 4 pm to 5 pm (6 pm to 7 pm on Dec 7)
  • Location: Westminster Abbey and St Margaret's Church
  • Included with admission: Free (booking is required)
  • Age restrictions: Children under 6 not recommended.

A dramatic, candle-lit service that marks the beginning of Advent with music and readings from Scripture. This special service focuses on the Advent themes of judgement and joyful expectation.

Lunchtime Talk: Dickens and Christmas

  • Dates: Dec 3 2025
  • Timings: 1 pm to 1:50 pm
  • Location: St Margaret's Church
  • Included with admission: No. Separate tickets from £5
  • Age restrictions: Recommended for ages 16+

In this festive lunchtime talk, discover how famed Victorian novelist Charles Dickens shaped the way we celebrate Christmas. It is held by Kirsty Parsons from the Charles Dickens Museum.

Family Day: Christmas crafts and carols

  • Dates: Dec 6 2025
  • Timings: 10 am to 1 pm
  • Location: Chapter House
  • Included with admission: No. Separate tickets from £5
  • Age restrictions: Suitable for children aged 3+

This special family day has stories, arts and crafts, and carol singing. There’s also a Christmas trail where you can discover the Abbey’s Christmas connections through the historic cloisters.

Christmas Concert

  • Dates: 19 Dec 2025
  • Timings: 7 pm to 8:20 pm (Doors open at 6:15 pm)
  • Location: Westminster Abbey
  • Included with admission: No. Ticket from £15–£49
  • Age restrictions: Children under 6 not recommended.

A festive choral concert featuring the Choir of Westminster Abbey and a programme blending traditional carols and seasonal readings. Note that photography, filming, and recording are not allowed.

Service of Carols and Lessons

  • Dates: 23–24 Dec 2025
  • Timings: 6 pm to 7 pm (with an additional service at 4 pm to 5 pm on the 24th)
  • Location: Westminster Abbey and St Margaret's Church
  • Included with admission: Free (booking is required)
  • Age restrictions: Suitable for all ages

A traditional candlelit Christmas service, with beautiful carols and anthems sung by the Abbey Choir. You can catch them at the Abbey on 23–24 Dec or at St Margaret's Church on Christmas Eve.

First Eucharist of Christmas Night

  • Dates: 24 Dec 2025
  • Timings: 11 pm to 12:30 am
  • Location: Westminster Abbey
  • Included with admission: No (it's free, but booking is required)
  • Age restrictions: Suitable for families and adults; note the late hour

Join a late-night service celebrating the birth of Christ. It's a beautiful service with Christmas carols, music from the Abbey Choir, a sermon, and Holy Communion.

Christmas Day Holy Communion

  • Dates: 25 Dec 2025
  • Timings: 8 am to 8:40 am
  • Location: Westminster Abbey
  • Included with admission: Free (Booking not required)
  • Age restrictions: Suitable for all ages

This quiet service is a bit more traditional, using the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. You'll hear Bible readings and prayers, and bread and wine are received as the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

Christmas Day Sung Eucharist

  • Dates: 25 Dec 2025
  • Timings: 10:30 am to 11:30 am
  • Location: Westminster Abbey
  • Included with admission: Free (booking is required)
  • Age restrictions: Suitable for all ages

Celebrate Christmas morning in a special way by joining the main service at Westminster Abbey. Celebrate the birth of Jesus and sing beautiful Christmas carols and music with the Abbey Choir.

Christmas Day Evensong

  • Dates: 25 Dec 2025
  • Timings: 3 pm to 4 pm
  • Location: Westminster Abbey
  • Included with admission: Free (booking is required)
  • Age restrictions: Suitable for all ages

A festive short service closing the Abbey’s official Christmas Day worship with traditional music (psalms, canticles, and anthems), Bible readings, and prayers following the traditional pattern in The Book of Common Prayer.

Plan your Christmas at Westminster Abbey

westminster abbey christmas
  • Abbey hours: 9:30 am to 3:30 pm (Monday–Friday), 9:30 am to 3:30 pm (Saturday)
  • Christmas period: The Abbey remains open for visitors throughout December, but some areas may close for services—check above for day-specific restrictions.
  • Last entry: Generally 30 minutes before closing. 
  • Closures: Sundays, Dec 6 and Dec 24-25 (open only for worship)

Best time to visit: Weekday mornings (Tuesday–Thursday) are best for a more relaxed experience before major services begin.

Westminster Abbey timings

Address: Westminster Abbey, 20 Dean’s Yard, London, SW1P 3PA | Find on Maps

  • By Tube: Westminster Station (Jubilee, District & Circle lines) 
  • By Bus: Routes 11, 24, 148 stop nearby on Whitehall/Great George Street.
  • By car: Note that the Abbey is part of the Central London congestion charge area with limited drop-off only, so public transport is recommended.

Parking: No dedicated visitor car park; nearest pay-and-display sites at Victoria or St James’s Park.

Westminster Abbey christmas
  • Restrooms: Located inside the Abbey visitor areas, including accessible facilities.
  • Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available inside visitor areas. (Westminster Abbey)
  • Gift shop: The Abbey Shop (9:15-17:00 daily) sells exclusive Christmas decorations, cards, and gifts. (Westminster Abbey)
  • Dining: The Cellarium Café & Terrace serves seasonal menus; on concert evenings, the café is open pre-performance from 5 pm.
Stained glass rose window in the south transept of Westminster Abbey, London.
  • Carer tickets: Free admission for registered disabled visitors and their carers are available.
  • Step-free access: Step-free routes available throughout most of the visitor areas, with ramps and lifts provided at key entrance points.
  • Wheelchair rental: Inquire with an Abbey Marshal for wheelchair availability on arrival.
  • Service dogs: Guide dogs, hearing dogs, and assistance dogs are welcome; no other animals are allowed.
  • Accessible toilets: Accessible toilets are available in the cloisters and the lobby of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries.
  • Quiet spaces: The Lady Chapel provides a calm environment for those seeking a quieter moment.
westminster abbey christmas
  • Services/concerts: Arrive at least 15 minutes early. Late entry may not be permitted. 
  • Photography: Non-commercial photography permitted in visitor areas; All photography and recording is prohibited during concerts and service times.
  • Behaviour: As an active place of worship, please keep noise to a respectful level; mobile phones should be silent.
  • Children: Children under 6 are not recommended at concert events. 
  • Bags: Large backpacks and suitcases are not permitted inside, and there will be a bag search at entry.
  • Dress code: While there is no specific dress code, you should show respect and dress modestly. Cover your shoulders and avoid low-cut clothes. Short skirts, shorts, and flip-flops are not permitted. You will be expected to remove your hats inside the Abbey.

Frequently Asked Questions Westminster Abbey Christmas services and events

While attending a service at Westminster Abbey does not usually require tickets or booking, there are specific Christmas events like the Service of Carols and Lessons, the First Eucharist of Christmas Night, the Christmas Day Sung Eucharist, and the Christmas Concert, that require bookings. In such cases, booking in advance is recommended, especially during the festive season, as seats fill up quickly. Reserve early to secure your spot and enjoy a peaceful, inspiring experience at the Abbey.

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