‘Hark! The herald angels sing…’ To celebrate Christmas, churches and cathedrals across London are putting on a programme of talks, services, carol concerts and performances intended to bring people together this December. Whether its Handel’s Messiah at St Paul’s Cathedral, candlelight concerts in St Martin-in-the-Fields, or Tudor-inspired celebrations at Southwark Cathedral, few cities invite you to embrace the spirit of Christmas quite like the capital.  

From singalongs in support of good causes, to services that explore festive traditions, to shows intended for the whole family, these are the best Christmas carol concerts happening in London in December 2023…

The Royal Albert Hall, Kensington

Dates: 2-24 December 2023
Address: Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AP

The Royal Albert Hall’s annual calendar of festive carols, shows and concerts returns for 2023. As well as evenings with Kylie Minogue and Jamie Cullum, the Kensington venue will host a concert dedicated to family-favourite Home Alone in addition to events headlined by Dame Judi Dench and Gregory Porter. The biggest bash of the festive period will be Carols at the Royal Albert Hall, which will invite more than 5,000 carol singers to belt out festive classics between 16 and 24 December.

Visit royalalberthall.com

All Souls Langham Place, Marylebone

Dates: 16-24 December 2023
Address: 2 All Souls’ Place, London, W1B 3DA

John Nash’s All Souls Langham Place is located opposite the BBC’s Broadcasting House at the top of Regent’s Street – meaning you can combine a Christmas carol service with a spot of last-minute Christmas shopping. Throughout December, the church will be hosting a series of carol concerts performed with a live choir and orchestra. Festivities begin on 16 December and carollers can look forward to complimentary post-service mince pies and a cup of Christmas punch. No booking required.

Visit allsouls.org

St Paul’s Cathedral, City of London

Dates: 2-24 December
Address: St. Paul’s Churchyard, London, EC4M 8AD

There aren’t many more spectacular venues from which to belt out O Come, All Ye Faithful than London’s St Paul’s Cathedral. Each year, the venue plays host to a programme of free and ticketed carol concerts and festive celebrations. For December 2023, book tickets to Handel’s Messiah, The Prince’s Trust Carol Concert and the Swedish Sankta Lucia Carol Concert. Alternatively, join the queue for the cathedral’s free and unticketed Christmas Carol Services which run throughout December, including on Christmas Eve.

Visit stpauls.co.uk

Union Chapel, Islington

Dates: 17 December 2023
Address: 19b Compton Terrace, London, N1 2UN

This year, Carols by Candlelight, Union Chapel’s annual Christmas carol service, will be held on Sunday 17 December. Once again, the historic, Grade I and II* listed chapel in Islington will be lit up by candles, as guests are invited to singalong to well-known Christmas carols. Throughout the evening, the story of the birth of Jesus Christ will be told in spoken word, prayer and music from Union Chapel Voices, the church’s own vocal quartet, instrumentalists and a group of actors. Attendance is free and there is no booking required.

Visit unionchapel.org.uk

Westminster Abbey, Westminster

Dates: 3-25 December
Address: Dean’s Yard, London, SW1P 3PA

Given Westminster Abbey’s royal connections – the church has played host to 16 royal marriages and the coronation of 40 monarchs – and the fact that the majority of its festive events are free to attend, it is perhaps no surprise that queues for the venue’s carol concerts snake into surrounding streets. Get there early to avoid disappointment. Alternatively, guarantee a seat at the Abbey’s Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services by booking online.

Visit westminster-abbey.org

The Barbican, Farringdon

Dates: 16-31 December 2023
Address: Silk Street, Barbican, London, EC2Y 8DS

Farringdon’s The Barbican promises a performance for everyone this festive period. The fun begins with Christmas at the Movies on 16 December, followed by a Carol Singalong on 17 December. The renown Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, will then be joined by the Crouch End Festival Chorus on 20 December, before a screening of Love Actually is accompanied by a live orchestra on 21 December. Carols by Candlelight, the season highlight, takes place on 22 December. Should the little ones still not be tired out by 29 December, treat them to a showing of Horrible Histories’ Horrible Christmas. And rest…

Visit barbican.org.uk

St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square

Dates: 1-22 December 2023
Address: Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 4JJ

Get into the festive spirit by combining a Christmas day out with a carol concert at St Martin-in-the-Fields. Centrally located near Trafalgar Square, the 18^th-century church has devised a programme of family-friendly events throughout the whole of December. There are carol concerts for kids, candle-lit performances, contemporary gospel services and a performance of Handel’s Messiah. Most events are ticketed, with prices starting from £10.

Visit stmartin-in-the-fields.org

Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge

Dates: 6-25 December
Address: London Bridge, London, SE1 9DA

As well as charity carol concerts on behalf of homelessness aid organization Crisis and Marie Curie Nurses, Southwark Cathedral invites guests to a series of community Christmas carols this December. Expect readings, music and carols sung by the Cathedral’s Great Choir. Elsewhere, A Tudor Christmas by Candlelight will explore festive traditions that date back to the 16^th century, while the cathedral’s ever-popular Candlelight Concert mixes modern pop music with traditional carols against a backdrop of hundreds of candles.

Visit cathedral.southwark.anglican.org