Can you imagine a more perfect setting for a Christmas carol concert than inside St. Paul's Cathedral or Westminster Abbey?
Carol concerts at St. Paul's Cathedral
Photo: stpauls.co.uk30 Nov & 1 Dec: 5.30 PM - The Advent Carol Service at St. Paul's is always one of the most dramatic and atmospheric because it includes a candlelit procession that moves slowly from the darkness to light, to highight our renewed relationship with God through Christ.
Each piece of music is chosen to reflect the four major themes of Advent - hope, peace, joy and love - and the music is sung by the Choir of St. Paul's Cathedral, who's voices range from the beautifully youthful to the richly experienced. There will also be a series of readings.
The service is free and unticketed, but it's recommended that you arrive early because seating is limited.
Photo: stpauls.co.uk12 Dec: 6.30 PM - A Celebration of Christmas will feature celebrity speakers providing words and laughter, whilst the Cathedral Choir and City of London Sinfonia will perform some uplifting carols for everyone to join in.
This service is free but space is limited so you need to order a ticket on their website in advance.
Photo: stpauls.co.uk14 Dec: 5 PM - Britten's Ceremony of Carols is one of his best-known works and was composed during World War II whilst he was on a sea voyage back home to England from America.
It is usually scored for three treble voices, two soloists and just one accompanying instrument - a harp - giving it an almost medieval quality thanks to its use of ancient carol texts. The music will be performed by the St. Paul's Cathedral Choristers and Cathedral Vicars Choral.
Photo: stpauls.co.uk21 Dec: 11 AM - Family Carols is a lively service aimed at children of all ages, and includes well-known carols for everyone to join in.
23 & 24 Dec: 4 PM - The two Christmas Carol Services will tell re-tell the Nativity story with seasonal readings and Christmas carols sung by the Cathedral Choir.
Both services are completely free but they're extremely popular and space on the Cathedral floor is limited, so make sure you book yourself a ticket on their website beforehand.
Carol concerts at Westminster Abbey
Photo: westminster-abbey.org1 Dec: 4 PM - The Advent Liturgy is a beautiful candle-lit service with music including Jonathan Dove's I Am The Day, Boris Ord's Adam Lay Ybounden, Edward Elgar's Benedictus In F and Anton Bruckner's Virga Jesse Floruit. It will also feature readings that reflect upon the Advent themes of judgement and the joyful coming of Christ.
The service is free to attend. No ticket is required, but space is limited so you might want to get there early.
23 Dec: 6 PM; 24 Dec: 4 PM - The traditional Services of Lessons & Carols will have seasonal readings and music performed by the Abbey Choir.
Both services are free to attend but you still need to order a ticket from their website beforehand. The Abbey does not recommended them for young children.
