York Minster has one of the UK’s leading cathedral choirs; its mastery of the English choral tradition is one of the cathedral’s crowning glories.
Weekly service sung by the Choir of York Minster. All are welcome, no bookings required.
Join us in the Minster or online.
For 1,000 years or more, York Minster’s magnificent spaces have resounded with choral music.
Join our regular worship.
(BCP)
With organ music.
Join our regular worship.
Minster Mice is a fun, weekly service aimed at pre-school aged children and their parents/carers. We meet on Wednesdays in St Stephen’s Chapel for songs, stories, crafts and refreshments from 10am-11am.
This is a free session, with no booking required.
The Choir of York Minster gives its traditional annual performance of Bach’s popular Cantata 140, ‘Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme’ (Sleepers, wake), with orchestral accompaniment at Evensong for the Sunday before Advent.
Entry to the service is free, with no booking required.
Join York Minster’s worship to mark the start of Advent with an atmospheric and breath-taking candlelit service of music, readings and prayers, in celebration and anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.
The service, which will include music from the Choir of York Minster, starts in darkness before a single flame is used to spread light through the cathedral, with candles held by each member of the congregation.
Free, pre-booked tickets are required.
An atmospheric, candlelit procession and carol service for all the family based on the traditional Swedish Lucia celebration.
In Sweden, Lucia is one of the most significant traditions in the calendar – a powerful symbol and celebration of light and an integral part of the Advent season. The celebration of Sankta Lucia is based on the bravery and martyrdom of a young Sicilian girl – St Lucy – who died in the early fourth century. Her name and story reached Sweden along with Christianity, and she remained popular even after the Reformation as the bringer of light during the long darkness of winter.
This year’s service will feature the Chorus Pictor Choir, who will form the procession which enters the cathedral’s Nave singing the traditional Lucia song. The singers are dressed in white gowns and carry candles, with Lucia herself as the focal point, wearing a crown of candles and a red ribbon around her waist, symbolising her martyrdom.
The service is run in partnership with the York Anglo-Scandinavian Society.
Free, pre-booked tickets required.
Two services consisting of nine special readings, music sung by the Choir of York Minster, and well-loved Christmas carols for everyone to join in with. A traditional Christmas celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Free, pre-booked tickets required.
Hear the Christmas story in a fun and accessible service for families with carols, musical accompaniment, and blessing of the crib.
Children are encouraged to dress up as characters from the Nativity and there will be a chance to see the crib.
The service is free to attend and no tickets are required.
Experience the First Eucharist of Christmas with choral music sung by the St William’s Singers. The Very Revd Dominic Barrington, Dean of York, will preach at this service.
No booking is required for this service.
May the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance of the magi, the obedience of Mary and Joseph, and the peace of the Christ Child be yours this Christmas.
Travel in heart and mind to Bethlehem as York Minster celebrates the arrival of Jesus Christ, light of the world.
8am: Holy Communion from the Book of Common Prayer
10am: Choral Matins sung by the Choir of York Minster
11am: Sung Eucharist sung by the Choir of York Minster. The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, will preach at this service
4pm: Choral Evensong sung by the Choir of York Minster.
No booking is required for these services.
The cathedral will be open free of charge from 12.45pm – 3pm.