A beautiful candlelit service combining readings and music which marks the start of the season of Advent. Everyone is given a candle to symbolise the first Sunday in Advent and the first Advent candle being lit. The service sees the Cathedral Choir start in the Quire, and slowly progress to the West End in the Nave, and finally to the Nave altar. This special tradition allows the congregation to experience the Choir's music from different parts of the Cathedral, creating an exceptional atmosphere. All are welcome.

Join us on the journey to that stable in Bethlehem where true Hope is to be found. Watch the traditional crib scene come to life during the Parish Eucharist on 8 December, as the children of St Albans Cathedral star in this heart warming retelling of the very first Christmas.

The script for this performance is written by a member of the clergy and rehearsed the week before by the children. Expect laughs and festivity with this can't-miss performance!

Join us for one of the Cathedral's bite-sized carol services, taking place on the hour, every hour from 11am until 5pm. One of the Cathedral's most popular events, Carols on the Hour is a fantastic opportunity to belt out Christmas carols and to hear music from different St Albans choirs. It's a great festive break from Christmas shopping and a lovely way to get a taste of Christmas at the Cathedral.

Entry via the West End doors only. Please exit out of the Welcome centre after your visit.

If this is your first time visiting St Albans Cathedral, check out our Visit page for more visitor information.

There is no visitor parking at the Cathedral. If you are driving, please park in the city centre and walk down.

No tickets are required.

The Christingle service is a yearly tradition which takes place in the lead up to Christmas. It uses a special symbol, a decorated orange, to explore the story of God’s love for the world at Christmas. Each element of the decorated orange has symbolic value, and during the service candles are lit to represent Christ's light.

This service is in support of the Children's Society, and particularly welcomes children and families.

No tickets required.

A true staple of the Cathedral’s Christmas programme.

Lessons and Carols is an incredibly atmospheric and beautiful service, which is hugely popular. It opens with the choir singing Silent Night, as candlelight begins to spill through the cathedral. The service continues with a pattern of lessons interspersed with popular carols and famously adored Christmas motets, performed by the choir. Both evenings are performed by the Cathedral Choirs.

Tickets will be released on Friday 6 December.

Dates and Times:
Saturday 21 December, 7.30pm

Sunday 22 December, 7.30pm (Please note the 22 December service will be livestreamed and a link will be available in December.)

Put on your mittens and woolly scarves and get yourself ready for Christmas with the sound of carol singing and the soothing words of a classic story, in the nave.

A busy and popular occasion, this service is a wholesome celebration of Christmas, which welcomes children and families and is the perfect break from Christmas shopping in the city centre.

When?
24 December at 11am - 11.45am and 2pm - 2.45pm.

There is no visitor parking at the Cathedral. If you are driving, please park in the city centre and walk down.

No tickets required.

Please note this service begins at 11pm, doors open at 10.20pm. The service doesn't begin at midnight!

Midnight Mass marks the beginning of Christmas with this traditional night-time honouring of the Eucharist. The service sees Christmas Eve give way to Christmas Day, and as one of the Cathedral's most popular services, it is an excellent way to start Christmas Day celebrations with family and friends.

Popular carols and an atmospheric performance of a chosen Mass are sung in this service by the boys and lay clerks of the Cathedral Choir.

No tickets required.

The celebration of Christmas with Eucharists on Christmas Day

Eucharist with Hymns, 8am

Join us for an early, simple Christmas Day service in traditional English.

Christmas Day Eucharist, 9.30am

A joyous Christmas Day service, full of popular carols to sing out, with Christmas favourites sung by the girls and lay clerks of the Cathedral Choir and the Parish Singers. All ages are welcome at this service. For those who cannot attend in person, this 9.30am service will also be livestreamed on YouTube.

Christmas Day Eucharist, 11.15am

A traditional language Eucharist, with a sparkling Mass setting by Mozart and I saw three ships, sung by the girls and lay clerks of the Cathedral Choir.

No tickets required.