You’re invited to church this Christmas!

You are very welcome at our Advent and Christmas services and events – bring your family and friends or come along on your own. Whether it will be your first time at church or you have been before, we look forward to welcoming you!

All events Calendar Advent & Christmas

Advent Carol Service

for 1 hour
Derby Cathedral
Iron Gate Derby, DE1 3GP, United Kingdom
Our journey to Christmas begins on Advent Sunday. Join us for this wonderful candlelit service as we joyfully anticipate the birth of Jesus. This service of music and readings for Advent features a spectacular transformation as the Cathedral begins in complete darkness, and ends in dazzling light.

Handel's Messiah - Derby Cathedral Choir and Sinfonia Viva

for 2 hours
Derby Cathedral
Iron Gate Derby, DE1 3GP, United Kingdom
Derby Cathedral Choir together with Sinfonia Viva perform Handel’s celebrated seasonal classic, Messiah by candlelight in the beautiful surroundings of Derby Cathedral with a stellar line up of soloists.
More info

Christmas Around the World

for 1 hour
Derby Cathedral
Iron Gate Derby, DE1 3GP, United Kingdom
This service will be a celebration of Christmas using music, reflections and food from around the world drawing on the diverse heritage of people now living in Derby and Derbyshire.

Sing Christmas

for 1 hour
Derby Cathedral
Iron Gate Derby, DE1 3GP, United Kingdom
Sing Christmas is our informal, family-friendly Christmas Carol service. Come along to sing your favourite carols, accompanied by one of our Cathedral organists, and why not grab a mulled wine beforehand? Refreshments will be served from midday.

Cathedral Carol Service I

for 1 hour
Derby Cathedral
Iron Gate Derby, DE1 3GP, United Kingdom
This is our traditional service of readings and carols for Christmas – it’s so popular that we do it twice! Join us on either date to hear the traditional Christmas readings alongside our world-class Cathedral Choir, and help make the Cathedral resound with the singing of Christmas carols. Doors for the service will open at 17:00. As the service is not ticketed, you are advised to arrive early to get a seat.

Family Nativity Service

for 1 hour
Derby Cathedral
Iron Gate Derby, DE1 3GP, United Kingdom
Our short Nativity Service is ideal for young families. The Angel Gabriel narrates the Christmas story, and he is always grateful to have lots of little helpers! Your little ones are encouraged to dress up as their favourite Nativity character and be involved in the story. This service will also feature music sung by our Cathedral Junior Choir (ages 5-9).

Cathedral Carol Service II

for 1 hour
Derby Cathedral
Iron Gate Derby, DE1 3GP, United Kingdom
This is our traditional service of readings and carols for Christmas – it’s so popular that we do it twice! Join us on either date to hear the traditional Christmas readings alongside our world-class Cathedral Choir, and help make the Cathedral resound with the singing of Christmas carols. Doors for the service will open at 17:00. As the service is not ticketed, you are advised to arrive early to get a seat.

Midnight Mass

for 59 mins
Derby Cathedral
Iron Gate Derby, DE1 3GP, United Kingdom
Be the first to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Midnight Mass. Known also as ‘The First Eucharist of Christmas’, this is the service where the Baby Jesus is placed in the manger, and our Christmas festivities begin in full, with candles and incense aplenty, and music led by our fabulous Voluntary Choir. The Dean of Derby will give the address. A truly magical service. Doors will open at 22:00.

Christmas Day Holy Communion

for 1 hour
Derby Cathedral
Iron Gate Derby, DE1 3GP, United Kingdom
Holy Communion (Said) 08:30

A quiet meditative service to begin Christmas Day.

Christmas Day Eucharist

for 1 hour
Derby Cathedral
Iron Gate Derby, DE1 3GP, United Kingdom
Cathedral Eucharist 10:45
Join the Cathedral congregation on Christmas morning to celebrate this very special service led by the Bishop of Repton and the Cathedral Choir. This service follows the usual pattern of our regular Sunday 10:45 Eucharist, but with plenty of Christmas adornments.

Please note that the Cathedral will close after this service to allow our
team a well-earned afternoon off.

Epiphany Carol Service

for 1 hour
Derby Cathedral
Iron Gate Derby, DE1 3GP, United Kingdom
The Christmas journey continues at Epiphany, when we remember the arrival of the wise men, and their gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Music will be led by the Lay Clerks of the Cathedral Choir, with congregational carols for the Epiphany season.