Choral Evensong

Morning Prayer

Holy Communion

Evensong or Evening Prayer Said

Wednesday Hold Communion

Ecumenical Praying Together

Saturday Morning Prayer (at the Bridge Chapel)

Saturday Holy Communion (at the Bridge Chapel)

Early Holy Communion

Sunday Eucharist

Advent is an atmospheric time, and some of the most exquisite music we have in the Church tradition was written to help us celebrate. Advent is looking for hope in darkness; waiting for the light of Christ to come at Christmas. Join us for this candlelit service to hear music and readings for Advent. The Cathedral begins in darkness, and ends in dazzling light, mirroring our own experience of this season.

Our lead into Christmas begins with this ticketed concert. The Cathedral Choir and Sinfonia Viva offer Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten. This work takes you into a different world; it’s the perfect way to draw closer to the heart of Christmas. The second half is more familiar ground, perhaps, with popular Christmas songs and well-known carols.

Sing Christmas is our informal, family-friendly, Christmas Carol service. Come along to sing your favourite carols and make memories with family and friends. The Cathedral will be decorated in its festive finery, and there will be refreshments from midday. Will this be the most Christmassy thing you do this year? Probably. Unless you come to our other services too…which would be lovely.

The story of Jesus’ birth at Christmas time makes this one of the most extraordinary times of the year for Christians. The Cathedral Carol Service is our traditional service of readings and carols for Christmas, telling this story. 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 please sing along. 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.

*Please note that there will be a BSL signer at the Carol Service on Wednesday 23 December

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). More information about our Junior Choir can be found on our website!

All our Christmas services lead us to the most important moment of the Christmas celebration, when we come together to celebrate the birth of Jesus with Midnight Mass. At this service we hear about the hope Jesus brings into the world, and participate in the joy of those who have waited for it. This is where our Christmas festivities begin in full, with candles, a choir, and incense aplenty. It’s a beautiful service, not to be missed. Doors will open at 22:00.

Holy Communion (Said) 08:30

A quiet meditative service to begin Christmas Day.

Cathedral Eucharist 10:45

We will be here and all are very welcome. This is the morning to celebrate the light and peace of Christ coming into the world. Whether you come regularly or not, please do join us for a lovely, festive, service.

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

Feast of St Stephen Eucharist at the Bridge Chapel

Join us on Boxing Day for the Feast of St Stephen Eucharist, as we continue the joy of Christmas and give thanks for the first Christian martyr whose witness inspires our faith today.

(Please note that the Cathedral is closed on this day)

Christmas doesn’t end on Boxing Day. We keep celebrating for some time afterwards. The journey continues at Epiphany, when we remember the arrival of the Magi, 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. Please join us.

Our Christmas journey ends, not on Twelfth Night, but on Candlemas. This is a lesser-known day in the Church, a hidden gem, if you like. It is a time to look back at what has been and to set our eyes towards Easter. Please join us at either of our services.

Following Evensong, the Cathedral’s Director of Music, Mr Alexander Binns, concludes the Christmas season by playing Olivier Messiaen’s nine-movement atmospheric meditation for the organ, which depicts aspects of the birth of Christ alongside biblical references. This is a devotional performance with free admission.