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

Cantata Evensong

for 1 hour
Salisbury Cathedral
West Walk Salisbury, SP1 2EJ, United Kingdom
As part of our Evensong service, the Cathedral Choir will perform JS Bach’s sacred cantata, ‘Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme’, accompanied by period instruments.

From Darkness to Light: The Advent Procession

for 1 hour, 30 mins
Salisbury Cathedral
West Walk Salisbury, SP1 2EJ, United Kingdom
All are welcome to join us for this extraordinary, atmospheric service as over 1000 candles are gradually lit, to illuminate the medieval interior, taking us from darkness into light as we embrace the hope of Advent.

Doors will be opened one hour before the start of each service.
More info

From Darkness to Light: The Advent Procession

for 1 hour, 30 mins
Salisbury Cathedral
West Walk Salisbury, SP1 2EJ, United Kingdom
All are welcome to join us for this extraordinary, atmospheric service as over 1000 candles are gradually lit, to illuminate the medieval interior, taking us from darkness into light as we embrace the hope of Advent.

Doors will be opened one hour before the start of each service.
More info

From Darkness to Light: The Advent Procession

for 1 hour, 30 mins
Salisbury Cathedral
West Walk Salisbury, SP1 2EJ, United Kingdom
All are welcome to join us for this extraordinary, atmospheric service as over 1000 candles are gradually lit, to illuminate the medieval interior, taking us from darkness into light as we embrace the hope of Advent.

Doors will be opened one hour before the start of each service.
More info

Chorister Bishop Evensong

for 1 hour
Salisbury Cathedral
West Walk Salisbury, SP1 2EJ, United Kingdom
The tradition of the Chorister Bishop dates back to medieval times, when a boy chorister was elected on the Feast of St Nicholas on 6 December to take the place of the Bishop. We continue this ceremony each year on the closest Sunday to the Feast of St Nicholas, sometimes with a girl chorister and sometimes a boy. This year a boy chorister will be elected as Chorister Bishop, will be robed in traditional cope and mitre and will and he will preach at this special service of Evensong.

Carols by Candlelight

for 1 hour, 30 mins
Salisbury Cathedral
West Walk Salisbury, SP1 2EJ, United Kingdom
For those seeking traditional carols, our beautiful Carols by Candlelight services are unmissable. Join us at these beautiful candlelit services featuring bible readings, favourite carols and choral works sung by our Cathedral Choir as they tell the age-old story of Jesus’ birth.

Carols by Candlelight

for 1 hour, 30 mins
Salisbury Cathedral
West Walk Salisbury, SP1 2EJ, United Kingdom
For those seeking traditional carols, our beautiful Carols by Candlelight services are unmissable. Join us at these beautiful candlelit services featuring bible readings, favourite carols and choral works sung by our Cathedral Choir as they tell the age-old story of Jesus’ birth.

A Family Crib Service for Christmas Eve

for 1 hour
Salisbury Cathedral
West Walk Salisbury, SP1 2EJ, United Kingdom
This short service for all the family, especially suitable for younger children, is a joyful retelling of the story of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. Includes traditional Christmas carols with modern flourishes and music from the Cathedral’s junior choristers and the Cathedral Youth and Junior Choirs. No booking required. Doors open half an hour before the start of each service.

Choral Evensong for Christmas Eve

for 1 hour
Salisbury Cathedral
West Walk Salisbury, SP1 2EJ, United Kingdom
All are welcome to this moving service of readings, prayers and choral music sung by the Cathedral Choir, which marks the start of Christmas.

First Eucharist of Christmas (Midnight Mass)

for 59 mins
Salisbury Cathedral
West Walk Salisbury, SP1 2EJ, United Kingdom
Celebrate the start of Christmas by sharing communion together, hearing the Christmas Gospel followed by a Christmas message, with carols and beautiful music from the Cathedral Choir and organ.

Eucharist on Christmas Day

for 1 hour
Salisbury Cathedral
West Walk Salisbury, SP1 2EJ, United Kingdom
All are welcome as we celebrate Christ's birth with the sharing of communion. With music from the Cathedral Choir and organ and congregational hymns.

Festal Evensong for Christmas Day

for 1 hour
Salisbury Cathedral
West Walk Salisbury, SP1 2EJ, United Kingdom
Come and celebrate Christmas with us at this special Evensong service. The service will include readings, prayers, hymns and music sung by the Cathedral Choir.

Organ Vespers: La Nativité du Seigneur

for 1 hour
Salisbury Cathedral
West Walk Salisbury, SP1 2EJ, United Kingdom
All are welcome at this liturgical performance of Messiaen’s organ cycle. Composed in 1935, Olivier Messiaen’s La Nativité du Seigneur is one of the most moving and compelling organ works of the twentieth century. Come and hear this extraordinary music, played on our Father Willis organ by David Halls, in a meditative act of worship. These ‘Organ Vespers’, which will last just over an hour, are an opportunity to find space for prayer and contemplation through Messiaen’s deeply devotional music.

Epiphany Pageant Play

for 1 hour
Salisbury Cathedral
West Walk Salisbury, SP1 2EJ, United Kingdom
A short collective-worship-style service suitable for all the family, with craft preparation beforehand. Join a series of lively parades through the Quire as the Caravan of the Wise Men follow the star to Bethlehem in teams Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Come early to make crafts that will feature in the processions!

Epiphany Devotion

for 1 hour
Salisbury Cathedral
West Walk Salisbury, SP1 2EJ, United Kingdom
Join us for the last of the popular processional services celebrating Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. Telling the story of the journey of the Magi, travelling to worship the infant Jesus, this moving service consists of readings, devotional addresses, and the sound of the Cathedral Choir supported by period instruments. They will perform parts V and VI of Bach’s Oratorio.