Let’s face it dear reader – Christmas is probably the only time that us Londoners actually want to listen to a group of people loudly singing outside Charing Cross tube station… and that’s because carolling is basically an integral part of the whole festive shebang – even if you’re not religious. You know, like sloshing down some mulled wine, eating until you’re fit to bursting and arguing with that one family member who might’ve hit the wine slightly too hard on Boxing Day. From choir singers projecting to the rafters in St. Paul’s Cathedral to a concert with rescue dogs from the actual Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, here’s our rundown of the best carol concerts in London this year:
1. Christmas Carols at St. Paul’s Cathedral
Now, if you’re looking to watch a carol concert in London this festive season, then you couldn’t really get more magical than this one. After all, what’s more magical than bloomin’ St. Paul’s Cathedral, hey?!
Taking place from 4pm, this spellbinding service will be a traditional one, re-telling the story of the birth of Christ in words and music. The music in question will be provided by none other than St. Paul’s Cathedral Choir, with readings and lessons provided by the local community. Tickets are free, though you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled on their website to see when others become available.
📍St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, EC4M 8AD.
🚇 Nearest station is St. Paul’s.
📅 Several events at different dates and times. Get your tickets here.
2. Christmas Carols by Candlelight
Another one of the best carol concerts in London here, this one will give you the chance to experience the magic of Christmas like never before with a captivating musical evening featuring incredible musicians bathed in flickering candlelight.
Set within stunning venues across London, these incredible concerts will be aglow throughout the season – a beautiful setting to listen to a selection of popular Christmas carols and songs that will no doubt transport you to a winter wonderland. Expect plenty of joy, warmth and festive cheer – get a hold of your tickets here.
📍St. James’s Church, 197 Piccadilly, St. James’s, W1J 9LL.
🚇 Nearest stations are Green Park and Piccadilly Circus.
📅 December 5 and 19, from 8-9pm. Get your tickets here.
3. Battersea Dogs and Cats Home Christmas Carol Concert
Dogs, cats and Christmas carols? Name a better trio than that for some feel-good, festive cheer! Once again, the wonderful team at the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home are putting on a carol concert in the beautiful surroundings of St Luke’s & Christ Church in Kensington and Chelsea.
Guests will be welcomed by some of the home’s amazing rescue dogs, and you’ll also be able to enjoy popular carols and beautiful music from the Collegium Musicum of London Chamber Choir (CML) as well as West End actor and singer, Nardia Ruth. Add in mulled wine, mince pies and the chance to get your mitts on some Christmas gifts, and you can see why we love this one. Even better, all the money raised will go directly towards the charity itself, meaning that more dogs and cats will receive all the love and expert care that they need.
📍St. Luke’s & Christ Church, Sydney Street, London, SW3 6NH.
🚇 Nearest station is South Kensington.
📅 December 5 & 6, from 7pm. Get your tickets here.
4. A Dickensian Christmas at Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church
Travel back in time at one of London’s most unique carol and Christmas experiences, thanks to this Dickensian-inspired event at Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church. Enjoy a festive afternoon of Christmas carols and readings from Charles Dickens’ beloved classic ‘A Christmas Carol’.
The Covent Garden Carollers Vocal Quartet will fill the gorgeous Bloomsbury Baptist Church with pitch-perfect harmonies and music from Dickens’s time. You’ll even be invited to sing along to beloved hymns and carols such as “O Come! All Ye Faithful” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”. To reserve your spot and snag some tickets, click here.
📍Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, 235 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8EP
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road
📅 December 14 & 21 at 1 pm. Get your tickets here.
5. All Souls, Langham Place Christmas Carols & Orchestra
‘Oh come all ye faithful’ and have a merry sing-a-long at one of the West End’s most vibrant (and free!) traditional carol services in the beautiful All Souls Church in Langham Place this December.
Taking place at various times throughout the day on December 12, 14, 15, 21 and 22 respectively, this family-friendly service lasts about an hour and will be accompanied by a live choir and an orchestra too, both performing some of the nation’s most loved carols. There’s also free mince pies and even some Christmas punch after the service – winner, winner!
📍All Souls, Langham Place, London, W1B 3DA.
🚇 Nearest stations are Regents Street, Oxford Circus and Great Portland Street.
📅 December 12, 14, 15, 21 & 22 are various different times. Get your tickets here.
6. Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall
Now, when it comes to impressive buildings within the capital, then we’d argue that the Royal Albert Hall is right up there with the best of the best. And for good reason too – after all, it’s the home of the BBC Proms and annual Cirque du Soleil showcase and has seen everyone from Winston Churchill and Muhammad Ali to Shirley Bassey and Elton John take to the stage here.
Basically, it’s a big bloody deal, so it’s no surprise that we’ve added this one to this roundup of the best carol concerts in London for 2024. Each show will feature a presenter and soloist who will bring a selection of incredible carols to life. This year, they’re thrilled to announce British saxophonist Jess Gillam and conductor Greg Beardsell as presenters. This is one you really don’t want to miss out on!
📍Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AP.
🚇 Nearest station is South Kensington.
📅 December 14, 15 & 21, 22, 23 & 24 at various different times. Get your tickets here.
7. Advent and Christmas at Westminster Abbey
Another spectacular building here, Westminster Abbey has been a place of worship since 960 AD, and it has seen the coronation of over forty monarchs – and countless burials and royal weddings too – in its thousand-year-plus history. One of the capital’s four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it seems fitting that they’re putting on services that feature traditional carols, family-friendly events and festive readings throughout the month of December.
While it’s all pretty magical here, we’d probably opt to go and see ‘Handel’s Messiah’, where the prestigious Choir of Westminster Abbey and leading period-instrument orchestra Academy of Ancient Music herald the start of the Christmas season with a performance of Handel’s most famous oratorio.
📍Westminster Abbey, Dean’s Yard, London, SW1P 3PA.
🚇 Nearest stations are Westminster and St. James’s Park.
📅 December 1, 8, 23, 24, & 25 at various different times. Get your tickets here.
8. Raymond Gubbay Christmas Festival 2024 at the Barbican
It’s almost ‘the most wonderful time of year’, and the landmark Barbican Centre is once again pulling out the stops this year with their ‘Raymond Gubbay Christmas Festival’, which runs from December 20 all the way until New Year’s Day.
They’re really pulling out all the stops is with their three carol concerts, which include performances by none other than the King’s College Choir, as well as with conductor Jonathan Cohen and acclaimed singer Louise Dearman. It’s certainly going to be a magical time of year!
📍Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS.
🚇 Nearest station is Barbican.
📅 December 20, 21, 22 and 23 at various times. Get your tickets here.
9. Carols by Candlelight at the Landmark Arts Centre
A festive favourite on the beloved Landmark Art Centre’s yearly calendar, Carols by Candlelight is returning on December 14 and 15 in Teddington’s favourite arts venue.
Words and music will be performed by the Surrey Brass ensemble, with narrator Giles Abbott and local choirs providing added festive cheer. There will be carols to sing-along to throughout, and mince pies and mulled wine to really help you get into the Christmas spirit. Tickets sold out in record time last year so early booking is advised!
📍Landmark Arts Centre, Ferry Road, Teddington, TW11 9NN.
🚇 Nearest station is Teddington.
📅 December 14 and 15 at various time. Get your tickets here.
10. Christmas at St. Martin-in-the-Fields
Ah yes – St Martin-in-the-Fields. An architectural gem set just a stone’s throw away from Charing Cross station and Trafalgar Square, you couldn’t really get more central than here, and as well as gigs and musical performances, they also regularly have art exhibitions on here too. Not to mention that cosy café hidden in the crypt.
They’ve got loads on during the month of December, including multiple carol concerts! You can find out more via their website here – there’s even a cocktail here too for the winter months, and you know how much we love them…
📍St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square London, WC2N 4JJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Charing Cross.
📅 Various dates throughout December. Get your tickets here.
11. Carol Services on Trafalgar Square
While we’re on the topic of Trafalgar Square, the annual tradition of carols by their Christmas tree is back for 2024. With several choirs and carol singers set to perform, you can expect a plethora of concerts taking over the square every day in the run-up to Christmas.
Best of all, they are free to attend but donations are advised, as each performance will be for a charity of the choir’s choice. For more information on these unmissable concerts, click here to read our article.
📍 Trafalgar Square London, WC2N 4JJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Charing Cross.
📅 Every evening from Dec 9 until Dec 24. Find out more, here.
12. Christmas Candlelight Concerts at St. Mary le Strand Church
Brought to you by the previously mentioned Candlelight, experience a truly extraordinary musical evening in the enchanting days leading up to Christmas at these fabulous concerts at St. Mary le Strand Church, featuring an unmissable performance by the exceptional musicians of The Piccadilly Sinfonietta. Prepare to be captivated as they accompany some of the most talented singers and sopranos in the UK, presenting a delightful programme of beautiful Christmas carols and song arrangements, along with other exceptional works. Get your tickets here.
📍St. Mary le Strand Church, The Strand, London, WC2R 1ES.
🚇 Nearest station is Temple.
📅 Various dates at various times. Get your tickets here.
So there you have it – a selection of the best carol concerts in London for you and your loved ones to enjoy this festive season. Best get practising on warming up that voice then!