Christmas is the only time we Londoners actually want to listen to a group of people loudly singing outside Tottenham Court Road station… (perhaps because the typical crowd of rowdy singers are usually very, very pissed). Caroling is an integral part of the festive season like mulled wine or arguing with your politically challenged uncle. So here are some of our favourite Christmas carol concerts happening in London this winter…
1. Christmas Carol’s at the Victoria and Albert Museum
[flickr: Simopala]This special promenade performance trailing through the British galleries of the Victoria and Albert Museum will transport you back to December 1843, to relive the magic of a Victorian Christmas! There will be dancing, festive stories and, (of course), carols! Starting the evening in The Grand Entrance of this iconic London museum, this is a night of Christmas Carols that will leave you feel fancy AF!
[flickr: Matt Brown]Be amazed by musical directer Mo Pleasure (famous for directing Ray Charles, Earth Wind and Fire and Bette Midler!) This funky and festive concert brings together Pleasure’s celebrated friends from the music industry for a very special fundraiser event. The concert is for the benefit of those who may be struggling with emotional, spiritual, psychological or financial issues within the artist’s community and it looks like it’s going to be fabulous!
60 St Giles High St, London WC2H 8LG
When: 8th December, 6:30pm
Cost: Tickets from £20+
3. Messiah at the Royal Albert Hall
[flickr: Paul Hudson]The grandeur and prestige of the Royal Albert Hall provides the a seriously impressive venue for a Christmas carol concert. Wander around the beautiful grounds and take in the stunning architecture before your ear drums are caressed by the soft yet overwhelmingly powerful touch of 500 voices in monumental harmony. Sounds pretty intense, amiright?!
Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP
When: 19th December
Cost: Tickets from £19.50
4. Christmas Carols with a Twist
[ovalspace]Why settle for silent night when you can have a proper festive night out?! Swap Christmas carols for Christmas hits with this alternative caroling night at The Pickle Factory in Bethnal Green in aid of the Hop, Skip and Jump foundation. You’ll be welcomed by the winning combination of mulled wine, Prosecco and burritos before the New York Brass Band start up with the Christmas classics. There will also be a raffle and DJ sets from 9:30 onwards so you can rock around the Christmas tree all night long!
13-14 The Oval, London E2 9DU
When: 9th of December
Cost: Tickets from £25
5. Candlelit Carols at Southwark Cathedral
[flickr: Jason Barles]Southwark Cathedral is beautiful at all times of year, but at Christmas when the grand building is illuminated by wonderful lights and ablaze with the sound of the annual Candlelit Carols concert, it’s just that extra bit magical! The concert is held in aid of Feed the Minds and will feature choral performances as well as your favourite classic carols to join in on… we promise we won’t judge your singing ability!
London Bridge, London SE1 9DA
When: 12th December
Cost: Tickets from £11.63
6. Christmas Carols at Trafalgar Square
[london.gov.uk]Although the Christmas tree at Trafalgar Square hasn’t exactly gone down a treat this year, you can still stand beneath it and listen to some lovely carol singers this season! 50 groups of carolers have booked hour long slots to perform for the crowds in Trafalgar Square and enjoy the music.
Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
When: 5th-23rd December
Cost: Free
7. Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols at Westminster Abbey
[flickr: Herry Lawford]London’s wonderful Westminster Abbey is hosting the ‘Cinderella of all Christmas services,’ with the Choristers of Westminster Abbey performing in the Abbey Church decked out in gorgeous Christmas trees and wreaths. Time to start practicing your ‘Ding-Dong-Merrily-On-Highs.’
