Grab a candle, warm up your vocal cords and head to these London carol concerts
Yes, there may be food, presents, movies, time spent with family, etc., but one of the best things about Christmas has to be the music. Alright, not all of it, but sometimes there’s nothing better to lift the (Christmas) spirits than watching a carol concert. And there are plenty of opportunities for that in London this winter, whether at one of the city’s award-winning music halls or historic cathedrals.
Some concerts stick strictly to the classics, some mix in the pop hits and most invite the audience to get involved with a sing-a-long. Here’s where to find the best carol concerts in London – whether you’re more into the traditional stuff, or you’ve had Mariah on repeat since November 1st.
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall’s annual sing-a-long carol concert is a London favourite which features all the classics performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and The National Youth Choir. There are various shows set for the run-up to Christmas and each will see a different presenter and soloist take to the stage. This year’s presenters will include Jess Gillam and Greg Beardsell, among others, and the soloists Cleopatra Rey and Zara McFarlane will appear alongside other featured artists.
Sat 16th – Sun 24th December 2023
Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP
royalalberthall.com
MS Society Carols by Candlelight
The MS Society’s annual carol concert is back at Westminster Chapel this December, with a programme of performances by soul singer Junior Giscombe, Fabio D’Andrea, London International Choir and the IDMC Gospel Choir. Plus, there’ll be festive readings from special guests from Suranne Jones, Bear Grylls, Sue Perkins, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Rose Leslie and Dougray Scott. Tickets start at £35 for adults and all funds raised from ticket sales will go towards the Stop MS Appeal.
Thurs 14th December 2023, from 6.30pm
Westminster Chapel, Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6BS
mssociety.org.uk
Barbican
The Christmas Carol Singalong is coming to the Barbican this festive season. Pianist Jonathan Cohen will be joined by West End star Louise Dearman to perform a selection of the very best seasonal classics. Expect the likes of Let it Snow, Sleigh Ride, Merry Christmas Everyone, Santa Claus is Coming to Town and many more to be on the setlist.
Sun 17th December 2023, 2pm & 5.15pm
Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
barbican.org.uk
St Martin-in-the-Fields
St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square’s 18th-century church and landmark, will be putting on a series of different carol concerts throughout the Christmas period – they’ve got something for everyone. There’ll be family and kid-friendly services, traditional carol concerts, choral performances and more, so you can have a proper browse. Tickets start at a tenner, grab yours below.
Fri 1st – Sat 23rd December 2023
Trafalgar Sq, London WC2N 4JJ
stmartin-in-the-fields.org
Big Smile Carol Concert
Smile Train UK, a charity which provides lifesaving treatment to children struggling to breathe, speak, and eat due to a cleft, is hosting their annual carol concert at The Grosvenor Chapel in Mayfair (which you might recognise from festive favourite Love Actually). This year, the concert will feature sing-a-long performances from the Choir of Grosvenor Chapel, as well as a special appearance by British soul singer Heather Small, who was recently appointed as an Ambassador for the charity. There’ll be post-show mulled wine and mince pies and the concert itself is totally free to attend, but any donations generously given on the night go towards supporting Smile Train’s life-changing work.
Tues 5th December 2023, 7pm – 9pm
The Grosvenor Chapel Mayfair, London W1K 2PA
smiletrain.org.uk
Union Chapel
Union Chapel, a Grade I listed chapel in Islington, will be putting on its annual FREE carol service on Sun 17th December this year. This traditional concert will see the story of the birth of Jesus told in spoken word, prayer and music from the Chapel’s own vocal quartet, instrumentalists, and actors – all by candlelight. But, if you’re in the mood for something a bit different, they’ll be hosting a series of other festive, musical events throughout December. Highlights include a performance of Bach’s Magnificat (on Sun 10th December), Kim Wilde’s Wilde Winter Acoustic session (on Tues 12th December) and the Never Fade Christmas Party (on Thurs 14th December).
Fri 1st – Fri 22nd December 2023
Union Chapel, 19b Compton Terrace, London N1 2UN
unionchapel.org.uk
Battersea Christmas Carol Concert
Organised by Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, this concert will take place at St Luke’s & Christ Church in Chelsea and, of course, there’ll be dogs in attendance. Expect to hear your favourite carols performed by the Collegium Musicum of London Chamber Choir as well as West End actor and singer, Nardia Ruth. Plus, there’ll be mince pies, mulled wine and the chance to shop for gifts, with all funds raised going towards providing homes to dogs and cats in need.
Thurs 7th & Fri 8th December 2023
St Luke’s & Christ Church, Sydney Street, London SW3 6NH
battersea.org.uk
Image credit: Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
Landmark Arts Centre
The Landmark Arts Centre’s much-loved Christmas carol concert is back for 2023, with two days of services featuring music by the Surrey Brass band and words by narrator Giles Abbott. On the Saturday service exclusively, there’ll also be performances by the Vaughan Williams Singers and the St Georges Junior Choir. Plus, there’ll be mince pies and mulled wine so you can eat, drink and be merry.
Sat 16th & Sun 17th December 2023
Ferry Road, Teddington TW11 9NN
landmarkartscentre.org
St Paul’s Cathedral
If you feel like listening to carols under the striking roof of a centuries-old cathedral, St Paul’s is your spot. They hold various carol services throughout December, starting as early as Sat 2nd, which St Paul’s describes as some of “the year’s most dramatic services” (if they do say so themselves). Most of these are free and unticketed, but tickets to the paid events such as Maggie’s Carol Concert or the Santa Lucia Carol Concert can be bought below.
Sat 2nd – Thurs 21st December 2023
St. Paul’s Cathedral, London EC4M 8AD
stpauls.co.uk
St John’s Smith Square (The Macmillan Carol Concert)
Cancer charity Macmillan is bringing their Christmas carol concert back to St John’s Smith Square for 2023. Expect all the best carols performed by world-renowned artists, breath-taking musical solos and a collection of celebrity readings. This year, they’ll be joined by Victoria Derbyshire, Angela Rippon, Dame Sarah Connolly, Ryan Quigley and the Northern Lights Symphony Orchestra, among other guests. Tickets start at £15 and funds raised from ticket sales will go towards Macmillan’s work in support people living with cancer.
Thurs 7th December 2023, from 7pm
St John’s, Smith Square, London SW1P 3HA
macmillan.org.uk
The Ned
Choirmaster Gareth Malone will be taking to The Ned’s The Nickel Stage for a few Sundays in December, performing all the Christmas classics from The Twelve Days of Christmas to Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You. Seated tickets at Millie’s Lounge or Cecconi’s are £150 per person and include a three-course set menu. Or, take a seat at The Nickel Bar with a £150 minimum spend. Don’t mind standing? Those tickets are just £45, with entry starting at 8pm.
Sun 3rd, 10th & 17th December 2023, from 7pm
The Ned, 27 Poultry, London EC2R 8AJ
thened.com
The Dorchester
This year, The Dorchester is hosting its first-ever Christmas concert, featuring renowned composer, pianist and producer Chloe Flower. The concert will take place at The Dorchester’s Artists’ Bar and The Promenade, with Chloe performing a selection of festive songs at the hotel’s mirrored grand piano (formerly owned by Liberace himself). Seated tickets are priced at £165 per head (for tables of two to six, solo guests must pay for a table of two) and include a three-course set designed by culinary director Martyn Nail and a welcome cocktail. All proceeds from ticket sales will go towards The Dorchester’s long-time charity partner Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice.
Wed 22nd November 2023, 7pm – 10pm
The Dorchester, 53 Park Lane, London W1K 1QA
dorchestercollection.com
Candlelight Concerts
Candlelight Concerts has showcased music from the likes of Harry Styles, Amy Winehouse and Fleetwood Mac against a backdrop of hundreds of candles, and now all the classic Christmas carols are getting their turn in the candlelight. You’ll be able to hear ‘O Holy Night’, ‘Hark The Herald Angels Sing’, ‘Away In A Manger’, ‘Deck The Halls’, ‘Joy To The World’ and more, all performed in the glowing light at Southwark Cathedral.
Fri 22nd December 2023
Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge, London, SE1 9DA
candlelightexperience.com