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 have Mariah on repeat starting 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, Royal Choral Society 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.
Sun 14th – Weds 24th December 2025
Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP
royalalberthall.com
All Souls Carols
All Souls Carols is back for 2025, featuring singalongs, solos, nativity readings, mince pies and hot Christmas punch. It’s totally free to attend and you’ll want to get there early to ensure you bag a seat. If it’s too full inside, the singing flows out into the street, where you can see a projection of the service and stay warm with punch and mince pies.
Sat 13th, Sun 14th, Thurs 18th, Sat 20th & Sun 21st December 2025
All Souls Langham Place, London, W1B 3DA
carolservice.com
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.
Sat 20th December 2025
Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
barbican.org.uk
Union Chapel
There’s a whole spread of Christmas concerts taking place at the Union Chapel This December. The twowe’re most excited for are the BIG Christmas London Sing which is heading to London for the first time this year. The BIG Sing Choir will be joined by guest singers Claudina Edwards, Charlotte Traynor and Eban Brown to perform a mix of traditional Christmas songs and choir classics. Then there’s the annual Carols by Candlelight service, featuring traditional and contemporary carols, songs, choral music, spoken word, and prayer, all lit by candlelight. Music will be complemented by Union Chapel Voices, Union Chapel Community Singers, and the historic pipe organ. Beautiful.
Sat 13th + Sun 21st December 2025
19b Compton Terrace, London N1 2UN
unionchapel.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.
Tuees 2nds – Sun 28th December 2025
Trafalgar Sq, London WC2N 4JJ
stmartin-in-the-fields.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 the festive season, starting Sun 29th November, 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 some concerts, like a performance of Handel’s Messiah, require a paid ticket.
Sun 29th November – Sat 20th December 2025
St. Paul’s Cathedral, London EC4M 8AD
stpauls.co.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 £185 per person and include a three-course set menu. Or, take a seat at The Nickel Bar for a £140 per person, including Perrier Jouet champagne each. Don’t mind standing? Those tickets are just £75.
Sun 7th, 14th & 24th December 2025, from 7pm
The Ned, 27 Poultry, London EC2R 8AJ
thened.com
Nordoff and Robbins London Carol Service
Music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins is hosting its annual London Carol Service at St Luke’s & Christ Church in Chelsea this December, with Rick Astley headlining. Matt Goss and Katie Melua will also be performing, with Cathy Dennis doing a Christmas reading.
Tues 9th December 2025
St Luke’s & Christ Church, Chelsea, London SW3 6NH
nordoff-robbins.org.uk
Christmas Quartet at Abbey Road
Head to Studio Two at Abbey Road for a Christmas concert you won’t soon forget. Running across three weekends in December, the studio’s Christmas Quartet will be performing carols and Christmas movie classics in the famous studio, illuminated by fairy lights, and surrounded by the history of all the artists who’ve made music in the same room.
Sat 6th – Sun 21st December 2025
Abbey Road Studios, 3 Abbey Road, London NW8 9AY
lwtheatres.co.uk
Concert for Mental Health at the Jazz Cafe
Mental health and suicide prevention charity (and one of our 2025 Heroes) Beder is hosting a spesh Christmas charity concert at the Jazz Cafe. Sonny Tennet, Nate James and BSHP will all be performing, with all profits from the event going to support Beder’s work.
Mon 15th December 2025
5 Parkway, London, NW1 7PG
beder.org.uk
Christmas by Candelight
Head to the Adelphi Theatre to see West End stars Jordan Luke Gage, Rachel John, Oliver Tompsett and Rachael Wooding and a live band perform all the Christmas hits, including ‘White Christmas’, ‘Winter Wonderland’, ‘O Holy Night’ and ‘Holly Jolly Christmas’ – and singing along is encouraged.
Tues 9th December 2025
Adelphi Theatre, Strand, London, WC2R 0NS
concertsbycandlelight.com
Christmas with the Stars
Imagine This, a charity that supports the mental health and wellbeing of seriously ill children and their families, founded by Sarah Parish MBE and Jim Murray MBE, is hosting its debut event, Christmas with the Stars, this December. There’ll be performances, carols and readings from a celeb ensemble that includes David Tennant, Hugh Bonneville, Dame Imelda Staunton, Richard E. Grant, Donna Ashworth, and Amanda Holden, alongside the Sylvia Young Children’s Choir, Northants Sings Out Gospel Choir, and ballerina Tara-Brigitte Bhavnani.
Weds 10th December 2025
St Marylebone, 17 Marylebone Rd, London NW1 5LT
imaginethis.org.uk
London Nightline’s Christmas Pub Singalong
Head to De Hems for a Christmas pub singalong this December, all in aid of mental health charity London Nightline. There’ll be a pro pianist on the keys to lead you in renditions of Wizzard, Wham, Mariah and more; Dutch and Belgian beers on offer as well as mulled wine; and burgers and bratwursts to keep you fuelled. Get tickets here.
Tues 16th December 2025
De Hems, 11 Macclesfield Street, London, W1D 5BW
nightline.org.uk
