It may be that you have childcare issues. Or you just can't face stepping outside on a dark and drizzly December night (and who could blame you?). Either way, there's no need to miss out on the Christmas spirit because, hurray! Thanks to the miracle of technology, you can now enjoy carol services from all around the world from the comfort of your own home. Here are ten of the best online Christmas carol services.
Best online carol services 2024
1. Canterbury Cathedral: Festival of Carols with Living Nativity, Canterbury, UK
As well as seasonal music and readings, this service includes a living nativity made up of adults and children from the Cathedral congregation.
Sunday 15th December, 5.30-6.30pm GMT. Livestream available for free on the Cathedral’s YouTube channel.
2. Sing a Song of Bethlehem, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
The Salt Lake Choral Artists give their annual Christmas carol concert at St Ambrose Catholic Church, Salt Lake City. The programme includes traditional carols such as “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” and “Silent Night,” - all arranged for piano, organ and chamber orchestra - as well as the premiere of four new carols.
Monday 16th December, 7.30-10pm MST. Livestream tickets ($15 each) available from this link.
3. Mayor's Christmas Carol Service 2024, London, UK
Taking place at London City Hall, the Mayor of London’s Christmas Carol Service will be centred around the theme of ‘New Beginnings’ this year. It features a Christmas message from Mayor Sadiq Khan, music from Vocal Shack choir, alongside traditional readings, prayers and a selection of hymns and carols.
Tuesday 17th December, 7-8pm GMT. Livestreamed for free hon the Mayor of London's YouTube channel.
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4. Temple Church: Bah Humbug? Certainly not! Carols and Readings for Christmas, London, UK
Temple Church has one of the richest religious histories in London, built, as it was, in the 12th century by the Knights Templar, the order of crusading monks founded to protect pilgrims on their way to and from Jerusalem. But this service of Christmas carols and reading, taking place at the church on December 18th, has a relatively secular flavour. It features the Temple Singers - a professional vocal ensemble, founded in 2006.
Wednesday December 18th, 6-7pm GMT. Livestreamed for free on the Church’s YouTube channel.
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5. Winchester Cathedral's Carol Service
Taking place in the nave, Winchester Cathedral’s traditional Christmas carol services are always grand affairs, and this year’s should be no exception. Featuring the Choir of Winchester Cathedral: the long-established and internationally acclaimed group made up of Lay Clerks, Girl Choristers, and Boy Choristers.
Friday 20th and Saturday 21st December, 6.30-8pm GMT. Livestreamed for free on the Cathedral’s YouTube channel and Facebook page
More of the best online carol services for Christmas 2024
6. Christmas on Fifth Avenue, New York City, USA
The boys of the Saint Thomas Church Choir, conducted by Jeremy Filsell, present their annual Christmas concert, featuring traditional carols alongside contemporary works and Benjamin Britten’s festive Ceremony of Carols. Harpist Bridge Kibbey joins the choir for this family-friendly concert.
Saturday 21st December, 12-1pm EST. Livestream tickets ($20 each) available here.
7. Washington National Cathedral's Gospel Christmas Service, Washington D.C, USA
This annual Gospel Christmas service tells the story of Christmas through music, poetry and scripture. It features Washington National Cathedral’s own contemporary ensemble along with the Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel choir and the Jason Max Ferdinand Singers.
Saturday 21st December, 6pm EST. Livestreamed for free on the Cathedral's website.
8. Westminster Abbey's Service of Lessons and Carols, London, UK
The ultimate in Christmas carol services: this traditional service, in the most iconic of London venues, includes many well-known carols as well as readings and anthems sung by the Abbey Choir - a world famous ensemble comprising thirty boys (all of whom attend the Abbey’s Choir School) and twelve professional adult singers.
Monday 23rd December, 6-7pm GMT. More details on how to watch the free livestream available on the Westminster Abbey website.
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9. Ripon Cathedral Festival of Lessons and Carols, Ripon, North Yorkshire, UK
Dating back to the 7th century, Ripon Cathedral in North Yorkshire makes an imposing setting for this annual Christmas carol service, in which the story of Christmas is told in readings and music from Ripon Cathedral Choir.
Tuesday 24th December, 5.30-6.30pm GMT. Livestreamed for free on the cathedral’s own YouTube channel.
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10. Trinity Church Festival Eucharist, Boston, USA
Trinity Choirs, Trinity’s Skinner Organ and Brass Ensemble unite for this traditional service celebrating the nativity story at Boston’s Trinity Church: a magnificent building in the Romanesque Revival style. The music generally involves choral music and congregational carols, followed by Choral Eucharist.
Tuesday 24th December, 8pm (EST). Livestreamed for free on the Trinity Church website as well as Trinity's Facebook Page and YouTube channel.
