Service 2nd - 25th December 2023

Christmas Services

Cathedral map

Directions

DATE & TIME

2nd - 25th December 2023

Location

Winchester Cathedral

Price

Worship at Winchester Cathedral is free of charge

Details

Advent & Christmas Services running from 2nd - 25th December and everyone is welcome to attend.

Information on this page relates to 2023. Details of the 2024 Christmas Services have not yet been confirmed.

The approach of Advent and Christmas is a unique time to visit Winchester Cathedral.

Attending a service is a great way to start your celebrations, whether you attend the Big Nativity service with your children dressed up as shepherds, or you join the Market Carols after a trip to the Christmas Market. There’s a range of services to attend and you’ll be warmly welcomed by our clergy and congregation.

Please feel encouraged to experience the joy of Christmas inside the cathedral, whether you’re a regular or perhaps you’ve never visited before. Our internationally acclaimed choir are ready to warm your heart with their festive carols and songs.

If you’d like to know what to expect, you can browse a number of our services on YouTube.

Please click below for details of each service.

Advent Procession, 2nd December at 6.30pm

A spectacular service of darkness and light, music and the spoken word, mirroring the journey of the human race from the darkness of sorrow and death into the light of Christ’s dawning Kingdom.
70 minutes.

For more information about this service, click here.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel: A Liturgy of the Advent Antiphons, 3rd December at 3.30pm

A service of music and readings to mark the beginning of the journey to Christmas, sung by the Cathedral Chamber Choir
1 hour.

Advent Evensong, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th December at 5.30pm

Get ready for Christmas with this magical evening service- telling the advent story in music, readings, carols, and prayer. Experience the beauty of holiness at the heart of Winchester Cathedral.
45 minutes.

Market Carols, 10th & 17th December at 3.30pm

A Winchester Christmas, at 4.00pm on 11th, 12th & 16th December, 5.30pm on 13th, 20th & 22nd December.

‘Love was born at Christmas’ A taste of Christmas every day and for everyone in the heart of the Cathedral. Carols, readings, prayers.
40 minutes.

Carol Services, 19th & 21st December at 6.30pm

Experience the holy grandeur of this spectacular traditional Carol Service sung by the Choir of Winchester Cathedral. Come early to avoid disappointment. Click here for more information.

For information of upcoming concerts, please click here.

The first carol service of the season will take place on Monday 18th December. This carol service has been arranged as a thank you to our volunteers, staff, choir families and Friends of Winchester Cathedral. Although this particular service isn’t open to the general public in-person, you are very welcome to join online.

If you are interested in volunteering or working at Winchester Cathedral, or perhaps joining the Choral Foundation please click on the links below for more information.
Volunteering opportunities
Careers at Winchester Cathedral
Choir information
Join the Friends of Winchester Cathedral

The Big Nativity, 23rd December at 11.00am & 3.00pm

Winchesters favourite family service. Come dressed as your favourite Christmas character and help make up our very Big Nativity. All ages.
50 minutes.

Carols with the Blessing of the Crib, 24th December at 5.30pm

A shorter service of carols and readings during which the Cathedral Crib is created. For all ages.
50 minutes.

Midnight Mass, 24th December at 11.00pm

Mark Christmas in the best way possible with this traditional Midnight Mass.
90 minutes.

Christmas Day Holy Communion, 25th December at 8.00am

A traditional service of Holy Communion celebrated according to the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.
30mins.

Christmas Day Festal Mattins, 25th December at 9.45am

Wake up to a glorious service of Choral Mattins on Christmas Morning, sung by the Cathedral Choir. Preacher: The Right Reverend David Williams, Bishop of Basingstoke.
50 minutes.

Christmas Day Festal Eucharist, 25th December at 11.15am

The heart of Christmas Day, a traditional Eucharist. Presiding: The Right Reverend David Williams, Bishop of Basingstoke. Preacher: The Very Reverend Catherine Ogle, Dean of Winchester.
90 minutes.