The best Christmas carol services and concerts in London for 2025

Classical music impresario Raymond Gubbay presents his annual handpicked selection of music for the festive season. Highlights include the Christmas carol singalong (Dec 20), Gustav Holsts’s The Planets (Dec 27), Beethoven's Ninth (Dec 29), the music of Zimmer vs Williams (Dec 31), and the New Year's Day Proms. All set to take place in the Barbican's lovely hall, these musical picks are a classy, Christmassy way to spend an evening. 

When? Sat Dec 20 - Thur Jan 1

Price: From £18.50

Kensington’s grand Italianate music hall is quite possibly the most iconic place in London to enjoy a Christmassy concert. But its not just traditional carols that are on offer at the infamous venue this year. There’s everything from Christmas classic ‘Home Alone’ accompanied by a live orchestra (Dec 13) to the return of Guy Barker’s Big Band Christmas (Dec 17) as well as jazzed-up festivities with maverick pianist Jamie Cullum and an evening with organist and TikTok star Anna Lapwood (Dec 18). And of course, John Rutter will be back on December 4 with a big ol' orchestra and two choirs bringing all the classics, from 'Frosty The Snowman' to 'Away In A Manger'. In short, there’s something for absolutely everyone here.

When? December 2-19

Price: From £21.50-£290

Get yourself feeling ridiculously festive with an evening of carols inside Sir Christopher Wren’s architectural masterpiece, aka St Paul’s Cathedral. The legendary London landmark hosts a series of mostly free, unticketed carol concerts each year. Visit over December for a huge range of concerts, including family-friendly services, Messiaen's La Nativité du Seigneur (one of the greatest organ works of the 20th century), and traditional carols. Things kick off with an advent service on November 29. The big events to look out for are A Celebration of Christmas (Dec 9) and the Christmas Carol Services (Dec 23 and 24. The concerts are always hugely popular, so get down there early and be prepared to queue. Start practising your high notes now. You can find full information here. 

When? November 29-December 25

Price: Free

A twinkling, woodland-themed hideaway under the arches by Goldhawk Road tube station, the Hawk’s Nest is a wonderfully atmospheric spot for some Christmas carol singing. Its popular annual carolling session features a live band promises lashings of mulled wine, spiced cider and £4 pints (a weekly occurence on Sundays) as well as a live band and lyrics sheets, just in case you can’t quite recall all nine verses of The First Noel. Head down early to check out the venue’s daytime Christmas market, or stay late for festive bites from the Italian kitchen.

When? December 14

Price: Free (booking advised)

There’s something magical about the way Swedes hold carol services. This traditional Lucia service sees the Ulrika Eleonora Church Choir wear angelic white gowns and process through the church wearing crowns of green leaves on their head and holding candles, before singing carols in a candlelit church led by director of music Fredrik Karlsson, to mark Advent and Christmas. As well as performing at their own church, they’ll also be taking the glowing concert to several other illustrious venues, including St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Cathedral. 

When? December 5-13

Price: £28-£55

Action Syria is returning to London’s oldest surviving church, St Bartholomew the Great, for the eleventh year running. They’ll fill the chancel for one evening of candlelit carols to kick off festive season and raise money in support of Syrian communities. There will also be celebrity readings (previous years have featured author Michael Morpurgo and actor Peter Capaldi) plus a drinks reception with bowls of Middle-Eastern food to round off the night. Last year, the event raised £80,000 to help the charity provide education, healthcare, and emergency support to vulnerable groups. The goal this year is to reach £90,000. 

When? December 1

Price: £28

Run don’t walk to the cutest carol service in the city – Wild at Heart’s Tails & Tidings is London’s only carol concert with dogs in attendance. A canine chorus will descend on St Andrew’s Church in Chelsea, where there’ll be performances from the Olympic Choir, readings from special guests and singalongs in support of stray dogs in need. Tickets also include a complimentary Christmas drink and festive treats after the event. All the money raised will go towards sterilisation, welfare and education programmes Ukraine, India, Mexico, Romania and Greece. 

When? December 5

Price: £30

Christmas might be the merriest time of year, but it can also be one of the most stressful. Dashing around Oxford Circus, trying to get suitable presents for everyone while fighting the crowds of others doing the same? Nightmare. At nearby All Souls Langham Place, though, you’ll find carol services ready to soothe your shopping stress and remind you of the real magic of Christmas. A stunning choir will be performing some of the season’s best-loved songs under twinkling lights and mirrorball (not something every church boasts), while the services will wrap up with complimentary mince pies and hot Christmas punch. There’ll be three hour-long concerts a day across five dates. The cherry on top? Entry is completely free. No wonder the church advises arriving 30 minutes early to make sure you can get in.

When? December 13-21

Price: Free

Festive karaoke is a bit of a tradition for us lot in the Time Out office. If you’re also a fan of necking half a bottle of prosecco and belting out some Michael Bublé, you’ll love this festive edition of the phenomenon that is Massaoke, or ‘mass karaoke’. Popping up at O2 Kentish Town Forum this December, it’s offering you plenty of chances to warble along to Mariah, Wham, Slade and all your other favourite festive bangers soundtracked by a live band, and with lyrics on the screen in case you somehow don’t have every word of ‘Fairytale of New York’ etched into your brain. Christmas jumpers and festive fancy dress are of course encouraged.

When? December 19

Price: From £25

Central London’s beautiful St Martin’s in the Field church is right next to Trafalgar Square which means every Christmas it’s in the shadow of one of London’s most impressive Christmas trees, so you can bet its programme of festive carols and services is a special one. Throughout December the church holds a wealth of events led by the famous and well-loved St Martin's Voices. Make a beeline for the Blessing of the Crib Service, which involves carols, drama and a real-life donkey, or head to one of the special ticketed concerts which range from performances from groups like the Gay Men’s Chorus to candle-lit celebrations. 

When? December 2-January 3

Price: Free

The choir from Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) Church are bringing their angelic tones to Shepherd’s Bush for one night only. This isn’t the kind of carol service that has you hiding in stalls with a songbook in your hand. Oh no – like any other gig at the Empire, HTB has its audience on their feet and all-out dancing under the strobe lights. The evening will be full of guest acts, Christmas classics and, HTB says, a few surprises. 

When? December 14

Price: From £10

There are few more magnificent places in London for a singalong than the Old Royal Naval College’s neo-classical Chapel of St Peter & St Paul. In this service led by the Trinity Laban Choir, classic Yuletide hymns will reverberate off the chapel’s gilded ceiling and stunning naval motifs. Even if you’re not local to Greenwich, this concert is worth travelling for as the ticket also includes entry to the building’s spectacular Painted Hall (known as ‘Britain’s Sistine Chapel’) where you can wander around Peter Walker’s installation ‘Connection and Identity’. 

When? December 1-15

Price: £32.50

The annual carol service from Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity, is usually a celeb-packed affair. Previous years have seen performances from the likes Robbie Williams, Sir Rob Stewart, the Sugababes and Nile Rogers. This year, singer-songwriter Katie Melua is headlining the proceedings, with more names still to be announced. Tickets for the event include a souvenir brochure plus a helping of mulled wine and mince pies. Funds raised will go towards providing music therapy sessions to people who have dementia, learning difficulties, mental health issues, physical injuries, disabilities, terminal illness or autism. 

When? December 9

Price: £60

Every year, Childline’s Carol Concert raises thousands and thousands of pounds for the NSPCC’s listening service. There will be readings, musical performances and, of course, plenty of opportunities for the audience, armed with a complimentary mince pie and glass of fizz, to singalong. Expect appearances from several famous faces, including actor and children’s author Ben Miller, ex-Sugababe Heidi Range, actress Gwyneth Strong, classical singer Ellen Williams and members of the Call the Midwife cast. 

When? December 11

Price: From £43.23

Robin Ince’s Nine Lessons and Carols for Curious People has become a beloved mainstay of Christmas at Kings Place. The festive variety night is a bonkers three and a half hours of science, comedy and music. Ince and his troupe of special guests could go into anything from astronomy to art, poetry to primatology, robotics to ragtime – but it’s best to go in with absolutely no expections. In the true spirit of Christmas, profits from the show go to charities, which for 2025 are the UNICEF Gaza Appeal and Two Wheels for Life. 

When? December 18-20

Price: £28