What’s on
Advent & Christmas
Discover Advent and Christmas at Bristol Cathedral. Explore services, family events and festive celebrations.
- Gather at Bristol’s Cathedral
- Family favourites
- Festive celebrations
- Cherished traditions
- Beautiful music
Christmas Highlights
Gather with friends and family, sing your favourite carols and discover some of Bristol’s most cherished Christmas traditions. From festive family favourites to community celebrations and beautiful music, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Music
Carols by Candlelight
Step into the glow of candlelight and share in one of Bristol Cathedral’s most cherished Christmas traditions.
Carols by Candlelight brings together beautiful choral music, festive readings and favourite Christmas carols in the heart of Bristol. Performed by the Cathedral Choir, the concerts offer plenty of opportunities to join in with familiar carols and enjoy music old and new.
Gather with friends, family and loved ones, join in with familiar carols and take time to celebrate the joy of Christmas together. Whether you’re returning to a favourite tradition or visiting for the first time, you’ll find a warm welcome waiting for you.
Music
Carols by Candlelight
Step into the glow of candlelight and share in one of Bristol Cathedral’s most cherished Christmas traditions.
Carols by Candlelight brings together beautiful choral music, festive readings and favourite Christmas carols in the heart of Bristol. Performed by the Cathedral Choir, the concerts offer plenty of opportunities to join in with familiar carols and enjoy music old and new.
Gather with friends, family and loved ones, join in with familiar carols and take time to celebrate the joy of Christmas together. Whether you’re returning to a favourite tradition or visiting for the first time, you’ll find a warm welcome waiting for you.
Music
Pride Carol Service
Join us for Pride Carols at the historic Lord Mayor’s Chapel.
Gather with members of Bristol’s LGBTQ+ community, alongside family, friends and allies, for an evening of carols, music and celebration.
Hosted in partnership with Christians at Bristol Pride, this joyful service offers space to celebrate Christmas together, share in the hope at the heart of the season and enjoy a sense of welcome and belonging.
Come as you are. Everyone is welcome.
Music
Shoppers’ Carols
Experience a moment of calm amongst the busyness of the season with a short carol service in your Cathedral.
Family Activities
Toddlers’ Carols
Come along to this informal 45 minute-long carol service for babies, toddlers, and pre-school children.
Family Activities
Toddlers’ Carols
Come along to this informal 45 minute-long carol service for babies, toddlers, and pre-school children.
Family Activities
Toddlers’ Carols
Come along to this informal 45 minute-long carol service for babies, toddlers, and pre-school children.
Music
Beer & Carols
Event update – Beer & Carols
Beer & Carols is going ahead outdoors as planned. Please bring an umbrella and wear sensible footwear. The forecast is improving, and the stage will be repositioned so there’s no need to stand on grass.
Family Activities
Family Carols
Bring the whole family and step into the Christmas story.
Children and adults alike are invited to come dressed as shepherds, angels, wise men, sheep or any other Nativity character and take part in this joyful Christmas celebration.
With favourite carols, storytelling and plenty of opportunities to join in, Family Carols is a chance to experience the wonder of the Christmas story together. A real donkey from Kelly’s Donkeys will also be joining the service.
Whether you’re continuing a family tradition or visiting for the first time, everyone is welcome.
Family Carols is always very popular. Booking is recommended to help manage numbers and provide priority entry. Families and groups wishing to sit together are encouraged to arrive together and allow plenty of time before the service begins.
Special Services
The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Join us as we celebrate the start of Christmas with the traditional service of readings and carols.
Festive music is sung by the Cathedral Choir and Cathedral Consort.
Please note: in addition to this service there is a Shorter Festival of Lessons and Carols on Friday 20 December at 5.15pm.
The service on the 24th is more popular, so please do consider attending either the Shorter Festival of Lessons and Carols on Friday, or the first Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols on the 23rd.
Make Space
From candlelit processions and quiet reflection to Christmas worship and Epiphany, these services offer opportunities to pause, prepare and journey through the season together.
Special Services
The Advent Procession
Beginning in complete darkness, the Advent Procession follows a journey from darkness into light through music, scripture and candlelight as the Cathedral prepares for the coming of Christ.
Special Services
Advent Quiet Day
Save the date for our Advent Quiet Day.
As Advent begins, join us for a day of prayer, reflection and stillness as we prepare for the journey to Christmas.
Special Services
Blue Christmas
Christmas can be a joyful season, but it can also be a difficult one.
Blue Christmas is a gentle and reflective service for anyone experiencing grief, loneliness, loss or other challenges at this time of year. Through music, readings, prayer and candlelight, there is space to acknowledge difficult experiences, remember loved ones and find comfort in the company of others.
In a season that can sometimes feel full of expectations, Blue Christmas offers a place where people can come as they are. Whether facing a recent bereavement, marking Christmas without someone special, or simply finding the season difficult, all are welcome.
Special Services
The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Join us as we celebrate the start of Christmas with the traditional service of readings and carols.
Festive music is sung by the Cathedral Choir and Cathedral Consort.
Please note: in addition to this service there is a Shorter Festival of Lessons and Carols on Friday 20 December at 5.15pm.
The service on the 24th is more popular, so please do consider attending either the Shorter Festival of Lessons and Carols on Friday, or the first Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols on the 23rd.
Special Services
The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Join us as we celebrate the start of Christmas with the traditional service of readings and carols.
Festive music is sung by the Cathedral Choir and Cathedral Consort.
Please note: in addition to this service there is a Shorter Festival of Lessons and Carols on Friday 20 December at 5.15pm.
The service on the 24th is more popular, so please do consider attending either the Shorter Festival of Lessons and Carols on Friday, or the first Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols on the 23rd.
Special Services
Midnight Mass
Celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord with the first Eucharist of Christmas.