Christmas services at Salisbury Cathedral

Friday, 12 December 2025 13:49

As Christmas Day draws near, Salisbury Cathedral offers a range of special services to celebrate the season.

From the traditional Carols By Candlelight and First Eucharist of Christmas – otherwise known as Midnight Mass – to a Family Crib Service on Christmas Eve for families with young children. Everyone is welcome to join these services at this special time.

Upcoming Services:

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT

Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 December at 7 pm

Booking is not required, but please note these services are very popular, so queueing is advised. Doors will open one hour before the start of the service. Monday’s (22 December) Carols by Candlelight is live-streamed.

For those seeking traditional carols, the Carols by Candlelight services are unmissable. Join these beautiful candlelit services featuring bible readings, favourite carols and choral works sung by the Cathedral Choir as they tell the age-old story of Jesus’ birth.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

7.30 am Morning Prayer followed by Holy Communion

1pm A Family Crib Service for Christmas Eve

Booking is not required.

This short service for all the family, especially suitable for younger children, is a joyful retelling of the story of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. Includes traditional Christmas carols with modern flourishes and music from the Cathedral’s junior choristers and the Cathedral Youth and Junior Choirs.

2.30pm A Family Crib Service for Christmas Eve

Booking is not required.

5.30pm Choral Evensong

Booking is not required. This service is live-streamed.

Begin your Christmas with this moving service of choral music, readings and prayers sung by the Cathedral Choir.

11pm The First Eucharist of Christmas, or Midnight mass

Booking is not required.

Midnight Mass is one of the most popular services in the Christian year and is the beginning of the celebration of Christmas and the great twelve days that take us through into the New Year to the Feast of Epiphany.

CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICES

8am Holy Communion on Christmas Day

Booking is not required.

A Said service of Communion lasting approximately 30 minutes.

10.30am The Eucharist on Christmas Day

Booking is not required. This service is live-streamed.

A service celebrating the birth of Christ in this communion service on Christmas morning, hearing the profound words of the Prologue to St John’s Gospel, where he says “and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us”.

3pm Festal Evensong

Booking is not required. This service is live-streamed.

Celebrate Christmas with this moving service of choral music, readings and prayers sung by the Cathedral Choir. Booking is not required for this service.

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