Grab a candle, warm up your vocal cords and head to these London carol concerts
Yes, there may be food, presents, movies, time spent with family, etc., but one of the best things about Christmas has to be the music. Alright, not all of it, but sometimes there’s nothing better to lift the (Christmas) spirits than watching a carol concert. And there are plenty of opportunities for that in London this winter, whether at one of the city’s award-winning music halls or historic cathedrals.
Some concerts stick strictly to the classics, some mix in the pop hits and most invite the audience to get involved with a sing-a-long. Here’s where to find the best carol concerts in London – whether you’re more into the traditional stuff, or you have Mariah on repeat starting November 1st.
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall’s annual sing-a-long carol concert is a London favourite which features all the classics performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Choral Society and The National Youth Choir. There are various shows set for the run-up to Christmas and each will see a different presenter and soloist take to the stage. This year’s presenters will include Jess Gillam and Greg Beardsell, among others, and there’ll also be a soloist for each performance.
Sat 14th – Tues 24th December 2024
Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP
royalalberthall.com
Barbican
The Christmas Carol Singalong is coming to the Barbican this festive season. Pianist Jonathan Cohen will be joined by West End star Louise Dearman to perform a selection of the very best seasonal classics. Expect the likes of Let it Snow, Sleigh Ride, Merry Christmas Everyone, Santa Claus is Coming to Town and many more to be on the setlist.
Sun 22nd December 2024, 2pm & 5.15pm
Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
barbican.org.uk
St Luke’s Church (Nordoff and Robbins)
Music therapy charity Nordoff and Robins is back with another edition of their annual carol service at St Luke’s Church in Chelsea, and this year they’ve got Tony Mortimer of East 17 (and *that* Christmas song) on the line-up. The show will be headlined by Jamie Cullum, with Lemar and Jemma Redgrave (guest reader) also set to perform. Tickets are priced at £60, including a souvenir brochure, mulled wine and mince pie, and funds will go towards supporting the charity’s work with children and adults facing extreme life challenges.
Tues 10th December, from 7pm
St Luke’s Church, Sydney Street, London SW3 6NH
nordoff-robbins.org.uk
St Martin-in-the-Fields
St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square’s 18th-century church and landmark, will be putting on a series of different carol concerts throughout the Christmas period – they’ve got something for everyone. There’ll be family and kid-friendly services, traditional carol concerts, choral performances and more, so you can have a proper browse. Tickets start at a tenner, grab yours below.
Sun 1st – Tues 24th December 2023
Trafalgar Sq, London WC2N 4JJ
stmartin-in-the-fields.org
Action Against Hunger’s Sounds of the Season
Action Against Hunger UK is hosting its first ever festive concert this year at St Peter’s Church, Eaton Square. Sound of the Season, hosted by Shappi Khorsandi, will feature performances from the Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir and other artists, readings from well-known figures in the food and entertainment world, and festive treats from The Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown. And it’s all for a great cause, with every £42 ticket providing enough food to save the life of a child suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
Mon 16th December 2024
St Peter’s Church, 119 Eaton Square, London SW1W 9AL
actionagainsthunger.org.uk
Battersea Christmas Carol Concert
Organised by Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, this concert will take place at St Luke’s & Christ Church in Chelsea and, of course, there’ll be dogs in attendance. Expect to hear your favourite carols performed by the Collegium Musicum of London Chamber Choir as well as some special guests. Plus, there’ll be mince pies, mulled wine and the chance to shop for gifts, with all funds raised going towards providing homes to dogs and cats in need.
Thurs 5th & Fri 6th December 2024
St Luke’s & Christ Church, Sydney Street, London SW3 6NH
battersea.org.uk
Image credit: Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
Landmark Arts Centre
The Landmark Arts Centre’s much-loved Christmas carol concert is back for 2024, with two days of services featuring music by the Surrey Brass band, words by narrator Giles Abbott and performances by the Vaughan Williams Singers. Plus, there’ll be mince pies and mulled wine so you can eat, drink and be merry.
Sat 14th & Sun 15th December 2024
Ferry Road, Teddington TW11 9NN
landmarkartscentre.org
St Paul’s Cathedral
If you feel like listening to carols under the striking roof of a centuries-old cathedral, St Paul’s is your spot. They hold various carol services throughout December, starting as early as Sun 1st, which St Paul’s describes as some of “the year’s most dramatic services” (if they do say so themselves). Most of these are free and unticketed, but tickets to the paid events such as the Age UK or Blood Cancer UK carol concerts can be bought below.
Sun 1st – Sat 21st December 2024
St. Paul’s Cathedral, London EC4M 8AD
stpauls.co.uk
Cadogan Hall (The Macmillan Carol Concert)
Cancer charity Macmillan is bringing their Christmas carol concert to Cadogan Hall for 2024. Expect all the best carols performed by world-renowned artists, breath-taking musical solos and a collection of celebrity readings. This year, they’ll be joined by Dame Joanna Lumley, Baroness Floella Benjamin, Elaine Page OBE, Kai Widdrington and the Vivace Chorus among other guests. Tickets start at £25 and funds raised from ticket sales will go towards Macmillan’s work in support people living with cancer.
Tues 3rd December 2024
Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ
macmillan.org.uk
The Ned
Choirmaster Gareth Malone will be taking to The Ned’s The Nickel Stage for a few Sundays in December, performing all the Christmas classics from ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ to Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’. Seated tickets at Millie’s Lounge or Cecconi’s are £175 per person and include a three-course set menu. Or, take a seat at The Nickel Bar with a £175 minimum spend. Don’t mind standing? Those tickets are just £60, with entry starting at 8pm.
Sun 1st, 8th, 15th & 22nd December 2024, from 7pm
The Ned, 27 Poultry, London EC2R 8AJ
thened.com
The Dorchester
Following its debut last year, The Dorchester is hosting another Christmas concert this winter, featuring Alexandra Burke and opera singer Carly Paoli. The concert will take place at The Dorchester’s Artists’ Bar and The Promenade, with festive songs being performed at the hotel’s mirrored grand piano (formerly owned by Liberace himself). Seated tickets are priced at £185 per head and include a three-course set designed by culinary director Martyn Nail and a welcome cocktail. All proceeds from ticket sales will go towards The Dorchester’s long-time charity partner Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice.
Mon 25th November 2024, 7pm – 10pm
The Dorchester, 53 Park Lane, London W1K 1QA
dorchestercollection.com
Christmas by Candelight
Head to the Adelphi Theatre to see West End stars Joel Harper-Jackson, Rachel John, Oliver Tompsett and Rachael Wooding and a live band perform all the Christmas hits, including ‘White Christmas’, ‘Winter Wonderland’, ‘O Holy Night’ and “Holly Jolly Christmas’ – and singing along is encouraged.
Tues 17th December 2024
Adelphi Theatre, Strand, London, WC2R 0NS
concertsbycandlelight.com
London Gay Men’s Chorus: Christmas Bop
The London Gay Men’s Chorus always put on a hell of a concert and this Christmas special is set to be no different. Christmas Bop will feature festival classes with a vintage twist – we’re talking the era of jive, rock & roll and bunny hop – including ‘Jingle Bell Rock’, ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ and ‘I Saw Daddy Kissing Santa Claus’.
Fri 6th & Sat 7th December 2024
Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX
southbankcentre.co.uk
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