Christmas at Hereford Cathedral

There is no other place quite like Hereford Cathedral to feel the true spirit of Christmas. We have curated all the festive events and services below and visit the Cathedral website if booking required or for further information.

Advent Carol Service

Sunday 1 December – 3.30 pm
Everyone is invited to join the Advent Carol Service. Tickets not required.

A Service for Advent in London

Tuesday 3 December – 6.30 pm
Hereford Cathedral Choir will perform in London at The Guard’s Chapel, Wellington Barracks in support of Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust. Tickets are available to order online. For more information on this event, please contact the Perpetual Trust on 01432 374260 or email perpetual.trust@herefordcathedral.org

Ex Cathedra: Christmas Music by Candlelight

Thursday 5 December – 7.30 pm
Ex Cathedra perform a seamless sequence of Christmas favourites, little-known gems and gorgeous new music, interspersed with a selection of readings, to explore the magic, mystery – and humour – of the season. Tickets are available from The Courtyard Box Office via courtyard.org.uk or 01432 340555.

Hereford Choral Society – Handel Messiah by Candlelight

Saturday 7 December – 7.30 pm
Much-loved since that first performance over 275 years ago at Neal’s Musick-Hall in Dublin’s Fishamble Street, Messiah has been at the heart of the choral society tradition for over 250 years.
To book your ticket, please visit the Hereford Choral Society website: herefordchoralsociety.org/DecemberConcert.php

Nativity Family Trail

Monday 9 December – Saturday 11 January
Discover the story of the Nativity this Christmas with our family trail! Collect your free trail from the Welcome Desk as you arrive, explore the building and collect a sticker once you’ve completed the worksheet.

Christmas Lego Club

Tuesday 10 December, 3.45 pm – 5 pm
Enjoy this freestyle Lego session with thousands of bricks and hundreds of mini figures, learn building techniques and make new friends. Cathedral Lego Club is suitable for children of all ages who can play with Lego safely. Supervision is required for younger children. Parents and Carers are welcome to stay, but accompaniment is not required during the session.
This after-school session is free to attend and booking is not required for this event.

ABF The Soldier’s Charity Christmas Concert

Wednesday 11 December – 7 pm
ABF’s annual Christmas concert returns in all its glory, with school choirs and bands. Tickets are available from The Courtyard Box Office via courtyard.org.uk or 01432 340555.

Hereford Cathedral Christmas Fair

Saturday 14 December, 9.30 am – 4 pm
Visit Hereford Cathedral for their wonderful annual Christmas Fair with over forty stalls selling a range of festive gifts. Admission free, with a collection to support the work of Hereford Cathedral. Carol Singing from 12 noon.

St Michael’s Hospice ‘Light up a Life’ Service

Sunday 15 December – 6 pm
Everyone welcome. Please visit st-michaels-hospice.org.uk for more information.

Toddler Carol Service

Monday 16 December – 9.45 – 10.30 am
Take your little ones to a special carol service just for toddlers in the Lady Chapel. Enjoy a delightful Nativity with storytelling, drama and beautiful Christmas songs. Dress up as your favourite Nativity character – a sheep, a star, Joseph, Mary or even a donkey!

Festival of Lessons and Carols

Sunday 22 December & Monday 23 December – 7 pm
Everyone is invited to the festival of Lessons & Carols. Admission by ticket only: to apply for your free ticket please collect an application form from the Cathedral Office or download from the cathedral website.

Christmas Eve Services

Christingle Nativity Service – 2 pm
A celebration of Christmas light for children and families, with the telling of the Christmas story and the distribution of christingles.
Admission is free with a retiring collection for The Children’s Society.

Choral Evensong – 5.30 pm
With Blessing of the Crib. Everyone welcome.

Midnight Mass -11 pm

Christmas Day Services

Holy Communion with hymns – 8 am
Cathedral Eucharist – 10 am (Preacher: The Bishop)
Choral Matins – 11.30 am (Preacher: The Dean)

Holy Innocents’ Day

Saturday 28 December – 3.30 pm
A quiet service of remembrance for parents and families who have suffered the loss of a child, whether recently or long ago. All welcome.