Christmas Services in London

If you’re in London over Christmas and want to get into the meaning of the season (at least before the pubs open), here’s a listing of some of the major churches in central London that will be holding Christmas services.

NOTE: Remember that on Christmas Day there’s no public transport. To attend Christmas Day services, you’ll need to walk or arrange for a taxi or minicab ride.

Westminster Abbey
Located right across from the Houses of Parliament
Christmas Eve
11:30pm First Eucharist of Christmas & Blessing of the Crib Christmas Day:
Christmas Day
8am Holy Communion (said)
10:30am Sung Eucharist
3pm Festal Evensong

Westminster Cathedral
On Victoria Street, just around the corner from Victoria Station
Christmas Eve
11:30 pm Vigil and Midnight Mass
Christmas Day
8am Mass
9am Mass with Carols
10am Morning Prayer
10:30am* Solemn Mass
12pm Sung Mass with Carols
3:30pm* Solemn Vespers and Benediction
*The Cathedral Choir will sing at the 10:30 and 3:30 services.

St Paul’s Cathedral
At the top of Ludgate Hill in the City of London
Christmas Day
8am Holy Communion
8:45am Mattins
11am Sung Eucharist
3.15pm* Festal Evensong and Procession
*A traditional service of seasonal music, readings, and Christmas carols sung by the Cathedral choir.

St Martin-in-the-Fields
In the northeast corner of Trafalgar Square, with a colonnaded facade, tall single spire and blue clock faces
Christmas Eve
11:30pm Midnight Mass
Christmas Day
10:30am Eucharist
2:15pm Communion Service in Mandarin & Cantonese*
*Close to Chinatown, the church holds regular services in English, Mandarin and Cantonese

Southwark Cathedral
Close to the river on the southern side of London Bridge
Christmas Eve
11:30pm Midnight Mass by Candlelight
Christmas Day
8:45am Morning Prayer
9am Eucharist with Carols
11am Choral Eucharist