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From family carols, to traditional candlelit Christmas concerts and services reflecting on the meaning of Christmas, Bristol's seasonal carol concerts are sure to get your #MerryBristmas off to a sparkling start.
Bristol Cathedral
Image - Bristol Cathedral
Kick off your Christmas with a beautiful candlelit service to mark the beginning of Advent. The Cathedral starts off in pitch darkness and slowly comes to light through the spreading of candlelight. A moving and memorable experience, not to be missed.
When: 1 December, 6pm
Hospital charity Above & Beyond have planned an evening of magical carols at Bristol Cathedral, hosted by BBC Radio Bristol's Emma Britton. Performances will come from Blown Away! (part of the Bristol Concert Wind Band), the Above & Beyond Singers, SHE Choir, and St Ursula's Academy Choir. All proceeds from ticket sales and on-the-night donations will provide vital funding for Bristol city centre hospitals.
When: 12 December, 7.30pm
Little ones too small for regular carol services? Take them along to this informal carol service for babies, toddlers and pre-school children and join in with all the festive favourites as they move around the Cathedral - no need to worry about noise or little wrigglers! This event is extremely popular, so be sure to get there in plenty of time.
When: 19 December, 10am & 2pm
The Christmas concert highlight at Bristol Cathedral is sure to leave you with a warm festive glow. Be treated to haunting harmonies from the cathedral choir as they process down the aisle in near darkness carrying candles, hear readings by BBC Radio 4's The Archers John Telfer and sing along to your favourite carols. This concert sells out every year, so get your tickets now.
When: 20 & 21 December, 7.30pm
Family Carol Service & Blessing of the Crib
This young children-friendly retelling of the nativity story, features well-known readings and carols sung by Bristol Cathedral Choristers. Children (and adults!) are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, or shepherds.
When: 22 December, 3.30pm
Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Fill yourself with Christmas cheer right before the big day at one of the most-loved and traditional Christmas services in the city. Sing along to carols with festive fervour and hear readings from Bristol community figures in a packed out Cathedral. Due to the extremely popular nature of this service, it’s worth arriving with plenty of time to avoid disappointment.
When: 23 December, 6pm & Christmas Eve, 3.30pm
Welcome in the light of Christmas morning with a special midnight mass service and music from the Cathedral Chamber Choir.
When: Christmas Eve, 11pm
The Cathedral will be filled with joyous tunes from The Cathedral Choir accompanied by majestic notes from the organ, a string quartet and a trumpeter. Families and children are welcome.
When: Christmas Day, 10am
The Lord Mayor's Chapel
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Image - Bristol Cathedral, credit A Campbell
Carols in the Lord Mayor's Chapel
Hear popular Christmas carols and festive tunes from North Bristol Wellbeing Choir, a group who come together to boost their health and wellbeing through music. Don't miss the mulled wine and mince pies either.
When: 4 December, 7pm
St Mary Redcliffe
Treefest, St Mary Redcliffe
Advent: From Darkness into Light at St Mary Redcliffe Church
Starting by the light of one candle, the choir moves through the church singing Advent Music, followed by readings and Advent hymns for the congregation. The end of the service sees all the candles lit in church.
When: 30 November, 6.30pm
Add a little festive cheer to your mid-week lunchbreak, as Redcliffe Chamber Choir welcome everyone to sing with them.
When: 18 December, 1.15pm
An evening of traditional carols with Easton Salvation Army Brass Band and St Mary Redcliffe’s choirs.
When: 17 December, 7.30pm
Festival of Nine Lesson and Carols by Candelight
A selection of well-known carols for the congregation, alongside bible readings and choir carols to celebrate Christmas.
When: 20 December, 7.30pm & 22 December, 6.30pm
Hear the Christmas story in this child-friendly celebration, featuring popular carols and a nativity tableau. Children are invited to wear their nativity costumes.
When: 21 December, 4pm
A family-friendly service based on the Christmas story, later followed by a Midnight Mass at 11.30pm.
When: Christmas Eve, 4pm
John Wesley's Chapel, The New Room
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Image - John Wesley's Chapel, The New Room
Join the New Room’s annual Christmas celebration of traditional carols in a beautiful candlelit 18th-century chapel.
When: 18 December, 1pm & 6pm
Away in a Stable All-Age Carol Service
A Christmas service and carols outside a real stable, with children welcome to come dressed as nativity characters.
When: 23 December, 2pm
St George’s Bristol
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Image credit: Evan Dawson
The City Voices Bristol choir will perform a selection of seasonal songs as well as traditional carols that you can join in with.
When: 8 December, 7pm
Lord Mayor of Bristol's Children's Appeal Carol Concert
South West music groups Bold Brass and The Man Chorus will perform with special guests, raising money for disadvantaged children and young people in the city.
Tyntesfield
Image credit: Tyntesfield
Chapel Christmas Concerts
From the UWE Gospel Choir to Cheddar Male Voice Choir, a variety of local choirs are performing in Tyntesfield’s beautiful chapel over the festive season. See all the musical groups and dates of their performances here.
Wells Cathedral
Image - Choristers, Wells Cathedral
Mark the first day of Advent by attending this early evening carol service.
When: 1 December, 5-6pm
Wells Cathedral Carol Services
A traditional carol service led by the world-renowned Wells Cathedral Choir, plus bible readings. These traditional services take place on two nights, are not ticketed and always popular so arrive in good time (to be seated by 5.40pm).
When: 22 & 23 December, 6pm
Wells Cathedral’s two crib services are especially for children, who are invited to dress as a shepherd, angel or a King! They'll also be some costumes for kids who will be invited to take part in performing a real nativity scene in the Cathedral. Each service will last around 30 minutes.
When: Christmas Eve, 2pm & 3.15pm
Salisbury Cathedral
 - credit Ash Mills).jpg)
Join BBC Wiltshire for their live recording of 'Carols at the Cathedral'. The show will be transmitted on BBC Wiltshire on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day morning. The Aldbourne Band and Wiltshire's Zone Club will join Salisbury Cathedral Choir, conducted by David Halls.
When: 15 December, 5pm
Carol Concert in aid of Help for Heroes and ABF The Soldiers' Charity
Set to be a moving and remarkable evening, performers at this charity carol concert include best-selling vocal trio BLAKE, identical twin sopranos Classical Reflection, the Help for Heroes Choir, and The Band of the Rifles.
When: 20 December, 7.30pm
The Cathedral's Christmas Carol service is a wonderful mixture of beautiful choral music, popular carols sung by the congregation and the reading of the Christmas story.
When: 22 December, 7pm
Living God Gospel Church
Attend LGGC’s Christmas Carol for Afro-contemporary praise and worship as well as traditional hymns and scriptures, performances by special guests, and free all you can eat refreshments.
Plan the rest of your #MerryBristmas fun:
- Where to see Santa in Bristol this Christmas
- Find festive special offers in Bristol
- Christmas markets in Bristol
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For the latest information about opening and available facilities, please visit Tyntesfield's website.
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