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All are welcome to join us for Advent and Christmas at the Cathedral
Remember to check our Christmas Opening Hours
The Cathedral’s Music Department organises a range of events throughout the year, including organ concerts, song recitals, and orchestrally-accompanied performances given by the Choir. Additionally, the Cathedral’s musicians frequently give concerts further afield. Details of all forthcoming performances can be found below.
Highlighted Music events
NEW Tea Time Carols
Tuesdays (26 November-17 December), 16:00-16:30
Join our Cathedral clergy each week for storytelling and songs at the Crib, as we mark our journey to Christmas.
Aimed at young children, parents, and carers, but all those young of heart are very welcome to attend.
NEW Shoppers’ Carol Service
Saturdays (30 November-21 December), 12:30-13:00 on the Christmas Market Event Stage
Listen to beautiful music and add your own voice as we sing well-known carols together – just the thing to put you in the festive mood.
Join musicians, the Cathedral choristers and our staff for these joyous half-hour services, as you enjoy the Christmas market.
Advent Carol Service †
Sun 1 December, 17:30-18:30
This beautiful service at the start of the Advent season brings together music, readings, and the lighting of candles.
Mothers’ Union Advent Service
Wed 4 December, 11:00-12:00 in the Crypt
All are welcome.
St Nicholas Family Service †
Sun 8 December, 17:30-18:15
Join us and over 200 local school children - involved with our Schools Music Outreach Programme - as we celebrate the story of St Nicholas.
This joyful, short service is aimed at children, but is suitable for all ages to enjoy!
Demelza 'Celebration of Christmas'
Mon 16 December, 19:30-21:00 in the Nave
Demelza are delighted to invite you to their 'Celebration of Christmas' at Canterbury Cathedral for the 20th year!
This annual event - in support of Demelza House, the local children’s hospice care charity - will feature festive readings from special guests, including Cheryl Baker and Anna-Jane Casey, and timeless carols from the outstanding Canterbury Cathedral choir.
Access is via pre-purchased tickets; available from the Demelza website.
This event is organised and managed by Demelza.
Friends’ Carol Service †
Wed 18 December, 19:00 in the Nave
Hear the Cathedral bells ring out to greet you as you arrive at our Friendly traditional Service.
If you require additional arrangements to attend the service, please email [email protected]
Canterbury Choral Society Family Carols
Thurs 19 December, 19:00-20:30 in the Nave
Sing a selection of the finest carols with Canterbury Choral Society and the Festival Brass Ensemble.
Tickets: £13 Adults, £7 children (aged 3-16) Incl. £2 booking fee
Buy tickets online from the Canterbury Festival website.
This event is organised, managed and delivered by Canterbury Choral Society.
Sponsored by Pharon Independent Financial Advisers
Candlelit Reflection with Organ Meditation †
Sun 22 December, 17:30-18:30
A reflective service with scripture and poetry on the last Sunday before Christmas, led by Dean David, with La Nativité du Seigneur (The Birth of the Saviour) by Olivier Messiaen, played on organ by Jamie Rogers, Assistant Director of Music.
Cathedral Carol Services †
Mon 23 December, 17:30-19:00
Tues 24 December, 17:30-19:00
A major highlight of the Cathedral’s year, our Carol Services feature music by our world-famous Cathedral Choir, and readings to tell the story of the birth of Christ.
This is a popular service; queues likely. Doors open at 16:30.
Both Carol Services are un-ticketed.
If you require additional arrangements to attend please email [email protected]
Family Crib Service
Tues 24 December, 10:00-10:45
A short, joyful service for children and families tells the story of the birth of Jesus, with music from the Cathedral Choral Scholars and the singing of traditional Christmas Carols.
The Canterbury Festival
CANTERBURY FESTIVAL
MUSIC: Tenebrae Path of Miracles
Saturday 19 October, 19:00 in the Cathedral Nave
Joby Talbot’s modern masterpiece, Path of Miracles was Tenebrae’s first major commission in 2005 and has been captivating audiences worldwide ever since.
The work is based on the most enduring route of Catholic pilgrimage - the great Pilgrimage to Santiago.
The four movements are titled with the names of the four main staging posts of the ‘Camino Frances’ - the central axis of a network of pilgrimage routes to Santiago. This unique, dramatic work, ‘an evocative odyssey’ (The Times), showcases the voices of Tenebrae’s world-class singers.
Tickets: £23 - £34, Listening Seats £15
Sponsored by Craven Street Wealth.
Image credit: Sim Canetty-Clarke
CANTERBURY FESTIVAL
MUSIC: Festival Evensong
Sunday 20 October, 17:30 in the Quire
A sung service gives thanks and blessings for the performers and audiences taking part in the Festival.
Free event.
CANTERBURY FESTIVAL
MUSIC: Secret Byrd
Thursday 24 October, 18:30 & 20:45 in the Cathedral Crypt
Secret Byrd celebrates the 400-year legacy of William Byrd, one of England’s finest composers, in an immersive performance by candlelight featuring The Gesualdo Six and Fretwork, created and directed by Bill Barclay and produced by Concert Theatre Works.
Byrd was a recusant Catholic writing secret Masses to be sung by worshippers during the Reformation. These Masses were held in people’s homes with smuggled priests and hidden Catholic artifacts.
This extraordinary theatrical concert recreates the sense of danger of these secret gatherings in the atmospheric setting of Canterbury Cathedral’s Eastern Crypt.
Audiences rove freely among the costumed artists feeling the original hand-made part-books, all illuminated by candlelight.
Tickets: £36 - Capacity for this event is limited.
This roving event will require audience members to stand and move during the immersive performance. However, there will be chairs available for those that need them.
CANTERBURY FESTIVAL
MUSIC: Canterbury Choral Society Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610
Saturday 2 November, 19:30 in the Cathedral Nave
The Canterbury Festival is delighted to close this year’s Festival and mark its Ruby Jubilee with Canterbury Choral Society, who also celebrate Conductor Richard Cooke’s 40th year at the helm.
They will be joined by the Meridian Sinfonia to share its sheer beauty and greatness with a Festival audience, in the spectacular setting of the Cathedral Nave.
Tickets: £23 - £34, Listening Seats £15
Sponsored by South Canterbury and Fenwick Canterbury.
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