Christmas with Wells Cathedral

Advent and Christmas services

Advent Carol Service
Sunday 29 November, 5.00pm – 6.15pm (Doors open at 4.00pm)
Welcome the season of Advent with this very special service, which begins with the Cathedral in darkness. Featuring traditional Advent carols, music from Wells Cathedral Choir, and the premiere of the winning entry from the Cathedral’s Advent Carol Competition.

Cathedral Carol Services
Wednesday 23  and Thursday 24 December, 6.00pm – 7.15pm (Doors open at 5.00pm)
Our annual popular Cathedral Carol Services have been named by Classic FM magazine as the ‘top choice’ in the South West. The Cathedral’s Great Choir will lead the music for the services, and there will be plenty of sing-along carols too!

Crib Services
Thursday 24 December, 1.15pm – 1.50pm and 2.30pm – 3.05pm
Our Christmas Eve Crib Services are short, fun, 35-minute services for children, who are invited to attend dressed as a character from the Nativity. The Cathedral holds two of these services as they are so popular!

Eucharist of Christmas Night
Thursday 24 December, 11.00pm – 12.30am
The beautiful and atmospheric Eucharist of Christmas Night will be sung by the Schola Cantorum, our group of professional sopranos, and the Vicars Choral of Wells Cathedral Choir.

Christmas Day Eucharist
Friday 25 December, 10.30am – 12.00 noon
Celebrate Christmas Day at this sung service – a 10.30am Eucharist with the Cathedral’s Great Choir – after which the Chapter invites the congregation to join them for a glass of fizz in the North Transept!

Also on Christmas Day:
Book of Common Prayer Communion 8.30am 
Said Evening Prayer 3.00pm (held in the Vicars’ Close Chapel)

Seasonal Music

Experience the sound of the season at Wells Cathedral, with a rich programme of concerts, recitals and special musical events. Explore the highlights below or view the full programme on our What’s On page.

G4 Christmas
Tuesday 17 November, 7.30pm
Gather to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year as G4 bring glad tidings of great joy this festive season, with the return of their ‘G4 Christmas’ tour in the most awe-inspiring cathedrals, priories, minsters, halls and abbeys across the UK.
Tickets from £17.50; via g4official.com

Callas Candlelight Christmas
Friday 27 November, 7.00pm
Soprano Charlotte performs beloved opera arias from Puccini and Bellini alongside cinematic Hans Zimmer favourites, backed by live musicians beneath a thousand candles this Christmas.
Tickets from £15; via eventbrite.com

Wells Cathedral Choir: Handel’s Messiah
Saturday 5 December, 7.00pm
The acclaimed Wells Cathedral Choir is joined by outstanding instrumentalists and soloists from across the UK for a stirring performance of Handel’s enduring masterpiece.
Tickets from £15; via wellscathedral.org.uk

One Voice: Peace and Hope at Christmas
Saturday 12 December, 7.00pm
Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society is proud to present a remarkable evening of music and storytelling in magnificent surroundings.
Tickets from £15; via bathboxoffice.org.uk

Nutcracker Suite at Christmas
Wednesday 16 December, 7.30pm
This special festive concert with the Piccadilly Sinfonietta features a sparkling programme of much-loved classical masterpieces, including selections from Tchaikovsky’s enchanting Nutcracker Suite, Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2, and a joyful traditional festive medley guaranteed to capture the spirit of the season.
Tickets from £21.60; via eventim-light.com

Carols by Candlelight
Saturday 19, Sunday 20 and Monday 21 December, 7.00pm
With performances from the world-renowned Wells Cathedral Choir and guest readers from the local community, these concerts offer an unforgettable evening in the spectacular glow of more than 3,000 twinkling candles, illuminating every corner of the Cathedral from floor to vaulted ceiling. The Cathedral’s Loft Café will be open before each concert, serving a range of refreshments for guests to enjoy.
Tickets from £10; via wellscathedral.org.uk

Festive Family Fun

Christmas Story Trail
Available throughout December
Visit the Cathedral during December and follow our Christmas Story Trail, available from the Welcome Desk! Explore the Cathedral to find the glass, carvings, and embroideries that relate to the Christmas story, colouring in the matching story panels as you go.  At home, cut and fold it to make a festive decoration!

Christmas Sing-Along
Saturday 19 December, 10.00am – 11.00am
Wells Cathedral Song Squad choirs invite families to sign-up for this special festive event, aimed at children aged 4 to 11. Enjoy singing fun Christmas songs and joyful carols, and free hot chocolate and shortbread for all participants after the event.

Christmas Crafts
Saturday 19, Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 December, 10.30am – 3.30pm
Get the holidays off to a festive start with our creative workshop for children!

Angels and Stars (Saturday 19): Make a beautiful Christmas decoration to take home.

Stained Glass Candle Holders (Monday 21): Take inspiration from the Cathedral’s stained glass to decorate your own Christmas candle holder.

Festival Foliage (Tuesday 22): Make a seasonal centrepiece to adorn your table this Christmas using natural materials, including foliage from the Cathedral gardens.

Cathedral Shop

Find the Perfect Christmas Gift
Open Daily 10.00am – 4.30pm (Sundays 11.00am – 3.00pm)
From festive decorations and Christmas cards to unique local gifts and children’s toys, the Cathedral Shop is full of seasonal inspiration.

10% Off on Tuesdays
Tuesdays in December, 10.00am – 4.30pm
Enjoy 10% off all items in store every Tuesday in December, and make your festive shopping that little bit more special. Merry Christmas!

The Loft Café

Festive Treats
Open Daily 10.00am – 4.00pm
Savour festive treats and winter warmers at our award-winning café, The Loft. Open daily for dining in or taking away.