There’s nothing like singing a carol to get you in the Christmas spirit.
If you’re looking for a traditional Christmas activity this festive season – then you need not look further than some carol singing or a church service. We’ve put together a guide of where you can find them in York!
Are we missing a Christmas service a carol singing event? Let us know by dropping us a line at [email protected].
Carol singing
Christmas Carol Concerts
York Minster’s popular Christmas Carol Concerts return offering the perfect start to the festive season. The Choir of York Minster, one of the UK’s leading cathedral choirs, will perform traditional and much-loved Christmas music, with seasonal readings from special guest David Bradley and the chance for the audience to join in with carols. The concerts take place in the beautiful setting of York Minster’s awe-inspiring Nave and include music by the Yorkshire Volunteer Band.
- York Minster, Deangate, York, YO1 7HH
- Thu 4 – Fri 5 Dec
- 7pm
- More info
Christmas Candlelight Concert 2025
On Friday 5th December at Heslington Church, York, join SASH for a heart warming evening filled with festive music and community spirit. Under the soft glow of candlelight, you’ll enjoy live performances from the Acomb Community Choir and the talented Holly May Violin. Audience participation encouraged!
This special evening forms part of SASH’s Winter Appeal which is raising vital money this winter to help young people in our community find safety, support and warmth when they have nowhere else to go. Every ticket sold and every donation made on the night will help us provide a safe place for young people to stay this Christmas.
- Heslington Church, Field Lane Heslington York YO10 5ED
- Fri 5 Dec
- 7pm
- More info
Advent Carol Service
A traditional carol service by candlelight. Hot chocolates and mince pies will be served afterwards.
- Trinity Church York, St Anthony’s Hall, Peasholme Green, York, YO1 7PW
- Sun 7 Dec
- 6pm
- More info
The Ebor Singers: A Ceremony of Carols
Few works capture the joy and wonder of Christmas as vividly as Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols. Composed in 1942 during Britten’s voyage home to England from the USA, this luminous eleven-movement work for upper voices and harp blends medieval texts with modern harmonies to create a sound world both intimate and radiant, and a timeless celebration of Christmas spirit. Alongside this, familiar carols are lovingly arranged in Vaughan Williams’ joyful Fantasia on Christmas Carols and Cecilia McDowall’s atmospheric A Winter’s Night, with pieces by Howells and York-based composer Richard Allain. Blending beauty, energy and reflection, this concert offers a rich tapestry of choral music to mark the festive season.
- St Olave’s Church, Marygate, York YO30 7DR
- Sun 7 Dec
- 7:30pm
- More info
York St John University Christmas Carol Service 2025
Come and celebrate with the staff and students of York St John University at our annual Christmas Carol Service in the glorious surroundings of York Minster. There will be a performance from our dance students, as well as the chance to listen to readings and sing traditional carols. All guests are invited back to York St John University after the carol service to carry on the festive celebrations with mulled wine and mince pies and time to socialise.
- York Minster, Deangate, York, YO1 7HH
- Tue 9 Dec
- 7:30pm
- More info
Christmas Concert by York Opera
Everyone is welcome to our dementia-friendly carol service. Come and sing traditional carols followed by festive refreshments and singing by a choir from St Oswald’s CE School.
- St Oswald’s Church, Main Street, Fulford, YO10 4HJ
- Thu 11 Dec
- 2:30pm
- More info
Chanticleer Candlelit Carols
For many, the popular Chanticleer Singers carol concerts mark the beginning of the Christmas season. This wonderfully atmospheric candlelit carol concert will feature traditional carols and Christmas music, including arrangements by modern composers such as Ola Gjeilo, Bob Chilcott, Ann Burgess, Andrew Carter and others. The concert will also include uplifting Christmas readings and audiences will have the chance to join the choir in singing well-loved carols. Drinks and mince pies will be available during the interval.
- St Michael’s Church, Market Place, Malton, YO17 7LX
- Fri 12 Dec
- 7:30pm
- More info
Chanticleer Christmas Carols
For many, the popular Chanticleer Singers carol concerts mark the beginning of the Christmas season. This wonderfully festive concert will feature traditional carols and Christmas music, including arrangements by modern composers such as Ola Gjeilo, Bob Chilcott, Ann Burgess, Andrew Carter and others. The concert will also include uplifting Christmas readings and audiences will have the chance to join the choir in singing well-loved carols. Drinks and mince pies will be available during the interval.
- St Peter’s & St Paul’s Church, Hall Garth, Pickering, YO18 7AW
- Sat 13 Dec
- 4pm
- More info
York’s Annual Community Carol Concert
It just wouldn’t be Christmas without York’s Annual Community Carol Concert returning to York Barbican for yet another seasonal feast of your favourite Christmas carols and songs. Join Shepherd Brass Band, St Paul’s CE Primary School Choir, All Saints RC School Choir and Amber Ford with a special guest appearance of Ken Humphreys for an afternoon of Christmas cheer. Carol Concert regular, the popular Steve Cassidy, will be singing along with the ensemble, whilst the community singing will be led by Musical Director Mike Pratt. The event will be hosted by Rev Andrew Foster and Adam Tomlinson.
- York Barbican, Paragon St, York, YO10 4AH
- Sun 14 Dec
- 2pm
- More info
Christmas Sing-Along
Celebrate the festive season with the Wilberfoss Amateur Theatre Society at our joyful Christmas sing-along! Join us for an evening of cheerful tunes, fun for all the family. Free entry – cash donations for refreshments are welcome.
- Wilberfoss Community Centre, Main St, Wilberfoss, York YO41 5NN
- Sun 14 Dec
- 5-6:30pm
- More info
Sankta Lucia: Festival of Light
An atmospheric, candlelit procession and carol service for all the family based on the traditional Swedish Lucia celebration.
- York Minster, Deangate, York, YO1 7HH
- Mon 15 Dec
- 7pm
- More info
Choirs at Christmas
Join us for a heartwarming concert series filled with festive favourites, joyful harmonies and the spirit of togetherness all in support of the theatre and its community work. Featuring four different talented local choirs each night, this family-friendly event is the perfect way to celebrate your holiday season. Whether you love traditional carols, modern Christmas classics or simply the joy of live music, there’s something for everyone.
- Joseph Rowntree Theatre, Haxby Road, York YO31 8TA
- Tue 16 – Thu 18 Dec
- 7:30pm
- More info
York In Recovery Christmas Carol Service
Celebrate the spirit of Christmas with our enchanting Carol service. Gather with family, friends, and community members to enjoy the timeless melodies that echo the joy, warmth and love of the season.
- St Helen’s Church, York YO1 8AN
- Wed 17 Dec
- 1:30pm
- More info
Christmas Concert with Micklegate Singers
A magical evening of carols and festive music performed by the Micklegate Singers.
- St Columba’s, 32 Priory St, York YO1 6EX
- Thu 18 Dec
- 7:30pm
- More info
Carols by Candlelight
Celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Chapter House Choir in the magnificent candlelit Nave of York Minster with this much-loved seasonal tradition. Directed by Ben Morris, the choir will perform a rich selection of carols both old and new, joined by the Chapter House Youth Choir, under the direction of Charlie Gower-Smith, alongside festive favourites from the Handbell Ringers of the Chapter House Choir.
- York Minster, Deangate, York, YO1 7HH
- Fri 19 Dec
- 7:30pm
- More info
Christmas service
Advent Procession
Join York Minster’s worship to mark the start of Advent with an atmospheric and breath-taking candlelit service of music, readings and prayers.
- York Minster, Deangate, York, YO1 7HH
- Sun 30 Nov
- 5:30pm
- More info
Nine Lessons and Carols
Two services consisting of nine special readings, music sung by the Choir of York Minster, and well-loved Christmas carols for everyone to join in with. A traditional Christmas celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
- York Minster, Deangate, York, YO1 7HH
- Tue 23 – Wed 24 Dec
- 4pm
- More info
Christmas Day at York Minster
May the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance of the magi, the obedience of Mary and Joseph, and the peace of the Christ Child be yours this Christmas.
Travel in heart and mind to Bethlehem as York Minster celebrates the arrival of Jesus Christ, light of the world.
- York Minster, Deangate, York, YO1 7HH
- Thu 25 Dec
- 8am – 5:15pm
- More info
Christmas Day at Trinity Church York
Join us as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ! Suitable for all ages.
- Trinity Church York, St Anthony’s Hall, Peasholme Green, York, YO1 7PW
- Thu 25 Dec
- 10:30am
- More info
