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Christmas carol services at Canterbury Cathedral, Rochester Cathedral and others for 2021

There’s nothing like carol singing to get you in the festive mood - along with some mulled wine and a mince pie.

Here are some services where you can really sing out.

Christmas carol services are coming Picture: iStock
Christmas carol services are coming Picture: iStock

Canterbury Cathedral

Start your lead in to Christmas week with Choral Evensong with Carols, which is on Sunday, December 19 at 5.30pm. It will be a chance to experience Evensong with traditional Christmas Carols. All are welcome.

One of the highlights of the Cathedral’s year, on Thursday, December 23, there will be a Cathedral Carol Service, which starts at 7.30pm, with doors opening at 6.30pm. Music and readings tell the story of the birth of Christ in an atmospheric service with candlelight, with music from the world-famous Cathedral Choir, plus traditional Christmas carols with the congregation.

The Family Crib Service will be on Christmas Eve at 11am, while the main event, the Cathedral Carol Service, follows at 3pm. Find out more here.

Canterbury Cathedral's Great South Window Picture: Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral's Great South Window Picture: Canterbury Cathedral

Rochester Cathedral

The popular Christmas Carol concert, one of the highlights of the festive season - which sold out in 2019 - is back on Saturday, December 18 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £20 for adults. The audience will have a chance to participate in some popular carols, and the choir will sing a range of festive favourites.

On Tuesday, December 21, the traditional carol service will be unticketed - but arrive in good time to get a good seat and view. Masks will be encouraged when entering and leaving.

There will be a second chance to catch this service on Wednesday, December 22, also at 7.30pm.

The Christmas Eve Carol Service arrives at 4.15pm and is also unticketed. Find out more here.

Rochester Cathedral Picture: Phil Lee
Rochester Cathedral Picture: Phil Lee

The Friars, Aylesford

The Friars is hosting Carols by Candlelight on Friday, December 10. Medway Towns Brass Band will be performing. plus there will hot drinks and mince pies on sale in the 13th century Pilgrims’ Hall. Tickets cost £4.50 and must be pre-booked on 01622 717272.

Carols in the Cowshed

The cattle will surely be lowing for this new event at Bore Place near Edenbridge on Saturday December 11 from 3pm to 5pm. The farm gates will open for visitors to see the cows being milked, and their new calves from the new gallery viewing area, before getting to enjoy carols, mulled wine and a mince pie. Tickets cost £8 for adults and £6 for children.

Carols in the Cowshed is coming to Bore Place for the first time this Christmas Picture: Bore Place
Carols in the Cowshed is coming to Bore Place for the first time this Christmas Picture: Bore Place

Visitors need to come suitably dressed with warm clothes, wellies and ideally a torch too.

The carol singers will collect for Hospice in the Weald and Crisis at Christmas. To book call office and events co-ordinator Becky Baldock on 01732 463255 or email becky.baldock@boreplace.org

Candlelit Christmas Concert

Guitarist and composer Richard Durrant heralds the start of another Christmas season with his family friendly evening of Christmas songs and wintry folk music; traditional carols and solo guitar music. He will be joined onstage by his sons Django and Felix,musician Brian Gulland and singer Amy Kakoura for the event at the Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells on Wednesday, December 15 at 7.30pm. For tickets at £20 call 01982 678678.

Gulbenkian, Canterbury

The Albion Christmas Band's tour sells out all over the country for the two weeks leading up to Christmas every year. Visitors can expect an evening of traditional English Christmas music, humorous stories and Christmas carols and ballads sung by Kellie While and Simon Nicol. It will be on Saturday, December 18 at 7.30pm. For tickets at £23 and £11 for students click here.

To let us know about more carol services, email whatsoneditor@thekmgroup.co.uk

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