There is no better time to visit Canterbury than December as the Cathedral prepares itself for one of the most important events in the Christian calendar. The life size crib, designed and made by Cathedral staff and ‘sewing ladies’, is worth a visit and the music sung by the Cathedral choir at Services can only be described as ‘heavenly’.
Main Christmas Concerts
11 December 19.30 Harry Christophers & The Sixteen – The Angel Gabriel
17 December Canterbury Choral Society – Family Carols
18 December 19.30 The Christmas Jethro Tull
Main Christmas Services
23 December 19.30 hrs Christmas Carol Service (doors open at 18.00 hrs)
24 December 11.00 hrs Crib Service
24 December 15.00 hrs Christmas Carol Service (tickets only)*
25 December 11.00 hrs Main Christmas Eucharist (Preacher: The Archbishop of Canterbury)
15.15 hrs Choral Evensong with Carols
28 December 15.00 hrs Christingle Service**
* The two Carol Services are identical, except that the Service on 24 December is a ticketed event. To apply for tickets, send a stamped, addressed envelope to Cathedral House, Carol Service, The Precincts, Canterbury CT1 2EH. Tickets will be allocated on a first come, first served basis and issued to private individuals only.
**The Christingle has its origins in a Moravian children's Service held in a castle in Germany on Christmas Eve in 1747.
The congregation will receive a Christingle, consisting of:
an orange . . . representing the world
a red ribbon, tied round the orange . . . representing the blood of Jesus
fruits and sweets on four sticks. . . representing God's good gifts - the fruits of the earth and the four seasons
a lighted candle pushed into the centre of the orange . . . representing Christ, the light of the world
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For information on all Carol, Christmas and Christingle Services and other events, visit www.canterbury-cathedral.org or call the Visits Office +44 (0) 1227 762862.