The best festive singalongs for 2022
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas – so let’s get singing. From glorious choirs to celebrity speakers, we’ve put together a list of the best carol concerts in London this Christmas that are guaranteed to get you feeling festive.
The Best Carol Concerts in London To Get You Feeling Festive
- Cadogan Arms
- St Paul’s Cathedral
- All Souls
- Wellington Barracks
- Royal Albert Hall
- Holy Trinity Church
- Westminster Abbey
- St Martin-in-the-fields
- The Barbican
Cadogan Arms
When? 7 December
The Chelsea Pensioners are back at the Cadogan Arms this Christmas, performing their favourite carols from 6:30pm on Wednesday 7 December. Pop by for a mince pie and warming cocktails – think mulled wine, a hot toddy, or hot buttered rum – soundtracked by festivities. thecadoganarms.london
St Paul’s Cathedral
When? Throughout December
St Paul’s is back with a multitude of Christmas events (as usual), from ticketed celebrations to classic free and unticketed Christmas Carol Services (including on Christmas Eve) running throughout December. stpauls.co.uk
All Souls Langham Place
When? Various times on 10, 11, 15, 17 & 18 December 2022
Head to All Souls Langham Place for an evening of traditional Christmas carols, festive readings, complimentary mince pies and warming Christmas punch. No booking needed – you can just turn up to this one. allsouls.org
Combat Stress at The Guard’s Chapel, Wellington Barracks
When? 7–9 pm, 14 December 2022
Combat Stress is back at Wellington Barracks for its annual Christmas carol concert, with donations going towards veterans’ mental health. There’ll be performances from the Chapel Choir, musicians and celebrity readers. Tickets for the sparkling drinks reception are now sold out, but you can still purchase service only tickets, or you can stream the service live if you can’t make it in person. combatstress.org.uk
The Story of Christmas
When? Live on 14 December, streaming from 18 December
The star-studded festive charity appeal, The Story of Christmas, is back for 2022. Having raised £650,000 last year, Dame Judi Dench is heavily involved with the 2022 production, with celebrity readers including Jennifer Saunders, Ian Hislop, Clare Balding, and more. This year, the chosen charities are CRASH, Place2Be, Restore the Music, SHP, Starlight, St Christopher’s Fellowship, St Mungo’s, The Tim Henman Foundation and We Are Beams. Tickets to the event on 14 December are available to corporate sponsors and generous personal donors, but everyone is welcome to watch the recorded event from 18 December. socappeal.com
(c) Raphael Tomi, Unsplash
Royal Albert Hall
When? 17–24 December 2022
This is the big one. The carol concert at the Royal Albert Hall is a must-attend. Greg Beardsell will be presenting, and there’ll be performances from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Choral Society, National Youth Choirs of Great Britain and the British Imperial Military Band. With all the classics to be performed in this magnificent setting, it’s sure to be a spectacular night. royalalberthall.com
Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Square
When? Throughout December
Holy Trinity Church will be hosting several carol concerts this Christmas, many in aid of charities, with performances from celebrity readers and various choirs, including the Battersea Choral Society and Goldsmiths Choral Union. sloanechurch.org
Westminster Abbey
When? Throughout December
Carol concerts here are particularly special – the Westminster Abbey choir in this historic setting is pretty remarkable. With events throughout December, many of which are free, aim to get there early to avoid the (inevitable) long and snaking queue. We’d recommend to try and get seats in the nave for the best view. westminster-abbey.org
When? 7–8 pm, 11 December 2022
Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir at St Martin-in-the-fields
Positioned in central London, St Martin-in-the-Fields guarantees a heartening evening of traditional carols by candlelight, with the Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir performing Mary’s Nativity, combining music and spoken word to tell the story of Jesus’ birth. Free to attend, stmartin-in-the-fields.org
The Barbican
When? 21–30 December 2022
The Barbican is promising a fun and festive extravaganza this Christmas, kicking off on 21 December with carols from the world-renowned Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, joined by the Crouch End Festival Chorus. There’s also Carols by Candlelight on 22 December, Jingle Bell Christmas on 23 December, and Horrible Histories’ Horrible Christmas from 27–30 December to round out the season. barbican.org
Featured image: David Beagle, Unsplash
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