Advent and Christmas

Advent and Christmas

Join us at the Abbey as we prepare to celebrate Christmas, the coming of Jesus Christ.

Throughout the festive season, visit us or attend a service, concert, or event. Wherever you are, stream services or subscribe to our faith newsletter for inspiring content throughout this holy season.

Ticketing

Tickets for our Advent and Christmas services will be released on Monday November 16th and Wednesday November 18th at 9:30am and 2:30pm.

Mark your diary to secure your free tickets for these popular services, which will be available from this webpage.

Advent & Christmas Services

Attending a service at the Abbey is a special way to celebrate Christmas. Some of our most popular services require free tickets to be booked in advance.

An Advent Liturgy

An Advent Liturgy

Sunday, 29th November 2026

4.00pm - 5.00pm
The Abbey
Free (booking required)

An Advent Liturgy

An Advent Liturgy

Sunday, 13th December 2026

6.00pm - 7.00pm
St Margaret's Church
Free (no booking required)

Service of Lessons and Carols

Service of Lessons and Carols

23rd - 24th December 2026

6.00pm - 7.00pm
The Abbey
Free (booking required)

First Eucharist of Christmas (Midnight Mass)

First Eucharist of Christmas (Midnight Mass)

Friday, 25th December 2026

11.00pm - 12:30am
The Abbey
Free (booking required)

Christmas Day Holy Communion

Christmas Day Holy Communion

Friday, 25th December 2026

8.00am - 8.40am
The Abbey
Free (no booking required)

Christmas Day Sung Eucharist

Christmas Day Sung Eucharist

Friday, 25th December 2026

10:30am - 11.30am
The Abbey
Free (booking required)

Christmas Day Evensong

Christmas Day Evensong

Friday, 25th December 2026

3.00pm - 4.00pm
The Abbey
Free (no booking required)

Advent & Christmas in 90 seconds

Curious? Explore the liturgical seasons of Advent and Christmas at Westminster Abbey with these short explainer videos.

Advent in 90 seconds

Advent in 90 seconds

What is Advent? Why do we need to prepare before Christmas?

play button Play video
Christmas in 90 seconds

Christmas in 90 seconds

What is the meaning of Christmas? Why do we celebrate for twelve days?

play button Play video

Concerts and Events

Explore concerts, lectures, and family days at the Abbey this season.

Concert: Handel Messiah

Concert: Handel Messiah

Friday, 27th November 2026

7.00pm - 9.30pm
The Abbey
£17.28 - £65.34

Concert: A Seasonal Celebration of Benjamin Britten

Concert: A Seasonal Celebration of Benjamin Britten

Saturday, 5th December 2026

6.30pm - 7.30pm
St Margaret's Church
£0-£20

Photograph of singing choristers dressed in white robes with a red collar holding black folders containing sheet music. An illustration of a boy is included as in part of the choir.

Family day: Christmas crafts and carols

Saturday, 5th December 2026

10:00am - 1:00pm
Chapter House
Free (booking required). Tickets will be released on Friday 13th November 2026.

Photograph of a piano with four pages of sheet music and in the background a lit Christmas tree filling the whole space

Lunchtime talk: The origins of carols

Wednesday, 9th December 2026

1:00pm - 1:50pm
St Margaret's Church
£6.13 (including £1.13 booking fee)

Concert: Christmas with the Choir of Westminster Abbey

Concert: Christmas with the Choir of Westminster Abbey

Saturday, 19th December 2026

7.00pm - 8.30pm
The Abbey
Limited £17.28 seats left

The Great O Antiphons

The Great O Antiphons

Discover this musical Advent tradition at Westminster Abbey.

Advent and Christmas for Young People

Celebrate one of the most special festivals in the Christian calendar at school or at home with these resources.

What is Advent?

What is Advent?

What is Christmas?

What is Christmas?

Teaching Resources

Teaching Resources

Family Resources

Family Resources

Visit the Abbey

Visit the Abbey

The Abbey is open for visitors throughout December. Explore our visiting hours and available tours by clicking the button below.

Christmas gift shop

Christmas gift shop

Explore our range of exclusive cards, decorations and Christmas gifts.

Faith Newsletter

Receive Advent and Christmas reflections, sermons, and music direct to your inbox, and discover how we observe these seasons at Westminster Abbey.