Carol Services in London

Music has always been at the heart of a British Christmas and London typifies this tuneful fascination. Charitable singers gather on street corners, church congregations swell and concert halls welcome world-class performers. Get inside some of the city’s finest venues, including historical landmarks like Westminster Abbey and the Royal Albert Hall, or simply gather around the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square and join the rest of London for a good old fashioned round of carols...

Osterley Park Stable Yard Carols

Osterley Park, Isleworth, Middlesex, TW7
3rd, 10th and 17th December 2006

The yard of the Osterley Park's, still-working, Tudor stables will be packed with good cheer for Sunday afternoons as guests gather together for a traditional carol service in the crisp December air. For an additional charge visitors can step inside the house itself to catch a glimpse of how Osterley Park would have prepared for Christmas in days gone by.

Built in the 16th century, the house was completely revamped by Scottish architect Robert Adam during the 18th. The striking white pillar colonnade that fronts the house is just a taster, paving the way for the ensuing, fabulous, neoclassical state rooms.

The house is set in 140 acres of gorgeous, verdant parkland complete with ornamental lakes and pleasure grounds. It's the perfect place to take a winter stroll and blow away all the cobwebs. Keep your eyes peeled for the ghost of a mysterious lady dressed in white, rumoured to haunt the grounds.

Osterley Park Stable Yard Carols - Information | Hotels near Osterley Park

Christmas Carol Sing-Along 2006

Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7
16th December and 20th December 2006

Get involved and help raise the roof at this annual audience participation extravaganza. The whole crowd will be giving their lungs a good workout as they belt their way through a stack of festive tunes accompanied by the London Concert Chorus and Orchestra.

This will be a staunchly populist ‘greatest hits’ set, taking in anything from religious staples like ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’, to ‘Frosty the Snowman’ and Bing Crosby’s ‘White Christmas’. Tickets for this London favourite are likely to sell out fast.

The Albert Hall itself is a fabulous venue for a concert. Opened by a speechless Queen Victoria in 1871, the celebrated amphitheatre and dome have played host to hundreds of triumphant performances, including the Proms, for over fifty years.

Christmas Carol Sing-Along 2006 - Information | Hotels near Royal Albert Hall

Carols at Sutton House

Sutton House, 2 & 4 Homerton High Street, Hackney, E9
16th December 2006

East London’s oldest private house presents a pair of carol concerts on the middle Saturday of December; one an evening concert, the other a cheerful family sing-song affair. As well as the concert in the Wenlock Barn, guests are invited to take a look around the rest of this marvellously preserved building.

The house was built in 1535 for Sir Rafe Sadleir, Principal Secretary of State for Henry VII, and has seen many alterations throughout its near half-millennium history. Inside the original oak panelling, painted staircase, carved fireplaces and Jacobean paintings are a feast for the eyes, not to mention the mural left by squatters during the 1980s.

Experience some of London’s rich past, then warm your hands around a piping glass of mulled wine and usher in the festive spirit.

Christmas Carols at Sutton House - Information | Hotels near Sutton House

Carols at Ham House

Ham House, Richmond-upon-Thames, TW1
10th, 16th and 17th December 2006

Resting on the banks of the Thames in outlying Richmond, the Great Hall of this magnificent 17th century building will be the venue of a series of carol concerts.

The afternoon performances will be family-orientated fiestas with a visit from Santa and presents for the young ones, whereas the later concerts will be accompanied by more revelry, with mulled wine and mince pies on offer in the remarkable 17th century Orangery during the interval.

Soak up the tones of Musica Divina directed by Simon Desbrulais, plus a number of orations and showcase pieces, as well as the carols to join in with.

Christmas Carols at Ham House - Information | Hotels near Ham House

Spitalfields Winter Festival

Christ Church, Commercial Street, E1
11th December - 19th December 2006

Despite its age – 29 this Christmas – the Spitalfields Winter Festival is still a fresh alternative to the more traditional carol services. A varied programme of innovative festive music will be taking place throughout December in and around the beautifully restored Christ Church.

Things to look forward to this year include bell-ringing from the Royal Society of Cumberland Youths, a performance by male choir Exaudi accompanied by cellist Rohan de Saram, music from the European Union Baroque Orchestra and the yearly community carols event. To conclude the festivities the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Singers conducted by Sir Andrew Davis will perform Berlioz's 'L'Enfance de Christ'. Those who can't get a ticket to enjoy the concert inside Christ Church can experience it on a big screen in Spitalfields Market.

With kids from local schools getting involved, this is a real community event so expect large, loyal crowds and plenty of good cheer. For details of other venues please phone. Booking ahead is essential for this perennially popular event.

Spitalfields Winter Festival - Information | Hotels near Christ Church, Spitalfields

Carols for Choir and Audience

Queen Elizabeth Hall, Royal Festival Hall, South Bank, SE1
20th December 2006

Join the City of London Choir for an evening of sing-a-long Christmas standards as the Queen Elizabeth Hall swells with the rich sound of festive cheer.

Conducted by Hilary Davan Wettan with Mark Williams on the organ, this is a very traditional concert. The crowd have the chance to get fully involved as well as sitting back and listening to some marvellous guest soloists.

The programme will mix ancient carols with contemporary tunes to create a heady blend of celebratory airs from across the ages.

Carols for Choir and Audience - Information | Hotels near Queen Elizabeth Hall

Bach Christmas Oratorio

Westminster Abbey, Parliament Square, SW1
7th December 2006

The setting of every coronation since 1066, Westminster Abbey doubles up as a fabulous venue for a Christmas concert. This performance of Bach's Christmas Oratorio should help get you in the festive spirit.

The English Concert Chamber Orchestra will be joined by the Choir of Westminster Abbey and the soaring voices of mezzo soprano Renata Pokupic and tenor Andrew Staples. These are all world-class performers and should do justice to the piece.

Unlike other composers of the Baroque era, Bach composed his Christmas Oratorio to be used specifically in church. A unified piece, but split into six cantanas, each section focuses on a different part of the Nativity.

Bach Christmas Oratorio - Information | Hotels near Westminster Abbey

Midnight Mass at Southwark Cathedral

St George's Cathedral, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1
Christmas Eve, 24th December 2006

The hub of South London’s Roman Catholic community puts on one of London’s most renowned midnight masses. Join thousands of others, singing right on into Christmas Day.

The atmosphere is always jovial and this really is a celebration and extremely welcoming to visitors and those new to churchgoing.

The celebrations here were broadcast on the BBC in 2004 popularising this inspiring service.

Midnight Mass at Southwark Cathedral - Information | Hotels near Southwark Cathedral

Christmas Four Seasons with Audience Carols

St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, WC2N
9th December 2006

Over the course of an early December eve, the London Musical Arts Ensemble will weave a glorious blend of Vivaldi’s masterpiece with some traditional Christmas carols at this picturesque, historic, central London venue. This is a great chance to listen to some beautiful music and sing your heart out.

The Ensemble have been stalwarts at St Martin-in-the-Fields since 1992 and, with conductor John Landor still at the helm, these concerts promise to be a combination of sing-a-long fun and fleet, fresh, finesse.

Situated right in the middle of London you might imagine St Martin-in-the-Fields to be an impersonal place, but actually with its ‘ever-open door’ the parish has a surprisingly welcoming community feel about it. Scottish architect, James Gibbs, completed the church in 1721. His beautiful Italian Baroque magnum opus was greeted with initial derision, but the design has been much imitated since all over the world.

Worship has been going on at the site for nearly 800 years and music has played an integral part in this. In centuries past the congregation have enjoyed concerts from talents including Handel and Mozart.

Escape the hive of activity outside in Trafalgar Square, to the sanctuary of St Martin’s, to listen and participate in some festive tunes.

Christmas Four Seasons with Audience Carols - Information | Hotels near St Martin-in-the-Fields