Christmas at the Cathedral: Here's what's on

Here are the highlights:

Regarded by many as the un-missable prelude to the Christmas season, From Darkness to Light takes place on the last weekend in November.

Symbolising the arrival of Christ as the light in our world, the Advent service begins in total darkness, broken only when a single candle is lit and a lone voice is heard. As the service unfolds, two processions bearing candles make their way from West to East, singing as they go. Taperers follow in their wake, lighting candles.

The service ends with the Cathedral interior ablaze with the light of 1300 flickering candles and a joyful procession of around ninety including the Bishop of Salisbury, Dean of Salisbury, Cathedral Canons, and forty-strong Cathedral Choir making its way down the nave to the West end. A sight not to be missed.

Essential info:
From Darkness to Light services start at 19.00 (doors open 18.00) on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 November and 17.00 (doors open 16.00) on Sunday 27 November.

For further information regarding seating please check the Cathedral website.

Art also features in the Cathedral this Advent and Christmas with an exhibition showcasing the work of British artist David Batchelor, known for his vividly-coloured sculptural installations of illuminated lightboxes, industrial dollies and other found objects.

Echoing the colour and joy of the Advent and Christmas season, David’s installations compliment the Cathedral's lovely stained glass, and his use of recycled materials chimes perfectly with the Cathedral's commitment to sustainability and the environment.

The exhibition, which is curated by Beth Hughes, Salisbury Cathedral’s Visual Arts Curator, will be in the Cathedral opens on Monday, 28 November and runs until Thursday, 2 February 2023.

Raising the Cathedral’s gigantic 34ft Christmas tree, sourced from Longleat’s sustainable forest, is always a big event at the Cathedral. This year it will be put in place by the Works Yard team on Monday 5th December, under the watchful eye of Richard Pike, the Cathedral’s ecclesiastical carpenter and Gary price, Clerk of Works.

Fabulously decorated with over 1000 fairy lights, this magnificent festive symbol offers a perfect Christmas photo opportunity, particularly reflected in the font.

A Christmas experience especially for groups, with the concert given by the Cathedral Choir and communal carol singing followed by mulled wine and mince pies in the Cathedral Cloisters. Starting 14.00 on Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th December, this is an opportunity to celebrate Christmas and share some seasonal cheer with your retirement group or club, work colleagues or a bunch of friends.

To find out more or reserve your spaces contact Kate or Hannah at groups@salcath.co.uk or 01722 555120.

Titles are yet to be announced but the Cathedral will be showing festive films in the Nave on Saturday 17th December.

A chance to enjoy the city’s Christmas lights from on high! Twilight Tower Tours return on Saturday 19th November following the big Christmas Light switch on in the city.

Climb 332 steps through the Cathedral’s historic roof spaces to the base of the Spire and enjoy a spectacular birds-eye-view of Salisbury dressed in its festive best, and the Close sparkling below, its trees festooned with fairy lights. A delightful scene at dusk.

Tickets are £16 for adults, £12 for students, £6 for a child and Private tours £150.

Two musical favourites come to the Cathedral this Christmas. On Saturday 10th December at 19.00 Handel’s Messiah sung by the Cathedral Choir, accompanied by the renowned City of London Sinfonia returns to the Cathedral.

A popular seasonal fixture in the Cathedral’s musical calendar, that never fails to delight.

Soloists include Robin Blaze, a familiar face at the Cathedral having sung countertenor for the Messiah in previous years. Robin is joined by Rebecca Hardwick (soprano), Ruairi Bowen (tenor) and Jake Muffett (bass), all of whom sang in the Southern Cathedral Festival performance of Haydn’s Creation last July.

Tickets are on sale via the Cathedral website.

The following weekend sees the return of the evergreen family classic, The Snowman Live. This heart-warming Christmas film event with a soundtrack provided by a live orchestra can be seen in the Cathedral at 16.00 and 19.00 on Monday 19th December.

In a double bill with The Snowman, Carrot Productions’ award-winning team are also showing The Flight Before Christmas, a sensational new Shaun the Sheep film staged with a live orchestra for the first time! Shaun’s festive excitement turns to dismay when a farmhouse raid to get stockings for the Flock goes wrong.

A wonderful introduction to orchestral music for children, the show is suitable for all ages. Ticket information available via the Cathedral website

The Cathedral’s annual Late Night Festive Open Evening is on Thursday 15th December from 18.30 – 21.00 this year. Wander around the Cathedral after dark, take a trip up to the West window or just pause to enjoy seasonal music provided by the Kate Edgar choir.

Children are welcome to play on the Cathedral’s child-friendly wooden Nativity, made by local artist Ray Wirick. The Nativity cast is expanding this year with new figures are being added to the Holy Family and its friendly donkey and sheep. Watch this space.

The Refectory or Cathedral Shop are also opening late, so visitors can pop in for a bite to eat or a spot of last-minute Christmas retail therapy.

This year the Cathedral is premiering a new carol by the celebrated composer Errollyn Wallen at its spectacular carol services on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th December.

Born in Belize, the carols of her childhood made a lasting impression on Errollyn, and she will no doubt bring some of that feeling to her new composition. She is a firm believer that music, especially at Christmas, has the power to bring comfort and joy to people from all walks of life and in any situation. She describes it as ‘the most enduring and life-binding thing that humans can make together and take part in’.

The services which recount the age-old story of Jesus’s birth through readings, favourite carols and beautiful choral works take place at 19.00 For information regarding seating please check the Cathedral website.

Over Christmas and New Year a host of Tiny Angels will be hidden around the Cathedral waiting for children to seek them out. This charming Christmas trail is available from the Welcome Desk from Friday 9th December to Tuesday 7th February 2023. A fun way for youngsters to get to know the Cathedral.

Angels also feature in this year’s Christmas Craft sessions taking place in South Transept between 10-12 midday on Friday 9th December and Monday 12th December. Children and their families are welcome to drop in and make their own Angel Wings. Sessions are free, no need to book.

A chance for all the family – old and young – to do some Christmas crafting.

Grown-ups can make cards to send to friends and family whilst small people can create their own Angel Wings to take home. Sessions take place in the South Transept between 10.00 and 14.00. Sessions are free, no need to book.

This joyously interactive service retells the story of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem with two narrators, multiple screens and cast strolling players. There are two services this year at 13.00 and 14.30. Both will last approximately 45 minutes.

Doors open 30 minutes before each service. Please arrive early to get a seat.

08.30 Morning Prayer
08.50 Holy Communion
13.00 Family Service (as above)
14.30 Family Service (as above)
17.30 Choral Evensong
23.00 The First Eucharist of Christmas or Midnight Mass

The First Eucharist of Christmas or Midnight Mass is one of the most popular Christmas services. It marks the beginning of the Cathedral's celebration of Christmas, the first of the twelve days of Christmas tide, which spans from the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord or Christmas Day to the Feast of Epiphany on Thursday 5th January 2023.

Everyone is welcome to join the Cathedral for Midnight Mass, sharing communion together, hearing the Christmas Gospel, singing Christmas carols and listening to beautiful Christmas music sung by the Cathedral Choir.

08.30 Morning Prayer
10:30 The Eucharist
15.00 Festal Evensong

All are welcome to celebrate Christmas at Salisbury Cathedral in this moving service of choral music, readings and prayers sung by the Cathedral Choir.

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