Christmas carol concerts London 2018: Best church carols, classical and quirky choirs for the festive season

Know your five gold rings from your Three Kings? And your Little Donkey from your Little Drummer Boy?

If you like to fa-la-la along to a festive tune in anticipation of the big day (or even just listen to one), then there are plentiful places offering all sorts of carolling events in London.

From church services to quirky knees-ups (and some even with mince pies and mulled wine to keep your pipes warm), these are the carol concerts that all ye faithful should come to this Christmas.

Church Carols

Westminster Abbey

Take your carolling back in time at an 11th century royal church and London icon. Among its many festivities, Westminster Abbey will host a Christmas Meditation on December 16, which features a performance of Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols and a reading of the Nativity story by David Suchet. This one is listen-only, but you can join in at other carol events in the Abbey, including one on Christmas Eve.

Throughout December, westminster-abbey.org

St Martin-In-The-Fields

This Covent Garden church is opening its doors to Christmas shoppers with a Saturday carolling session on December 8, designed for those looking to take a break from the retail rush. John Landor also conducts Handel and Vivaldi at a family-focused concert on December 1, before the audience are invited to sing along to their favourite carols.

Throughout December, stmartin-in-the-fields.org

Southwark Cathedral

It’s all about charity at Southwark Cathedral, with fundraising carol concerts planned for Mercy Ship, Crisis and Marie Curie – which promises celebrity guests – as well as a singalong candlelit service for Feed The Minds.

Throughout December, cathedral.southwark.anglican.org

St Paul’s Cathedral

Get the festive feeling under St Paul’s iconic dome Charity concerts will be held for the Alzheimer’s Society and the British Red Cross as well as for Age UK. The event promises to be a particularly star-studded affair, with Russell Watson and Laura Wright set to perform. Free concerts also take place in the days before Christmas, with children especially welcome on December 22.

Throughout December, stpauls.co.uk

St Giles-in-the-Field

This Camden church will host African Promise’s charity carol concert on December 5, supported by a host of participating celebrities. Readings will come from the likes of Sheila Hancock, David Caves and Penny Lancaster, with singing from Felix Kemp. Proceeds from the night go towards the charity which supports schools in Kenya.

December 5, africanpromise.org.uk

Classical Music Carols

Royal Albert Hall

Head to London’s biggest classical music venue for one of the jolliest singalongs in town. December 23 and 24 will see the Royal Albert Hall get festive with the Royal Choral Society, the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the fanfare team of Her Majesty’s Welsh Guards. The 5,000 strong crowd are invited to join in with the singing, with compère Greg Beardsell leading the masses.

December 23 & 24, royalalberthall.com

Barbican

Theatre impresario Raymond Gubbay will be looking after the Christmas festivities at Barbican this year. A Christmas Classics concert on December 20 will feature some hearty carolling from the London Concert Orchestra and the City of London choir, and a candlelit concert on December 23 will go back in time. The night will see all musicians and singers dressed in 18th century costume, with a reading from former Doctor Who star Peter Davison.

Throughout December, barbican.org.uk

Southbank Centre

Christmas is coming to the Southbank Centre, and so is the legendary King’s College Choir, who are travelling from Cambridge to team up with the Philharmonia for a carol concert at Royal Festival Hall on December 13. TV presenter Matt Baker will also host Grand Christmas Classics on December 14, a festive spectacular featuring over 200 performers singing seasonal classics and giving readings, before the audience are encouraged to join in with carols. All events are part of the Winter festival at Southbank Centre.

Throughout December, southbankcentre.co.uk

Quirky Carols

Battersea Dog and Cats Home

You’ll be dachshund through the snow to get to this puppy party. The famous animal home is going walkies down the road to St Luke’s Church in Chelsea, where it will stage a carol concert to benefit its fluffy inhabitants. As well as mulled wine, mince pies and pet-friendly goodie bags, participants will also be joined by the dogs of the home who will be woofing along to Good King Wenceslas with the best of them.

December 7, battersea.org.uk

The Burlesque Carol Concert in Leicester Square

This carol concert is most definitely on the Naughty List. House of Burlesque, one of the UK’s top burlesque production companies, will be bringing feather-fluttering fun to Leicester Square’s festive programme in the form of a carol concert packed with showgirl sass. Sing along to Christmas carols with the troupe, who will also be putting on eye-popping performances throughout the evening.

November 27 - December 4, christmasinleicestersquare.com

Christmas Carols in Trafalgar Square

Carolling goes al fresco in Trafalgar Square, where it’s all going old-school at the base of the famous Norwegian christmas tree. Choirs and groups can apply to sing in the prime spot and collect for charity throughout their hour of carolling, but no PA system or stage is allowed, in order to keep it traditional. You’ll be able to find them there every day from December 10-21 (apart from December 15).

December 10-21, london.gov.uk

Anspach & Hobday

If mulled wine isn’t your tipple, maybe this will take your fancy. Bermondsey craft brewery Anspach & Hobday have teamed up with Instagram foodie Matt the List to put on a proper knees up in the railway arches of Druid Street. A choir will lead the crowd in a cheer-filled singsong, while the brewery ensures that all participants are well-libated.

December 7, Facebook event page

Central Hall Westminster

Central Hall Westminster is ready for anything, having hosted it all from rock concerts to London Fashion Week. This Christmas it will welcome a night of jazz carols, Raymond Gubbay’s candlelit concert with singers and musicians in 18th century dress, and fun-filled singalong sessions on December 15 and 22, featuring traditional carols and Christmas pop hits.

Throughout December, c-h-w.com

Eltham Palace

Palaces don’t get much quirkier than Eltham Palace. This unique house mashes up original medieval and Tudor architecture with stunning art deco design courtesy of its more recent owners. You can get festive in its surrounds with a carolling session in the beautiful Great Hall, which dates back to the 15th century.

December 3, english-heritage.org.uk