Everything planned at Salisbury Cathedral for Christmas 2024

This includes the ‘world-famous’ Darkness to Light Advent service, the installation of a huge Christmas tree and twilight tower tours.

Visitors can listen to a rendition of Handel’s Messiah and watch Home Alone on a big screen.

Salisbury's Cathedral Choir, accompanied by the City of London Sinfonia, performs Handel’s Messiah (Image: Finnbarr Webster) The very revd Nicholas Papadopulos, dean of Salisbury, said: “This is Advent, a season of anticipation and preparation.

“We are getting ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas.

“So, bring your family and friends and join us in worship at one of our profoundly moving and uniquely inspiring services - or come to one of our special seasonal events.

“Enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of this glorious building at this time of year. I promise you a warm welcome: we will be delighted to see you.”

A Christmas tree standing at 30ft tall and decorated with more than 1,000 fairy lights will be unveiled on December 2 (Image: Salisbury Cathedral) Here are the events taking place in the run-up to Christmas at Salisbury Cathedral.

For full details of Advent and Christmas services and events, visit www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/advent-and-christmas

Services

The festive season begins early this year with a special Cantata Evensong on November 24.

The Cathedral Choir will be accompanied by period instruments to perform Johann Sebastian Bach’s ‘Wachet Auf, ruft uns die Stimme’.

From Darkness to Light: The Advent Procession will mark the official beginning of Advent at the Cathedral from November 29 to December 1.

Choristers at Salisbury Cathedral (Image: Salisbury Cathedral) The cathedral will be plunged into darkness and then illuminated as more than 1,000 candles are lit while two processions move through the building with music and readings.

Other special services in the run-up to Christmas will include Carols by Candlelight on December 22 and 23, where the story of the nativity will be told through Bible readings, choral works and Christmas carols.

Read more: Tickets selling fast for return of the cathedral's Sarum Lights 

Read more: Salisbury Cathedral named among Britain's most beautiful buildings

Music

The cathedral says a “particular highlight” of the festive season will be Handel’s Messiah on December 7 in support of Salisbury Cathedral’s Choral Foundation.

The full Cathedral Choir will team up with the City of London Sinfonia and four distinguished soloists, including former chorister Camilla Harris, to perform the celebrated piece of music that includes the famous ‘Hallelujah’ Chorus.

Fun for families

A “magnificent” Christmas tree, which stands at more than 30ft tall and will be decorated with 1,000-plus fairy lights, will be installed on December 2.

The cathedral will host its late-night opening on December 10. This will offer free entry to the cathedral and a range of activities including crafts, music, tours to the private library and West window and photo opportunities with the nativity scene, floral arrangements and tree.

Visitors can climb to the base of the cathedral's spire at a twilight tower tour (Image: Salisbury Cathedral) Families can also enjoy craft days throughout December, a Christmas nativity trail, and a family crib service on Christmas Eve for a modern retelling of the Nativity.

Classic film Home Alone will be shown on a big screen on December 14.

Special Tours

Visitors can also take in the “gorgeous sights of Salisbury at Christmas” by climbing the 332 steps to the base of the spire, before finishing the tour with a sweet treat at the Refectory Restaurant and browsing the cathedral shop.