This Christmas season there is something for all the family to enjoy at Lincoln Cathedral.
From festive services, amazing music and exciting events to Ice Sculptures, craft fairs and carousels!
Read on to find out more about our festive offerings this Advent and Christmas!
Winter wonderland weekend
Friday 8 to Sunday 10 December
There is a packed weekend of activities guaranteed to fire up the festive feeling between Friday 8 December and Sunday 10 December.
On Friday and Saturday, a crafters’ market will take place in the Chapter House and Cloisters with a carefully-curated choice of local crafters and artists ready to share their traditional and contemporary skills with you. Find something special as a festive gift or treat yourself!
On the Friday evening the music continues with a concert performance of Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols performed by the Voices of Lincoln Cathedral.
Admission to the Cathedral will be half price on both Friday 8 and Saturday 9 December, meaning adults can visit for just £5.50, and as always, children aged 16 and under can visit for free with a paying adult. Throughout the day there’ll be live music in the Nave including performances by Lincoln Vocal Academy.
There’ll also be family fun with Christmas crafts and storytelling in our Learning Centre:
– Create a Nativity character collage
– Make super sparkly stars
– Enjoy storytelling at 11am and 2pm
– Visit the stable corner
In the evening London Concertante will be performing Christmas at the Movies, a concert filled with songs from your festive favourites.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Cathedral will be taking part in the Lincoln Ice Trail. As well as hosting two of the sculptures as part of the trail around the city, at 12noon and 3pm on both days, there will be exciting live demonstrations of ice carving, giving you an insight into how these chilly creations are made! You can find out more about the ice trail and download a map here. There’ll also be a carousel on the Dean’s Green adding to the festive atmosphere.
Special services during the Advent and Christmas season
Advent Procession
Saturday 2 December, 6pm
This annual service marks the beginning of our spiritual preparation of the great festival of Christmas. The service takes us on a journey through the Cathedral, as we remember God’s promise to us, fulfilled through Mary, that Christ would come into the world.
Lighting of the Lincoln Peace Light at Evensong
Sunday 3 December, 3.45pm
The theme of light is a strong element of the Advent season, and in this service we will kindle the Lincoln Peace Light that will be maintained in the Morning Chapel throughout the Christmas Season, and form which organisations can light their own peace lights as a symbol that Christ is shining brightly in our communities.
After Hours – Walking Towards Christmas
Sunday 10 December, 6.45pm
A gentle and reflective space with time to wonder, and the chance to experience the unique and serene atmosphere of the Cathedral as the day draws to a close. The evening will finish with Compline.
Carol services
Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 December, 4pm
Our much-loved Christmas services of lessons and carols mark the start of Christmas for many families in Lincoln and beyond, and anticipate the great Christian celebration of the incarnation at Christmas.
Midnight Mass of Christmas Eve
Sunday 24 December, 11.30pm
Christmas begins with Midnight Mass, sung by the Cathedral Choir. All are welcome to join us to celebrate the gift of God’s love in the birth of Jesus.
Services for Christmas Day
8am – Holy Communion
10.30am – Sung Eucharist with the Cathedral Choir and Orchestra
12.30pm – Eucharist
3.45pm – Festal Evensong with procession to crib
Festive music and events for all to enjoy
Christmas by Candlelight
Tuesday 5 December, 7.30pm
An incredible West End Cast and live band perform classic Christmas Hits as you have never heard them before!
‘It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas’, so join us for this magical evening of best loved festive hits performed live by Candlelight.
Bublé Big Band Christmas
Wednesday 6 December, 7.30pm
Featuring a live Big Band and the UK’s number one Michael Bublé tribute act, join us for an unforgettable evening of Christmas hits made famous by the one and only Michael Bublé!
A concert performance of Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols
Friday 8 December, 7pm
Performed by the voices of Lincoln Cathedral and harpist Louise Thompson in St Hugh’s choir. Tickets include wine, canapes, and a lantern light tour of the Cathedral.
London Concertante: Christmas at the Movies
Saturday 9 December, 7.30pm
Get read to unwrap the ultimate Christmas holiday treat, with our Christmas Movies concert! With music from Elf, Home Alone, White Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life and many more, you’ll find it impossible not to be in the festive mood!
Carols by Candlelight
Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 December, 7pm
Join us for a magical evening of popular carols performed by Lincoln Cathedral Choir in the atmospheric surroundings of the candle-lit nave.
The Snowman
Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 December
The heart-warming story will be accompanied by a live orchestra who will bring the score to life and make the most of the incredible acoustics of the Cathedral. The nave will be lit to create a magical atmosphere ensuring an unforgettable experience for adults and children alike.
Tickets are available for Saturday 16 December at 8.30pm only. All other performances have sold out.
