Advent and Christmas 2024
A season of celebration
We welcome everyone to join us this Advent and Christmas in anticipation and celebration of the birth of Jesus. Whether you intend to join us for one of our special services of worship, or to bring your friends and family to enjoy the special atmosphere of this beautiful building, all are welcome inside our Cathedral.
With our giant 32ft Christmas tree, carved wood nativity scene, and stunning foliage arrangements adorning the building, Salisbury Cathedral is the perfect place to experience a traditional Advent and Christmas.
READ OUR 2024 ADVENT & CHRISTMAS BROCHURE
General Winter Visiting Hours
10:00 – 17:00 Cathedral floor (last entry at 16:00)
10:00 – 16:30 Magna Carta and Chapter House
The Cathedral may be closed to visitors at certain times during this season for services and special events. Please click here for general visiting opening times and closure information.
Candlelit Worship in Advent
The word Advent comes from the Latin ‘adventus’ meaning ‘arrival’ or ‘coming’. This is the time when Christians prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus and look forward to the time that Jesus will come again.
At Salisbury Cathedral we mark the beginning of Advent with our popular candlelit services From Darkness to Light: The Advent Procession. With music by the Cathedral Choir, these processing services see over 1,000 candles gradually lit to illuminate the medieval interior, taking us from darkness into light as we embrace the hope of Advent.
29 Nov 2024,19:00 | From Darkness to Light: The Advent Procession
30 Nov 2024, 19:00 | From Darkness to Light: The Advent Procession
01 Dec 2024,17:00 | From Darkness to Light: The Advent Procession
For those seeking traditional carols, our beautiful Carols by Candlelight services are unmissable. Join us at these beautiful candlelit services featuring bible readings, favourite carols and choral works sung by our Cathedral Choir as they tell the age-old story of Jesus’ birth.
22 Dec 2024, 17:00 | Carols by Candlelight
23 Dec 2024, 19:00 | Carols by Candlelight
Don’t miss a special Cantata Evensong on 24 November. The Cathedral Choir will perform J.S. Bach’s sacred cantata ‘Wachet Auf, ruft uns die Stimme’, accompanied by period instruments.
24 Nov 2024, 16:30 | Cantata Evensong
Christmas Eve Worship
Christmas Eve is the start of the Church’s great celebration of Christmas, a season of joy and festivity that lasts up until the Christian festival of Candlemas. At Christmas we celebrate the mystery of God coming to earth as Jesus Christ. Please see below details of our services on Christmas Eve.
24 Dec 2024, 13:00 | A Family Crib Service for Christmas Eve
24 Dec 2024, 14:30 | A Family Crib Service for Christmas Eve
24 Dec 2024, 17:30 | Choral Evensong
24 Dec 2024, 23:00 | The First Eucharist of Christmas (Midnight Mass)
Christmas Day Worship
All are welcome to join us on Christmas Day, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus in a poor stable, visited by shepherds and heralded by angels.
25 Dec 2024, 08:00 | Holy Communion
25 Dec 2024, 10:30 | The Eucharist on Christmas Day
25 Dec 2024, 15:00 | Festal Evensong on Christmas Day
Special Events
The return of our popular Twilight Tower Tours will kick off the festive season in November. December will see Salisbury Cathedral come alive with music in many styles. A popular fixture in the Cathedral calendar, Handel’s rousing masterpiece Messiah will be performed on 7 December by the Cathedral Choir, acclaimed soloists, and the City of London Sinfonia.
For those planning a special festive day out with a larger group, we have the return of our Group Carol service. The Cathedral Choir will perform popular carols for the congregation to sing along to. Meanwhile, we’re pleased to welcome back G4 on 5 December and Jethro Tull on 12 December for their Christmas-themed concerts.
Another popular festive event, our Late Night Opening takes place on 10 December. This free event is the perfect opportunity to explore Salisbury Cathedral after dark, with seasonal music, family craft activities, trips up to the West window, and a chance to visit the Cathedral’s hidden library.
16 Nov 2024 – 04 Jan 2025, 15:30 | Twilight Tower Tours
05 Dec 2024, 19:30 | G4 Christmas at Salisbury Cathedral
07 Dec 2024, 19:00 | Handel’s Messiah
10 Dec 2024, 14:00 | Group Carols
10 Dec 2024, 18:30 | Festive late night opening
12 Dec, 19:30 | Christmas with Jethro Tull
Festive Fun for Families
We have a range of family-friendly festive activities this Advent season. Starting with the Christmas Family Trail from 7 December to 2 February, families can follow the clues to tell the Story of the Nativity. For those looking to get creative, Christmas Craft sessions are scheduled for 9, 20 and 21 December. A highlight is our Festive Family Day on 14 December featuring crafts, festive singing, and a cosy evening screening of Home Alone. These activities promise fun for all ages and a memorable experience this winter.
All are welcome to our Christmas Eve crib services for families, which are especially suitable for younger children. These include Christmas carols with modern flourishes and a joyful retelling of the story of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, as well as music from the Cathedral’s choristers and Cathedral Youth and Junior Choirs.
07 Dec 2024 – 02 Feb 2025 (during opening hours) | Christmas Family Trail
09 Dec 2024, 10:00 | Christmas Crafts (all ages)
14 Dec 2024 | Festive Family Day
10:00-12:30 | Family Crafts
12:30-14:45 | Festive Singing
19:00-21:00 | Film Screening (Home Alone)
20 Dec 2024, 10:00 | Christmas Crafts (all ages)
21 Dec 2024, 10:00 | Christmas Crafts (all ages)
24 Dec 2024, 13:00 | A Family Crib Service for Christmas Eve
24 Dec 2024, 14:30 | A Family Crib Service for Christmas Eve
18 Jan 2024, 14:00 | Epiphany Pageant Play
Epiphany Worship
The season of Epiphany begins 12 days after Christmas Day. The word ‘epiphany’ means ‘manifestation’ or ‘appearance’, and the Feast of the Epiphany marks the recognition of the newborn Jesus by the world. This is a time for thinking about, and reflecting on, the way in which the promises of Christmas become real, or have the potential to become real, in our lives and the lives of those around us.
18 Jan 2024, 14:00 | Epiphany Pageant Play
26 Jan 2024, 17:00 | The Epiphany Devotion
Food and Drink
With stunning views of the spire through its glass roof, why not visit our Refectory Restaurant for delicious homemade cakes, deli sandwiches, hot and cold drinks, and a selection of festive treats?
Refectory open daily
Mon-Sat 09:30-16:45
Sun 10:00-16:00
The Refectory will be temporarily closed from 31 December and relocated to the South Transept for around two months, starting 6 January 2025.
Beautiful and Unique Gifts
We pride ourselves on offering an interesting and eclectic mix of products in our Gift Shop, whether you are looking for a memento of your visit or a thoughtful Christmas gift for that ‘difficult to buy for’ friend. Many of our items are locally made, and many (such as our beautifully illustrated advent calendar) are unique to the Cathedral. You can also find the latest recordings from the Cathedral Choir and organist available to buy on CD.