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Best Christmas carols and concerts in London 2023

Get in the festive spirit with the best Christmas carols and concerts London has to offer over the holiday season.

Three young boys sing Christmas carols at Westminster Abbey
Christmas at Westminster Abbey choir. Credit: Dean & Chapter of Westminster. Image courtesy of Westminster Abbey.

Sing along to popular Christmas carols in London, enjoy music recitals with a seasonal twist and be entertained by performers at festive concerts this winter.

To learn more about the Christmas story, head to one of London's iconic cathedrals and churches, such as Westminster Abbey or St Paul's Cathedral, for a special advent service or winter concert during Christmas in London.

Discover some of best London Christmas carols and concerts for 2023 – get in the festive spirit with a visit to one of London's top Christmas carols listed below.

Christmas carols and concerts at St Martin-in-the-Fields

Check out the family-friendly lineup of Christmas concerts and carols at the atmospheric St Martin-in-the-Fields Church in Trafalgar Square. Bring the whole family along to carols for kids and enjoy special candlelit performances, Handel’s Messiah and contemporary gospel songs in this elegant setting. 1-22 Dec

Carols in the Courtyard at Fulham Palace

Revelers sing carols in Fulham Palace courtyard
Carols in the courtyard, Fulham Palace. Credit: Marcus Dawes. Image courtesy of Fulham Palace House & Garden.

Head to Fulham Palace for Carols in the Courtyard, an annual Christmas event in the beautifully restored Tudor courtyard. Keep the cold at bay with a warming mulled wine and tuck into some traditional Christmas fare, including mince pies. 2-3 Dec

Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall

Choir sings at Royal Albert Hall carol event
Carols at the Royal Albert Hall. Credit: Andy Paradise/Paradise Photos. Image courtesy of Royal Albert Hall.

Enjoy the Royal Albert Hall's annual programme of festive carols, shows and concerts. The jam-packed calendar features a spectacular staging of Guy Barker's Big Band Christmas and events headlined by Dame Judi Dench, Jamie Cullum and Gregory Porter. 2-24 Dec

Advent and Christmas at St Paul's Cathedral

Visit London’s iconic St Paul's Cathedral for its annual programme of Advent and Christmas services in the lead-up to Christmas. Look out for traditional carol performances, Handel's Messiah, charity concerts and a midnight Eucharist on Christmas Eve. 2-25 Dec

Christmas at Westminster Abbey

Carol singers at Christmas at Westminster Abbey
Christmas choir at Westminster Abbey. Credit: Dean & Chapter of Wesminster. Image courtesy of Westminster Abbey.

Join a series of concerts, recitals and Christmas services in the beautiful surroundings of Westminster Abbey. The abbey plays host to a popular annual Christmas concert, where young choristers and musicians lead an evening of carols, readings and choral works. 3-25 Dec

Christmas Festival at St John's Smith Square

Orchestra accompanies carol singers at St John's Smith Square
Carols at the Christmas festival. Credit: St John's Smith Square. Image courtesy of Chloe Nelkin Consulting.

Become filled with Christmas cheer amid the baroque features of St John's Smith Square. Attend choir performances, listen to organ recitals and enjoy carols sung by the Parliament Choir during the annual Christmas Festival at the Westminster concert venue, where Benjamin Britten once sang with his school choir. 5-23 December

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Christmas Carol Concert at St Luke's Church

Dog at Battersea's Christmas Carol Concert
Battersea Dogs & Cats Christmas Carol Concert. Credit: Battersea. Image courtesy of Battersea.

Support the mission of the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home by attending its annual Christmas Carol Concert in London. The charity, which looks after and rehomes lost and abandoned animals, brings along some of its four-legged residents for two evenings of festive fun at St Luke’s Church in Chelsea. 7-8 Dec

Carol concert at Up at The O2

Embark on a thrilling journey 52 metres (170 ft) above ground and be serenaded by carol singers at Up at The O2. With a backdrop of the city at night, you can enjoy festive tunes during a Twilight Climb at London's highest outdoor carol concert. 9-10 Dec

Christmas at the Barbican

Discover the Barbican’s exciting series of festive concerts, carols and singalongs for Christmas. One of Europe’s largest arts centres, it welcomes a world-class lineup of wintertime performances, including a Christmas carol singalong, a performance by King's College Choir and a screening of Love Actually with a live orchestra. 16 Dec-1 Jan

Christmas carols in Trafalgar Square

Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square at night time with fountains and surrounding buildings lit up
The world-famous Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square © James O Jenkins. Image courtesy of James O Jenkins.

Head to the famous Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, where choirs perform carol concerts in the run-up to Christmas. Hum along to the festive classics sung by the groups in a traditional style without microphones or amps. Dec TBC

Find the best Christmas trees in London, shop for gifts at the top Christmas markets in London or discover what else is on during Christmas in London.

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