Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

music dance

About this event

Hear a lone chorister begin Once in Royal David’s City in the darkness of Durham Cathedral, before readings and carols unfold the Christmas story. The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols offers families a traditional cathedral service with music at its centre, rather than a quick drop-in singalong. There are services on 22 December at 6pm and Christmas Eve at 3pm. Both are unticketed, and the cathedral advises arriving 60–90 minutes early and preparing to queue outside. That wait is worth considering carefully when bringing children: warm clothes and a plan for the time before the doors open will help. Christmas Eve is particularly popular; the cathedral recommends the earlier date as an alternative for visitors concerned about getting a seat.