Henshaw Carols by Candlelight Service at Manchester Cathedral

From lunch time services and Christmas Eve sing-alongs, to charitable services and large-scale classical music recitals, get yourself in the festive spirit this holiday season with the best Christmas carolling Manchester has to offer.


Alzheimer’s Society’s Carols at Christmas

Returning to Manchester Cathedral this year with festive treats including performances from Hywell Senior and Junior Choirs, and a reading by actor Judy Holt, unite against dementia in song this December, and join the Alzheimer’s Society from 18:30.

Where: Manchester Cathedral

Date: Saturday 1 December

Time: from 18:30

Tickets: Children 10+ £5.50, Adult £10.00, Combined (person living with dementia and carer) £12.00

Manchester and Districts Hospitals’ Choir Christmas Carol Concert

Held in aid of CLIC Sargent Young Lives Vs Cancer, a charity which supports young people with cancer and gives help to their families, join choirs from Manchester and surrounding districts in singing along to traditional carols. Supported by Greater Manchester Police Trumpeters, Chesham Primary School, and St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, make spirits bright alongside the whole family.

Where: The Bridgewater Hall

Date: Tuesday 4 December

Time: 19:30

Tickets: £17.50 - £22.50

Henshaw Carols by Candlelight Service

Hosted in Manchester’s stunning Cathedral, Henshaw Carols service is sure to be a spectacle that’ll kick the festive season off beautifully, with performances from top class vocalists including blind Soprano Denise Leigh, plus local choirs and talks by service users. Get your mince pies and warm your pipes on some mulled wine before you sing-along to some of your favourite Christmas carols!

Where: Manchester Cathedral

Date: Thursday 6 December

Time: 19:30 - 22:00

Tickets: £12 for adults, £8 for concessions (plus booking fee)

Mason Carol Service

Full programme to be announced.

Where: St Ann's Church

Date: Sunday 9 December

Time: 14:00

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Carol Concert

Chetham’s School of Music will be singing and performing during this lunchtime event designed to bring together Manchester’s business community over Christmas. With invites extended to members, guests and family, and mulled wine and mince pies served for the duration, this is sure to be a popular event - registering for free tickets to attend is required, and can be done here.

Where: Manchester Cathedral

Date: Tuesday 11 December

Time: 11:30 – 13:00

St Ann's Hospice Festival Choir

Held annually to raise money for St Ann’s Hospice, join this year’s Festive Choir and guests for a musical feast that’ll include popular carols and Christmas music include classics 'Jingle Bells', 'Ding dong! Merrily on high', 'Sleigh Ride' and many more! Bring the family and enjoy an evening supporting a worthwhile cause.

Where: The Bridgewater Hall

Date: Friday 14 December

Time: 19.30

Tickets: Under 16s £12.50, Adults £22.50

Christmas Carol Singalong

A drop-in sing-along service open to all, you’ll also have the opportunity to support worldwide Christian Aid projects through donation.

Where: Manchester Cathedral

Date: Saturday 15 December

Time: 12:00 – 13:30

Family Carols

Performing traditional works alongside modern pieces, sup your glass of wine and nibble on a mince pie as you join Manchester Cathedral Voluntary Choir for this family Christmas concert.

Where: Manchester Cathedral

Date: Saturday 15 December,

Time: 19:30

Tickets: Concessions £8.00, Adults £10:00

Image credit: The Hallé

A Christmas Carol

Adapted by Neil Brand from its original BBC Radio 4 broadcast, this dark and atmospheric version of the Dickens’ festive classic, set against an orchestral underscore, is sure to wow audiences this Christmas. A collaborative piece with Chester Philharmonic Orchestra, Manchester Chamber Choir and Manchester School of Theatre, tickets are available for 2 showings on Saturday 15 December, priced from £26.16.

Where: The Stoller Hall

Date: Saturday 15 December

Time: 16:00 and 19:00

Carols by Candlelight

With Mozart Festival Orchestra to perform in full period costume in a candle-lit style setting, expect a beautiful concert covering carol classics and seasonal favourites including ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ and Handel’s ‘Let the Bright Seraphim’.

Where: The Bridgewater Hall

Date: Thursday 18 December

Time: 19:30

Tickets: From £25.00

The Lunch Time Carol Services

Designed to fit into your lunch break, the Lunch Time Carol Service will take place in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Manchester, offering attendees outstanding music by Epiphany, and well-known Carols to sing-along to, alongside a collection of readings and engaging Christmas message.

Where: Methodist Central Hall

Date: Thursday 20 December

Time: 13:05 – 13:50

Tickets: Free for all, early arrival suggested to secure a seat

Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity – Christmas Carols in the City

Hosted by Cold Feet star John Thomson, with readings by charity patrons, the evening will see sing-along performances by Manchester High School for Girls & Manchester Grammar School, as well as the Manchester Survivors Choir. Expect a wonderfully festive affair, with refreshments to help give you that Christmas glow!

Where: Manchester Cathedral

Date: Thursday 20 December

Time: 19:00

Tickets: Children from £6:00, Adults from £12.00

The Booth Centre Christmas Carol Service

With a special performance by the Booth Centre’s Streetwise Opera group, this festive carol sing-along is held to celebrate the work of the city’s homeless services.

Where: Manchester Cathedral

Date: Friday 21 December

Time: 14:30

Tickets: Register for your free tickets via email, or ring 0161 835 2499

Hallé Carol Concerts

Offering entertainment for all the family, Hallé’s annual tradition, conducted by Stephen Bell, will offer a collection of carol favourites including Good King Wenceslas, plus Hallé Children’s Choir performing 'I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas', alongside beautiful music performed by the Hallé “in seasonal mood”.  With three time slots available, there’s plenty of opportunity for you to take in Hallé Carols this Christmas.

Where: The Bridgewater Hall

Date / Time: Saturday 22 December, 15:00; Sunday 23 December, 15:00 and 19:30

Tickets: from £15.50 (including booking fees)

A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Manchester’s tribute to the famous Nine Lessons and carols of King’s College Cambridge, the Cathedral’s nationally-renowned choir perform alongside Christmas readings, capturing the wonder of Christmas in the Cathedral’s spectacular surroundings.

Where: Manchester Cathedral

Date: Saturday 22 December

Time: 19:30-21:30

Tickets: Register for your free tickets, and check out the Cathedral’s site for more information and FAQs

Christmas Carol Singalong

‘Twas the afternoon before Christmas…the perfect time to join Jonathan Cohen at The Bridgewater Hall for a fun-filled jamboree of carols and Christmas hits. Performed at the hall for over 20 years, its an evening set to delight and kick-off Christmas with a festive bang!

Where: The Bridgewater Hall

Date: Monday 24 December

Time: 15:00

Tickets: from £20.00