Services & times

See a complete list of the Abbey's upcoming choral services and organ recitals.

You are also able to see our calendar for the weeks ahead and view orders of service for selected services.

 

This week's services

22nd - 28th December 2024
Sunday, 22nd December 2024
Fourth Sunday of Advent
O Rex gentium
8.00am Holy Communion Nave
The Book of Common Prayer; said
10.00am Matins Quire
sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey

Ayleward Responses
Jackson Benedicite in G
Karg-Elert Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her

Order of Service available View Order of Service
11.15am Sung Eucharist High Altar
sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey

Byrd Mass for four voices
Byrd Ave Maria
Parry Fantasia in G

Preacher: The Reverend Dr James Hawkey Canon Theologian and Almoner

Order of Service available View Order of Service
3.00pm Evensong Quire
sung by the Lay Vicars

plainsong O Rex gentium
plainsong Responses
Moore First Service
Verdelot Beata es virgo Maria
Couperin Offertoire sur les grands jeux (Messe pour les Paroisses)

Preacher: The Reverend Mark Birch MVO Canon in Residence

Order of Service available View Order of Service
5.00pm Organ Recital Nave
given by Paul Greally, Assistant Organist

Carter Toccata on 'Veni Emmanuel'
Bach Canonic Variations on 'Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her' BWV 769
Messiaen Dieu parmi nous (La Nativité du Seigneur)

6.00pm Sung Eucharist St Margaret's Church
sung by the St Margaret's Choristers and Consort

Darke Communion Service in F
Willis I sing of a maiden
Price Toccato (Suite I)

Preacher: The Reverend Dr James Hawkey Canon Theologian and Almoner

Order of Service available View Order of Service
Monday, 23rd December 2024
O Emmanuel
7.30am Morning Prayer Quire
said
8.00am Holy Communion St Faith's Chapel
said
12.30pm Holy Communion St Margaret's Church
said
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Faith's Chapel
said
6.00pm Service of Lessons and Carols Abbey
sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey

attendance by free ticket only

arr Pearsall In dulci jubilo
Poston Jesus Christ the Apple Tree
Howells A spotless rose is blowing
Paish The Child-Christ watched sweet Mary's face
Rutter Shepherd's Pipe Carol
LeFanu Saint Ita's Lullaby
Cornelius The Three Kings
arr Wilberg Ding dong! merrily on high
Mathias A babe is born all of may
Widor Final (Symphonie VI)

Video available Watch this service
Tuesday, 24th December 2024
Christmas Eve
7.30am Morning Prayer Quire
said
8.00am Holy Communion Shrine
said
3.00pm Evening Prayer St Faith's Chapel
said
4.00pm Service of Lessons and Carols Abbey
sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey

attendance by free ticket only

arr Pearsall In dulci jubilo
Poston Jesus Christ the Apple Tree
Howells A spotless rose is blowing
Paish The Child-Christ watched sweet Mary's face
Rutter Shepherd's Pipe Carol
LeFanu Saint Ita's Lullaby
Cornelius The Three Kings
arr Wilberg Ding dong! merrily on high
Mathias A babe is born all of may
Widor Final (Symphonie VI)

6.00pm Service of Lessons and Carols St Margaret's Church
sung by the St Margaret's Choristers and Consort

Beamish In the stillness of a church
arr Rütti I wonder as I wander
Warlock Adam lay ybounden
Willis I sing of a maiden
arr Darbourne Silent night
arr Wilberg Ding dong! merrily on high
Bach Pièce d'orgue

11.00pm Sung Eucharist of Christmas Night High Altar
sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey

attendance by free ticket only

Vierne Messe solennelle
Poulenc Hodie Christus natus est
arr Ledger Silent night
Darke In the bleak midwinter
Dupré Prelude and Fugue in B

Preacher: The Reverend David Stanton Sub-Dean and Canon Treasurer

Order of Service available View Order of Service
Wednesday, 25th December 2024
CHRISTMAS DAY
8.00am Holy Communion High Altar
The Book of Common Prayer; said
10.30am Sung Eucharist High Altar
sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey

attendance by free ticket only

Palestrina Missa Hodie Christus natus est
Scheidt Puer natus in Bethlehem
Schütz Hodie Christus natus est
Bach Pièce d'orgue

Preacher: The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle KCVO MBE Dean of Westminster

Order of Service available View Order of Service
3.00pm Evensong Quire
sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey

Poston Jesus Christ the Apple Tree
Rose Responses
Dyson Evening Canticles in D
Sheppard Verbum caro factum est
Bach In dulci jubilo
Lanquetuit Toccata in D

Order of Service available View Order of Service
Thursday, 26th December 2024
St Stephen, deacon, first martyr, patron of the Palace of Westminster
8.00am Holy Communion St Faith's Chapel
said
8.40am Morning Prayer Quire
said
12.30pm Holy Communion Nave
said
5.00pm Evening Prayer Quire
said
Order of Service available View Order of Service
Friday, 27th December 2024
St John, apostle and evangelist
7.30am Morning Prayer Quire
said
8.00am Holy Communion Pyx Chamber
said
12.30pm Holy Communion Nave
said
5.00pm Evening Prayer Quire
said
Order of Service available View Order of Service
Saturday, 28th December 2024
The Holy Innocents
8.00am Holy Communion St Faith's Chapel
said
8.40am Morning Prayer St Faith's Chapel
said
5.00pm Evensong Quire
sung by Voces Aulae

Smith Responses
Stanford Evening Service in C
Warlock Bethlehem Down
Mendelssohn Allegro maestoso and Fugue (Sonata II)

Order of Service available View Order of Service

Everyone is welcome at these services, free of charge.

Service times and locations may change at short notice. Security checks are in place upon entry.

Wooden nativity scene in Westminster Abbey: Mary, baby Jesus, Joseph and farm animals

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Advent and Christmas

Celebrate Christmas at Westminster Abbey.