What's on · Music and stage
Christmas concerts and carols at Ripon Cathedral
Ripon Cathedral's Christmas season, from the Advent carol service on 29 November through candlelit concerts and Nine Lessons and Carols to the New Year's Eve watchnight service
Ripon Cathedral's Christmas season starts with the candlelit Advent Carol Service and Procession on Sunday 29 November at 5.30pm. Ripon is about twenty-five minutes' drive from Thirsk.
December brings visiting concerts: a Rat Pack Christmas by candlelight on Friday 4 December, G4 on Saturday 5 December and the Macmillan Carol Concert by Candlelight on Monday 7 December, all at 7.30pm. The cathedral's own Christmas Carol Concert, with Ripon Cathedral Choir and the St Cecilia Orchestra, is on Sunday 20 December at 5.30pm.
The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols runs on 23 December and again on Christmas Eve. Both are ticketed, and the first release of tickets has sold out. On New Year's Eve the Watchnight Service starts at 11pm.
Dates still to come
- 29 November 2026Advent Carol Service and ProcessionA candlelit service, 5.30pm to 7pm
- 4 December 2026Ripon Cathedral: Rat Pack, A Swingin' Christmas by Candlelight
- 5 December 2026Ripon Cathedral: G4 Christmas
- 7 December 2026Ripon Cathedral: Macmillan Carol Concert by CandlelightAll proceeds to Macmillan Cancer Support. Tickets through macmillanriponcarolconcert.co.uk
- 20 December 2026Ripon Cathedral: Christmas Carol ConcertRipon Cathedral Choir and the St Cecilia Orchestra, with movements from Bach's Christmas Oratorio and carols to sing
- 23 December 2026Ripon Cathedral: Festival of Nine Lessons and CarolsTicketed. The first release has sold out and more tickets are due, with a few walk-in places. Doors 4pm
- 24 December 2026Ripon Cathedral: Christmas Eve servicesJourney to Bethlehem family service at 11am, Nine Lessons and Carols at 5.30pm (ticketed, also streamed), Midnight Mass at 11pm
- 31 December 2026Ripon Cathedral: Watchnight Service
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