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Advent & Christmas

 
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Celebrate the spirit of Advent and Christmas at Portsmouth Cathedral with traditional services and joyous events that capture the essence of the season. Our choirs are ready to fill the air with melodies that echo the good news of Christmas.

Join us for a journey through the festive season with Christmas Carols, Midnight Mass, and Christmas Day services. Once again we’re delighted to be live-streaming and offering BSL interpretation at select services*, ensuring everyone can be a part of our celebration.

Our Christmas programme includes the popular annual Cathedral Christmas Fair, the delightful Carols on the Green, our Christmas Gift Market brimming with unique finds from local creatives, and an exciting addition for this year – Festive Film Screenings featuring beloved classics including Elf, The Muppet Christmas Carol, and Home Alone - plus the Cbeebies Panto ‘Dick Wittington and his Cat’.

Beyond our festive services and events, Portsmouth Cathedral warmly welcomes you to join us for daily for worship, or to explore the our Cathedrals rich heritage. You’ll also find wide selection of unique gifts and decorations at our Cathedral Christmas Shop, with every purchase contributing to the future of our Cathedral for generations to come.

 

What’s on this Christmas

 
Featured
‘Darkness to Light’ an Advent Carol Service

Experience the beauty of Advent in an atmospheric service as Portsmouth Cathedral moves from darkness to light, symbolising the world’s journey from despair to hope.

Advent Course

We invite you to put aside material preparations for Christmas and explore in different ways, poems relevant to our theme.

Candlelit Compline during Advent

Join us for the candlelit service of Compline, a time for quiet reflection at the end of the day.

Deck the Hall! Talk with Andrew Gant - Friends Coffee Morning

Join us for a special Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral talk with author and musician Andrew Gant as he discusses his latest book, Deck the Hall.

Advent Course

We invite you to put aside material preparations for Christmas and explore in different ways, poems relevant to our theme.

Candlelit Compline during Advent

Join us for the candlelit service of Compline, a time for quiet reflection at the end of the day.

Brass Rubbing Trails

Portsmouth Cathedral is hosting a brass rubbing trail this Christmas.

Coffee and Carols - Anna Chaplaincy

Join us for “Coffee & Carols,” hosted by the Anna Chaplaincy, where the spirit of Christmas comes alive in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Advent Course

We invite you to put aside material preparations for Christmas and explore in different ways, poems relevant to our theme.

Candlelit Compline during Advent

Join us for the candlelit service of Compline, a time for quiet reflection at the end of the day.

Frozen - Sing-along (PG) - Festive Film Screening
Dec 20
Frozen - Sing-along (PG) - Festive Film Screening

Christmas is not complete without a Singalong to your favourite film. On Friday 20th December, experience Frozen, the hit musical comedy from Walt Disney Animation Studios, like never before. 

The Muppets A Christmas Carol - Sing-along (U) - Festive Film Screening
Dec 20
The Muppets A Christmas Carol - Sing-along (U) - Festive Film Screening

The Muppets present their own touching rendition of Charles Dickens' classic tale. Ebenezer Scrooge, is held accountable for his dastardly ways during night-time visitations by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and future.

Christmas Carol Service

All are warmly welcome to join us for our beautiful services of carols and readings by candlelight.

Christmas Carol Service

All are warmly welcome to join us for our beautiful services of carols and readings by candlelight.

Christmas Carol Service

All are warmly welcome to join us for our beautiful services of carols and readings by candlelight.

Crib Services

Join us for a delightful retelling of the Nativity story, brought to life with engaging actions and uplifting music.

Crib Services

Join us for a delightful retelling of the Nativity story, brought to life with engaging actions and uplifting music.

Christmas Carol Service

All are warmly welcome to join us for our beautiful services of carols and readings by candlelight.

Eucharist for Christmas Day

Our celebrations of Christmas continue with the brightness and joy and wonderful music of our Christmas Day services.

Epiphany Eucharist

Our Cathedral Choir returns to lead us in song as we celebrate the visit of the Magi to worship the infant King.

Exploring the Bible: Galatians & Ephesians

Part of our Exploring the Bible series, this 5 week course will explore Paul’s letters to the Galatians and Ephesians.

Exploring the Bible: Galatians & Ephesians

Part of our Exploring the Bible series, this 5 week course will explore Paul’s letters to the Galatians and Ephesians.

Epiphany Carol Service

A peaceful, reflective service featuring traditional choral music, scripture readings, and prayer.

Exploring the Bible: Galatians & Ephesians

Part of our Exploring the Bible series, this 5 week course will explore Paul’s letters to the Galatians and Ephesians.

Exploring the Bible: Galatians & Ephesians

Part of our Exploring the Bible series, this 5 week course will explore Paul’s letters to the Galatians and Ephesians.

Eucharist for The Presentation of Christ in the Temple

Join us for the Eucharist for The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, a solemn and reflective service marking the close of our Christmas and Epiphany worship. 

Candlemas Come and Sing

Join us for “Candlemas Come and Sing” at Portsmouth Cathedral, where the magnificent architecture and inspiring acoustics set the stage for a memorable musical experience.

Candlemas Carols

Candlemas Carols at Portsmouth Cathedral offers a moving celebration of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, drawing upon the story of Mary and Joseph bringing Jesus to the Temple six weeks after his birth.

Exploring the Bible: Galatians & Ephesians

Part of our Exploring the Bible series, this 5 week course will explore Paul’s letters to the Galatians and Ephesians.

Exploring the Bible: Galatians & Ephesians

Part of our Exploring the Bible series, this 5 week course will explore Paul’s letters to the Galatians and Ephesians.

 
 
 
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Discover more about Christmas at the Cathedral

Throughout Advent, right through to Epiphany we’ll be posting blogs and stories going behind the scenes, exploring our treasures, and meeting some of the people that make Christmas happen at the Cathedral.

Read our blog
 

Christmas News & Updates

Featured
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It’s Spring and the Crocuses are out but remember its only 281 sleeps until….

It’s only 281 sleeps until the Christmas Fair! Let’s make it the best fair with some serious forward planning. You may think me mad but some stalls like Jam and Preserves rely on your creative skills throughout the year.

Midnight Mass at Portsmouth Cathedral: Your Essential Guide for attending.
Midnight Mass at Portsmouth Cathedral: Your Essential Guide for attending.

Midnight Mass at Portsmouth Cathedral is just around the corner, and we want to ensure your experience is seamless and memorable. Here are some essential tips for attending the service at the Cathedral, which will also be broadcast live on BBC One and on iPlayer.

Meet the organisers of our 2023 Advent Course: Preparing for the revolution!

Anne Wright, Carole King and the Revd Catherine Edenborough invite you to explore the idea of Advent as preparing for the revolution by looking at the song of Mary and other poetry in a variety of ways.