Advent & Christmas at Exeter Cathedral 2026
November
G4 Christmas
Tuesday 10 November | 7:30pm
G4 bring glad tidings of great joy this festive season, with the return of their ‘G4 Christmas’ tour.
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Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market
Friday 13 November – Sunday 13 December
Nestled in the historic heart of Exeter, the highly-anticipated Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market returns.
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Gabrieli Roar Presents Mr Handel’s Christmas Story
Tuesday 24 November | 7pm
Gabrieli’s full Baroque orchestra and singers will be joined by youth choirs from across Devon to celebrate Christmas and introduce young people to Handel’s greatest music.
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Christmas at the Musicals
Thursday 26 November | 7pm
No.1 selling classical soprano and star of The Voice UK, Nadia Eide, is stopping at Exeter Cathedral with her brand new Christmas concert tour this winter.
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Be a Chorister for a Day
Saturday 28 November | 10:45am-4:45pm
The perfect opportunity for children in school years 2-5 who love to sing, featuring singing lessons in the Song Schools, a guided tour and the chance to meet Ginevra Dobson, winner of the BBC’s Senior Young Chorister of the Year 2026. The day will end with attendees singing with Exeter Cathedral Choir during the Christingle service. This is a free event; booking is essential.
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Christingle Service
Saturday 28 November | 4pm
Join us for a wonderful Christingle service, perfect for families with young children, to tell the story of Jesus set to popular hymns sung by Exeter Cathedral Choir. This is a free event; no booking is required.
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Advent Series: The Lord’s Prayer – by Revd Professor Christopher Bryan
Sunday 29 November & Sunday 13 December | 11:45am-12:30pm | The Medieval Hall (The Old Law Library)
A wonderful opportunity to explore the Lord’s Prayer in more depth this Advent. Booking is essential.
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The Advent Procession
Sunday 29 November | 6pm
Enjoy this atmospheric service as the Exeter Cathedral Choir take lead in singing advent carols and anthems. This is a free service; no booking is required.
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December
Hospiscare: ‘Light up a Life’ Service
Wednesday 2 December | 7pm
‘Light up a Life’ is our annual celebration of the lives of lost loved ones. This a free event and will be operating on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Christmas by Candlelight
Friday 4 December | Two showings: 1:30pm & 7:30pm
Join a spectacular cast of West End singers and incredible live band as they perform your favourite Christmas hits inside Exeter Cathedral.
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Handel’s Messiah with Exeter Cathedral Choir
Sunday 6 December | 2:30pm
This Christmas, experience one of the most moving performances by Exeter Cathedral Choir and early music specialists, Devon Baroque Orchestra… Handel’s Messiah: one of the greatest icons of European music, impacting audiences around the world for more than 250 years.
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The Lord Mayor and Dean’s Carol Service
Monday 7 December | 2pm-3:15pm
All are welcome to join us for the Lord Mayor and Dean’s 2026 Carol Service inside the magnificent setting of Exeter Cathedral. This is a free event; no booking is required.
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Christmas with the Cathedral Choir
8, 10 & 12 December | 7pm
Enjoy a special performance of carols and festive favourites in the magnificent nave with Exeter Cathedral Choir, bringing you a taste of the very best choral music of the season, with traditional carols, old favourites and the finest modern classics. There is perhaps nothing more guaranteed to make you feel Christmassy than singing out some of the famous Yuletide tunes in a packed Exeter Cathedral!
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Library & Archives In Focus: Festive Selection Box (Free Drop-In Session)
Tuesday 8 December | Free drop-in session: 1pm-3pm | Library & Archives Reading Room
Come and wrap up the year with our festive selection box – a tempting assortment of our favourite items from Exeter Cathedral’s Library & Archives. This is a free drop-in session; no booking is required.
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La La Choir
Friday 11 December | 7:30pm
Join the La La Choir for a truly special evening as they return to Exeter Cathedral for their annual Christmas concert for the 11th year.
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The Exeter Nativity
Sunday 13 December | 3pm-4pm
Featuring real-life alpacas, enjoy an entertaining retelling of the famous Christmas story inside the magnificent setting of Exeter Cathedral. This is a free event; booking is essential.
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Exeter Philharmonic Choir: Carols in the Cathedral
Tuesday 15 December & Wednesday 16 December | 7:30pm
As Exeter Philharmonic Choir continues its 180th anniversary celebrations, join us for a festive musical journey with Carols in the Cathedral.
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Lunchtime ‘Shoppers’ Carols
Tuesday 15 December & Thursday 17 December | 1pm
Enjoy a rejuvenating break from Christmas shopping with a selection of your favourite carols. This is a free event; no booking is required.
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Karl Loxley: The Songs of Christmas
Friday 18 December | 7:30pm
Enjoy this festive musical celebration at Exeter Cathedral with one of Sir Tom Jones’ finalists in the hit TV show, The Voice.
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London Concertante: Christmas at the Movies
Saturday 19 December | 7:30pm
Get ready to unwrap the ultimate holiday treat with London Concertante’s Christmas at the Movies – a journey through the heartwarming worlds of beloved festive films.
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Grandisson Service of Lessons & Carols
Wednesday 23 & Thursday 24 December | 6pm
Join us for a unique service of lessons and carols which opens with Bishop John de Grandisson’s service. This is a free event; booking is essential.
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Christmas Eve Services
Thursday 24 December
All are warmly welcome to join us for our Christmas Eve services:
– 12noon: Crib Service
– 6pm: Grandisson Service of Lessons & Carols (click to book your tickets)
– 11:30pm: Midnight Mass
These services are free to attend; booking is required for the Grandisson Service.
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Christmas Day Services
Friday 25 December
All are warmly invited to celebrate the joy of Christmas with our special Christmas Day services sung by Exeter Cathedral Choir:
– 10am: Choral Eucharist
– 11:45am: Choral Matins
– 4pm: Choral Evensong
These services are free to attend; no booking is required.