Preparations are underway at York Minster as the cathedral prepares to mark Advent and Christmas with a programme of new activities and events for 2025, alongside returning seasonal favourites, family-friendly activities and a festival of 70 Christmas Trees.
Away from the hustle and bustle of York’s festive streets, visitors to the city will be able to find moments of peace and calm reflection, as well as enjoying some of the cathedral’s most popular events of the year. York Minster is extending a warm invitation to all those looking to celebrate the season’s themes of anticipation, hope and joy.
Candlelit carols
The season begins on Advent Sunday (30 November), with the breathtaking Advent Procession. Starting in complete darkness, the cathedral is illuminated candle by candle, as the procession moves through the building.
Old and new concerts and services will also see the cathedral decorated with candles. The elegant Ebor Quartet will perform Fairytale at York Minster: Christmas Hits by Candlelight for the first time; The Chapter House Choir will perform their annual concert Carols by Candlelight as it celebrates its 60th anniversary; and the spectacular Sankta Lucia: Festival of Light will return, complete with one brave singer wearing the traditional crown of lit candles.
The return of the Christmas Tree Festival
The ever-popular York Minster Christmas Tree Festival returns for its fifth year from Saturday 29 November (until Monday 5 January). 70 trees decorated by local schools, charities, and businesses will illuminate the cathedral's Chapter House, Nave and Lady Chapel.
Family favourites
Families are invited to help switch on the lights of the Christmas Tree Festival at a special service to mark the beginning of Advent. Families can also enjoy a performance of The Nutcracker performed on the Minster’s Grand Organ and attend the Crib Service which sees local children dress up as characters from the Nativity.
Festive workshops
The Minster is offering brand-new festive workshops in 2025. On selected Saturdays in November and December, expert local craftspeople will run hands-on gilding and wreath making workshops so visitors can make Christmas decorations for their own home.
Traditional services
Christmas worship will include two services of Nine Lessons and Carols (23 and 24 December) and Midnight Mass (24 December). The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, will preach at the Sung Eucharist for Christmas Day at 11am (25 December).
Daily worship throughout Advent and Christmas will include prayers, music and readings as the season progresses.
The Very Reverend Dominic Barrington, Dean of York, said: “Advent is a vivid preparation for Christmas. Here at York Minster and across the globe, Christians await the coming of Christ: candles are lit, great anthems are sung, and prayers are offered as we prepare once again to celebrate God’s coming into the world as a vulnerable baby.
“There is considerable darkness in our world today and many people live with uncertainty and fear. As we journey through Advent, lighting another candle on our Advent Wreath each Sunday, we are reminded that the light of Christ is inextinguishable and the darkness cannot, and will not, overcome it.
“It is my hope that everyone who visits York Minster during this powerful season can experience that transformative, enduring and unending light.”
York Minster’s Advent and Christmas programme is set out below. For booking information visit www.yorkminster.org or call the Bookings Team on 01904 557200.
York Minster’s Advent and Christmas Programme 2025:
Festive Workshops
Saturdays 22 November – 13 December
On selected Saturdays in November and December, join festive workshops and get hands-on creating Christmas decorations with the help of expert local craftspeople. Choose from gilding or wreath making, the perfect festive treat.
Tickets priced between £40 and £60 available via yorkminster.org
Johann Sebastian Bach's Cantata 140, Sleepers, wake
Sunday 23 November, 4pm
On the Sunday next before Advent, the Choir of York Minster gives its traditional annual Evensong performance of Bach’s popular Cantata 140, ‘Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme’ (Sleepers, wake), with orchestral accompaniment.
Free, no tickets required.
The York Minster Christmas Tree Festival
Saturday 29 November – Monday 5 January 2025, during general admission times
York Minster’s Christmas Tree Festival returns for the fifth year with 70 trees on display in the cathedral’s Nave, Chapter House and Lady Chapel.
Included with general admission.
Minster Mash-Up: Lights switch-on
Saturday 29 November, 10am
Join York Minster’s worship for young people and families – Minster Mash-Up – and get ready for Advent. Families are invited to join the lights switch-on for the York Minster Christmas Tree Festival as we prepare to mark the beginning of Advent and await the arrival of baby Jesus.
Free, no tickets required.
Advent Procession
Sunday 30 November, 5.30pm
On Advent Sunday, York Minster emerges from darkness into light in the atmospheric Advent Procession. The Choir of York Minster will process through the cathedral to music, readings and prayers.
Free, pre-booked tickets required.
Christmas Carol Concerts
Thursday 4 and Friday 5 December, 7pm
The Choir of York Minster will perform much-loved Christmas music, with seasonal readings from special guest Garry Cooper (whose work includes Quadrophenia and House of the Dragon) and music by the Yorkshire Volunteer Band.
This year's concerts are kindly supported by JM Finn.
Tickets priced between £15 and £40 available via yorkminster.org
The Nutcracker
Saturday 6 December, 7pm
A magical performance of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker for children and adults alike. Narration by local children’s actor Gemma Sharp (Artistic Director of local theatre company Hoglets), and music by Benjamin Morris, York Minster’s Assistant Director of Music, who will bring this ever-popular music to life on the cathedral’s spectacular Grand Organ.
Tickets priced between £7 and £30 available via yorkminster.org
Sankta Lucia: Festival of Light
Monday 15 December, 7pm
An atmospheric, candlelit procession and carol service based on the traditional Swedish Lucia celebration. The service is run in partnership with the York Anglo-Scandinavian Society.
Free, pre-booked tickets required.
Fairytale at York Minster: Christmas Hits by Candlelight
Wednesday 17 December, 7.30pm
Ignite Concerts presents an evening of Christmas classics performed by Alistair Griffin and the elegant Ebor Quartet.
Tickets priced between £22.50 and £55 available via yorkminster.org
Chapter House Choir ‘Carols by Candlelight’
Friday 19 December, 7.30pm
The choir celebrates its 60th anniversary in the magnificent candlelit Nave of York Minster with this much-loved seasonal tradition. The Chapter House Choir will be joined by the Chapter House Youth Choir and the Handbell Ringers of the Chapter House Choir.
Tickets priced between £7.50 and £20 available via yorkminster.org
Nine Lessons and Carols
Tuesday 23 & Wednesday 24 December, 4pm
Two services consisting of nine special readings, carols sung by the Choir of York Minster and hymns for everyone to join in. A traditional Christmas celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Free, pre-booked tickets required.
Crib Service
Wednesday 24 December, 11.30am
The Christmas story in a fun and accessible service for families with carols and musical accompaniment. Children are encouraged to dress up as characters from the Nativity and there will be a chance to see the crib.
Free, no tickets required.
Midnight Mass
Wednesday 24 December, 11.30pm
Experience the First Eucharist of Christmas with choral music sung by the St William’s Singers.
Free, no tickets required.
Christmas Day Services
Thursday 25 December
York Minster celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the light of the world.
8am: Holy Communion from the Book of Common Prayer
10am: Choral Matins sung by the Choir of York Minster
11am: Sung Eucharist sung by the Choir of York Minster, with sermon by The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York.
4pm: Choral Evensong sung by the Choir of York Minster, with sermon by The Right Reverend Flora Winfield DD, Bishop of Selby.
The cathedral will be open free of charge from 12.45pm – 3.30pm.
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