Christmas Carol Service

Gloucester Cathedral is holding its Christmas Carol Service on Monday 21, Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 December, with each session starting at 6pm. It's a traditional celebration of the birth of Jesus, and the Gloucester Cathedral Choir leads the way through the Christmas story, told with Bible readings and the season's most treasured music.

The music is the main draw here. The choir handles choral pieces and familiar carols, and they're joined by the congregation, so you'll be singing along rather than just listening. There are also moments of quiet reflection built into the service, so it's not just a non-stop run of carols. It's one of the cathedral's most popular events of the year, and for good reason — it's a proper, old-school Christmas service in the heart of the city.

If you're planning to go, there are a few practical things to keep in mind. The services are held in the Nave, at Gloucester Cathedral, 12 College Green, GL1 2LX. No tickets are required, and seating is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so if you've got your heart set on a particular spot, it's worth arriving a bit early. With three separate evenings to choose from — Monday 21, Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 December, all at 6pm — you can pick the one that fits your schedule best.