Carols on the Hour

Carols on the Hour returns to St Albans Cathedral on Saturday 12 December, with services running on the hour, every hour, from 11am until the last one at 5pm. It's one of the Cathedral's most popular festive events, and the format is as straightforward as it sounds: a bite-sized carol service that lets you sing along and hear music from different St Albans choirs.

The Cathedral describes it as a festive break from Christmas shopping and a way to get a taste of Christmas at the Cathedral. Because the services happen every hour, you can slot one in around your day rather than committing to a full afternoon. If you're out in the city and fancy a half-hour of carols, you just pick the time that works for you. The Cathedral itself is a historic cathedral and abbey church at the heart of the city, and it hosts concerts, talks, exhibitions, tours and major cultural events alongside its religious life.

There are a few practical things to keep in mind. Entry is through the West End doors only, and you're advised to arrive in good time and expect to queue for each service. When you're finished, the exit is through the Welcome Centre. There's no visitor parking at the Cathedral, so you'll need to make your own way there. It's free, and no tickets are required, so you can just turn up. The services run from 11am, with the last one starting at 5pm, on Saturday 12 December at St Albans Cathedral, Sumpter Yard, St Albans, AL1 1BY.