Crib Services

St Albans Cathedral is hosting its Crib Services on Christmas Eve, 24 December 2026. These services are a well-established part of the city's festive calendar, specifically designed for families with young children. They offer a way to engage with the Christmas story and join in with carol singing in a setting that feels quite distinct from the usual bustle of the city centre.

The services are held twice in the nave, giving you a choice of times. The first session runs from 11:00 to 11:45, and the second takes place from 14:00 to 14:45. Doors open 40 minutes before each service begins, which is helpful if you are arriving with children and want to find a comfortable spot. Many people find these services a useful break from last-minute Christmas shopping in the city centre, providing a moment of calm before the evening festivities begin.

The cathedral itself is a significant local landmark, being the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain and a shrine to the country's first saint. It is a space with a lot of history, and it is also home to what is billed as the oldest cathedral tower in the country. If you are visiting for the service and have some extra time, you can climb the 211 steps on its Tower Tours to see the city from a different perspective.

These services are just one element of a broader festive programme at the cathedral. The schedule runs from the Advent Procession on 29 November and continues through to the Carols on Boxing Day. Throughout this period, the cathedral remains open daily from 9am to 5pm, so there is plenty of opportunity to visit outside of the specific service times.

You do not need to worry about booking ahead for the Crib Services, as no tickets are required for entry. It is a straightforward, accessible way to mark the day, particularly if you are looking for an activity that fits into a busy Christmas Eve schedule. The cathedral is located at Sumpter Yard, St Albans, AL1 1BY.