The best Christmas carol services and concerts in London for 2025

Classical music impresario Raymond Gubbay presents his annual handpicked selection of music for the festive season. Highlights include the Christmas carol singalong (Dec 20), Gustav Holsts’s The Planeys (Dec 27), Beethoven's Ninth (Dec 29), the music of Zimmer vs Williams (Dec 31), and the New Year's Day Proms. All set to take place in the Barbican's lovely hall, these musical picks are a classy, Christmassy way to spend an evening. 

Kensington’s grand Italianate music hall is quite possibly the most iconic place in London to enjoy a Christmassy concert. But its not just traditional carols that are on offer at the infamous venue this year. There’s everything from Christmas classic ‘Home Alone’ accompanied by a live orchestra (Dec 13) to the return of Guy Barker’s Big Band Christmas (Dec 17) as well as jazzed-up festivities with maverick pianist Jamie Cullum and an evening with organist and TikTok star Anna Lapwood (Dec 18). In short, there’s something for absolutely everyone here.

Action Syria is returning to London’s oldest surviving church, St Bartholomew the Great, for the eleventh year running. They’ll fill the chancel for one evening of candlelit carols to kick off festive season and raise money in support of Syrian communities. There will also be celebrity readings (previous years have featured author Michael Morpurgo and actor Peter Capaldi) plus a drinks reception with bowls of Middle-Eastern food to round off the night. Last year, the event raised £80,000 to help the charity provide education, healthcare, and emergency support to vulnerable groups. The goal this year is to reach £90,000. 

Christmas might be the merriest time of year, but it can also be one of the most stressful. Dashing around Oxford Circus, trying to get suitable presents for everyone while fighting the crowds of others doing the same? Nightmare. At nearby All Souls Langham Place, though, you’ll find carol services ready to soothe your shopping stress and remind you of the real magic of Christmas. A stunning choir will be performing some of the season’s best-loved songs under twinkling lights and mirrorball (not something every church boasts), while the services will wrap up with complimentary mince pies and hot Christmas punch. There’ll be three hour-long concerts a day across five dates. The cherry on top? Entry is completely free. No wonder the church advises arriving 30 minutes early to make sure you can get in.

Festive karaoke is a bit of a tradition for us lot in the Time Out office. If you’re also a fan of necking half a bottle of prosecco and belting out some Michael Bublé, you’ll love this festive edition of the phenomenon that is Massaoke, or ‘mass karaoke’. Popping up at O2 Kentish Town Forum this December, it’s offering you plenty of chances to warble along to Mariah, Wham, Slade and all your other favourite festive bangers soundtracked by a live band, and with lyrics on the screen in case you somehow don’t have every word of ‘Fairytale of New York’ etched into your brain. Christmas jumpers and festive fancy dress are of course encouraged.

It wouldn’t be Christmas without John Rutter’s stint at the Royal Albert Hall. In one matinee and one evening showcase on December 4, a big ol' orchestra will be on hand to get you feeling festive and there'll be two choirs singing all the classics, from 'Frosty The Snowman' to 'Away In A Manger'.