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The Cathedral of the Sea

Advent & Christmas

 
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Celebrate Christmas at Portsmouth Cathedral with services, concerts and events throughout the season.

During Advent and Christmas we invite you to share in worship and gatherings that capture the true spirit of the season. From quiet prayer to the sound of carols, Portsmouth Cathedral offers a place for all to experience hope, joy and community.

Our worship is at the heart of the season, with much-loved services such as Advent and Christmas carols, Midnight Mass, and the Christmas Day Eucharist. Selected services will be live-streamed, making it possible for those unable to attend in person to share in the Cathedral’s celebration.

Christmas at the Cathedral also brings a rich programme of concerts and events. Candlelight concerts range from an Adele tribute to the family-friendly Enchanted with songs from beloved films, and Christmas – The Candlelight Concertwith festive favourites. The Royal Marines Association Band return with 100% Christmas, joined by the Portsmouth Grammar School Brass Band and Choir. Elsewhere the season features the elegance of Strauss and Tchaikovsky in the Viennese Spectacular, folk harmonies in the Future Folk Christmas Sessions, and family favourites such as The Snowman Live in Concert and Interstellar Live with Roger Sayer.

The community comes together at our annual Cathedral Christmas Fair, with seasonal stalls and treats, followed by Carols on the Green, now in its sixth year, with brass band music and mulled wine. Alongside this, the Love Southsea Christmas Gift Market showcases unique gifts and creations from local makers and artists, celebrating small businesses and the creativity of the community during the festive season.

Our Cathedral Christmas Shop is open throughout the season, featuring a range of handpicked gifts and decorations, including those from local makers and artists. Don’t forget to pick up a bottle of our exclusive ‘Dean’s Tipple Gin’, making it the perfect place to pick up unique presents while supporting small businesses and the Cathedral’s future.

This Christmas, celebrate the season at Portsmouth Cathedral - a place alive with tradition, music, community and festive joy!

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What’s on this Christmas

 
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Discover more about Christmas at the Cathedral

Throughout Advent, right through to Epiphany we’ll be posting blogs and stories going behind the scenes, exploring our treasures, and meeting some of the people that make Christmas happen at the Cathedral.

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Christmas News & Updates

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It’s Spring and the Crocuses are out but remember its only 281 sleeps until….

It’s only 281 sleeps until the Christmas Fair! Let’s make it the best fair with some serious forward planning. You may think me mad but some stalls like Jam and Preserves rely on your creative skills throughout the year.

Midnight Mass at Portsmouth Cathedral: Your Essential Guide for attending.
Midnight Mass at Portsmouth Cathedral: Your Essential Guide for attending.

Midnight Mass at Portsmouth Cathedral is just around the corner, and we want to ensure your experience is seamless and memorable. Here are some essential tips for attending the service at the Cathedral, which will also be broadcast live on BBC One and on iPlayer.

Meet the organisers of our 2023 Advent Course: Preparing for the revolution!

Anne Wright, Carole King and the Revd Catherine Edenborough invite you to explore the idea of Advent as preparing for the revolution by looking at the song of Mary and other poetry in a variety of ways.