Diocese of Portsmouth
The Church of England

News

    Thousands pack into Christmas carol services

    Category
    Christmas
    Date
    22 Dec. 2025
    Share

    THOUSANDS of worshippers are packing into Christmas carol services in churches around our diocese to celebrate the birth of Jesus as our Saviour.

    Among the many services taking place are those that are candlelit services indoors and rowdy carols outdoors - plus special crib services, Midnight Masses and Christmas Day celebrations. Our cathedral is holding four identical carol services to cope with the demand, and many other parish churches are holding multiple carol services in the run-up to Christmas.

    And Newport Minster held a special carol service in partnership with the Royal Foundation to celebrate selfless actions to enhance community spirit.

    That's on top of the carol services hosted by virtually every church in south-east Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, many of which have been packed with worshippers. Details of those services yet to happen can be found here.

    The Dean of Portsmouth introduces the first of four identical carol services at our cathedral
    Singing carols in our cathedral by candlelight
    The girl choristers from Portsmouth Cathedral Choir lead the singing of candelit carols in our cathedral
    The service included readings from the Bible and from other seasonal literature
    Bishop Jonathan reads the final lesson from John 1 about the incarnation of Jesus at the climax of the cathedral carol service
    Blowing out the candles at the end of the cathedral carol service

    The four identical carol services at Portsmouth Cathedral included a mix of congregational carols and seasonal anthems - all led by Portsmouth Cathedral Choir. The boy choristers led worship at two of the four services, and the girl choristers led worship at the other two. 

    The services includes a mix of readings from the Bible and from other seasonal literature, read by local community leaders including both of Portsmouth's MPs, the headteacher of Portsmouth Grammar School, chief executive of Portsmouth City Council, and the vice-chancellor of Portsmouth University - as well as clergy and lay leaders from across the diocese.

    The climax of the service comes with the reading from John 1 about the incarnation of Jesus - read on two of the four occasions by Bishop Jonathan, and on the other occasions by Honorary Assistant Bishops Ian Brackley and Geoff Annas.

    The candlelit carol services continue on December 23 and 24. Details here. There is also a Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve at 11pm, and cathedral services on Christmas Day.

    Worshippers sing at at the Royal Foundation service at Newport Minster
    Bishop Jonathan surrounded by candles during the carol service at Newport Minster
    Congregation members from across the local community for the service at Newport Minster

    Newport Minster on the Isle of Wight hosted a ‘Together at Christmas’ community carol service last Friday. It was supported by the Royal Foundation, part of an annual initiative spearheaded by HRH the Princess of Wales to recognise and thank those who act with love in their communities. It was inspired by HRH the Princess of Wales’s Westminster Abbey Service, which will be televised on Christmas Eve.

    The Royal Foundation carol service for the Isle of Wight brought together emergency responders, charities and youth groups to honour those individuals and organisations who have created and shown love to foster compassion and togetherness in the community. It was broadcast live on Vectis Radio. 

    The Medina Marching Band played outside the church and the singing during the service was led by the Mountbatten Hospice Choir. The service also celebrated the work of School Readers on the island over the last couple of years. Attendees were invited to bring a children's book to place under the Christmas tree for distribution to island children, youth groups and schools.

    Minster photos: thanks to Michael Dunkason

    Christmas

    More news

    Upcoming Events

    More events