Christmas at St Martin-in-the-Fields

Christmas and Advent services, Christmas concerts and charity Christmas cards and the Cafe in the Crypt at St Martin-in-the Fields mark this special season for Londoners and visitors alike.

Join us this Advent and Christmas at St Martin-in-the-Fields as we celebrate this festive season and explore our Advent theme ‘Borne to Set Thy People Free’. All are welcome to attend one of our many church services and carol concerts. There are Christmas treats on the menu in the Cafe in the Crypt and the Shop at St Martin’s is stocked full with charity Christmas cards, nativities and gifts. Main Christmas Services A full list is available from www.smitf.org Thursday 2 December 6.00pm Lighting of the Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square Come and join the Choir of St Martin-in-the-Fields to sing carols around the tree, the gift to London from the Norwegian people. Singing from 6.00pm and the lighting takes place at 6.30pm. Sunday 5 December 7.55am The St Martin-in-the-Fields BBC Radio 4 Christmas Appeal On behalf of homeless people and people at risk of homelessness. 5.30pm Blessing of the Crib in Trafalgar Square The crib designed by Tomoaki Suzuki with figures inspired by Londoners from around the world is placed in the heart of this World Square. Meet on the church steps at 5.20pm for a torch-lit procession to Trafalgar Square led by the Salvation Army Band with the Choir and Clergy of St Martin-in-the-Fields. Thursday 9 December 3.45pm Listen again to The St Martin-in-the-Fields BBC Radio 4 Christmas Appeal Monday 13 December 6.30pm Christmas Morning from St Martin’s An hour-long service to be recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio 4 led by the Revd Nicholas Holtam with the Choir of St Martin-in-the-Fields and St Martin-in-the-Fields High School Gospel Choir. No tickets required. Doors open at 6.00pm. There will be a short rehearsal and the service will be recorded as if live and finish by 8.30pm Tuesday 21 December 6.30pm Community Carols The Christmas story told in carols and readings, through the voices of those who live and work around Trafalgar Square. Doors open 5.30pm. All are welcome. No tickets required but come early to ensure a place. Friday 24 December Christmas Eve 2.30pm Crib Family Service Led by the Clergy of St Martin-in-the-Fields. A lively service of readings and carols particularly suitable for younger members of the family and including the Blessing of the Crib. Doors open at 2.00pm. No tickets required. 6.30pm Parish Carol Service Led by the Clergy of St Martin-in the-Fields. A candlelit service of words, music and reflections on the Christmas story with the Choir of St Martin-in the-Fields. Doors open 5.30pm. No tickets required but the church is often full and you are advised to arrive in plenty of time to be certain of a seat. 11.30pm Midnight Mass The climax of all our Advent preparation and Christmas worship as we light the Christmas candle and welcome the Christ child. Led by the Clergy and Choir of St Martin-in the-Fields. The mass setting is Schubert’s Mass in G. No tickets required. Saturday 25 December Christmas Day 10.30am Eucharist 2.15pm Communion Service in Mandarin and Cantonese Seasonal and Carol Concerts In addition to Christmas services, ticketed Christmas concerts take place throughout the month of December including the opportunity for the audience to join in the carol singing on 2, 3, 4, 9, 11, 16, 17, 18, 20 and 23 December. Musical highlights include: Friday 3 and Monday 20 December The Choir of St Martin-in-the-Fields and Lord Nelson Brass Quintet Friday 3, Wednesday 8 and Wednesday 29 December Jazz Nights in the Cafe in the Crypt 22 and 23 December and 3 January Handel’s Messiah with the English Chamber Choir and Belmont Ensemble of London on 22 and 23 December and Surrey Voices and Brandenburg Sinfonia on 3 January. All profits from our concerts support the work of St Martin’s. For further information and to purchase tickets visit www.smitf.org. Christmas Shop at St Martin’s The Shop at St Martin’s is open 364 days a year but from October-December this year we have opened an additional Christmas Shop. Filled with everything you need for your Christmas celebrations including stocking fillers, decorations, nativities and one of the most extensive collections of charity Christmas cards in London. Forgot something on your list? Visit us online at www.smitf.org/shop-online. All profits from the Shop support the work of St Martin’s. Cafe in the Crypt Enjoy a mince pie and mulled wine throughout the month of December for £3.95 with traditional English lunch and dinner – turkey and all the trimmings served from 13-24 December for £8.50. Full details are available from our website www.smitf.org. All profits from the Cafe in the Crypt support the work of St Martin’s.

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