St Paul’s Cathedral charges for sightseeing, but its Advent and Christmas services are free of charge and everyone is welcome. The season opens with the Advent Carol Service on Saturday 28 November 2026 at 5pm – one of the year’s most dramatic services, free and unticketed.

The Family Carols on Saturday 19 December (11am) and the 4pm Christmas Carol Services on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 December are also free, but you need a ticket; tickets are allocated by ballot, announced through the cathedral’s mailing list.

The two concerts – Handel’s Messiah on 2 December and A Celebration of Christmas on 10 December – are paid events; the regular daily services are always free.