Christmas Tree Festival 2026
12:00am to 12:00am
Wander through Durham Cathedral Cloisters and discover a colourful display of Christmas trees, each decorated by a local organisation and telling its own unique story.
Morning Prayer
8:30am to 9:00am •The Shrine of St Cuthbert
Morning Prayer is a said service with prayers, psalms and bible readings. We pray for God’s blessing for the day ahead, for the world and those in need. The service lasts around 30 minutes.
The cathedral is open from 9.30pm to 12.30pm. The Museum, Shop and Undercroft Restaurant remain open until 3pm. The cathedral reopens at 10pm for Midnight Eucharist.
All day
Tower climb
Various times
Conquer the 325 spiral steps to the top of our Central Tower from where you can enjoy unrivalled views over our historic city of Durham.
Holy Communion
12:30pm to 1:00pm
This service will be taking place in the Chapel of the Holy Cross.
A service of prayers and Bible readings, in which we offer bread and wine to God in thanksgiving for his goodness to us, which we receive back as the body and blood of Christ. The service lasts around 30 minutes.
Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
3:00pm to 4:00pm
Join us for this special service, which starts in darkness as a lone Chorister sings Once In Royal David’s City. It continues with carols old and new and readings recounting the Christmas story.
Evensong
5:30pm to 6:15pm •The Nave
Evensong is a service of bible readings, psalms and prayers. The Choir sing for us accompanied, usually, by organ music. We follow the service using the Book of Common Prayer of 1662 giving thanks for the day that has past. The service lasts around 45 minutes.
Midnight Eucharist
11:00pm to 12:30am
Join us to celebrate the first Eucharist of Christmas as midnight strikes.
