What's On

Cathedral Church

Durham Cathedral is proud to take part in 'There But Not There', a nationwide commemorative installation to remember those who never returned home from the First World War. Silhouttes of figures are on display in the Cathedral's pews and in the DLI chapel as powerful aids to reflection as we commemorate the centenary of the Armistice.

A chance to visit the Cathedral’s beautiful Refectory Library – usually closed to the public – and see a specially curated collection of the Cathedral Library's historic collections on the subject of art.

SOLD OUT

A chance to visit the Cathedral’s beautiful Refectory Library – usually closed to the public – and see a specially curated collection of the Cathedral Library's historic collections on the subject of art.

SOLD OUT

We are delighted to welcome children from local schools to join with the Cathedral's Boy and Girl Choristers to sing in our termly Music Outreach Celebration.

A fantastic opportunity for girls and boys in years 2 to 5 to have a first-hand experience of being a Chorister, which culminates in singing Evensong with the Cathedral Choir. Free of charge.

The Cathedral community is joined by representatives from Durham City Trust, Durham County Council and Durham University to commemorate all those who have been instrumental in the founding and development of this Cathedral church and the wider community in Durham.

Special Service: Advent Compline.

The Compline will be sung by Durham Cathedral Consort of Singers.

From Friday 30 November to Friday 7 December, Open Treasure at Durham Cathedral is delighted to be joining together with other National Lottery funded visitor attractions across the UK to say thank you to people who raise money for good causes by buying Lottery tickets. During this period, visitors who present a National Lottery ticket or scratchcard get free entry into the exhibition. So come along and discover 2,000 years of history as told by the Cathedral’s unique and awe-inspiring collections…for free!

An opportunity to purchase local produce and artisan goods in the unique setting of the Cathedral Cloister. Visit the Cathedral stall in the Cloister, and the Marquee on Palace Green, to find unique Christmas gifts.

Carols for All, Durham Cathedral.
An opportunity for visitors to the Durham City Christmas Festival to sing carols in the splendour of Durham Cathedral.

Durham Cathedral.

A special family service depicting the story of St. Nicholas, who always makes an appearance. The service follows a lantern procession to the Cathedral, led by the Chester-le-Street Salvation Army Band, starting at 3:30pm in Durham Market Place.

Durham Cathedral.

All are welcome to attend a service of lessons and carols for Advent in preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas. Music is sung by Durham Cathedral Choir. 

As these are very popular services, members of the congregation are advised to arrive in good time.

Durham Cathedral.

Durham Inter-Collegiate Christian Union Carol Service hosts their annual carols in the Cathedral.

Join us in the Learning Centre at Durham Cathedral to get into the Christmas spirit.You’ll learn more about Christmas through the ages and get to try and make historic food, drink and decorations.

Durham Cathedral.

Special Service of Carols - Durham and Darlington NHS.

Enjoy an evening of Christmas music in support of the Friends of Durham Cathedral.

Join in with traditional christmas carols led by the Consett Salvation Army Band, savour the musical talent of the Durham Cathedral Young Singers, and witness over 100 local performers from the North East Rock Choir performing for the first time in Durham Cathedral.

Experience sumptuous harmonies in an idyllic, festive setting...

Due to overwhelming public demand, original X-Factor stars and operatic multi-platinum selling vocal quartet G4 are back, with their atmospheric “G4 Christmas” tour across the UK in November and December 2018.

Join the Education team and local artist Wendy Stoker from MADE in England for a morning of festive creativity!

Durham Cathedral.

Carol Service for the NSPCC.

Durham Cathedral. 

Join us for Carols for the Durham Women's Institute.

Join the Education team and design and create your own festive wrapping paper, gift tags and Christmas cards.

Enjoy a walk around the Cathedral owned Woodlands and Riverbanks in the centre of Durham. Collect natural materials to take back to the Learning Centre where you will make your own individual hanging decoration or table centre. Once the festive season is over your decoration will be fully biodegradable so can either recycled or placed in your garden to become a mini beats habitat.

Durham Cathedral.

A special service for St. Chad's College Advent Procession.

Durham Cathedral.

St. John's College Carol Service.

Durham Cathedral.

A special Service of Carols for Durham High School For Girls.

Durham Cathedral.

A service of Carols with Durham School.

Join the Education team and an experienced florist to design and create your own floral door wreath or table centre. Learn how to add those extra little touches to make your wreath stand out on your door!
Sessions at 9.30am and 1.30pm.

Durham Cathedral Choir is joined by the Avison Ensemble, for a festive period instrument performance of Handel's famous oratorio. Soloists will be from within Durham Cathedral Choir, the orchestra is led by Pavlo Beznosiuk. 

Complete your festive experience with a special pre-concert meal in the Undercroft Restaurant at 5pm. £25 per person, including a mulled wine reception. Can be booked at the same time as booking tickets for the concert.

Durham Cathedral.

Watch as the lights on the magnificent 20 feet tall Norwegian spruce are switched on. The Clergy and Choir then process to the West End of the Cathedral where the Crib is blessed. This service is particularly suitable for children.

Members of the congregation are encouraged to bring wrapped Christmas presents appropriately marked with age and whether for a girl or a boy. The presents are collected by the Salvation Army to be given to families in need. Thank you to Ward Brothers, who donate the Christmas Tree each year.

Durham Cathedral.

The winter season can be a poignant time for those missing a friend or a loved one. Why not light up the life of someone by making a donation to St. Cuthbert's Hospice in their memory? Their name will be entered into a Book of Remembrance and dedicated at this service.

Come and hear the Christmas story told by a friendly fox, and then make and take a Christmas decoration that you can take home as a reminder of your visit.

Durham Cathedral.

A special service of Carols with Durham Johnston School.

Durham Cathedral.

Special Service - Haswell and District Mencap Carols.

All are welcome to attend our traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, which always starts in darkness with a solo chorister singing the first verse of Once in Royal David's City.  A highlight of the Advent and Christmas season, during which lessons are read and the Cathedral Choir sings beautiful music to herald the birth of Christ.

Durham Cathedral.

A traditional 30-minute carol service for families. An opportunity for children and their parents/carers to come to the Cathedral to sing well-known Christmas carols with the Cathedral Choristers.

All are welcome to attend our traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, which always starts in darkness with a solo chorister singing the first verse of Once in Royal David's City. A highlight of the Advent and Christmas season, during which lessons are read and the Cathedral Choir sings beautiful music to herald the birth of Christ.  On Christmas Eve the Durham Miners' Association Band will play before the service.

Celebrate the birth of Christ through music, prayer, and Holy Communion as Christmas Eve becomes Christmas Day. This is a most joyful celebration of the Eucharist and all are welcome to attend. Sung by the gentlemen of the Cathedral Choir, with invited sopranos.

Join us as we host The Snowman Tour for one day only. 

Screenings also taking place at 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

Join with the churches of Durham and gather for a service of reflection on the past, of thanksgiving for the blessings of God in the present and of hope for the year to come. You are invited to gather in Durham Market Place at 6:00pm with lanterns and process to the Cathedral for 6:30pm.

On the Eve of the Feast of Epiphany, the Durham Singers bring the Christmas season to a joyful close with Cantatas I, II, IV and VI from J.S. Bach's Christmas Oratorio. Cantata I celebrates Christ's birth and a magnificent aria for bass and baroque trumpets proclaim his majesty. The music moves to the peaceful setting of the shepherds' fields for the second cantata, with the mellow oboe da caccia and flutes. A pair of natural horns take over in the fourth cantata, before the trumpets return in the final Epiphany canata to herald the arrival of the Three Kings. The period instruments of the Durham Singers Ensemble, led by Caroline Balding, will bring out all the expressive colours of Bach's writing. The Durham Singers are joined by an exciting line-up of young soloists from Samling, including former Durham Cathedral Head Chorister Zoë Jackson and Samling Artist Timothy Langston.

Durham Cathedral Choir joins forces with the Avison Ensemble to perform Bach’s stunning St John Passion on the evening of Palm Sunday 2019. This unmissable concert will be conducted by Daniel Cook, Master of the Choristers and Organist at Durham Cathedral.  The orchestra will be led by reknowned period instrument violinist Pavlo Beznosiuk.