Advent and Christmas 2025
Worship with us at the Abbey safely this Christmas. A number of our services are ticketed. Non-ticketed services including Carol Praise services on Christmas Eve will also have limited capacity. Face coverings (unless you’re exempt) are required inside the Abbey. Please consider taking a lateral flow test before attending. For more info please see https://www.bathabbey.org/visiting/keeping-you-safe/ We thank you for your patience and understanding.
At the heart of Christmas
Celebrate the joy of Christmas at Bath Abbey – a place for worship, music, and wonder in the heart of the city.
From our special services and Shoppers’ Carols, to Christmas concerts and our popular Festive Tower Tours, there is something for everyone.
Come along to the Abbey, or visit our sister church St Michael’s Bath, and celebrate this special time of the year with us.
Christmas at Bath Abbey 2025
Christmas is one of the most joyful times of year at Bath Abbey, when we welcome thousands of people to celebrate the season in the heart of our city. Whether you come to worship, attend a concert, or simply visit and take in the beauty of this sacred space, we hope your time with us will be filled with peace, joy and the wonder of God’s love, revealed in the birth of Jesus Christ. With so many special services and events taking place, please check our Opening Times before visiting. Sign up to our monthly newsletter for more information about when tickets will be released and for details about upcoming events, special offers, and exclusive opportunities.
Advent and Christmas Worship at Bath Abbey
We are delighted to welcome you for worship this Advent and Christmas. A number of our services are now ticketed in order to allow as many people as possible to attend and to try to keep queues down to a minimum. You can apply for tickets (at no charge) below.
Please check our Opening Times or with the Abbey Office before coming to worship outside of services.
Ticketed services
Our Advent Carol services and Festival of Nine Lessons & Carol services require tickets to attend. Due to demand, we run two of each service, one at 5pm and one at 7.15pm. Tickets are limited to 4 per household.
Ticketed services
Our Advent Carol Services and Festival of Nine Lessons & Carol services are ticketed. Due to demand, we run two of each service, one at 5pm and one at 7.15pm. Tickets are limited to 4 per household.
Advent and Christmas at Bath Abbey
Download our digital leaflet for a handy printable guide to the Advent and Christmas season at Bath Abbey. Alternatively, click on the images below.
Before your visit, please check our opening times for any closures before your visit, as the Abbey will at times be closed for services and events.
Download our 2025 Christmas leaflet 
Services, Worship and Music Expand
Full List of Services
8.00 am Holy Communion
10.30am Joint Eucharist
8.00am Holy Communion
9.30am Family Communion
11.30am Sung Eucharist
3.30pm Family Carols
7.00pm La Nativité
8.00am Holy Communion
10.30am Joint Eucharist
4.00 & 6.00pm Carol Praise
11.00pm Midnight Communion
8.00am Holy Communion
9.30am Celebration Communion
11.30am Sung Eucharist
8.00am Holy Communion
10.30am Joint Eucharist
7.00pm Epiphany Concert
8.00am Holy Communion
9.30am Family Communion
11.30am Sung Eucharist
5.00pm Epiphany Carols
Our popular, informal 20-minute service with traditional carols is back for 2023. Everyone welcome, no need to book.
1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm & 5pm
1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm & 5pm
1pm, 2pm & 3pm
Advent and Christmas Visiting Information Expand
For a downloadable / printable version of our festive visiting information, please download our PDF.
The Abbey Shop
A wide selection of Christmas cards, advent candles, tree decorations, nativity sets, CDs, books and festive gifts are available.
Open Mon-Sat, extended opening hours. Closed from Christmas Eve until New Year 2024.
Festive Family Fun
Children’s trail plus new Little Explorer backpacks for 0 -5 years, including a Sensory version for children with SEND. Free to borrow from the Welcome Desk.
Opening Hours
The Abbey may be closed to visitors at certain times due to the large number of special events and services taking place over the festive season. Some last minute changes may occur.
For details of opening hours please check Google, our website homepage or contact the Abbey Office on 01225 422462 or office@bathabbey.org.
The perfect opportunity to create a lasting memory this festive season
- 23 November – 9 December.
- Monday – Saturday (times vary).
- Tickets priced from: £5 – £15.
Escape the crowds of the Christmas Market and experience Bath like never before!
Treat yourself and your loved ones to something extra special – an unforgettable climb to the top of Bath Abbey’s tower.
Brave the 212 steps and be rewarded with a warming mulled wine or hot chocolate while admiring the glittering lights of the city.
Purchase on the day of your visit. Please ask about times and get your tickets at the Abbey’s Welcome Desk. When the Abbey is closed for services, tickets will be available from the Orange Grove entrance at the east end of the Abbey. Tickets are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
We look forward to welcoming you this festive season.
Music – Bath Abbey Concerts Expand
A Christmas Celebration
A variety of seasonal music, readings and audience participation for all the family
Join all the Abbey choirs including the young Melody Makers in their Christmas celebrations.
Music, readings and audience carols…there will be something for everyone!
Handel’s Messiah
Handel’s glorious masterpiece sung by acclaimed Abbey choirs of Girls and Lay Clerks.
Previous performances by the same choir described as ‘intense and electrifying’, ‘full of energy and urgency’ with ‘outstanding’ soloists taken from the abbey’s own choir.
Epiphany Concert
More information and tickets coming soon.
For more information on upcoming concerts for our Abbey choirs, please visit our What’s On page, or Choirs page.
Festive Tower Tours at Bath Abbey
Climb the 212 steps of Bath Abbey’s Tower to discover more about the church and the city of Bath, with a Festive twist! Admire the picturesque panoramic views from the top of the Tower whilst enjoying a seasonal beverage.
Our fully guided Festive Tower Tours last 45 minutes and are available throughout the day. Tours run Monday-Saturday (subject to availability).
Stargazing Tours at Bath Abbey
Are you fascinated by the night sky? Would you like to spot planets and stars from the top of one of Bath’s historic buildings? Join Bath Abbey and Bath Astronomers for live stargazing at the top of Bath Abbey’s tower.
Bring your burning astronomy questions for a chance to have them answered by Bath’s space-ial experts.
Stargazing Tours at Bath Abbey
Stargazing tours are back for a limited run!
With stunning views over the Christmas Market, join Bath Abbey and Bath Astronomers for live stargazing at the top of Bath Abbey’s tower.
- Friday 29 November, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm
- Friday 6 December, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm
- Friday 13 December, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm
Festive Tower Tours at Bath Abbey
Festive Tours are returning during the Christmas Market!
Embark on a 45-minute tour of our tower, taking in the ringing room and learning about the bells. Then enjoy a mulled wine or hot chocolate at the top while taking in the beautiful views of the Bath Christmas Market.
- 28 November – 14 December, various times.
Christmas Shopping at Bath Abbey
Looking for the perfect Christmas present?
The Bath Abbey Shop is open every day and stocks a wide range of Christmas and Christian gifts to suit all ages.
Did you know we can also offer vouchers for Tower Tours for the more adventurous giftee.
Bath Abbey Choir Concerts
Celebrate the Advent and Christmas season with the Bath Abbey Choirs.
Our Abbey Choirs perform at various concerts throughout the year, alongside the services they are part of. Discover what our choirs have coming up below.
Bath Abbey Christmas 2024 Gallery
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