Christmas Carol concerts and services in NewcastleGateshead

Oh Come All Ye Faithful and take part in some enchanting Christmas carol services in NewcastleGateshead both in 'real life' and online.

There are a number of great ways to celebrate Christmas in NewcastleGateshead with festive Christmas Carol services and concerts. Choose from Christmas Carol services in Newcastle which you and your family can attend in person this December or, if you'd rather sing your heart out from home, tune in to a selection of carol concerts online. Do you have a favourite place to sing your carols in Newcastle or Gateshead? Perhaps in the majestic and historic Newcastle Cathedral in the city centre or surrounded by hundreds of candles in the quaint church beside Jesmond Metro? 

Carol services, like other events, will look a little differently in 2020 with churches taking all precautions to ensure the safety of visitors and participants. There will be 'in person' events which will require pre-booking as well as a number of carol services heading online. Places of worship are allowed to stay open under tier 3 restrictions and some churches like Newcastle Cathedral will be holding safe, in person carols. Please check the website at time of booking for the churches' safety measures before you visit. Whether visiting in real life or watching online, this is a great place to find some solace and time out to reflect after a very challenging year. You're in for a festive and heart-warming experience which will bring you some joy as you head into Christmas.

Here are six ways you can experience carols in NewcastleGateshead this Christmas: 

Historic Newcastle Cathedral is the perfect place to experience the joy of traditional carols this December. Newcastle's city centre cathedral has a whole range of Christmas services and events taking place in 2020 and Newcastle Cathedral invite you to join them in person as well as online. Here are a couple of carolling highlights: 

• Carousel of Carol Service will take place at Newcastle Cathedral on Saturday 19 December and Thursday 24 December. You are invited to visit in person to enjoy their bite-sized Christmas carol service! Gather your household and head to Newcastle Cathedral for a enchanting but whistle-stop 30-minute carol service which will take place at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm on both dates. You'll need to hum along to the carols through your masks as visitors singing is not possible under government guidelines but never fear, you can listen to beautiful singing of The Cathedral Choir who will be (safely!) in full voice. The capacity is limited to 40 people per service so you need to book in advance online here.

• If you'd rather not head into the cathedral in person, there are plenty of festive services and traditional carol events online. Why not get into the full Christmas spirit, pop your matching pyjamas on and join Newcastle Cathedral online on Christmas Eve at 6pm for a traditional Service of Nine Lessons and Carols or if you're not already tucked up in bed, switch on Newcastle Cathedral's atmospheric Midnight Mass at 11.30pm on Christmas Eve - both available online via Newcastle Cathedral's YouTube channel. Midnight Mass is available to attend in person with free, pre-booked tickets.

Carols by Candlelight at Jesmond Parish Church has long been a 'must-do' Christmas tradition for people in Newcastle. The quaint and traditional church beside Jesmond Metro is usually decked out with hundreds of candles to celebrate their annual carol services. Carols by Candlelight are back in 2020 and will have the same truly enchanting, festive atmosphere but with fewer candles and much smaller numbers of people who can attend each service. This year, the traditional carol service will also be available to watch online from 6.30pm on Saturday 13 December - visit the Carols by Candlelight website for more information.

You can book online here to attend carols safely in person at Jesmond Parish Church on the following dates:

• Tuesday 8 - Thursday 10 December, 8pm 
• Saturday 12 December at 5pm and Sunday 13 December at 5pm & 8pm

Free event, booking in advanced essential. 

Settle in with your mulled wine and warm up your vocal chords as you watch the live stream of Gosforth Civic Theatre's Christmas Concert 2020 on Saturday 19 December, 7pm. The Strictly Smoking Big Band will be playing you into Christmas-week for the 10th anniversary of their jazz-fuelled festive performances. 

Live Stream only, tickets £5. Book online with Gosforth Civic Theatre here.

Rally your neighbours, pop on your Christmas jumpers and set your alarms for 5.30pm on Sunday 20 December. Newcastle's Methodist District in partnership with Premier Radio invite you to take part in Carols on the Doorstep. You can even download your copy of the Christmas Carol Sheet beforehand to make sure you get a little practise in! 

Free event. 

The Felling Brass Brand will be adding their rich musical tones to City Church Newcastle's Christmas Carol service on Sunday 13 December. The online carol service will celebrate the story of Jesus' birth and include classic carols for you to sing-a-long to from the comfort of your own home. 

Watch for free on City Church Newcastle's Facebook page on Sunday 13 December at 5pm.

If you are STILL looking for carols to attend in person across Newcastle and Gateshead - then book online to save your seat at one of St George's Church in Gateshead's Christmas carol events. There are carol services for all the family on Saturday 19, Sunday 20 and Monday 21 December as well as three opportunities to get carolling at very festive Christmas Eve services.

Find out more and book your free seat online here.