There’s nothing like a good old sing-song to get you into the festive mood – and there's a host of Christmas carol concerts taking place across the county, with everything from traditional carols and seasonal choral pieces to fun festive favourites.
So, start practicing your ‘Ding Dong Merrily on High’ and check out SoGlos’s hand-picked selection of Christmassy carol services in Gloucestershire.
Carol services at Gloucester Cathedral
A must-visit at Christmas, Gloucester Cathedral is hosting a variety of carol services throughout December 2025, filling the historic building with beautiful Christmas music.
Start the season with its free Carols on the Hour event on Saturday 6 December; bring the little ones to enjoy lively family carol services during the day on Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24; and save your best voices for the cathedral's hugely popular evening carol services taking place on Sunday 21, Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 December 2025, with traditional readings and carols performed by the cathedral choir in this utterly spectacular setting.
Carol services at Tewkesbury Abbey
Tewkesbury Abbey is hosting a variety of services in the run-up to Christmas this December 2025, including two traditional carol services.
Its Schola Cantorum carol service takes place on Tuesday 9 December 2025, where Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum will be singing; then there's its annual Christmas carol service on Sunday 21 December 2025 at 6pm, which welcomes everyone to attend and listen to the glorious music.
Swing into Christmas at Cheltenham Town Hall
With a 30-piece ensemble performing Christmas hits from the likes of Nat 'King' Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra, don't miss Down for the Count's Swing into Christmas concert at Cheltenham Town Hall on Sunday 14 December 2025.
The award-winning band are used to selling out the hottest jazz venues like Ronnie Scott's; and their incredible show is packed full of Christmas classics and original arrangements, making it one of the highlights of the festive season in Cheltenham.
Christmas concert at Berkeley Castle
Berkeley Castle provides a showstopping setting for a Christmas concert, with its Great Hall playing host to Orchestra Pro Anima on Sunday 14 December 2025.
Led by highly-acclaimed violinist, Michael Bochmann MBE, the orchestra will perform a varied set which spans music from the Baroque era to the 20th century – with familiar favourites set to include 'Adeste Fideles' ('Oh Come All Ye Faithful') and 'Sleigh Ride'.
Maggie's Cheltenham carol concert
Raising money for much-loved charity, Maggie's, this year's carol concert features performances from the Beauregard Youth Choir, the Flowers Band and Maggie's own choir.
The concert is taking place at Christ Church in Cheltenham on Tuesday 9 December 2025.
Candlelight Christmas at Blackfriars Priory in Gloucester
The atmospheric Blackfriars Priory in Gloucester is hosting a candlelit Christmas concert on Friday 19 December 2025.
Featuring much-loved music from Christmas films like Home Alone, Love Actually, Elf, The Polar Express and How The Grinch Stole Christmas performed by a string quartet, it promises to be a magical evening in a truly incredible location.
Cirencester Singers carol concert
The Cirencester Singers host their annual Christmas carol concert on Tuesday 9 December 2025 at The Parish of St John Baptist in Cirencester – and are joined by special guests Churn Valley Singers and vocal harmony group Harmonia.
With an eclectic mix of music and traditional Christmas carols, this year's event is raising money for beloved Cirencester venue New Brewery Arts and Riding for the Disabled Association.
Carol service steam train at Dean Forest Railway
Hop on board a steam train at the Dean Forest Railway for a festive ride through the forest on Saturday 6 December 2025.
Departing from Norchard Station, the train will stop off at various stations along the line, where passengers can hear the Christmas story and sing carols, before returning to Norchard for free mince pies and mulled wine after the service.
Thames Head Singers carol service at Holy Trinity Minchinhampton
From 'Away in a Manger' and 'The 12 Days of Christmas' to Vivaldi's 'Gloria', The Thames Head Singers are joined by The Capriol Chamber Orchestra to perform Christmas classics and traditional carols at the Holy Trinity Church in Minchinhampton on Saturday 20 December 2025.
This year's event is raising money for local charity Mindsong which helps people with dementia through music.
The Long Table's Christmas Ceilidh in Stroud
Much-loved charity, The Long Table, is hosting an alternative Christmas concert in Stroud on Friday 5 December 2025, where dancing shoes will be required!
Swapping hymns and carols for rousing folk numbers, the Dobunni Ceilidh Band will be performing traditional folk songs from around the British Isles, alongside a caller to help partygoers join in with the dance routines, for a traditional celebration that's anything but stuffy.
Churchdown Male Voice Choir Christmas Crackers at Gloucester Guildhall
Churchdown Male Voice Choir hit the stage at Gloucester Guildhall on Saturday 6 December 2025 for their Christmas Crackers concert.
With a versatile repertoire spanning powerful classical works, timeless Christmas carols and contemporary hits, it promises to be a magical evening for all.
Tewkesbury Town Band's Christmas concert at The Roses Theatre
Tewkesbury Town Band performs its hometown Christmas concert at The Roses Theatre on Sunday 14 December 2025.
Audiences can expect bold brass renditions of classic Christmas songs for a fabulously festive evening.
Oriana Singers Christmas concert in Dursley
Dursley's Oriana Singers are hosting their Christmas concert at St Dominic's Church on Thursday 11 December 2025.
From traditional carols to popular Christmas music from across the ages, it promises to be an evening of beautiful music and festive cheer.
Carols by Candlelight at Daylesford
Daylesford Farm is hosting an atmospheric candlelit carol concert on Sunday 21 December 2025.
Taking place in the Heritage House, surrounded by Cotswold countryside, audiences will be treated to a performance from former members of the renowned Royal Holloway University Choir.
Newent Choral Society's 'Christmas Oratorio'
Newent Choral Society is performing Bob Chilcott's 'Christmas Oratorio' and seasonal carols at St Mary's Church on Saturday 6 December 2025.
The evening starts with the 'Christmas Oratorio', which blends words from St Luke and St Matthew with poetry to breathe fresh life into the Christmas story; followed by renditions of festive favourites like 'Once in Royal David's City', 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing' and the 'Gloucestershire Wassail'.
Stroud Choral Society Christmas concert
Stroud Choral Society's Christmas concert takes place on Friday 12 December 2025 at St Laurence: Stroud Centre for Peace and The Arts.
The adult choir and children's choir, the Minpins, will be singing together, providing festive tunes and readings to get you into the Christmas spirit.
