Hereford Cathedral Events for Dec 2025

DAILY EVENTS

Everyone is welcome to join any of the acts of worship that take place at the cathedral. Services are normally held at the following times:

 

Monday – Saturday

8 am – Morning Prayer

10.30 am – Eucharist (8.30 am on a Saturday)

5.30 pm – Evening Prayer or Evensong

 

Sunday

8 am – Holy Communion

10 am – Cathedral Eucharist (this service is also live streamed)

11.30 am – Matins or Morning Prayer

3.30 pm – Evening Prayer or Evensong

 

EXHIBITIONS

Sacred Creatures

Monday 6 October 2025 until Saturday 21 March 2026*
The latest exhibition in the Mappa Mundi and Chained Library at Hereford Cathedral is a site specific exhibition by Jeanette McCulloch MA(RCA), that explores the relationship between humans and animals with a focus on British wildlife.  

This exhibition has been kindly supported by The Ulrike Michal Foundation for the Arts 

*Please note the museum will be closed throughout January 

Normal admission charges apply and tickets can be booked in advance via the cathedral website.

 

TOURS

Cathedral Tours
Monday to Saturday, 11.05 am & 2.15 pm.

Explore the rich history and treasures of the cathedral from its Saxon origins to the present day with our knowledgeable guides.

Tickets cost £7.50 (Adult), £6 (Student) and £2 (Child aged 8 - 16) and can be booked in advance via the cathedral or by calling the ticket desk (01432 374 202)

 

EVENTS

Cathedral Seedlings – Toddlers Group
Thursdays in term time, 10 – 11.30 am
Calling all toddlers and their grown-ups to play and pray in the College Hall. Listen to a Bible story, take part in a craft activity and have fun in our weekly drop-in. To add to the experience, refreshments, delicious cakes and healthy snacks for children will be provided.

Cathedral Seedlings is a group for children from birth upwards, with a range of craft activities aimed at ages 2 plus. Toddler Group is free to attend, and no booking is required.

Escape Room
On selected dates.

Solve our brand-new Escape Room: an immersive clue-cracking and decoding game, hosted in the Old Chapel in the Cloisters. It is Medieval Hereford, and pilgrims have been travelling from all over the country to visit the shrine of St Thomas Cantilupe. Earlier today, a precious golden ring was left at the shrine as an offering. But- when the Shrine Keeper returned from Morning Prayer, they noticed that the ring has been stolen…Can you find the ring, but more importantly, identify the thief before the time runs out?

Tickets cost £70 and can be booked in advance via the cathedral website or by calling the ticket desk (01432 374 202)

Cathedral Treasures: Seasonal selections
Friday 5 December, 4.30 pm

The Library team have selected a range of items from the 12th century up to the 20th that tell the story of the Advent season. This is a rare opportunity to see historic items from the Chained Library, archives and All Saints library up close in the Reading Room.
Tickets cost £15 and can be booked in advance via the cathedral website or by calling the ticket desk (01432 374 202)

Messiah | Hereford Choral Society
Saturday 6 December, 7.30 pm
“Christmas doesn’t start until Hereford Choral Society has sung Messiah”, or words to that effect, are frequent comments following this atmospheric, candlelight concert. Add in the evocative sound of the period instruments, played by Marches Baroque, and you have an unforgettable experience that regularly fills the seats in Hereford Cathedral. Tickets from only £10 (unreserved).
Tickets are available from https://3choirs.org/events/hcs-handel-messiah/

Ex Cathedra: Christmas Music by Candlelight
Wednesday 10 December,7.30 pm

In the deep still darkness, comes the luminous sound of a choir in harmony. Expect some of your favourite carols, and discover a treasure trove of gorgeous new -and old - music and readings that explore the magic, humour and peace of Christmas. A concert with both familiar melodies and wondrous discoveries to make
you smile as well as reflect.
Tickets are available from Ex Cathedra website.

https://excathedra.co.uk/event/2526-christmas-music-hereford

Nativity Family Trail
Thursday 11 December – Saturday 10 January
Discover the story of the Nativity this Christmas with our family trail! Collect your free trail from the Welcome Desk as you arrive, explore the building and collect a sticker once you’ve completed the worksheet.

Hereford Cathedral Christmas Fair

Saturday 13 December, 9.30 am - 4 pm

Join us for our annual Christmas Fair with over forty stalls selling a range of festive gifts. Admission free, with a collection to support the work of Hereford Cathedral. Please join us in the Cathedral Close at 12 noon for carol singing.

St Michael’s Hospice ‘Light up a Life’ Service.
Sunday 14 December, 6 pm

Light up a Life offers a chance to come together with others who understand the experience of grieving the loss of a loved one. At the service, candles are lit, each representing the life and memories of someone special.
Please visit st-michaels-hospice.org.uk for more information.

Lego Club
Tuesday 16 December, 3.40 – 5 pm
Test your skills at creating crazy constructions and superstructures with Lego in the inspiring surroundings of Hereford Cathedral. Enjoy this freestyle Lego session in The Rear Nave with thousands of bricks and hundreds of mini-figures. The session will remain a free-play session until 4.45 pm, at which point we’ll come together to explore a Bible story from the Brick Bible and use our bricks to help tell the story. 
This after-school session is free to attend, and booking is not required for this event.

Bereavement Café

Wednesday 17 December, 2.30 pm – 4 pm

Everyone is welcome to join us for an informal and friendly gathering for those who have been bereaved, recently or long ago. Run by volunteers, this is a welcoming environment to share experiences and support.

ABF Christmas Family Concert
Wednesday 17 December,7 pm
Among those performing at this year’s concert will be the Herefordshire Veterans Choir, the Herefordshire Youth Concert Band, Vocalise Choir, Marches Military Wives Choir, the Hereford Fanfare Trumpets, and STARS Military Youth Choir. Tickets can be purchased from The Courtyard Theatre box office 01432 340 555 or online at www.courtyard.org.uk/abf

Toddler Carol Service

Thursday 18 December, 10 am – 11 am
Bring your little ones to a special carol service just for toddlers in the Lady Chapel. Enjoy a delightful Nativity with storytelling, drama and beautiful Christmas songs. Dress up as your favourite Nativity character – a sheep, a star, Joseph, Mary or even a donkey!

Festival of Lessons and Carols

Monday 22 & Tuesday 23 December – 7 pm
Everyone is welcome to join us for our festival of Lessons & Carols. Admission by ticket only. Tickets are free and can be booked via the cathedral website, the Ticket Desk or by calling 01432 374 202

Wednesday 24 December - Christmas Eve Services
Morning Prayer – 8 am 

Holy Communion – 10.30 am

Family Crib Service – 2 pm

A celebration of the Christmas story for children and families. Come dressed as a shepherd, angel or wise man!

Choral Evensong - 5.30 pm
With Blessing of the Crib. Everyone welcome.

Midnight Mass -11 pm

 

Wednesday 25 December - Christmas Day
Holy Communion with hymns - 8 am

Cathedral Eucharist – 10 am (Preacher: The Dean)
Choral Matins – 11.30 am (Preacher: The Bishop)

Holy Innocents’ Day
Sunday 28 December,3.30 pm

A quiet service of remembrance for parents and families who have suffered the loss of a child, whether recently or long ago. All welcome.