Advent & Christmas at St Stephen’s
In addition to our regular services, during Advent and Christmas we will be holding special seasonal services to which everyone is welcome either in person or online; services from St Stephen’s will be live-streamed and available to watch on our website and YouTube channel afterwards.
Sunday 30th November 2025
ADVENT SUNDAY
10.30am Sung Eucharist
Join us as we mark the beginning of Advent sharing Communion together and singing traditional hymns with our choir.
6.00pm Advent Carol Service
A service of readings, Advent hymns, and anthems sung by our choir as we wait with anticipation, moving from darkness to light of the coming of our Lord.
Friday 5th December – Sunday 7th December 2025
Christmas Tree Festival
Come and see festive trees decorated by church and community groups – will you have a favourite?!
Friday 2.30–8.00pm, Saturday 12.00–6.00pm, Sunday 12.00–6.00pm
Informal carols around the trees Saturday 3.00pm
Sunday 8th December 2024
THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
10.30am Sung Eucharist
We gather as a community to continue our journey through Advent.
6.00pm Choral Evensong
As our Christmas Tree festival concludes, join us for Choral Evensong full of hope and expectation for the coming of God’s Son.
Sunday 14th December 2025
THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
10.30am Sung Eucharist
We celebrate the Eucharist together as we wait for the coming of Christ.
6.00pm Choral Evensong
Join us at the end of the day for a quiet service of Choral Evensong, sung today by the tenors and basses of our choir to ancient plainsong melodies.
Tuesday 23rd December 2025
9.00pm Carol Singing at Ye Olde Beverlie
An evening of carols with the community at our local pub, Ye Olde Beverlie. Booking a table is advised – click here to go to their website for contact details.
Sunday 21st December 2025
THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
10.30am Sung Eucharist
We celebrate the Eucharist together as we wait for the coming of Christ.
6.00pm Carol Service
Join us for a service of beautiful choral music sung by our choir, readings telling the Christmas story, and traditional carols for everyone to sing together. This service will be followed by mince pies and mulled wine.
Wednesday 24th December 2024
CHRISTMAS EVE
10.30am Crib Service
A service for children, singing well-known carols and hearing the Christmas story.
6.15pm Community Carol Singing (Canterbury City Centre)
Join people from across Canterbury as we sing carols together in Rose Square, led by the Salvation Army Band and our own St Stephen’s Choir.
10.00pm First Communion of Christmas
A traditional service of Communion marking the first moments of Christmas Day as we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ.
Thursday 25th December 2025
CHRISTMAS DAY
10.30am Festal Sung Eucharist
A Christmas Day celebration of the Eucharist, with carols.
Sunday 28th December 2025
Holy Innocents Day
10.30am Sung Eucharist
Sunday 4th January 2026
THE EPIPHANY
10.30am Festal Sung Eucharist
We remember the coming of the Magi, bringing gifts to the infant Jesus.
6.00pm Festal Choral Evensong
A traditional service of Choral Evensong from the Book of Common Prayer, as has been used in the Church of England for over 400 years.