Who doesn’t feel the urge to belt out Hark! The Herald Angels Sing in a candlelit cloister come Christmas? And with its abundance of big churches, North Yorkshire is the perfect place for crooners.
Carol concerts at Rievaulx Abbey
Rievaulx Abbey, Rievaulx, Nr Helmsley; 1 & 8 Dec
Winter warblers will want to wrap up warm for this singalong, which takes place in the roofless nave of the half-ruined abbey. That said, trilling traditional tunes to the accompaniment of Bilsdale Silver Band is guaranteed to get the blood pumping. english-heritage.org.uk
Carols by Candlelight at Fountains Abbey
Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden, Ripon; 8 & 15 Dec
Singing Silent Night in an ancient cellarium lit by hundreds of candles is about as Christmassy as it gets. Turn up early if you want to a) get a seat and b) loosen your vocal chords with a glass of mulled wine.
nationaltrust.org.uk
York Minister Carol Concerts
York Minster, York; 12 Dec
First organised by Lady Zetland in 1999, York Minster’s annual carol concert has raised more than £350,000 for cancer support over the past two decades. A pitch-perfect affair, it entertains more than 800 worshippers with exquisite renditions of classic carols by the choir, seasonal readings, and liqueurs and mince pies in the Cathedral crossing after the service. yorkminster.org
Macmillan Ripon Carol Concert
Ripon Cathedral, Ripon; 9 Dec
Carols at Ripon Cathedral always hits the high note, thanks to the Aysgarth School belting out seasonal favourites with glorious gusto. The fact that all proceeds from ticket sales goes to Macmillan Cancer Support compounds the feel-good factor. macmillanriponcarolconcert.co.uk
Henshaws Carols by Candlelight
Church of St Wilfrid Harrogate, Harrogate; 11 Dec
Henshaws annual carol concert is always a joyous affair and this year’s line-up is a cracker. The charity, which supports people with sight loss, has drafted in the New York Brass Band, a seven-strong group of North Yorkshire’s finest musicians, local soprano singer Elizabeth Frankland, and its own very own music-makers, The Hotspots. henshaws.org.uk
Carols by Candlelight
All Saints’ Church, Great Ayton; 17 Dec
Despite being built hundreds of years before carol singing was bigged-up by the Victorians, the service at All Saints’ Church is an annual highlight. And why not, given the raw beauty of the 12th century church with its ancient stone cross and famous churchyard where many members of Captain James Cook’s family are buried.
christchurchgreatayton.org.uk
