St Peter's Church, Great Berkhamsted

The Church of St Peter Great Berkhamsted

Advent & Christmas

posterAdvent is a special time when we look forward with great anticipation to the birth of Jesus. From the town’s Festival of Light at the end of November, the excitement builds. We celebrate Advent Sunday 4 Sundays before Christmas Day, and through December, the community begins to celebrate with carol concerts and festive events looking forward to 25 December. Christmas itself lasts 12 days, and at the end we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany.

Everyone is very welcome at St Peter’s, whether you are a regular worshipper, exploring faith or just feeling festive. Our doors are open for you.

We wish everyone a peaceful and blessed Christmas.

Services & events

  • Church services are free and there is no need to book.
  • Tickets for concerts are sold online or on the door – they’re very popular, so we recommend you book now to avoid disappointment!
 

Past Events

Festival of Light
23 November 2025

Festival of Light

Visit St Peter's during the town street party and see the historic church lit by thousands of candles. Pause for a moment of reflection and prayer in this calm, sacred space. Free entry, donations welcome.
Advent Carol Service
30 November 2025

Advent Carol Service

On Advent Sunday, we look forward to Christmas with readings & choral music celebrating the promise of Christ as a light shining in the darkness. All are welcome to this atmospheric candlelit service.

Community Christmas Celebration Concert
3 December 2025

Community Christmas Celebration Concert

An evening of festive music with Christmas chart toppers, celebrity readings and congregational carols in aid of the Swan Youth Project.
Berkhamsted Choral Society Christmas concert
7 December 2025

Berkhamsted Choral Society Christmas concert

Berkhamsted Choral Society and English Philharmonia Brass perform Cecilia McDowall’s A Winter’s Night, along with Christmas favourites and carols for everyone to sing!

 Town Carol Service
13 December 2025

Town Carol Service

As we prepare for the joy of Christmas, we welcome the whole community to this service of congregational carol singing.
Choral Evensong for Advent
14 December 2025

Choral Evensong for Advent

An evening service of contemplative plainchant for the season of Advent, sung by our choir

Parish Mass on the 4th Sunday of Advent
21 December 2025

Parish Mass on the 4th Sunday of Advent

Everyone is welcome at our Sunday morning Sung Eucharist, when we celebrate God's promise of light in the darkness on the last Sunday before Christmas.
Children's Christmas Singing Workshop
21 December 2025

Children's Christmas Singing Workshop

For children aged 5 - 7 - come and sing some Christmas songs, learn how to use your voice and join in some games - and then sing in the Bedtime Story at 4pm.

A Christmas Bedtime Story
21 December 2025

A Christmas Bedtime Story

A family-friendly re-telling of the Christmas story, with hot chocolate and cookies! Bring a cushion and blanket, your favourite cuddly toy, and wrapped up in your dressing-gown for some candlelit Christmas storytelling.
Chiltern Chamber Choir Christmas concert
23 December 2025

Chiltern Chamber Choir Christmas concert

The Chiltern Chamber Choir & orchestra perform Bach's Magnificat

Children's Crib Service (3pm)
24 December 2025

Children's Crib Service (3pm)

A special Christmas service for young children to discover the wonder of the Christmas story, with songs and fun activities
Children's Crib Service (5pm)
24 December 2025

Children's Crib Service (5pm)

A special Christmas service for young children to discover the wonder of the Christmas story, with songs and fun activities

Midnight Mass
24 December 2025

Midnight Mass

We celebrate the holy night of Christ's birth with readings, prayer and choral music. Join us for choir carols at 11pm, and the full service begins at 11:30pm.
Christmas Day Parish Mass
25 December 2025

Christmas Day Parish Mass

"Yea Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning!" - Everyone is welcome to join us in joyful celebration of the of Christ's incarnation on this holy Christmas Day.

Parish Mass on the 1st Sunday of Christmas
28 December 2025

Parish Mass on the 1st Sunday of Christmas

All are welcome to join us on our first Sunday worship in the holy season of Christmas.
A Vivaldi & Mozart Candlelight Experience
3 January 2026

A Vivaldi & Mozart Candlelight Experience

A New Year magical concert experience featuring Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik and Vivaldi's Four Seasons.

Parish Mass for Epiphany
4 January 2026

Parish Mass for Epiphany

After the 12 days of Christmas, we celebrate the coming of the Wise Men to Bethlehem at the Feast of Epiphany
 

Related content

Further Reading

Contacts

 
photo of Parish Office

Parish Office

 01442 878227