Christmas at Ely 2021

Everyone is welcome at Ely Cathedral this Christmas. Come and experience a Christmas service or concert with the Cathedral Choir, or join in one of the many family-themed activities. We also offer seasonal shopping in our Cathedral shops, homemade festive food in the Almonry, guided tower tours up the Octagon Tower or West Tower, in addition to the spectacular 30ft Christmas tree.

Ely Cathedral Gift ShopsDiscover perfect presents for family and friends in our festive themed gift shops with beautiful items such as jewellery, books, toiletries, accessories and homeware.

The Almonry RestaurantCome and enjoy delicious lunches and teas in a beautifully decorated 13th Century Undercroft. Tel: 01353 666360 | almonry@elycathedral.org

Covid Safety For the wellbeing and safety of everyone, we encourage all staff, volunteers and those attending an event or concert to wear face masks inside the building.

Event Tickets available from: www.elycathedral.org | Box Office: 01353 660349 (This number is monitored on a part time basis and it may take up to 3 working days to respond)Tickets for concerts and events are also available to purchase from our High Street Shop.

*Ticketed event. Dates and times correct at time of going to press. Visit our website for more information about these events or any unscheduled changes or cancellations.

Ely Cathedral, Ely, Cambs CB7 4DL Tel: 01353 667735. Email: receptionist@elycathedral.org

Advent and Christmas at Ely Cathedral

Photos: James Billings, Andrew Sharpe, David Rose, Geoff Robinson.Follow us on

Sunday 28 November, 6pm Advent Procession This awe-inspiring service helps us prepare our hearts and minds for the season of Advent, a time of patient waiting and joyful expectation.

Tuesdays 30 November, 7 & 14 December, 8pm Advent Compline A beautiful candlelit service in the Lady Chapel to help wind down at the end of the day.

Sunday 12 December, 4pm Evensong featuring Britten’s Ceremony of Carols with The Girl ChoristersAccompanied by Anne Denholm, Official Harpist to the Prince of Wales from 2015-19.

Sunday 12 December, 6.30pm Advent Taizé ServiceContemplative worship in the Taizé tradition.

Thursday 23 & Friday 24 December, 6pmCarol Services Sung by the Girl and Boy Choristers and Lower Voices of the Cathedral Choir.

Friday 24 December, 11pm Midnight Mass

Saturday 25 December10.30am Christmas Day Sung Eucharist4pm Christmas Day Evensong

ServicesAdvent and Christmas at Ely Cathedral

Photos: James Billings, Andrew Sharpe, David Rose, Geoff Robinson.

Thursday 2 December, 10.15amStory and Song Time at Christmas - Messy ChristingleChristmas stories, singing and fun.Recommended for children under 5.

Thursday 2 December, 4.30pm & 6pm Forest Church presents Adventure*Make a family Advent wreath and explore Advent and the real meaning of Christmas.Recommended for children of Primary School age / families.

Thursday 2 & Friday 3 December, 7.30pmChapterhouse Theatre Company present A Christmas Carol*A Christmas Carol is brought to life in a traditional production, complete with beautiful period costumes, song, dance, and a generous helping of festive spirit.

Saturday 4 December, 10amMedieval Christmas* Join Ellyn, Mabel and Alys as they get ready for Christmas at the Bishop’s Palace. Find out all about how Christmas was celebrated in Medieval times, see live cooking demonstrations and try a traditional mince pie. You’ll be able to help out with the preparations by making your own medieval gingerbread and creating natural decorations.Recommended for children aged 7+

Saturday 4 December, 3pmChristingle Service in aid of the Children’s SocietyA family celebratory and community event. It is named after the Christingles that are lit during the service and made from an orange decorated with red tape, sweets and a candle.

Christmas for Children and Families

A Christmas Carol

Sunday 5 December, 5.15pm The Big Christmas Tree Lights Switch-on Service Come and enjoy the biggest, most spectacular, Christmas tree in Ely as we count down to the switching on of the lights. This popular family event celebrates the festive season in song and prayer, concluding with the blessing of the magnificent tree!

Thursday 16 December, 10.15amStory and Song Time at Christmas - NativityChristmas stories, singing and fun.Recommended for children under 5.

Saturday 18 December, 1.30pmMedieval Christmas* Details as per Saturday 4 December.

Monday 20 - Friday 24 DecemberChildren’s Christmas TrailDiscover the Christmas story on this interactive children’s trail around the Cathedral. No pre-booking required. Suggested donation £2 per child. Suitable for children of all ages.

Friday 24 December, Noon & 3pm Crib Services The children of the Cathedral retell the story of Christmas in this wonderful tableau of shepherds, angels, wise men. Sing carols and enjoy this family friendly celebration to mark the birth of Jesus. Dressing up optional!The 3pm service will be British Sign Language interpreted.

Tuesday 23 November, 7.30pmG4 at Christmas Concert*

Friday 10 December, 7.30pm The Monteverdi Choir and Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique directed by Sir John Eliot Gardiner perform Berlioz’s l’enfance du Christ*One of the world’s foremost classical music ensembles presents the story of the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt - a real Christmas highlight.

Saturday 11 December, 2pm Community Christmas Carol Sing-a-longCome and sing along to your favourite carols with the Ely Cathedral Community Choir accompanied by the Littleport Brass Band. With Christmas music, readings and prayers.

Sunday 19 December, 5.30pmSimply Singing Carols (Join us on the East Lawn near the Lady Chapel)Wrap up warm for outdoor carol singing, hot chocolate and activities for children. A prize for the person with the most joyfully festive attire!

Sunday 19 December, 7.30pmVivaldi’s Four Seasons at Christmas*

Wednesday 22 December, 7.30pmHark! The Herald Carol Concert*An evening of traditional Christmas carols and seasonal music. Sung by the Girl and Boy Choristers and Lower Voices of the Cathedral Choir, the Ely Imps, accompanied by Prime Brass.

Thursday 23 & Friday 24 December, 6pmCarol Services Sung by the Girl and Boy Choristers and Lower Voices of the Cathedral Choir.

Sunday 26 December, 4pm (Rehearsal 2.15 - 4pm)Come and Sing Carols Be part of the choir for an afternoon of favourite carols in this festive free-for-all!

Concert and Carols

Friday 10 & Saturday 11 DecemberChristmas Wreath Workshops*Learn to make a natural, living wreath with Wild Oak Workshops. Seasonal supplies and refreshments included.Tickets available direct from www.wildoakworkshops.com

Due to the popularity of the Christmas Fair and limit on numbers, all tickets must be purchased in advance via our website www.elycathedral.org

Friday 19 November 9am - 10am ‘shoppers with wheels’10am - 1pm / 1pm - 4.30pm / 6.30pm - 9pm

Saturday 20 November* 9.30am - 1pm / 1pm - 4.30pm

Wednesday 17 November 6.30pm - 9pm Preview Evening

Thursday 18 November*9.30am - 1pm / 1pm - 4.30pm

Festive Shopping • Food Vendors • Outdoor Festive VillageMusical Entertainment • Live Demonstrations • Vintage Carousel

Christmas Gift & Food Fair* Christmas Fair and Workshops

An exhibition of ecclesiastical works from the Collection of the Royal School of Needlework, alongside contemporary fashion pieces from the RSN’s Degree programme

For Worship & Glory II

www.elycathedral.org

27 January – 13 March 2022Monday – Saturday | 10am – 4pmSunday | 12.30pm – 3.30pm