Brixton churches and others are preparing for Christmas with concerts, services and events.
St Matthew’s
St Matthew’s, celebrating its 200th anniversary this year, has three events:
Electric Belles Christmas Concert
< Tuesday 3 December, St Matthews. 7–10pm
The Electric Belles women’s and non-binary choir will host a charity concert to raise funds for Home Start Lambeth. Mince pies, BYOB.
Brixton Community Gospel Choir featuring Annette Bowen
Rubee Rose director of Let’s Sing UK, presents an uplifting end-of-term gospel concert featuring gospel sensation Annette Bowen
St Matthews bicentenary community carol service
Tuesday 17 DecemberSt Matthews, doors 6pm
Carol service followed by mince pies and mulled wine.
Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi Catholic Church on Trent Road off Brixton Hill has Sounds of Advent – a free concert in the church hall from 7 to 9.30pm on Friday 6 December, with the London-based Medea String Quartet, an acclaimed group of young chamber musicians, and Welsh harp and voice from Cerys Hafana.
Christ Church
Christ Church at 90 Brixton Road will host the German Choir of London’s annual Christmas concert. This year the choir will perform the Christmas Oratorio by Camille Saint-Saëns, interspersed with Christmas carols from Japan to Romania in a family friendly celebration. Friday 6 December, 7 pm. Tickets from £10.
On Saturday 14 December, at 5pm, the choir will be back at Christ Church for carols by candlelight followed by mulled wine and mince pies.
Unitarian Church
At their Effra Road chapel, Brixton Unitarians present, and we quote, “Ye Olde Mindful Carols’ Service”, with Ellie Blewitt (soprano) and Ricky Taing (bass) at 12.15pm (doors noon) on Sunday 15 December. It offers the chance to reflect mindfully on 2024 and get ready for Christmas and 2025.
“For all faiths and none, with ancient carols, supporting soloists, stirring readings, seasonal refreshments, and festive cheer,” say the Unitarians.
Though tickets may be available on the day, free pre-booking is strongly advised to avoid disappointment. Festive refreshments will be available post-service, and the church invites visitors to make a donation towards the Brixton and Norwood Foodbank (£10 suggested).
St Paul’s Church
St Paul’s Church on Ferndale Road presents Carols by Candlelight at 5pm on Sunday 15 December.
The annual family carol service celebrates the joy of the season with favourite Christmas carols from the St. Paul’s Voices church choir and readings by dedicated congregation members and Sunday school pupils.
Durning library
On Monday 9 December from 7 to 8.30pm, at Durning library at 167 Kennington Lane, SE11 4HF, the Archbishop Sumner school band will join the Durning Friends’ Christmas sing-along. The event will include a Christmas raffle and wine generously donated by Stuart George of Arden Fine Wines. A £3 donation is requested for refreshments.
Dulwich Picture Gallery
On the feast of St Nicholas – Wednesday 4 December – Christ’s Chapel at Dulwich Picture Gallery will host an evening of festive music with The Fourth Choir – London’s LGBT+ chamber choir – as well as readings from special guests. 7.30pm. Tickets £25.
Longfield Hall
At Longfield Hall in Myatts Fields from 5 to 6pm on Friday 6 December, three actors will play multiple characters in a musical retelling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Presented by the Dot Collective in collaboration with Open Bar Theatre.
Tickets: Adults £16; Children (4+) £12; family (two adults + two children) £50; carer ticket – one adult plus a carer – £14.
Bell House, Dulwich
Dulwich Folk Choir. led by folk musician and singer Aimée Leonard, invites you to sing along to beloved Christmas classics at Bell House in Dulwich Village (27 College Road, SE21 7BG) on Tuesday 10 December from 7 to 9pm. There will be solos and duos, as well as a feature by the band Tamesas. Sip mulled wine and sing along. Families and children welcome. Doors 6.30pm. Suggested donation of £5 per person, includes mulled wine and mince pie. Proceeds from this is a community fundraising event will go to support the activities of Bell House and the Lewisham donation hub.
Wheatsheaf Hall, South Lambeth
Two Lambeth choirs, Syrinx and Sound choir, will sing from their uplifting a cappella repertoires in aid of Choir With No Name, a singing charity for people affected by homelessness, on Sunday 8 December at Wheatsheaf Hall, Wheatsheaf Lane, South Lambeth Road, SW8.2UP. Doors 7pm, concert 7.30–9.30pm. £11.60+concs. There will be cake.
And don’t forget the Brixton Chamber Orchestra’s 2024 Christmas estates tour.
