Christmas at Ely 2021
Advent and Christmas at Ely Cathedral 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 Shops Discover 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 Restaurant Come 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 Follow us on Photos: James Billings, Andrew Sharpe, David Rose, Geoff Robinson.
Services
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 Choristers Accompanied by Anne Denholm, Official Harpist to the Prince of Wales from 2015-19. Sunday 12 December, 6.30pm Advent Taizé Service Contemplative worship in the Taizé tradition. Thursday 23 & Friday 24 December, 6pm Carol Services Sung by the Girl and Boy Choristers and Lower Voices of the Cathedral Choir. Friday 24 December, 11pm Midnight Mass Saturday 25 December 10.30am Christmas Day Sung Eucharist 4pm Christmas Day Evensong
Christmas for Children and Families A Christmas Carol
Thursday 2 December, 10.15am Story and Song Time at Christmas - Messy Christingle Christmas 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, 7.30pm Chapterhouse 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, 10am Medieval 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, 3pm Christingle Service in aid of the Children’s Society A 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.
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, 10.15am Story and Song Time at Christmas - Nativity Christmas stories, singing and fun. Recommended for children under 5. Saturday 18 December, 1.30pm Medieval Christmas* Details as per Saturday 4 December. Monday 20 - Friday 24 December Children’s Christmas Trail Discover 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.
Concert and Carols
Tuesday 23 November, 7.30pm G4 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-long Come 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, 5.30pm Simply 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, 7.30pm Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at Christmas* Wednesday 22 December, 7.30pm Hark! 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, 6pm Carol 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!
Christmas Fair and Workshops
Christmas Gift & Food Fair*
Festive Shopping • Food Vendors • Outdoor Festive Village Musical Entertainment • Live Demonstrations • Vintage Carousel Wednesday 17 November 6.30pm - 9pm Preview Evening Thursday 18 November* 9.30am - 1pm / 1pm - 4.30pm
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
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 10 & Saturday 11 December Christmas 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
For Worship & Glory II An exhibition of ecclesiastical works from the Collection of the Royal School of Needlework, alongside contemporary fashion pieces from the RSN’s Degree programme
27 January – 13 March 2022 Monday – Saturday | 10am – 4pm Sunday | 12.30pm – 3.30pm
www.elycathedral.org