One of my favourite things at Christmas time is listening to and singing along with Christmas carols. If this appeals to you too, then here’s a roundup of Carols By Candlelight and other carol concerts to enjoy this year!
For many people, a big part of Christmas are the classic Christmas carols like Deck the Halls, The First Noel and O Come All Ye Faithful.
Hearing them live, and getting to sing along too, is a joyful experience so we’ve rounded up some places where you can enjoy Christmas carols.
Carols By Candlelight and Other Festive Carol Concerts
Christmas Carol Concerts at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin
Dates: December 8th to 23rd 2023 (various dates)
There are several Christmas Concerts taking place in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin this December including:
- Christmas at the Movies (Dec 8th)
- Viennese Christmas Special (Dec 9th)
- Vivaldi’s 4 Seasons (Dec 10th)
- A Culwick Choral Christmas (Dec 13th)
- Handel by Candle (Dec 15th)
- Jersey Boys by Candlelight – At Christmas (Dec 16th)
- Christmas by Candlelight (Dec 20th & 21st)
- The Snowman (Dec 23rd)
For more information, click here.
The Journey Home for Christmas in Aid of Focus Ireland, Iarnród Éireann Stations Nationwide
Dates: December 22nd & 23rd 2023
Focus Ireland are asking musicians, choirs, musical groups and solo singers to come out to welcome those arriving and departing from Iarnród Éireann stations on December 22nd and 23rd, with a variety of your favourite songs, as they make the Journey Home for Christmas.
Confirmed stations to date include:
- Hueston Station (Dublin)
- Kilkenny Station
- Kent Station (Cork)
- Colbert Station (Limerick)
- Athlone Station (Westmeath)
All proceeds raised will go to Focus Ireland.
For more information, click here.
Dublin Gospel Choir Christmas Concerts
Dates: December 15th & 17th
The Dublin Gospel Choir returns with a brilliant selection of festive favourites and gospel greats to give you all the Christmas feels!
DGC have long been a household name in Ireland – versatile, vibrant and uplifting with powerful voices and rich harmonies. They have performed with artists as diverse as John Legend, Take That, Duran Duran, Damien Rice, Outkast and Ennio Morricone and their annual slot at Electric Picnic is nothing less than legendary.
Shows include:
- December 15th – The Moat Theatre Nass, Co Kildare
- December 17th – Draoicht, Blanchardstown
On December 18th they host a Christmas Night of Soul in aid of Capuchin Day Center. This will be held at 8pm at Capuchin Day Centre, St Mary of the Angels Church, Dublin 7. It is a free event and all donations are welcome.
For further details and to book tickets, click here.
Christmas with New Voices, Dublin
Date: December 8th 2023
Internationally-acclaimed and award-winning chamber choir New Dublin Voices and Bernie Sherlock return to the John Field Room at the National Concert Hall with the perfect blend of Christmas music, old and new, for a concert brimming with the spirit of the season.
For more information and to book tickets, click here.
The Knights Before Christmas, Galway
Date: December 9th 2023
The A Capella Knights presents The Knights Before Christmas, a festive evening of music and dance at Galway Cathedral supporting Hand in Hand Children’s Cancer Charity on December 9th.
For more information and to book tickets, click here.
The Big Christmas Sing Concert, Wexford Arts Centre
Date: December 17th 2023
Come along for some festive cheer and join in the fun with the Big Christmas singing group celebrating the end of a series of workshops for the annual Big Christmas Sing Concert with a range of old, new and wacky seasonal favourites all led by Elizabeth Drwal.
For more information and to book tickets, click here.
Christmas Classics by Candlelight with Frank McNamara, Limerick, Waterford & Kerry
Date: December 10th to 17th 2023
Enjoy the magic of Christmas Classics by Candlelight led by Frank McNamara with special guests.
- St John’s Church of Ireland, Tralee, Co Kerry (Dec 10th)
- St Augustine’s Catholic Church, Limerick (Dec 12th)
- Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity Within, Waterford (Dec 17th)
For more information, click here.
Dublin County Choir Christmas Family Gala, Dublin
Date: December 10th 2023
As traditional as Christmas turkey, kick start the festive period with the best variety show of the season. Don’t miss the big sound of the Dublin County Choir and the cream of Irish family entertainment in the company of your favourite soprano and presenter Niamh Murray at National Concert Hall.
For more information and to book tickets, click here.
Don’t Miss…
Get wrapped up in the magic of Christmas with these fantastic family events and activities around Ireland – seasonal fun guaranteed!
The Kilkenny Choir Christmas Concert
Date: December 10th 2023
The Kilkenny Choir presents a selection of modern and traditional Christmas carols at St Canice’s Catholic Church, Kilkenny.
For more information and to book tickets, click here.
The DMEP Christmas Concert, An Grianán Theatre, Donegal
Date: December 10th 2023
Hear some of Donegal’s finest young musicians and singers along with special guests, perform Christmas carols. Special guests include; Donegal Youth Orchestra, conducted by Vincent Kennedy, The Grand Ukulele Band, the Ukrainian Guitar Ensemble, Harpists Inc. and more.
For more information and to book tickets, click here.
Music @ the Museum: Christmas Concert with Cantóirí
Date: December 13th 2023
The Chester Beatty is pleased to welcome back Cantóirí, a Dublin choir with an international membership. Cantóirí’s repertoire spans the centuries and the globe, and includes songs from Europe, Latin America and the Far East. This festive performance will feature a selection of Christmas songs, old and new, including some of our most beloved carols.
Free, no booking required. For more information, click here.
The Great Christmas Concert, Dublin
Date: December 20th 2023
For over 25 years audiences have made The Great Christmas Concert at the National Concert Hall the start of their Christmas Season! Not only will you experience the joyful and uplifting sounds of the voices of children in Piccolo Lasso combined with their adult colleagues in The Lassus Scholars, all blended together with the Orlando Chamber orchestra, but you will also have the opportunity of uniting your voice with theirs as conductor Dr Ite O’Donovan invites you to join in the audience carols!
The programme of festive music includes Christmas favourites from O Holy Night to Jingle Bells; choruses and arias by Haydn, Schubert, Rossini, Reger, Byrd and Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus.
For more information and to book tickets, click here.
Christmas at the Cathedral, Cork
Date: November 25th and 26th 2023
Cork International Choral Festival is thrilled to be back 2 evenings of festive carols, song and poetry in the stunning surrounds of St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral.
The choir will be under the direction of Cathrine Mahon Buckley and will be joined by special guests on both evenings.
For more information and to book tickets, click here.
Christmas by Candlelight, Inspire Choral Group, Meath
Dates: December 3rd 2023
The Inspire Choral Group are returning to The Headfort Arms Hotel in Kells, Co Meath for their ‘Christmas by Candlelight’ concert.
They promise a magical night of music with a mix of classic and modern Christmas songs to get the whole family in the Christmas spirit.
For more information and to book tickets, click here.
Candlelit Carols, Dublin
Date: December 19th 2023
The most elegant way to celebrate Christmas with a sublime concert of carols and seasonal classics, staged in an evocative candle-lit style setting at the National Concert Hall.
Featuring the Dublin Concert Orchestra conducted by Michael Bawtree and soloist Harriet Eyley.
For more information and to book tickets, click here.
About the Author: Jill Holtz
