Christmas tree festivals can be found in many of our cathedrals this season when they invite local businesses, charities, schools, and community groups to fill our sacred spaces with festive displays, often allowing visitors to vote for favourites or add messages or dedications.
Details of Christmas Tree festivals at Cathedrals near you
It was a first for Peterborough Cathedral this year when they invited local charities, community groups, schools and businesses to take part in their inaugural Christmas Tree Festival – part of the cathedral’s The Wonder of Christmas season.
Each tree has been decorated and tells its own story of joy, hope, and togetherness, and by night they twinkle with lights and festive music. Visitors are invited to give a donation to support the cathedral’s work in education and outreach. The trees can be seen until 7 January.
Carlisle Cathedral is once again hosting their Christmas Tree Festival, building on the success of the first event held in 2024.
Last year’s festival involved 30 local charities, organisations, schools and groups, all of whom creatively decorated trees to reflect their work in the local community.
The display, set out within the 903-year-old Cathedral and medieval Undercroft, was viewed and enjoyed by over 13,000 visitors – trebling the usual number of expected visitors during this period.
Over 1,000 prayers and messages were added to the community prayer tree, and hundreds of children completed the festive activities on offer, which included a puzzle booklet and present treasure hunt.
This year, the team at the Cathedral plan to develop the festive experience by increasing the number of trees on display and inviting local businesses to take part alongside not-for-profit organisations.
Children’s activities are once again on offer, as well as a special evening experience on Saturday 13 December, 5-8pm, which will include tours of the Cathedral, live music, canapés and pop-up bar. Tickets will be available on the Cathedral website. Seasonal treats will also be on offer at the Cathedral Café throughout Advent and Christmas.
The festival encourages members of the community to take time out of the hustle and bustle of the season to explore the trees, add their own Christmas prayer or message to the festival’s community prayer tree and rest under the starry ceiling for which the Cathedral is renowned.
The Venerable Michael Everitt, Interim Dean of Carlisle, added
“Beginning on St Nicholas’ Day (the original Santa Claus) through to the end of the 12 days of Christmas we invite you to our Christmas Tree Festival. It is wonderful that our local communities celebrate light shining in the darkness, turning the whole Cathedral into a celebration of Jesus the light of the world and of everlasting life shown in the evergreen trees.”
The festival runs from Saturday 6 December until Sunday 4 January, during normal opening hours, except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day when reduced opening hours will be in operation. Donations are welcome in support of the Cathedral
Worcester Cathedral Christmas Tree Festival opened last week with over 200 trees which this year has expanded beyond the Cloisters and Chapter House into a festive pop-up venue on College Green featuring trees, food and drink and more.
And this year for the first time the Cathedral has introduced Dedication Trees – a meaningful way for families and individuals to remember a lost loved one. Generously donated by St Peter’s Garden Centre, there are 60 mini Christmas trees available for dedication, each priced at £55.
These trees will be beautifully displayed in the Cathedral’s Chapter House throughout the festive season, with personal dedication messages on display and can be collected after the festival to take home, plant, nurture, and enjoy for years to come.
The Cathedral’s Events Director Sam Poursain said:
“The Christmas Tree Festival is a much-loved tradition here at the Cathedral and it grows in size and popularity every year.
‘The addition of Wulfstan’s Lodge this year means we are able to offer even more businesses and organisations the opportunity to get involved. Alongside the Dedication Trees, which offer an opportunity for families and individuals to remember a lost loved one in the festival, letters to Santa and relaxed hours, there really is a way for all to be involved in this year’s festival.
“We can’t wait to see the trees in situ and visitors to the Cathedral enjoying this very special event, that brings joy and festive cheer to all each December.”
The Christmas Tree Festival is open to visit until Tuesday 6 January 2026 (excluding Christmas Eve* and Christmas Day.
For more information, please click here.
Chester Cathedral invites visitors to make memories and create a family tradition by visiting Chester Cathedral’s annual Christmas Tree Festival. This year, the theme is Christmas Around the Worldand features over 80 trees with free entry for children 5 and under. No booking or entry fee for Sundays.
York Minster’s Christmas Tree Festival returns for the fourth year with 70 trees on display in the cathedral’s Nave, Chapter House and Lady Chapel. Included with general admission.
Sheffield Cathedral will be lit up with more than 40 Christmas trees this year, each beautifully decorated by a local charity or community group and sponsored by local businesses.
Each Christmas tree tells a story of Sheffield’s people, passion, and generosity and visitors are invited to come and vote for their favourite tree, and the winner will receive a £250 prize. Admission is free and the trees are on display until 11 January.
Find out more here.
Elsewhere there are Carols on the Hour at St Albans Cathedral from 11-5pm this Saturday with visiting choirs and the cathedral’s choirs at different times throughout the day. Last year these bite-sized carol services attracted 8,500 people as they joined in on the hour after experiencing the live nativity trail that allowed them to experience some of the characters and even the animals from the story of Christmas.
Newcastle Cathedral, the only Church of England cathedral whose patron saint is St Nicholas – is running St Nicholas: The Original Santa Claus (Guided Tours) every Sunday throughout Advent. People are invited to join them on a guided journey through time to uncover the fascinating history, traditions, and legends surrounding St Nicholas. Discover how a 4th-century bishop, remembered for his kindness and generosity, inspired the figure of Santa Claus we know today, discovering sculptures and stained-glass windows that bring his remarkable story to life along the way.
The Christmas Tree festival is now open in Lichfield Cathedral too until January 4. Each tree has been beautifully decorated by local businesses, schools, and charities – a true celebration of community creativity and festive spirit. And this year only, the cathedral has a display of handcrafted wreaths on the Fenland Black Oak table currently in residency in the Cathedral.
This 13 metre long “Table for the Nation” was created from a section of the nation’s most significant tree, a gigantic 5000 year old Fenland Black Oak which was discovered in 2012, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee year. At the opposite end, a second inscription acknowledges the table’s completion in 2022, in commemoration of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee year.
Credit P A Barnes
The Christmas tree festival is organised by the Friends of Lichfield Cathedral and sponsored by Lovell, and is part of the season of Advent at Lichfield Cathedral which also includes The Light of Christmas Lightshow – which sees the facade of the Cathedral illuminated with light projections that bring the west front and its 100 statues into full view.
This is just a handful of events at our cathedrals this Advent season, please do check out your nearest cathedral for up to date information on special Christmas events, services, music and daily worship.
