If you don’t fancy traipsing from door to door this year - worry not! Andrea Cowan has five fabulous ideas for you to get your carolling kick. Will you be in fine voice by a steam train or Concorde perhaps?
To meet demand, the popular Christmas concert performed by the HMS Heron Royal Navy Volunteer Band is being held on two nights this year. But what makes it so special? Not only does it take place at the Fleet Air Arm Museum after closing time, but it is also performed under the wings of Concorde 002, the first British-built model of the plane.
Tickets include a mince pie and mulled wine on arrival, and tea and coffee during the interval.
7.30pm on December 12 and 13. Tickets £20 nmrn.org.uk
The Living Nativity
This free, family event brings the Christmas story to life, moving through the village of Porlock as Mary and Joseph make their way to Bethlehem. Performed by local residents, complete with an appearance from both a real donkey and baby, it begins with a visit from the angel at Dovery Manor Museum and ends with the nativity scene at the apple press behind the visitor centre. There is carol singing along the way during stops to meet the shepherds and wise men.
5.30pm on December 13 porlock.co.uk
The Carol Train
Enjoy a festive evening steaming through the beautiful Quantock Hills on the Carol Train which runs between Bishops Lydeard and Williton. The West Somerset Railway train stops at two stations along the route, providing passengers with the opportunity to disembark and join in with some carol singing, accompanied by a brass band.
For the finishing touch to complete this special evening, tickets can be upgraded to include cookies and hot chocolate or even a festive hamper for two.
7pm on December 14 and 2. Ticket £25 west-somerset-railway.co.uk
Carols by Candlelight at Wells Cathedral
For many people, Christmas properly starts with this carol concert in the magnificent surroundings of Wells Cathedral. And it’s easy to see why these particular concerts hit the spot: over 3,000 candles are lit each night in the cathedral to create the perfect festive atmosphere.
Seasonal choral classics and specially arranged Christmas carols are sung by Wells Cathedral Choir, together with festive readings and poetry read by a special guest. It’s a truly fitting celebration of this special time of year.
7pm on December 19, 20 and 21. Tickets from £17. wellscathedral.org.uk
Bath Bach Choir delights audiences each Christmas with seasonal favourites and extra musical treats in the splendid Regency surroundings of the Pump Room in Bath, enhanced by hundreds of candles lit for each performance.
The audience will be treated to a variety of traditional and modern Christmas music from the choir with the final rousing carol for everyone to join in.
This event always sells-out and so this year the choir is putting on two one-hour concerts each night.
7pm and 8.30pm on December 19 and 20. Tickets from £12 bathbachchoir.org.uk
