If you only go to one Christmas carol concert this year, make it this one. St Paul’s Cathedral is at its most magical during the festive season. Its Christmas schedule is full of concerts and events, culminating in the cathedral’s world-famous carol services on the 23rd and 24th December. There’s a great atmosphere on both afternoons, as keen carollers queue around the building, warming up their vocal chords with flasks of tea while mince-pie sellers make their way up and down the line. Doors open one hour before the start – get there as early as you can. If you don’t make it in, fear not – the whole service is beamed live on a screen in Paternoster Square next to the cathedral.

Free and not ticketed, doors open one hour before