Christmas at SMR


Advent & Christmas services, events and concerts

 

For downloadable Christmas service sheets, visit our services page


Most of our services and carol concerts can be watched online via SMR Live by clicking the red button

SMR LIVE 


Sunday 1 December • 5:30pm • Advent Procession

Special service featuring music and Bible readings to reflect the period of anticipation of the birth of the Christ Child.


Monday 2 December • 7:00pm • Nadia Eide in Concert *

Chart-topping soprano and star of The Voice UK, Nadia Eide, presents a spectacular Christmas concert for all ages. Singing festive favourites and classic songs, this show is sure to bring the Christmas joy!

BUY TICKETS


Thursday 5 - Sunday 8 December • 9:00am - 5:00pm

TREEFEST

Annual charity Christmas tree festival with music, 

refreshments and a Christmas market.


Thursday 5 December • 1:00pm • Treefest Carols

Christmas carols during Treefest around the piano.


Saturday 7 December • 6:00pm • Treefest Carol Service

Special, family-friendly Christmas carol service surrounded by Christmas trees!


Wednesday 11 December • 6:30pm • Gabrielli Roar *

Join Gabrieli Roar for ‘A Grand Georgian Christmas’, a festive treat featuring the rich harmonies and spirited rhythms that once filled the village churches and parish halls of England.

TICKETS


Thursday 12 December • 7:30pm • Christmas Star Concert *

Join Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity for a magical evening of musical performances and carols and you can spread festive cheer whilst raising vital funds to support patients, their families and amazing NHS staff at ten hospitals across Bristol and Weston. The annual Christmas Star Concert promises to be a Christmas cracker of a concert.

TICKETS


Saturday 14 December • 5:30pm • Nine Lessons & Carols

Traditional candlelit festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.


Sunday 15 December • 5:30pm • Nine Lessons & Carols

Traditional candlelit festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.


Tuesday 17 December • 7:30pm • Salvation Army Carols

Celebration of Christmas with the band of the Salvation Army.


Wednesday 18 December • 6:00pm and 8:30pm

Tribute to Hans Zimmer & Film Favourites Illuminated *

An immersive tribute to Hans Zimmer and cinema’s most iconic music with a live chamber orchestra illuminated by light, performed by the London Film Music Orchestra. 

TICKETS


Thursday 19 December • 1:00pm • Lunchtime Carols

Carols for all to sing, sacred and secular, with poems 

and readings.


Thursday 19 December • 7:00pm (Doors open at 6:15pm)

Children with Cancer Carol Service 

For the very first time, Children with Cancer UK will be hosting an inter-faith carol concert in Bristol to bring together families and supporters to mark the Christmas season. Join in to hear stories of courage and hope the future whilst we raise awareness around the issues faced by children and young people on the cancer journey.


Saturday 21 December • 7:30pm • Vivaldi Four Seasons at Christmas by Candlelight *

The Piccadilly Sinfonietta will treat you to a feast of classical masterpieces! The programme also includes much-loved works by Pachelbel, Bach and Corelli, the perfect additions to our festive programme for you!

TICKETS


Sunday 22 December • 3:00pm • Christingle

Family favourite all-age service with popular carols. An interactive service reflecting on the meaning of Christingle.


Sunday 22 December • 5:30pm • Blue Christmas 

This is a service for those who find Christmas difficult. Whether remembering a loved one who has died or finding things tough for any reason; Blue Christmas offers a thoughtful and peaceful space. With gentle music and readings, we hope this service provides space for those 

who need it.


Christmas Eve • 4:00pm • Crib Service

Family favourite all-age service with popular carols and a nativity tableau. Come dressed up as your favourite nativity character!


Christmas Eve • 11:30pm • Midnight Mass 

Traditional and atmospheric service of Holy Communion 

for Christmas night.


Christmas Day • 10:30am • All-Age Eucharist

Family-friendly all-age festival service of Holy Communion. If you open any presents before, bring them along!


* Indicates a ticketed event





More blog posts

Reflections from Rebecca Horry, Commercial Manager

By sam.love • November 19, 2025
At the beginning of October 2025, Rebecca Horry joined the St Mary Redcliffe team as our new Commercial Manager. Here, she reflects on her first month in post. A big thank you for the warm welcome I have received at St Mary Redcliffe as the new Commercial Manager. It has been a genuinely inspiring start, getting to know the team, understanding the rhythm of church life and beginning to explore the many opportunities that sit within our commercial activities. My role is all about strengthening revenue streams and developing our commercial strategy to generate sustainable income for St Mary Redcliffe. In this short time, I’ve had the chance to listen, learn and to see the heart behind the work we do. It’s clear to me that our commercial activity isn’t simply about generating income, it’s about creating connections, making to most of our unique offer and ensuring our church can continue to flourish for generations to come. One of the great privileges of my first month has been experiencing the incredible music that fills this place, from intimate recitals to large-scale events. There is something truly special about watching the building come alive with sound, seeing audiences uplifted and feeling the space transformed. Connection to music is one of the many gifts we have to offer and celebrate, alongside the amazing heritage story we have to share with our community. My aim moving forward is to bring together a commercial offer that is cohesive, purpose-driven, and sustainably profitable. I want us to build something that not only supports by providing much needed funding but reflects our values and feels genuine to the incredible work already happening here. That means shaping a strategy that is smart and responsible, but also bold enough to embrace new ideas and possibilities. Most of all, I want to help create a commercial offer that feels joined-up, future-focused, and grounded in who we are at St Mary Redcliffe. Much of the work starts with ensuring our foundations are strong, reviewing and ensuring our current offer is working as hard as it possible can for us. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share their wisdom, offer encouragement, or simply check in with a friendly word. Your generosity has made this first month fly by and I’m excited for what lies ahead. - Rebecca Horry, Commercial Manager 19 November 2025

Sermon on Sunday 26th October 2025

By matthew.buckmaster • October 26, 2025
Preached by the Canon Guy Wilkinson

St Mary Redcliffe and The Forsytes

By sam.love • October 20, 2025
We are so very excited to be part of The Forsytes , a new TV adaptation of John Galsworthy's beloved novels. Produced for Channel 5 and Masterpiece, the show’s first season - which premieres on Monday 20th October 2025 - was filmed almost entirely in and around Bristol between May and August 2024, with significant scenes filmed within St Mary Redcliffe. You can read more about the production on Bristol 24/7 and watch the series' trailer below. 

Sermon on Sunday 12th October 2025

By matthew.buckmaster • October 19, 2025
Preached by the Canon Dr Stephen Spencer

SMR Staff visit Bristol Archives

By sam.love • October 17, 2025
On Monday 13th October 2025, members of the SMR staff team visited Bristol Archives to meet Senior Archivist Lucy Bonner and retired archivist Anne Bradley who has been leading the process of transferring archival documents from the church to the Create Centre - home of Bristol Archives - for a number of years. The purpose of the visit was to gather information on best practice for storing, preserving, organizing and transferring documentation to the archives, and to receive advice on how to meet the challenge of archiving in the digital era in which most documents are created and held digitally, rather than printed. This shift in process has had significant implications for the management of archival material, processes for which must now respond to risks associated with the fast pace of technological change and the likely future redundancy of current forms of digital storage technology. During the visit, the team were shown examples of important documents from the church archives, including the original deed for Redcliffe Pipe and the associated pipe lands, dating from around 1190-1200; the founding charter of Queen Elizabeth's Free School of Grammar and Writing from 1571; the C15th deed for one of William Canynges' chantries; and materials relating to the major Victorian restoration of St Mary Redcliffe that took place between 1842 and 1872. The staff team will continue working with Anne and Bristol Archives to embed processes that will ensure current data is preserved for the benefit of future generations.

Sermon on Sunday 5th October 2025

By matthew.buckmaster • October 5, 2025
Preached by the Canon Dr Stephen Spencer