University Carol Service in Canterbury Cathedral 2023
The biggest gathering of students and staff from the whole of the University takes place each December at the University Carol Service. Organised by the Chaplaincy and students from church groups and religious societies on campus, nearly 2000 people attend a memorable evening of readings, carols and choral singing in the awe-inspiring atmosphere of Canterbury Cathedral.
The 2023 Carol Service is on Monday 11 December at 7.30pm. Although the event is free of charge, admission to the Cathedral on the night is by e-ticket or previously issued paper ticket only because of the demand for seats.
This year's appeal, for homelessness charity Porchlight, is online via the Justgiving platform.
How to Get Your Tickets
Students
You can book online via Eventbrite, or you can get your paper tickets from the foyer of the Grimond Building (behind the Templeman Library) on:
- Monday 27th November and Tuesday 4th December: 12:45pm - 2pm
- Tuesday 28th November and Tuesday 5th December: 5.45pm - 6.30pm
Students may collect up to three tickets per ID shown. You can bring along someone else's ID and get additional tickets.
Accessibility
We can make different arrangements for students with disabilities or mobility or sensory conditions, please contact Revd Dr Stephen Laird s.c.e.laird@kent.ac.uk to indicate how we can support your participation.
Staff
Please book your free tickets online via Eventbrite.
Please note that demand for tickets for the University Carol Service, from both students and staff, continues to increase. Meanwhile, due to fire regulations, seating-space in the Cathedral Nave has been slightly reduced.
How to Get Involved
Every year we welcome offers from students who would like to act as Volunteer Stewards at the Carol Service. Volunteer Stewards are given duties to perform, such as issuing programmes, checking tickets etc., and are instructed to sit in their designated places at the Carol Service.
Volunteer Stewards do not need to queue for tickets, but need to be available for a training session at 5:15pm on Thursday 6th December OR at 5:15pm on Friday 7th December. You may also be needed at the Cathedral from 2:30pm-3:30pm on Monday 11th December, and from 6.20pm that evening (i.e. just over an hour before the service starts).
We plan to have appointed these helpers before the general issue of tickets so volunteers will know that they do not have to struggle to get tickets themselves. If you are interested in volunteering for this rewarding role, please e-mail Revd Dr Stephen Laird s.c.e.laird@kent.ac.uk as soon as possible.