Hello. My name is Andy Bowerman and I’m the Dean of Bradford.

Here in the Cathedral, during Advent and Christmas, We’re wanting people to find a space to find some calm. Follow the Star, Calm and Bright, is the theme for this year, and we know that Christmas and Advent can be so distracting. There can be so many things to get ready, so more things to prepare for, and so we want to offer you the opportunity to come and be here, whether it’s just through the week when you might sit quietly, whether it’s to come to one of the many events that we’ve got on, or whether it’s to come and worship with us, starting with our Advent Procession on December 1st, but going right the way through to Christmas Day.

You would be welcome at any time to come and join us here. Follow that star, which you’ll see – burning brightly on top of our tower, and come and find some calm in the busy-ness – and often the chaos – that leads to Christmas. 

December can feel like chaos – lots of social events, services, Christmas presents to buy, never-ending to-do lists and the pressure to create the perfect Christmas. But in the midst of this chaos, our churches can offer an opportunity to find peace during this busy time.

The Church of England’s theme for Advent and Christmas 2024, Follow the Star: Calm and Bright, draws on the world-famous carol, Silent Night:

“Silent Night! Holy Night!
All is calm, all is bright…”

One of the reasons that this carol is so universally loved is the way it invites us into the still centre of the Christmas story, to contemplate Mary holding the new-born Jesus, the Light of the World.

The angelic messages we encounter in the biblical story of Jesus’ birth typically hold together the need for calm in the present (“Do not be afraid” … “Fear not”) with the hope of a bright future (“for you have found favour with God” … “for behold I bring you tidings of great joy”).

Throughout Advent, we will focus primarily on how to find Calm during this busy period, with reflections offering people a chance to pause during the busy season and tips on how to prepare for a calm Christmas.

Then through Christmas, we will focus particularly on Bright, with a series of daily reflections from Christmas Day to the Eve of Epiphany (5 January) by Sammi Tooze, Discipleship Adviser for the Diocese of York, both in digital form and as a full-colour booklet to share locally.

We will also share reflective content throughout Advent and Christmas for those who find this time of year difficult, with some Blue Christmas resources.

Monday 16th December | 7pm

Carols for All

Bringing together the City Carol Service and the Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership Carol Service into one shared event. This event is being hosted by Bradford Cathedral and will feature seasonal music led by the Bradford Cathedral Choir and the City of Bradford Brass Band. All are welcome.

This event is now fully booked.

Wednesday 18th December | 1pm

Wednesday@One Organ Recital – Darius Battiwalla (Leeds City Organist)

Our weekly organ recital series showcases top-class performers playing beautiful music from across the centuries in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Saturday 21st December | 7pm

Black Dyke Band and Bradford Cathedral Choir Christmas Concert

Join us this December as Black Dyke Band and the Bradford Cathedral Choir perform together at an incredible Christmas concert.

This concert is now fulled booked.

Sunday 22nd December | 6pm

Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Popularised by the annual broadcast from King’s College, Cambridge, the Festival of Nine Lessons and carols tells the story of humanity and Jesus Christ through bible readings and choral and congregational carols. All are welcome to join us for this special candlelit service followed by seasonal refreshments.

Tuesday 24th December | 1pm

Annual Lunchtime Carol Recital

The Cathedral Choir presents its annual recital. Music, poetry, witty Christmas stories and the best-loved Christmas carols come together in this yearly sing-a-long celebration.

Tuesday 24th December | 3pm

Messy Cathedral Crib Service

Messy Crib returns for another interactive service involving storytelling, craft, music and prayers. Follow the star and meet some of the people who were there at the first messy Christmas in the messy stable and found Jesus in his messy crib. You are encouraged to come dressed as one of your favourite nativity characters.

Wednesday 25th December | 10:30am

Christmas Day Choral Eucharist with carols

Cathedral worship using Common Worship.

The Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, will be presiding and preaching.

Tuesday 24th December

Singing at the Corn Dolly

Please join us after the Annual Lunchtime Choir Recital (around 2:15pm)

Here is the Bradford Cathedral Consort singing a piece which the Church of England have commissioned for Follow the Star: Join the Song in 2023 – a setting of ‘The First Nowell’ by Bob Chilcott.

A specially recorded piece of organ music for every day of Advent in 2023

Events and Services

You can see a full overview of all our events and services on our ‘What’s On’ page, or see above for our highlights.

Digital Schools Resources

You can discover resources for schools over in our education section.

Christmas Services

Worship is the heartbeat of Cathedral life and is offered daily through online Morning and Evening Prayer and the seven services each week. The main weekly service is on Sunday at 10:30 am which is also live-streamed. You can download an Order of service in advance or use the Proclaim app instead of an Order of Service.

You can now send a Bradford Cathedral digital eCard to your friends and family – and save on the printing!

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What to See?

Bradford Cathedral has been a site of Christian worship since the 7th century. Explore over 1000 years of history in the heart of Bradford. We also have a wealth of Morris & Co. stained glass, 18th Century monuments and a range of contemporary and historic textiles.