21 Dec 2025
Light and love in the darkness of a bleak midwinter. Joy when everything can seem gloomy. Peace in a world where there is so much conflict.
Christians believe that Christmas brings Love, Joy and Peace – and churches across St Albans and Harpenden will be celebrating Jesus Christ as saviour of the world in services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
This round-up lists more than 70 services taking place in local churches. All churches across the district will be welcoming newcomers, regulars, and visitors to join them in their celebrations. There is no need to book or plan ahead. Just turn up and take part.
Don’t worry if you have not been to church for years, or have never before crossed the thresh-hold. All are welcome to join in celebrating Christ, the new-born king.
In a world that can seem dark, the message of Christmas is one of hope. It’s about a baby, born in an obscure village, who lives, dies and rises again to bring new life to all who place their trust in him.
God with us. For today and every day.
I wish you a happy Christmas and a joyful new year.
Rev Peter Crumpler
Associate Minister
St Paul’s Church, St Albans
St Stephen’s Church
Watling Street, St Albans AL1 2PT
Christmas Eve: 4pm crib service (in church), 11.30pm midnight Mass (in church)
Christmas Day: 10am Parish Communion (in church and online)
St Julian’s Church
3 Abbot’s Avenue, St Albans AL1 2HY
Christmas Eve: 4pm crib service (in church).
Christmas Day: 9.30am morning prayer (in church).
St Albans Cathedral
Sumpter Yard, St Albans AL1 1BY
Christmas Eve: 11am crib service (in church only), 2pm crib service (in church only), 5pm choral Evensong (in church and online), 11pm midnight Mass (in church and online).
Christmas Day: 8am Eucharist with hymns (in church only), 9.30am Christmas Day Eucharist (online and church), 11.15am Christmas Day Eucharist (in church only).
St Paul’s Church, Fleetville
Corner of Hatfield Road and Blandford Road, AL1 4JP
Christmas Eve: 3.30pm and 5pm Pop Up Nativity for all ages (in church only).
Christmas Day: 8.30am Holy Communion service (in church and online), 10.30am Christmas celebration (in church and online)
St John’s Church, Harpenden
5 St Johns Road, Harpenden. AL5 1DJ
Christmas Eve: 11am carols around the crib (in church only), 11.30pm midnight Mass (in church only).
Christmas Day: 8am Holy Communion (in church only), 10am all-age parish Eucharist (in church and online).
St Nicholas’ Church, Harpenden
Church Green, Harpenden, AL5 2TP
Christmas Eve: 3pm Christmas crib service (in church only), 5pm Christmas crib service (in church only), 11pm midnight Holy Communion (in church only)
Christmas Day: 8am Holy Communion with carols (in church only), 9.30am Holy Communion with carols (in church only), 11.30am morning praise with carols (in church only).
St Albans URC
Homewood Road, St Albans, AL1 4BH
Christmas Eve: 11.30pm midnight Mass (in church only).
Christmas Day: 10am all-age family (in church only).
All Saints’ Church, Harpenden
129 Station Road, Harpenden, AL5 4UU
Christmas Eve: 4pm Christmas crib service, carols and he Christmas story (in church only), 11.30pm midnight Communion (in church only).
Christmas Day: 10am Christmas Day celebration (online and in church).
Spicer Street Church
Spicer Street, St Albans AL3 4PQ
Christmas Eve: 4.30pm family celebration (in church only)
Christmas Day: 9am, 10.30am Christmas Day service (in church and 10.30am online).
St Luke’s Church, St Albans
46 Cell Barnes Lane, St Albans AL1 5QJ
Christmas Eve: 10am Follow the Star Christingle service (online and in church), 11.30pm midnight Mass (online and in church).
Christmas Day: 10am all-age Christmas Day Communion (in church and online).
St Mary’s, Kinsbourne Green
Luton Road, Kinsbourne Green, AL5 3QE
Christmas Eve: 2.30pm and 4.30pm crib service, 11.30pm midnight Mass (all in church only).
Christmas Day: 9.30am Family Christmas Day Communion service (in church only).
Christ Church, New Greens
High Oaks, St Albans, AL3 6DJ
Christmas Eve: 3pm crib service (in church only).
Christmas Day: 10am Christmas Day family service (in church and online).
St Leonard’s Church
Church End, Sandridge, AL4 9DL
Christmas Eve: 3pm crib service (in church only), 5pm family carols by candlelight (in church only) 11pm Midnight Mass by candlelight (in church only).
Christmas Day: 10am traditional sung Holy Communion for all (in church only).
St Michael’s Church
St Michael’s Street, St Albans, AL3 4SL.
stmichaels-parishchurch.org.uk
Christmas Eve: 4pm crib service (in church only), 11pm midnight Mass (in church only).
Christmas Day: 9.30am Christmas Day Communion (in church only).
St Saviour’s Church, St Albans
Sandpit Lane, St Albans, AL1 4DF
Christmas Eve: 3pm crib service (in church only), 5pm family Christingle (in church only), 11.30pm midnight Mass (in church only).
Christmas Day: 8am quiet Communication service (in church only), 10am Parish Mass for Christmas Day (in church only).
Hatfield Road Methodist Church
133B Hatfield Road, St Albans AL1 4JX
Christmas Eve: 11.15pm midnight Communion (online and in church).
Christmas Day: 10.30am all-age Christmas service (in church and online).
St Mary’s Church, Marshalswick
1 Sherwood Avenue, Marshalswick, AL4 9QA
Christmas Eve: 4pm Follow the Star Christingle service, 11.15pm midnight mass (in church only).
Christmas Day: 10am Christmas morning worship with Eucharist (in church only).
St Peter’s Church, St Albans
St Peter’s Street, St Albans, AL1 3HG
Christmas Eve: 3pm crib service (in church only), 6.30pm carol service (in church only), 11.30pm midnight Communion (in church only)
Christmas Day: 8am Communion service (in church only), 10am all-age Christmas Communion (in church and online), 11.30am choral Matins (in church only).
St Bartholomew’s Catholic Church
47 Vesta Avenue, St Albans AL1 2PE
www.stalbanssouth@rcdow.org.uk
Christmas Eve: 4pm Vigil Mass of Christmas (in church only), 9pm midnight Mass (in church only).
Christmas Day: 9.30am the Nativity of the Lord (in church only).
St Mary’s Church, Harpenden
Luton Road, Harpenden, AL5 3QE
Christmas Eve: 2.30pm crib service (in church only), 4.30pm crib service (in church only), 11.30pm midnight Holy Communion (in church only).
Christmas Day: 9.30am family Christmas Communion (in church only).
St Mark’s, Colney Heath
St Mark’s Close, AL4 0NQ
Christmas Eve: 4pm, all-age Carol service (in church only).
Christmas Day: 8.30am Holy Communion (in church only), 10.30am all-age service (online and in church.
ChristChurch, Harpenden
Roundwood Park School, Roundwood Park, AL5 3AE
www.christchurchharpenden.org.uk
Christmas Day: 10am, family celebration of the birth of Jesus (in church only).
Kimpton Parish Church
Church Lane, Kimpton, SG4 8RR
Christmas Eve: 3pm, crib service (in church only), 11.30pm Midnight Mass (in church only)
Christmas Day: 10am Communion service (in church only).
St Alban and St Stephen RC Church
14 Beaconsfield Road, St Albans AL1 3RB
Christmas Eve: 5pm Vigil Mass of Christmas (online and in church), 7pm Vigil Mass of Christmas (online and in church), 10pm Vigil Mass of Christmas (online and in church).
Christmas Day: 8am Christmas Mass (online and in church), 9am Christmas Mass (in church only), 9.30am Christmas Mass (online and in church), 11.30am Christmas Mass (online and in church).
