Unwrap Christmas at Norwich Cathedral
A festive welcome to Norwich Cathedral I wonder how you are feeling as we come round towards another Christmas. Perhaps you are someone who loves all the hustle and bustle; the shopping, the parties, the special meals and entertainment. You might, on the other hand, slightly dread the weeks ahead and find it all rather stressful and overwhelming. However you are feeling, we hope that you will find a place which meets your needs at the Cathedral. This brochure tells you about lots of activities to enjoy in the company of other people ~ a Christmas market, concerts, carol services, special Christmas menus in our Refectory Café and a great selection of gifts to buy in our shop. You will also find details about opportunities to be quiet and reflective. If someone special in your life has died recently or has moved away, you can put a star on the Tree of Remembrance alongside our outdoor nativity scene and hold that person in your thoughts. Or if you are finding life stressful, take the opportunity to sit quietly in the Cathedral in one of our chapels or in the cloister and give yourself some space. Many people find coming to Evensong, which is sung daily by our choir, another way to find peace at the end of a busy day. However you are feeling on any particular day you will always find a warm welcome in the Cathedral. We hope you will come and join us at one of our Christmas services and will discover the peace and love that Christ brings into the world. So, on behalf of the Dean and Chapter, may I wish you a truly happy Christmas. The Very Revd Jane Hedges Dean of Norwich Pictures by Paul Hurst. 2 Christmas at Norwich Cathedral Christmas at Norwich Cathedral 3
Yhyhyhyhyhy Join us for our festive services Candlelit Advent Procession Sunday 2 December, 6pm Join us for carols, readings and processions by candlelight as we look forward to the birth of Jesus Christ. Christingle Saturday 8 December, 3.30pm Bring the whole family for this traditional service with lots of candles and oranges! The service is in support of The Children s Society and its work helping vulnerable young people. Carols and Readings for Christmas Sunday 16 December, 3.30pm A service of readings and popular carols as we prepare for Christmas. Christmas Procession with Carols Sunday 23 December, 6pm Enjoy the story of Christmas told with carols and readings as the Cathedral Choirs move in procession through the whole Cathedral. CHRISTMAS EVE Monday 24 December Holy Communion, 8am Crib Service, 12 noon Bring the children along for lots of fun as the Nativity story is brought to life! At this informal service children of all ages are invited to dress as a character from the Nativity story. Christmas Procession with Carols, 3.30pm Enjoy the story of Christmas told with carols and readings as the Cathedral Choirs move in procession through the whole Cathedral. Evening Prayer, 5.30pm Midnight Mass, 11.15pm Come and mark the birth of the Saviour in this traditional service that welcomes in Christmas Day. Please make sure you arrive early for for Midnight Mass. CHRISTMAS DAY Tuesday 25 December Celebrate Christmas Day with thanks and praise for God s gift of his Son the first and greatest Christmas present. Holy Communion, 8am A quiet and traditional service from the Book of Common Prayer. Family Eucharist of Christmas Day, 10.30am All are invited to celebrate together the birth of Jesus. Festal Evensong, Procession and Carols, 3.30pm Traditional Evensong with carols. Epiphany Procession Sunday 20 January, 3.30pm Discover the three Epiphany events that reveal Jesus as the Son of God in this processional service. 4 Christmas at Norwich Cathedral Christmas at Norwich Cathedral 5
Yhyhyhyhyhy Enjoy our Christmas concerts Christmas with Norwich Cathedral Choir Friday 14 December, 7.30pm Join Norwich Cathedral Choir for a celebration of Christmas music both sacred and secular with carols for choir and audience. Tickets 12-20. To book, visit or call the Theatre Royal box office on 01603 630000. Messiah by Candlelight Saturday 22 December, 7.30pm Norwich Cathedral Chamber Choir is joined by Norwich Baroque for the ever-popular annual performance of Handel s much-loved oratorio. Ashley Grote Conductor Katy Crompton Soprano Robin Blaze Countertenor Simon Wall Tenor James Newby Bass Tickets: 14-26. To book, visit or call the Theatre Royal box office on 01603 630000. New Year s Day Organ Concert Tuesday 1 January, 11am Cathedral Organist David Dunnett plays a programme of organ favourites to welcome in the New Year! Free admission, with a retiring collection. Messiaen: La Nativité du Seigneur Sunday 13 January, 6.30pm Ashley Grote, the Cathedral s Master of Music, gives a liturgical performance of Olivier Messiaen s evocative meditation on the Nativity for organ solo. Free admission, with a retiring collection. Britten: A Ceremony of Carols Sunday 27 January, 6.30pm The boy and girl choristers of Norwich Cathedral Choir give a candlelit performance of Britten s carol sequence, which received its premiere in Norwich in 1942. Ashley Grote Conductor Daniel de Fry Harp Free admission, with a retiring collection. Be a Chorister Day Saturday 19 January, 10.30am-4pm Boys and girls of primary school age are invited to come and experience the joy of singing in the Cathedral alongside the choristers. No prior experience is necessary just sign up and come along for a day of musical fun and games! For more details visit 6 Christmas at Norwich Cathedral Christmas at Norwich Cathedral 7
Take part in some special seasonal events Cathedral Open Evening Friday 30 November, 6.30pm-9pm Celebrate the beginning of Advent with an evening full of festive events. There will be a short service featuring farm animals to bless the outdoor crib, carols with the Cathedral Choir, the lighting of our Christmas trees and the opportunity to walk our candlelit labyrinth. We suggest gathering at the West Front from 6.30pm for the 7pm service before exploring the rest of the Cathedral where there will be guided tours, Christmas stalls, photo opportunities and activities for children. The Refectory Café and Gift Shop will also be open. Norfolk Christmas Fayre Saturday 1 December, 10am-6pm Norwich Cathedral has joined forces with Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association for a Christmas market full of festive food and drink, great gift ideas and more. The market will be in the Nave, Cloisters and wider Close. Tree of Remembrance Friday 30 November until Saturday 5 January Remember a loved one by hanging a star on our Tree of Remembrance. The tree will be next to the outdoor crib outside the Hostry and people can also write tributes on their stars. Donations will go to homeless charity Emmaus Norfolk and Waveney. Resolutions Tree New Year s Eve, 10am-5pm and New Year s Day, 12 noon People wanting to turn over a new leaf in 2019 can hang their New Year s resolutions on our Resolutions Tree on New Year s Eve from 10am to 5pm. The resolutions will be placed in envelopes to keep them private and members of the Cathedral team will be available to talk and pray with people. There will also be opportunities to light candles. At the 12 noon Holy Communion service on New Year's Day all the resolutions will be offered to God, asking God to bless all who are trying to make a fresh start in 2019. 8 Christmas at Norwich Cathedral Christmas at Norwich Cathedral 9
Tuck into some Christmas treats Add some extra sparkle to your shopping Tuck into a Christmas lunch with all the trimmings or enjoy a festive afternoon tea at the Refectory Café. Christmas lunches will be served from 12 noon until 2pm every day from 3 to 23 December. Festive afternoon tea will be served from 2pm until 4pm every day from 1 to 24 December. Booking essential. Call 01603 218321, email refectory@cathedral.org.uk or book in person. Festive afternoon tea menu Turkey and cranberry sandwich Salmon, cream cheese and dill sandwich Stilton and caramelised onion sandwich (V) Mini sausage roll Mini vegetarian quiche Christmas pudding cheesecake (V) Mini mince pie (V) Chocolate log (V) Spiced orange and cranberry scone (V) 13.50 per person including tea and coffee Add Prosecco for 4 a glass Christmas lunch menu Soup of the day served with a thick slice of bloomer, gluten free rolls available on request (GF)(DF)(V)(VG) Norfolk smoked salmon and crayfish parfait with marinated cucumber, beetroot salsa and melba toast Traditional roasted Norfolk turkey breast served with orange and cranberry stuffing, pigs in blankets, duck fat roasted potatoes and a homemade turkey gravy (DF) Beetroot, goats cheese and red onion marmalade strudel with garlic roasted potatoes (V) All main dishes are served with braised red cabbage, glazed carrots, honey roasted parsnips and Brussel sprouts Homemade Christmas pudding with brandy sauce (V) St Clements sponge with either crème anglaise or double cream (V) White chocolate and cranberry cheesecake (V) Tea or filter coffee to finish 2 courses 17.95-3 courses 21.95 Add some extra sparkle to your Christmas shopping by paying a visit to our Cathedral Shop. Whether you are looking for the most unique of gifts or an extra special decoration for your tree, our gift shop has all manner of festive delights. Normal opening hours are Monday to Saturday 9.15am-5pm and Sunday 11.45am-3.30pm. See back page for opening hours between Christmas Eve and January 2. For mail order details, please visit, email giftshop@cathedral.org.uk or call 01603 218323. 10 Christmas at Norwich Cathedral Christmas at Norwich Cathedral 11
Norwich Cathedral Christmas opening times Date Cathedral Refectory Café Gift shop Christmas Eve 7am-6pm 10am-5pm 9.15am-3.15pm Reopens 9.45pm Christmas Day 7am-6pm Closed Closed Boxing Day 9am-5pm Closed Closed Thursday 27 December 9am-6pm 10am-4pm 10am-4pm Friday 28 December 9am-6pm 10am-4pm 10am-4pm Saturday 29 December 9am-6pm 10am-4pm 10am-4pm Sunday 30 December 7am-6pm 10am-4pm 11.45am-3.30pm New Year s Eve 9am-6pm 10am-4pm 10am-3.30pm New Year s Day 9am-6pm 11am-4pm 10.30am-3.30pm Wednesday 2 January 7am-6pm 10am-5pm 9.15am-5pm The Refectory Café will be closed on Monday 7 January and Tuesday 8 January Follow us on