Advent and Christmas in the Parish of Esher

We’re delighted to offer Christmas services and free events in both of our beautiful buildings, Christ Church Esher and Saint George’s Church West End.

You can download the Parish Advent & Christmas leaflet here

Friday 29 November
Christmas Tree Lighting Up
5.30pm  Christ Church, Esher
Launching the season in Esher by lighting up the Christmas tree!  The choir will sing carols in our warm, candlelit church whilst mulled wine and mince pies are served. Everyone is welcome to this festive community event. 

Sunday 1 December
Christingle Service
10.30am  Christ Church, Esher
A favourite with all ages, this service gets its name from the Christingle oranges that explore the story of God’s love for the world at Christmas.  It’s a magical moment when the candles are lit and the lights are dimmed, reminding us of that Light which no darkness can overcome.

Saturday 7 December
Christmas Crazy Crafts
10am – 1pm  Lower Green Community Centre, Recreation Ground, KT10 8AU
We invite you to our annual Christmas community crafting extravaganza! Come anytime 10am-1pm to the Lower Green Community Centre Recreation Ground, KT10 8AU) and make a myriad of lovely Christmas decorations, gifts and greetings cards.  Entry is free!  Children will be given a goodie bag and the chance to decorate yummy biscuits. It’s an event not to be missed. 

Wednesday 18 December
Come & Sing Carols
1.15pm  Christ Church, Esher
Our Music on the Green December concert is given over to festive singing interspersed with prose and poetry– at times humorous, at times thought- provoking. This year will be no exception, so come along and get in the yuletide spirit with some of your favourite carols. Festive fayre will be served from 12.30pm.

Sunday 22 December
Festival of Lessons & Carols
6pm  Christ Church, Esher
For many this traditional carol service heralds the start of Christmas.  From the evocative opening notes of Once in Royal David’s City, through time-honoured readings from the King James Bible, to the triumphant strains of Hark the Herald Angels Sing, this iconic blend of Christmas carols and beautiful choral music is an event not to be missed. 

Christmas Eve
Crib Service
2pm  St George's, West End
4pm  Christ Church, Esher
This is our very popular child-friendly service and a great opportunity for little ones to come dressed as their favourite character from the Christmas story (wise man, shepherd, angel, etc.).  There will be words and music as together we enter into the wonder of the nativity story.  The service lasts about 50 minutes, so do come along – there’s always room for one more angel or shepherd!

Christmas Eve
Midnight Mass
11.30pm  Christ Church, Esher
Experience the drama and beauty of Christmas at this traditional and atmospheric late-night service.  There will be choral and organ music and well-known carols to usher us into Christmas Day through this celebration of Holy Communion. We promise that the church will be warm, and so will the welcome!!

Christmas Day
Christmas Day Holy Communion
9am  St George’s, West End
10.30am  Christ Church, Esher
We pull out all the stops for this Christmas morning service of Holy Communion.  With much-loved classic carols and the choir in full voice, we join together to celebrate how ‘Love came down at Christmas’ and what this means for us today. It’s the perfect way to begin your festivities on this special day.