You’re invited to church this Christmas!

You are very welcome at our Advent and Christmas services and events – bring your family and friends or come along on your own. Whether it will be your first time at church or you have been before, we look forward to welcoming you at Christ Church and St Mary’s this Advent and Christmas season 2025!

To find out all about our special Advent and Christmas services, scroll down through this post.

For services happening at Christ Church this week and to download an order of service to join in, visit our Weekly Service page HERE.

If you cannot make it in person or you want to catch up, you can also watch many of our services online on our YouTube channel HERE. Livestream links will be added to this post for the relevant services, over the next few weeks when they become available.

Christmas Carol Service at St Mary’s Church, Old Town

Sunday 14th December, 2:30 p.m. for 1 hour @ St Mary’s Church, Commonweal Road, Swindon, SN1 4LB

A beautiful start to the Christmas season in the intimate setting of St Mary’s Church.

The service will be led by the Revd. David Day and the Revd. Moira Slack, with Organist, the Revd. Geoffry Gleed providing the music.

All welcome to join us.

Note: there will be NO 9am service in St Mary’s on this day.

Christingle Service at Christ Church Swindon

Sunday 14th December, 4 p.m. for 1 hour @ Christ Church

An atmospheric service in the beautiful setting of Christ Church, with the lighting of Christingle oranges.

Children will have the opportunity to build their own Christingle!

A collection with be taken in aid of the Children’s Society

Advent Organ Recital by Director of Music, Tim Eyles

Join us at Christ Church on Friday 19 December at 1 pm for a joyful festive organ recital, as Director of Music Tim Eyles fills the church with glorious Advent and Christmas music, including works by Bach, Pachelbel, Buxtehude, Peeters and the ever-sparkling Widor “Toccata.”

Take a peaceful pause from the Christmas rush, soak up the warm seasonal atmosphere, and help support the ongoing work and ministry of Christ Church through the retiring collection.

A Traditional Service of Lessons & Carols

Sunday 21st December, 6:30 p.m. for 1 hour, 30 mins @ Christ Church.

The traditional service of Readings and Carols by Candlelight as we move closer to Christmas.

Featuring the Christ Church Choir and friends. Organist: Tim Eyles, Conductor: Katrine Reimers.

The service will be led by the Revd. Norma McKemey and the Address will be given by Beth Trendell from the Swindon Borough Council Fostering Team.

All welcome to the service and there will be mulled wine, soft drinks, and minced pies available afterwards.

If you cannot make it in person or you want to catch up, you can also watch this service online on our YouTube channel (link coming soon).

Swindon Town Football Club Christmas Carol Service

Monday 22nd December, 6:30 p.m. for 1 hour @ Christ Church

The annual Swindon Town Football Cub Carol Service led by the Revd. Norma McKemmy

Sing your favourite Christmas carols alongside players, staff, and fellow supporters, celebrating the festive season together.

All welcome, including non-football fans, to come along and join the players for a good singalong!

A Blue Christmas Service

Monday 22nd December, 7:30pm for 1 hour @
St Mary’s Church, Commonweal Road, Old Town, Swindon, SN1 4LB

The Christmas season is often a time of joy and celebration, but for many, it can also be a period of sadness, loneliness, or difficulty. Our Blue Christmas Service offers a quiet, reflective space for anyone who finds this time of year challenging.

Originating in the USA, Blue Christmas services are traditionally held around the winter solstice, providing an opportunity to acknowledge feelings of grief or struggle and to find comfort and peace.

Through readings, music, and a welcoming atmosphere, this service is open to everyone seeking solace or simply a calm moment amidst the seasonal bustle.

All are warmly invited to join us.

Christmas Eve Crib Service

Join us at 4pm on Christmas Eve in Christ Church for our much-loved Crib Service, a joyful and family-friendly celebration that brings the Nativity Story to life.

Children (and grown-ups!) are warmly invited to come dressed as their favourite Nativity characters (optional) as we retell the story together in a fun, accessible and heartfelt way.

A wonderful chance to pause amidst the excitement of Christmas, this short service is perfect for all ages and a lovely tradition to share with family and friends

A Traditional Midnight Mass Service

Join us for Midnight Mass at Christ Church on Christmas Eve at 11pm, a peaceful and uplifting service that begins with the timeless invitation: ‘O come, let us adore Him…’.

As the night grows still, we gather together to celebrate the coming of Christ with carols, Scripture, and Holy Communion in the serene, candlelit beauty of the church.

Whether you are a regular worshipper or simply seeking a quiet moment of reflection this Christmas, all are warmly welcome

(photo credit by @JamesBoothPhotography)

Christmas Day Services at Christ Church

Begin your Christmas celebrations with us at Christ Church Swindon on Christmas Day, where everyone is warmly invited to come to one or both services as suits your morning.

We begin with a quiet and reflective 8am Holy Communion in the Lady Chapel, perfect for those who cherish a peaceful start to Christmas

Then at 10am we gather for our joyful Christmas Family Service with Holy Communion — a lively celebration for all ages as we welcome the newborn Christ. With hearts lifted, we proclaim, “Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning!” as we rejoice together in the light and hope of Christmas.

All are welcome.

(photo credit by @dronie.productions)

Don’t Be Alone Christmas Day Dinner at the Community Centre

✨ Don’t Be Alone this Christmas Day! ✨🎄

If you’re feeling isolated or just want some friendly company, come and join us for a warm, welcoming Christmas Dinner at the Community Centre at Christ Church, Swindon 🎅

📅 25th December

⏰ 12 noon – 3:30pm

🍽️ Three-course meal, Christmas carols, laughter, The King’s Speech and great company!

Everyone is welcome – come and share the festive spirit and maybe make some new friends too 💫

📞 To reserve your place, call 01793 267500 or email: chris@christchurchswindon.co.uk

💷 Suggested donation: £10 (but everyone is welcome regardless).

This Festive Dinner is Kindly Supported by DSNY Wealth Planning; find out more at: https://www.dsnywp.com/

New Year’s Eve Watchnight Service at Christ Church

Join us at Christ Church Swindon for our traditional New Year’s Eve Watchnight as we welcome in 2026!

Starting at 11pm and finishing at midnight, this reflective and joyful service offers a moment to look back on the year gone by, give thanks, and pray for the year ahead.

We’ll gather together to sing, reflect, and celebrate, finishing just in time to step outside and enjoy the fireworks lighting up Old Town as the New Year begins.

It’s the perfect way to start 2026 with hope, community, and celebration

(photo credit by @JamesBoothPhotography)

The Old Town Partnership of Churches New Year’s Day Walk

Join us for the New Year’s Day Partnership Ramble on Thursday 1 January 2026, a cherished Old Town tradition organised by the Swindon Old Town Partnership of Churches.

We set off from the Christ Church car park at 2.00pm, following the familiar route through Newport Street and Signal Way before heading west along the old railway line to Beavan’s Bridge for our customary New Year toast.

The walk is around 4½ miles at an easy pace, suitable for all—just remember to dress warmly and wear sensible footwear.

We aim to return to Christ Church by 4.30pm, where everyone is warmly invited for tea and mince pies in the Community Centre @ Christ Church.
The walk is led by Daniel Pitt.

All are very welcome to start the year with fresh air, fellowship, and good company

Please call or email the Parish Office if you intend to come so we can get a rough number for refreshments afterwards.

Call: 01793 522832
Email: parishoffice@Christchurchswindon.co.uk

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For services happening at Christ Church this week and to download an order of service to join in, visit our Weekly Service page HERE.

If you cannot make it in person or you want to catch up, you can also watch many of our services online on our YouTube channel HERE. Livestream links will be added to this post for the relevant services, over the next few weeks when they become available.