London's most barking mad festive event is back this Christmas — as dogs are welcomed into church for three very special carol concerts.
As has become tradition, Battersea Dogs Home brings some of its canine residents along to a series of fundraising carol concerts at St Luke's & Christ Church in Chelsea this December. You might say it's the ulti-mutt festive celebration for dog lovers.
Human visitors are welcomed into the church with an un-fur-gettable canine guard of honour formed by some of Battersea's four-legged residents.
The dogs then stick around for the duration of the service (perhaps you'll share a pew with a shih tzu) as their humans raise the woof with Christmas carols — to the point they become a little husky.
This year's programme includes the Collegium Musicum of London Chamber Choir (CML). No confirmation yet on exactly which carols will be sung, but we'd hazard a guess at Bark! The Herald Angels Sing. (And maybe Away in a Mangy?)
After each service you can indulge in a little re-tail therapy, with Christmas gifts from Battersea's fundraising shop on sale — for such a good cause, it's the leashed you could do.
Mulled wine and mince pies are also available for human attendees.
One thing to note: only Battersea's dogs are allowed at the concert, so please leave Fido and Rover at home.
Battersea's Christmas 2026 carol concerts take place on Thursday 3, Friday 4 and Friday 11 December 2026 at St Luke's & Christ Church in Chelsea. Tickets will go on sale in October 2026. They always sell out, so be quick!
