London's most barking mad festive event is back this Christmas — as dogs are welcomed into church for two very special carol concerts.
As has become tradition, Battersea Dogs Home brings some of its canine residents along to a couple of fundraising carol concerts at St Luke's Church in Chelsea this December — in what is 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 stay in church while the service takes place (perhaps you'll share a pew with a shih tzu) listening to their humans raise the woof, until all that carolling leaves them a little husky.
The Collegium Musicum of London Chamber Choir (CML) and West End actor and singer Nardia Ruth are on the programme this year. 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 leave Fido, Rover et al at home.
Battersea's Christmas carol concerts take place on Friday 2 and Friday 9 December 2022 at St Luke's Church in Chelsea. Tickets are £22-£34, and must be booked in advance. It always sells out, so don't hang about.
