Sing With Dogs In Church At Battersea's Barking Mad 2023 Carol Concert

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Sing With Dogs In Church At Battersea's Barking Mad 2023 Carol Concert
A collie in a blue battersea coat sits in a pew at church
© Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

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 & Christ Church in Chelsea this December — in what is the ulti-mutt festive celebration for dog lovers.

A small grey poodle, sitting on someone's lap
© Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

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.

An aerial view looking down onto a church, with the pews filled with people, and a collie wearing a blue Battersea coat sitting on the floor in the aisle
© Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

The Collegium Musicum of London Chamber Choir (CML) and West End actor and singer Nardia Ruth are on the programme again 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.

Two women sitting in front of a decorated Christmas tree and a pile of wrapped presents, each holding onto a sandy-coloured dog (possibly Staffys)
© Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

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 Thursday 7 and Friday 8 December 2023 at St Luke's & Christ Church in Chelsea. Tickets are £22-£36, and must be booked in advance. It always sells out, so don't hang about.

Last Updated 25 October 2023

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