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), as well as solo artist Katie Marshall. 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 2025 carol concerts take place on Thursday 4, Friday 5 and Friday 12 December 2025 at St Luke's & Christ Church in Chelsea. Tickets, priced £22-£36, are available now. They always sell out, so be quick!
