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.
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.
This year's programme and special guests have yet to be announced — keep an eye on the Battersea website for details. 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 Thursday 5 and Friday 6 December 2024 at St Luke's & Christ Church in Chelsea. Tickets are expected to go on sale at the end of October and must be booked in advance. It always sells out, so don't hang about.
