Looking for some festive music in the lead-up to Christmas? Nicola Lisle takes a look at some of the seasonal offerings in the county

There’s nothing quite like a carol concert or a Messiah to get you in the Christmas mood. Whether you’re wanting to join in with some traditional carols or just sit and listen to some lovely festive music in an atmospheric setting, there’s plenty to choose from this year. Here’s just a small selection of what’s on.

4 GIRLS 4 HARPS BY CANDLELIGHT
Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot
Tonight, 7.30pm
Tickets: 01235 515144 or www.cornerstone-arts.org


If you missed 4 Girls 4 Harps, pictured, in Oxford recently, here is another chance to catch them in this festive offering, which includes traditional carols and harp tunes and opportunities to sing along.

PRE-SCHOOL NATIVITY PLAY
St Helen’s Church, Abingdon
Saturday, 10.30am


A special family-friendly event in aid of the Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary. Bring your child dressed as a shepherd or angel to take part in the Nativity story, and enjoy music and tea afterwards with a chance to meet one of the donkeys from the Sanctuary. This is a very popular event, so allow plenty of time for parking.

CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT
Cathedral Singers of Christ Church
Christ Church Cathedral
Saturday, 8pm
Tickets: 01865 305305 or www.tickets oxford.com

Music by John Rutter, Brian Moles, Anna Krause, Robert Northcott and John Gardner in one of Oxford‘s loveliest settings. With David Bannister (organ) and director John Padley. The ticket price includes an interval glass of wine. Seats are unreserved, so arrive early to get a good view!

NATIVITY SERVICE and SERVICE OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS
St Michael’s Church, Cumnor
Sunday, 11am & 6.30pm

A special service organised by the church’s youth worker and youngsters, followed in the evening by the traditional Nine Lessons and Carols with audience participation.

NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS
Choir of the University Church
University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford
Sunday, 6pm

Alexander Armstrong, right, is the guest reader at this traditional service, which is being held in aid of Family Links.

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT and NATIVITY SERVICE
St Swithun’s Church, Kennington
Sunday, 6.30pm and Christmas Eve, 4pm

A chance to sing some carols as well as listen to the choir. The family-friendly Nativity Service includes children acting out scenes from the Christmas story.

CAROLS ROUND THE TREE
St Mary’s Church, Wootton, by Woodstock
Monday, 6.30pm


A chance to sing favourite carols around the Christmas tree outside the church, with music accompaniment, and enjoy some mulled wine.

CRIB SERVICE: A JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM
St Mary Magdalene Church, Woodstock
Christmas Eve, 5pm

Bring your children dressed as angels, shepherds, kings or stars for this lovely telling of the Christmas story, accompanied by favourite carols.

CRIB SERVICE
St Bartholomew’s Church, Ducklington
Christmas Eve, 5pm

A lovely re-enactment of the Nativity for all the family. Children are invited to bring wrapped gifts and place them under the Christmas tree, to be distributed later to children less fortunate than themselves. n CRIB SERVICE & MIDNIGHT MASS n St John the Evangelist, Oxford n Christmas Eve, 6pm & 11pm A lovely family-friendly service, followed later by Midnight Mass by candlelight led by the The Bishop of Ebbsfleet. n For a more detailed list of Christmas events around the region, visit www.christmasnearyou.com

CAROLS FOR ALL
Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford
Saturday, 7.30pm
Tickets: 01865 305305 or www.ticketsoxford.com

’TIS the season to be jolly – and the Oxford Bach Choir’s annual seasonal offering s exactly that. The choir is joined by youngsters from the Oxfordshire County Music Service and organist Bertie Baigent for this glorious mix of well-known carols and festive songs, the highlight of which is always conductor Timothy Byram-Wigfield leading the audience in a fun version of The Twelve Days of Christmas, so make sure you come along in good voice!