A special evening is in store tonight (Thursday 5 December) for all those who enjoy joining in with the centuries' old Christmas tradition of singing carols, as the Lord Mayor's annual Christmas Carol Concert takes place from 7-8 pm at Manchester Cathedral.
Introduced by the Very Reverend Rogers Govender MBE, Dean of Manchester, the concert is free to attend and tea, coffee and mince pies will be served after the service.
The annual Lord Mayor's Christmas Carol Concert is a decades' old tradition in the city, with roots that may even go back over a century. Traditionally held in the magnificent Great Hall of Manchester's Grade 1 Listed Town Hall, the seasonal service has been given a temporary home at the Cathedral whilst the renovation work on the Town Hall is completed.
As well as being invited to join in with much-loved Christmas carols from 'O Little Town of Bethlehem', 'We Three Kings' and 'Once in Royal David's City' to 'Ding Dong Merrily on High' and 'Deck the Halls', concertgoers will also be treated to several special performances during the evening.
Performers include the choir of St John Fisher and Thomas More RC Primary School in Benchill, the New Horizons Choir, Manchester Cathedral Voluntary Choir, and Blackley Brass Band.
The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Paul Andrews, said: "The annual Christmas Carol Concert is always a joy and one of the highlights of the festive season for many, bringing with it the chance for people young and old to get together in warmth, friendship and song to celebrate Christmas. Everyone is welcome to come along and join in with the singing, to enjoy the wonderful yuletide performances, and maybe also a mince pie or two afterwards."