Many people do not attend church during the year, but feel strongly about attending church at Christmas. When I was young, my family always attended church during Advent and then on Christmas Eve. My grandmother sang in the choir at our church (Leaside United) and her husband was the organist. We were so excited during the Christmas Eve service, anticipating the unwrapping of gifts the next day! After church, we would go to my grandmother’s house to exchange gifts and enjoy some hot chocolate and my grandmother’s delicious holiday baking. Perhaps you have a similar memory? If attending church on Christmas Eve is important to you, please read further to find out about the churches in Toronto offering Christmas Eve services in 2021:
Christmas Eve Services at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church 2021
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church will be holding a 7 p.m. Candlelight Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols Service on Friday, December 24, 2021 at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) COVID protocols will be in place and guests will have to provide proof of full vaccination. A free ticket for this service is required. Obtain it on Eventbrite. St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church is located at 73 Simcoe Street (west of King St. W. and University Ave.), 416-593-5600.
Christmas Eve Services at St. Paul’s Anglican Church 2021
St. Paul’s Anglican Church at 227 Bloor St. W., between Church St. and Ted Rogers Way (formerly Jarvis St.), will hold a Quiet Christmas Eve communion service on Fri., Dec. 24, 2021 at 12 p.m., a 4 p.m. Christmas Eve service for families that includes Holy Communion, a 7:30 p.m. Classic Christmas Eve service with Christmas music performed by the choir and a Classic Christmas Eve service at 10:30 p.m. Guests must wear masks and maintain social distancing. The 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. services will be livestreamed on YouTube.
Christmas Eve Services at Metropolitan United Church 2021
Metropolitan United Church at 56 Queen St. E., 416-363-0331, will offer a Christmas Eve 2021 family service at 5 p.m. at Kingston Road United Church. They will also offer an 11 p.m. Candelight Christmas Eve service on Fri., Dec. 24, 2021 at their 56 Queen St. E. location. You must register online for the 11 p.m. Christmas Eve service.
Christmas Eve Services at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church 2021
Yorkminster Park Baptist Church will be holding a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 11 p.m. on Fri., Dec. 24, 2021 with Rev. Dr. Peter Holmes featuring the Yorkminster Park Baptist Church choir. Visitors must provide proof of full vaccination and ID. Yorkminster Park Baptist Church is located at 1585 Yonge Street, two blocks north of St. Clair Avenue, 416-922-1167.
Christmas Eve Services at St. James Cathedral 2021
St. James Cathedral, the episcopal seat of the Diocese of the Anglican Church of Canada, will hold a Lessons & Carols service at 4:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve with an organ recital at 4 p.m. There will also be a 7:30 p.m. Choral Eucharist with Bishop Andrew Asbil preaching. Visitors must be fully vaccinated and provide ID. Registration to attend services is required and will be on their website as of December 15, 2021. St. James Cathedral is located at 65 Church Street at King St. E., 416-364-7865.
St. Michael’s Catholic Cathedral 2021
St. Michael’s Catholic Cathedral offers Christmas Eve Mass on Fri., Dec. 24, 2021 including Christmas Eve mass at 5 p.m., Christmas Eve mass at 8 p.m. and Christmas Eve midnight mass at 12 midnight. Christmas Eve services are free, but guests must register online at Eventbrite to secure a spot. Registration opens on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 9 a.m. Masks are mandatory. St. Michael’s Catholic Cathedral is located at 200 Church Street, just north of Shuter Street, 416-364-0234.
Christmas Eve Services at St. Basil’s Catholic Church 2021
The third oldest Catholic church in Toronto, St. Basil’s Catholic Church will hold a mass on Fri., Dec. 24, 2021 at 7:30 a.m., a Vigil mass at 7 p.m., and a midnight mass at 12 a.m. (midnight). All visitors must wear masks and be fully vaccinated. St. Basil’s Catholic Church is located at 50 St. Joseph Street (two blocks north of Wellesley St. W.), 416- 926-7110.
Christmas Eve Services at Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church 2021
Located at 427 Bloor St. W. at Robert Street (just west of Spadina Ave.), 416-922-8435, Trinity St. Paul’s United Church will host a Christmas Eve family service on Fri., Dec. 24, 2021 at 7 p.m. (joint service with Bloor Street United Church).
You might be interested in reading, “Where to Have Christmas Eve Dinner in Toronto 2021“.
