Lucia Celebration in London is one of the most important and popular Church services among Scandinavians in London. To many Lucia has become part of their Christmas traditions, and so the tickets sell out fast.
Saint Lucia Day is a non religious day celebrated throughout Scandinavia as ‘Luciadagen’. It’s a Winter festival, marking the dark December night with a feast and light festival. It’s a popular celebration in nurseries and schools and also in churches in Sweden, Norway and Finland.
The tradition originates from the Saint Lucia. Very little is known about the young woman who lived in Sicily in the late 200s. Lucia wanted to dedicate her life to Christinaity and not get married. This upset the Roman Governor. It was the Roman Empire and not legal or accepted to be a Christian. Lucia wanted to help the suffering and starving Christians who was hiding. So at night she bravely went out, with a light crown on her head, to source food. The governor tried to have Lucia tortured in many ways, but each time God saved her. Lucia was at last executed by the Governors’s men on 13th of December in 304. To mark that she did not die in vain she is celebrated as Saint Lucia, on this day.
Lucia in her homeland, Italy.
The beautiful Lucia Church Service’s in Westminster Cathedral, Ulrika Eleonora Church and Southwark Cathedral in London attracts around 2,500 people every year, with female choristers from the cathedral choir and the Swedish Ulrika Eleonora Church Choir wearing light crowns in a musical parade.
Where and when to celebrate Lucia in London?
This year the tickets will be released today, on the 3rd of October, and can be purchased through the Swedish Church’s Website www.swedishchurch.com
Ulrika Eleonora Church – The Swedish Church in London
Tuesday, December 6th 18:30 (for families) and at 20:00
Thursday, December 8 18:30 (for families) and at 20:00
Saturday, December 10th 14.00, 15:30, 17:00 and 18:30 (all for families)
Tuesday, December 13 18:30 (for families) and at 20:00
The service lasts about 45 minutes, followed by refreshments served in the church.
Tickets £7 for children and £15 for adults.
Westminster Cathedral
Friday, December 9th 19:00 (please note: no children under 7 years)
The doors open at 18:00 and the service lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Tickets £ 10 – £48.
Southwark Cathedral
Sunday, December 11th 20.00 for families with children
The doors open at 19:00 to the marquee where drinks, gingerbread and saffron buns are served. There’s also mulled wine for sale. Lucia church service starts about 20:00 in the Cathedral and lasts about 45 minutes.
Tickets £7 for children and £20 for adults.
You will have to register your details and purchase the tickets here.
Best of luck securing tickets for you and your family and friends. x