Guide to Christmas Services in New York City

New York City has a large selection of churches of every denomination and most of them have services on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. New York City takes on a different life style on Christmas Eve. Most of the stores close early, very few people are working, and while it is still the City that Never Sleeps, on Christmas Eve, it at least it slows down a notch or two. You can walk the streets at a leisurely pace and the sound of all the church bells ringing at once at midnight is something not to be missed.

If you are in New York City on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and if you are looking for a place to worship, the ones listed here are some of the largest, and probably will be easiest for a visitor to attend.

St. Patrick's Cathedral Roman Catholic Services

St. Patrick's is one of the most well known churches in the world and as such, there is great interest in attending services here, especially at holiday time. Please, if you wish to attend the services, make note of the ones that require reservations, they are in bold type) and contact the church well in advance to assure your seats. They have services on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Christmas Eve:
December 24 - Vigil at 5:30 pm,
Midnight Mass * Reserved seating by ticket only
Edward Cardinal Egan, Celebrant and Homilist
December 25 - 7:00 am, 8:00, 9:00, 10:15 *, 12 Noon and 1 pm * Reserved seating by ticket only
Christmas Day
December 25 - 7:00 am, 8:00, 9:00, 10:15 *, 12 Noon and 1 pm * Reserved seating by ticket only

New York City has one of the largest mixed faith communities anywhere. In 1987 The Interfaith Community was founded to work with families of mixed faith, Jewish Christian, to celebrate both traditions. In this context, they have a Christmas/ Hannukah celebration this year on Dec10th. There will be first an Advent/Christmas celebration, followed by a Hannukah Celebration. There will be food and traditions from both.

Sunday, December 10, 2006, 5:30 pm
Brick Parish House, 62 E. 92nd St. (between Park & Madison)
$25 per person/ $60 per family. Free for members.

Trinity Church &St. Paul's Chapel Services
Trinity Church and St Paul's Chapel are the oldest Churches in New York City. Trinity Church was founded in 1647. Many famous New Yorkers are buried in the church yard, including Alexander Hamilton. St. Paul's Chapel is affiliated and it is famous as the Church that survived the attacks of 9/11. It was built in 1766. This year they continue their great Christmas traditions with:

Christmas Eve Family Eucharist Sunday, December 24, 2006
4:00PM - 5:00PM at St. Paul's
Silent Night Service Sunday, December 24, 2006 6:30PM - 7:30PM At Trinity Church
Christmas Eve Eucharist Sunday, December 24, 2006
9:30PM - 11:30PM At Trinity Church
25
Morning Prayer
8:15AM - 8:30AM at Trinity Church
.Christmas Day Eucharist
10:00AM - 11:00AM at St. Paul's
Christmas Day Eucharist
11:15AM - 12:30PM at Trinity Church
Holy Eucharist
12:05PM - 12:45PM at Trinity Church
Prayers for Peace
12:30PM - 12:45PM at St. Paul's
Evening Prayer
5:00PM - 5:15PM at St. Paul's
Evening Prayer
5:15PM - 5:30PM at Trinity Church
Trinity Church & St. Paul's Chapel
74 Trinity Place
New York, NY 10006
Trinity Church: 212-602-0800
St. Paul's Chapel: 212-233-4164

Riverside Church Interdenominational Services

Riverside Church is affiliated with both the United Church of Christ and the American Baptist Churches. The services this year are on Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24

4:00 p.m. (service for Children & Families)
8:00 p.m. (Lessons & Carols Service)
490 Riverside Drive
New York, New York 10027
212-870-6700

St. Peter's Church, Evangelical Lutheran/ Catholic
St. Peter's has Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services in both English and Spanish. St. Peter's is also wheelchair accessible.

Christmas Eve
8:45 AM Mass ,9:45 AM Coffee Hour 9:45 AM Godly Play
9:45 AM Youth Group 10:00 AM Forum11:00 AM Mass
1:30 PM Misa en Espanol 2:30 PM Café y foro
2:30 PM That Time of the Year 5:00 PM Jazz Vespers
5:00 PM Lessons and Carols
11:00 PM Solemn Christmass
Christmas Day
7:20 AM AA Meditation 11:00 AM Christmass 1:30 PM Misa en Espanol
Lexington Avenue and 54th Street in Manhattan
212 935-2200