Advent and Christmas Services 2024
Love came down at Christmas
Join us at a church near you
to celebrate the miracle of love
which is Christmas.
See our Directory Page for a map of locations
Diocesan Advent Calendar
Faith communities and individuals across our Diocese have combined ideas to create a daily Advent Calendar. You are welcome to join us and connect each day with another part of our wide-flung Diocese.
Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love divine;
Love was born at Christmas;
star and angels gave the sign.
(Verse 1 of the poem by Christina Rossetti , published 1885)
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ this Christmas, we reflect this Advent that our world continues to be one of pain, uncertainty and anxiety. It is more important than ever to remember that Jesus Christ is God With Us (Emmanual), and this is always a message of Love, Peace and Reconciliation.
As you connect with friends, strangers, your own family-whanau, join with the whole company of Saints and Angels in heaven proclaiming “Glory to God in the highest, and Peace to all people on earth…” (Luke 2: 14).
Have a wonderful Christmas and a love-filled 2025
Dunedin Area
Churches in Dunedin, from Port Chalmers to Brighton and Mosgiel.
Cathedral District
Cathedral Church of St Paul – 228 Stuart Street Dunedin
Click here for Cathedral service information
Cathedral District Cathedral Church of St Paul – 228 Stuart Street Dunedin
Sunday 1 December
7 pm: Advent Carol Service
Thursday 12 December
6 pm: Blessing the Christmas Tree with Anglican Family Care
Sunday 22 December – 4th Sunday in Advent
7pm: Nine Lessons and Carols for Christmas
Monday 23rd December at 6pm – Puketeraki Marae Christmas Service
Tuesday 24th December – Christmas Eve
- 6pm: Family Christmas Service
- 10.30pm: Christmas Carols with the Choir
- 11.00pm: Midnight Mass
Christmas Day – Te Rā Whānautanga o tō tātou Ariki, o te Karaiti
10.00am: Choral Mass for Christmas Day
Caversham Parish
St Peter’s – 500 Hillside Road
Tuesday 24 December – Christmas Eve
9.00 pm: Mass of Christmas Eve (combined with St Martha’s)
Christmas Day
9.00 am: Holy Communion and Carols (1662)
Dunedin North Parish Te Pāriha o Ōtepoti ki te Raki
All Saints’ – 786 Cumberland St
Click Here for Dunedin North Service Information
Dunedin North Parish Te Pāriha o Ōtepoti ki te Raki
All Saints’ – 786 Cumberland St
December 1, First Sunday in Advent
8 am Mass, 10.30 am High Mass, Sunday School. distribution of Advent Calendars, followed by lunch, 8 pm Taize night prayer, supper.
Thursdays in Advent
8.45 – 10 am, 4 pm – 6 pm, All Saints’ Fruit and Vege collection and sales table, front hall.
December 5, Thursday
7-9 pm C7Q youth group
December 7, Saturday
10 am – 2 pm Xmas fun day for children of all ages.
December 8, Second Sunday in Advent
- 8 am Mass, 10.30 am High Mass, Sunday School, followed by lunch and Trade Aid Christmas stall (Fair Trade chocolates, Christmas decorations, stocking fillers etc.).
- 7 pm Community Carol Service, followed by supper (no 8 pm Taize night prayer).
December 11, Wednesday
5.30 pm French Mass with carols, aperitif.
December 14, Saturday
12 pm rehearsal for Nativity Play, children of all ages very welcome (shepherds, angels, kings, Roman soldiers, inn keepers etc. needed).
December 15, Third Sunday in Advent
- 8 am Mass (last 8 am Mass until Feb 4th 2024)
- 10.30 am Nativity Play, followed by lunch and Trade Aid Christmas stall (Fair Trade chocolates, Christmas decorations, stocking fillers etc.).
- 8 pm Taize night prayer followed by supper (last Taize until February 11th 2024)
December 18, Wednesday
7-9 pm C7Q youth group
December 19, Thursday
Last All Saints’ Fruit & Veges day until Feb 9 2024
December 24, Christmas Eve
- 4.30 pm Children’s Christmas Crib Service
- 10.30pm Carols by candlelight
- 11.00pm Midnight Mass
Christmas Day 25 December
10.30am High Mass with children’s activities and blessing of crib.
St. Martin’s No Christmas Eve service,
Sunday 29 December:
10.30 am High Mass with children’s activities and blessing of crib
Until 4 February the only regular liturgy in the Parish will be the 10.30 am High Mass at All Saints.
t Matthew’s Parish (Dunedin)
30 Hope Street, Dunedin
Christmas Day
10.00am Christmas service
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St Martha’s (North Dunedin)
St Martin’s Church, 194 North Rd, North East Valley
Saturday, 21 December 2024: Advent 4, St Martha’s Kid’s Band Carol Service, 11am: St Martin’s Church, upstairs in the main church, 194 North Rd, NEV.
Back by popular demand – the Christmas story and carols led by our rangatahi on their instruments with a Christmassy shared kai to follow. Candles, Advent wreath, lots of fun interactive bits – this would be a great service to bring any children or young people to, with whom you’d like to share the story of Christmas, and some beautiful traditional carols (but with electric guitars!)
Christmas Eve, 24 December, 2024:
St Martha’s and St Peter’s combined Christmas Eve Service, 9-10pm – St. Peter’s Church, 57 Baker Street, Caversham.
A simple, candle-lit Christmas service for those who love the beautiful tradition of ‘Midnight’ Mass but want to get to bed a bit earlier! Carols, candles, and Eucharist to welcome the birth of Jesus
7.30pm There is also a supper BEFORE the service in the hall. Bring a plate of Christmassy supper food to share.
Otago Peninsula Parish
St Michael’s and All Angels’, Elliot Street, Andersons Bay
Click here for Otago Peninsula Service Information
Otago Peninsula St Michael’s and All Angels’ – Elliot Street, Andersons Bay
Sunday 8 December 10 am
Celebrate St Nicholas – spud in the bucket. Also at this service we begin a parish ‘Posada’ ; parishioners can book a billet to have Mary Joseph and donkey overnight.in their home (INN for the night )
Sunday 16 December 10 am
7 lessons and carols, with Eucharist.
Sunday 22 December :10 am
Family service,story along with welcoming Mary Joseph and donkey ready for birth of Jesus on Christmas Day
Sunday 22 December: 7pm
Community carol singing – Macandrew Bay hall -supper provided.
Tuesday 24 December 10.30 pm
Port ,Christmas pie 11pm Midnight Mass service
Wednesday 25 December 8.30 am
Christmas breakfast -all welcome, 10 am Christmas Service
Tuesday 31 December 7.30 pm
New years eve party and games: all welcome
Port Chalmers Parish
Holy Trinity – corner Grey and Scotia Streets, Port Chalmers
Contact: Rev’d Canon Rose Scott, 034728048 or 0273311695, rose.c.scott@gmail.com
Christmas Eve
10.30 pm: Carols and Eucharist
Christmas Day
10 am: Christmas Eucharist
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Roslyn Parish
St John’s – 373 Highgate, Roslyn, Dunedin
Brochure with all service details
Sunday 15th December
10.00am Carols and readings.
7.00pm Choral Evensong
Sunday 22nd December
9.00am Said Communion.
10.00am Choral Eucharist
Tuesday 24th December (Christmas Eve)
5.00pm Crib Service – for young and old and in-betweenies
11.00pm Carols with good company: mulled drinks, mince pies and carols around the piano
11.30pm First Communion of Christmas
Wednesday 25th December (Christmas Day)
9.30pm Family Communion for Christmas.
Sunday 29th December
9.00am Said Communion.
10.00am Carols and Communion
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Southern Coastal Deanery
Contact: Ven Jan Clark 027 351 5171
Click here for Southern Coastal Deanery Service information
Southern Coastal Deanery
St Mary’s – 3 Whitby Street, Mornington,
Holy Cross – 5 Bellona Street, St Kilda,
St Mark’s – 27 Shand Street, Green Island,
St Margaret’s – 4 Seaview Rd, Brighton
Contact: Ven Jan Clark 027 351 5171
1st December: Advent Sunday – Launch of the Christmas Appeal
- 9.30 am: St Mary’s 3 Whitby St
- 10.30 am: St Margaret’s , Brighton 4 Seaview Rd
- 11 am: Holy Cross, 5 Bellona St, St Kilda
8th December: 2nd Sunday of Advent
- 9.30 am: St Mary’s 3 Whitby St, Mornington
- 4.30 pm: Mornington Churches Carol Service
- 10.30 am: St Mark’s 27 Shand St, Green Island
- 11 am: Holy Cross, 5 Bellona St, St Kilda
15th December: 3rd Sunday in Advent.
- 10.30 am: St Margaret’s, Brighton 4 Seaview Rd
- 11 am: Holy Cross, 5 Bellona St, St Kilda
- 4 pm: Deanery Communion & Christmas Dinner at St Mary’s
24th December: Christmas Eve
- 9 pm: Carols & Eucharist at St Mary’s 3 Whitby St, Mornington
25th December: Christmas Day
9 am: Christmas Day Eucharist at St Margaret’s 4 Seaview Rd, Brighton
29st December: New Years Eve
10.30 am: Combined Deanery Eucharist at Holy Cross 5 Bellona St, St Kilda.
Southland and Central Otago – Lakes
Churches in Gore, Invercargill, Southland through to Te Anau, Central Otago and the Lakes District
Dunstan Parish
St Aidan’s – 42 Shannon Street, Alexandra
St James – 12 Ferry Road, Roxburgh
Christmas Eve
10.00am: A Simple Eucharist at St Aidan’s
2.00pm: Nativity with Puppets at ALEXANDRA HOLIDAY PARK
Christmas Eve at 7:00pm: Eucharist at St James, Roxburgh
Christmas Day 10.00 am: Eucharist at St Aidan’s
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Fiordland Parish, St Michael’s
49 Mokonui Street, Te Anau
Contact: Miriam Dudfield, 021 054 2027, miriamdudfield@hotmail.com
22nd December Carols and lessons at 9.30 am
25th December. Christmas Eucharist at 9.30am
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Gladstone Parish
All Saints – 509 Dee Street (corner of Dee and Holywood Terrace) Invercargill
Sunday 22 December Nine Lessons and Carols at 7 pm
The service will feature the traditional readings, well known carols for the congregation, and carols performed by the 30-strong choir.
Christmas Eve
10.00pm Combined with Holy Trinity
Christmas Day
9.30am Holy Eucharist
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Gore Parish
Holy Trinity – Trafford Street, Gore
Christmas Eve
Eucharist: 10 am
Carol Service: 7 pm
Christmas Day Eucharist: 10 am
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Invercargill – St John’s Parish
Christmas Eve at St Luke’s in the Bush.
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Northern Southland
The Athol Church 18 Five Rivers Highway Athol.
December 16 at 11am: Pre Christmas service
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Maniototo Parish
St. Hilda’s, 16 Welles Street. Ranfurly
St. George’s, 46 Derwent Street, Naseby;
St. Alban the Martyr, Downs Road, St. Bathans
Contact Warwick Smith (Bishop’s Warden), 021 434536
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Middlemarch
St John’s Presbyterian Church, 4 Aberafon Street, Middlemarch.
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North Invercargill Parish
Holy Trinity – 61 King Street, Invercargill
Christmas Eve Eucharist
10 pm: Christmas Mass – Port/Orange and Christmas Cake to follow
Christmas Day Eucharist
9.30 am: Eucharist at Holy Trinity
Sunday 29 December
Morning Prayer @ 9.30 am
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Rakiura/ Stewart Island
St Andrew’s
Christmas Day: 10.30am
Dec 29th: 10.30am
Jan 5th: 4.30pm
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Tuatapere
St Georges, Dec 15th at 10am. Nine Lessons and Carols.
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Upper Clutha Parish
St Andrew’s, Cnr Blyth & Donegal Sts, Cromwell
Christmas Day, All Age Festive Eucharist, 9.00am.
St Columba’s, Cnr Upton & Mcdougall Sts, Wanaka
Christmas Eve, Carols and Communion, 11.00pm
Christmas Day, All Age Festive Eucharist, 8.00am and 10.00 am.
Tarras Church, Church Road Tarras
Christmas Eve, Community Carols, 7.00pm
Whakatipu Parish
St Peter’s – 2 Church Street, Queenstown
St Paul’s – 16 Berkshire Street, Arrowtown
Glenorchy Community Church – 13 Argyle Street
Click here for Whakatipu service details
St Peter’s Queenstown
Christmas Eve:
5.00 pm Informal pageant with Eucharist
10.15 pm Carol singing
11.00 pm “Midnight Mass”
Christmas Day:
10.00 am Eucharist
St Paul’s Arrowtown
Christmas Eve:
7.30 pm Child friendly Eucharist with carols
Christmas Day:
9.00 am Eucharist with carols
Waikaia
St Mary’s, 47 Newburn Street, Waikaia
Thursday 19 December at 6 pm. Carols and a chance for children to act out the Christmas Story.
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Western Southland Parish
St Mary’s Riverton:
Christmas Eve 7.45pm (ish) – Community Carols (and a bedtime story) after the Lion’s Club annual street parade. If you’re in the vicinity, please come along.
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Winton Parish
Holy Trinity Church – 252 Great North Road, Winton
Contact: Phillis Wilson, (03) 2367039 or Rev’d Richard Johnson, 021 124 2746
Christmas Eve
Christmas service at 7.30pm
Oamaru – East and South Otago
Churches from Warrngton (north of Dunedin) to Oamaru and the Waitaki Valley, and south of Dunedin to South Otago.
Balclutha Parish
St Mark’s – 19 Renfrew Street Balclutha, St Peter’s – 8 Church Street, Clinton
Christmas Eve – 24th December
4.30pm: Children and parents’ service
7.30pm: Christmas Eve Eucharist, St Peter’s Clinton
11pm: First Communion of Christmas, St Mark’s Balclutha
Christmas Day – Sunday 25 December
9.30 am: Christmas Day Holy Communion
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Karitane Christmas
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Oamaru-Maheno Parish
St Lukes – 2 Tees Street, Oamaru
St Andrew’s – 6 Short Street, Maheno
Saturday 7 December
2 pm to 4.30 pm: Nativity Display at St Lukes – displays from different countries plus an opportunity to make your own nativity set – a great event for your whānau.
Sunday 8 December
4 pm: Christmas Poems and Carols at St Lukes
Tuesday 24 December – Christmas Eve
11 pm: Carols (St Luke’s)
11:30pm: Christmas Eve Midnight Service (St Luke’s)
Wednesday 25 December – Christmas Day
9 am: St Andrew’s Christmas Service
10 am: St Luke’s Christmas Day Service
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Milton – Tuapeka
St Johns – 165 Union Street, Milton
Sunday December 22: Service of Readings, Carols and Communion for Christmas at 7pm _________________________________
Warrington-Waitati
St Barnabas’ 282 Coast Road Warrington
Christmas Eve
9.00pm: Community Carols.
9:45pm: After the carols a spoken communion service will be held in the church.
Christmas Day
10.00am: Holy Communion.
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Waitaki North Oamaru
St Mary’s Church – 410 Thames Highway, Oamaru
St Alban’s Church – 5635 Kurow-Duntroon Rd, Kurow
St Martin’s Church – Earthquake Road, Duntroon
Sunday December 22:
9.30am Carols and Readings at St Mary’s Oamaru
11.30am Christmas Carol Service at St Alban’s, Kurow
4pm: Eucharist at St Martin’s, Duntroon
Christmas Eve
5.45pm: St. Alban’s Kurow, Carol singing followed by informal Eucharist
Christmas Day
9.30am Christmas Service St Mary’s Oamaru
Daily On-line Opportunities and More…
- Daily Morning Prayers. Tuesday to Saturday at 9 am via Zoom. No computer or smart phone? Telephone 03 659 0603 (it may be a toll call depending on your plan), then key in the meeting ID: 959 771 603 66
- Daily Evening Prayer: Tuesday to Friday at 5 pm. Meeting ID: 934 8425 0283
- Otago Access Radio Radio Church – 8 am on Sunday mornings or catch up on previous services via the link above.
- Hymns for Sunday Morning – traditional and contemporary hymns in this long-standing NZ favourite.
For anyone who hasn’t use Zoom before, have a look at instructions on our Contacts page and Zoom User Guide. You can join zoom from any device (phone, tablet or iPad, computer) that has a camera, microphone and speakers.
