Around 4,000 people attended the traditional Christmas Carols by Candlelight services at Holy Trinity Brompton last month with a 150-strong choir and orchestra – but they were just some of the services on offer during the festival season.

For the first time there was also an ‘Alternative Carol Service’ at St Paul’s Onslow Square, which featured Christmas worship led by Tim Hughes and talks by Charlie Mackesy and Rachel Hughes.

The congregation of around 400 people sat on the floor around the central stage, as is now usual for the 6pm service at St Paul’s.

There were also the two traditional Christingle services at which 350 Christingle oranges were distributed to the children.

A drama featured curate Jamie Haith playing the part of a giant Christingle orange.

Other services included Midnight Communion on Christmas Eve and three services on Christmas Day, including a traditional service at St Paul’s Onslow Square.

At the HTB family service, balloons fell from the ceiling at the end. Associate Vicar Nicky Lee delivered a talk and a drama featured his three sons Barney, Benj. and Josh.

The carol services included music by Handel, Sargent and Rutter. The Bible passages were delivered extempore by actors.