MUSIC at Exeter Cathedral in the weeks before Christmas ranges from Devon-based folk duo Sound of the Sirens, on Friday 5th December, to the traditional favourites, carols and Handel’s Messiah.

Sound of the Sirens, pictured right, is a special homecoming gig for the singer-songwriting duo who are based in the city. Abbe Martin and Hannah Wood have been honing their craft over the past decade, earning them critical and audience success as “one of the UK’s finest folk acts”.

The following evening, 6th December, from 7pm, the choral ensemble Mediaeval Baebes (pictured left) comes to Exeter Cathedral as part of their 2025 Christmas tour. Enjoy an evening of carols, old favourites and offerings from their forthcoming album, and expect performances in Latin, Middle English and Old French.

This classical chart-topping choir was created in 1996 by musical director, composer and producer Katharine Blake. The group has since won an Ivor Novello Award for their performance on the BBC drama The Virgin Queen and received two Emmy nominations and a Royal Television Society award as the featured artists alongside composer Martin Phipps for the theme tune of ITV’s Victoria.

The cathedral choir, with Devon Baroque, performs Handel’s Messiah on Sunday 7th from 2.30pm, and has several carol concerts and services through to Christmas Eve.

Other ensembles and performers include Exeter Chamber Choir, London Concertante, Exeter Philharmonic Choir and the LaLa Choir, on Friday 12th, celebrating its tenth anniversary and raising money for Children’s Hospice South West.