London's A Christmas Carol

14 October 2009

Spandau Ballet and Little Boots perform on the steps of St Paul's on 3rd November to celebrate the launch of Disney's A Christmas Carol.

One of the stars of the film, Bob Hoskins will get the festivities underway at St Paul's Cathedral. As part of the evening's festivities, St Paul's Cathedral Choir will perform, joining London in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the biggest ever Christmas Carol sing-a-long.

Visit London's Christmas Carol website  for more information and to vote for the carol you would like to be performed on the night.

The inclusion of St Paul's Cathedral as the City of London location ensures that the capital's festivities embrace the very heart of Dickens' London. The City's streets and alleyways are home to many of the buildings that Dickens would have known and which are referenced in his works, including A Christmas Carol, which, in 1843 helped re-define the Christmas period as the festive season of goodwill to all and re-popularised Christmas amongst the people.

The Right Reverend Graeme Knowles, Dean of St Paul's Cathedral said: "St Paul's Cathedral is delighted to be bringing together people from all over London to celebrate the launch of Disney's ‘A Christmas Carol'.

"When ‘A Christmas Carol' was published in 1843, Dickens was contributing to the popular movement to make Christmas a more significant festival, but he was also drawing attention to the social injustice about which he was always concerned. We are particularly pleased to be involved with this event because Dickens did so much to promote goodwill and compassion for others as a significant part of the celebration of Christmas. We look forward to welcoming people to the Cathedral to join in the celebrations and to enjoy an evening of great musical performances.”