Dogs and owners share the Christmas spirit with carol service for pets

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A church in west London offered a unique Christmas experience this year, inviting people to bring their pets to a special carol service where everyone could sing and celebrate together.

St John the Baptist Church hosted its popular “Carols with Pets” service for the second year in a row, attracting hundreds of people and their animal companions. The organizers noted that attendees came from across a wide area to experience one of the few Christmas services in London offering a special blessing for pets.

Honestly, this event has become one of my favorite parts of the church’s Christmas season! It’s so cozy and relaxed, and I love how they mix traditional carols with a celebration of our furry and feathered family members. It just feels really special and welcoming.

Church hosts pet-friendly carol service

The Diocese of London reported that Bishop of Kensington, Dr. Emma Ineson, was present at the service, describing it as a unique and touching celebration of the Christmas spirit.

The Christmas spirit was definitely felt last night when pets joined us for a cheerful evening of caroling. Seeing their wagging tails and little paws reminded us that God loves all creatures, which made the event even more joyful, she said.

I’ve noticed more and more people checking out the church services lately, and Reverend Traynor, one of the vicars here in Holland Park, thinks it’s because they’re really hitting home with everyone in the neighborhood. It’s cool to see the church connecting with so many different people.

Pet owners and their furry friends celebrated the holidays at a special Christmas service called “Carols With The Pets” at St. John’s Church in West London. Dogs and other pets donned festive outfits like Christmas sweaters and antlers to receive a blessing during the service, which was organized by the local Holland Park church community.

— Dinendra Haria (@Dinendra_Haria) December 22, 2025

I absolutely love the ‘Carols with Pets’ service we have every year! It’s become such a special tradition, bringing everyone in the community – and their furry friends, of course – together for a really festive evening. It’s just wonderful to see!

This year, we’re seeing more and more events welcoming pets, like a recent pet-friendly carol service. This trend was highlighted in China when screenings of Zootopia 2 became popular after cinemas allowed people to bring their dogs, attracting big audiences and lots of attention online.

Tickets are selling quickly again this year, suggesting the Holland Park Christmas service will continue to be a popular tradition for years to come.

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2025-12-24 19:49