Christmas Eve Services in Bloomington (2026)

Christmas Eve Services
Written by Kelsey Cecil

Updated November 9, 2026 · Checked weekly

5 churches in the Bloomington area with Christmas Eve services on Thursday, December 24, 2026. 1 has posted 2026 times so far; the others held Christmas Eve services in recent years and usually post their times in late November or December. Every listing links to the church's own page, so you can check the latest schedule before you go.

The short version

  • 5 churches with Christmas Eve services on Thursday, December 24, 2026. 1 has posted 2026 times so far.
  • Latest service posted: 5:00 PM at City Church For All Nations.
  • 3 church traditions, listed in the same format, alphabetically.

Planning the rest of the season? See Christmas events for kids in Bloomington and Christmas train rides in Indiana.

Kelsey Lizee Cecil with Rally, the real corgi

Why we made this

A story my mom wanted to write. So I wrote it for her.

On Christmas morning in 2020, I found out I was pregnant with my son, Holden.

Read Kelsey’s story

That same day, my mom went into a coma. She never woke up. Two months after her memorial, I lost my dad too.

My mom had spent years telling me about a story she wanted to write: a little corgi named Rally who rides the train to visit his "grand-paw-rents." She never got the chance. So I wrote it for her.

Rally Takes the Train is a picture book about Rally's first train ride. He packs his turtle toy, his green bone and his orange ball, and meets the conductor. Then he goes through a dark, scary tunnel and finds the light on the other side. Every page is hand-painted in real watercolor. My kids will never meet their grandparents, but this book is how they get to know them.

In college I was a religion minor, and I believe Rally Takes the Train was made for all children, from all religions in the world.

Christmas could have become the hardest day of my year. Instead, I decided to use Rally to bring Christmas magic to as many families as I can.

Kelsey Lizee CecilLearn more about the book (opens in a new tab) →

Christmas Eve service times in Bloomington

Thursday, December 24, 2026. Times from each church's own page.
TimeChurchService
3:00 PMCity Church For All NationsService
5:00 PMCity Church For All NationsService

Churches with Christmas Eve services in Bloomington

Showing all 5 churches. Filters, calendar, directions and church links unlock free with your email.

City Church For All Nations

East Side

  • 3:00 PMChristmas Eve At City (Kids check in by age group, 2 months to 6th grade, with an online RSVP)
    Free online RSVP
  • 5:00 PMChristmas Eve At City (Kids check in by age group, 2 months to 6th grade, with an online RSVP)
    Free online RSVP

1200 N Russell Rd, Bloomington, IN 47408

(free with email) Directions to City Church For All Nations (opens in a new tab)(free with email) Church schedule for City Church For All Nations (opens in a new tab)

More Bloomington area churches with Christmas Eve services

These churches held Christmas Eve services in past years. Most post 2026 times in late November and December; we check every week.

Christmas Eve services by tradition in Bloomington

Churches whose tradition we have confirmed, grouped by tradition in alphabetical order, in the same format.

Catholic Christmas Eve services in Bloomington (1)

Catholic services across IndianaCatholic services in other cities

Lutheran Christmas Eve services in Bloomington (1)

Lutheran services in other cities

Unitarian Universalist Christmas Eve services in Bloomington (1)

Unitarian Universalist services in other cities

Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi researches Christmas events for kids in Bloomington.

  • New events every weekWe research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Bloomington.
  • Exclusive access to free eventsFind the free Christmas events in Bloomington before they fill up.
  • Every button on this pageFilters, add to calendar, directions and every church link open right away.
  • Rally’s Christmas Eve Express and a free advent calendarEarly access to Rally the corgi’s Christmas Eve tracker, plus a free digital advent calendar to count down to Christmas.
  • One-tap add to calendarSave any service or event to your Google, Apple or Outlook calendar so you never miss it.

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More Christmas Eve services near Bloomington

All Christmas Eve services in IndianaAll Christmas Eve services in the United States

More Christmas for families in Bloomington

Family Christmas plans in and around Bloomington, from Rally’s own guides.

Questions about Christmas Eve services in Bloomington

What day is Christmas Eve in 2026?

Christmas Eve is Thursday, December 24, 2026. Most churches in the Bloomington area hold services from the afternoon into the evening.

How many churches in the Bloomington area hold Christmas Eve services?

This page lists 5 churches in the Bloomington area with Christmas Eve services. 1 has posted 2026 times so far; the rest held Christmas Eve services in past years and usually post times in late November or December.

What is the earliest Christmas Eve service in Bloomington?

Of the times posted so far, the earliest is 3:00 PM at City Church For All Nations.

What is the latest Christmas Eve service in Bloomington?

Of the times posted so far, the latest is 5:00 PM at City Church For All Nations.

Which parts of the Bloomington area have Christmas Eve services?

Churches on this page are in East Side, Near IU campus, North Side and Southeast Side. Each listing has its address and a map link.

Do any churches in Bloomington ask families to reserve seats for Christmas Eve?

Yes. City Church For All Nations asks families to reserve or get free seats for some services. Every other church on this page lists its services as open to everyone; check each church's page before you go.

Which church traditions hold Christmas Eve services in Bloomington?

The 5 churches on this page include 1 Catholic, 1 ELCA Lutheran and 1 Unitarian Universalist. Catholic: St. Paul Catholic Center. ELCA Lutheran: St. Thomas Lutheran Church.

Which Bloomington churches have not posted 2026 Christmas Eve times yet?

Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, St. Paul Catholic Center, St. Thomas Lutheran Church and Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington held Christmas Eve services in recent years but have not posted 2026 times. We check their pages each week.

When do churches in Bloomington post their Christmas Eve times?

Most churches post between late November and mid December. We check every church on this page each week and add 2026 times as soon as they appear on the church's own page.

Is there a Catholic Christmas Eve Mass in Bloomington?

Yes. This page lists 1 Catholic church in Bloomington with Christmas Eve services, including St. Paul Catholic Center (Near IU campus). Its 2026 times are not posted yet.

Is there a Lutheran Christmas Eve service in Bloomington?

Yes. This page lists 1 Lutheran church in Bloomington with Christmas Eve services, including St. Thomas Lutheran Church (East Side). Its 2026 times are not posted yet.

Is there an Unitarian Universalist Christmas Eve service in Bloomington?

Yes. This page lists 1 Unitarian Universalist church in Bloomington with Christmas Eve services, including Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington (North Side). Its 2026 times are not posted yet.

How is this list put together?

We list every church we find in Bloomington that holds a Christmas Eve service, in the same format. Churches with 2026 times come first, with family services at the top and then by start time. No church pays to be listed or to be placed higher.

Is this page connected to any church or faith?

No. Rally Takes the Train is a children's book. This is a free public listing of Christmas Eve service times and addresses, and it does not endorse any church or faith.

How can a church add or correct its listing?

Church staff can email kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com with the church's name and a link to its Christmas Eve page. We check corrections against the church's own page, usually within 24 hours.

Where can I find Christmas Eve services elsewhere in Indiana?

Our page for Indiana lists every city we cover in the state, with Christmas Eve services by city and by tradition.

Where can I find Christmas events for kids in Bloomington?

Our guide to Christmas events for kids in Bloomington lists Santa visits, holiday lights, shows and free events for 2026, each checked on the host's own website.

How early should we arrive for a Christmas Eve service?

Family and candlelight services are usually the busiest of the year. Arriving 20 to 30 minutes early helps with parking and seating together, especially with young children.

Are Christmas Eve services okay for young children?

Yes. Family and children's services are planned with kids in mind, and many churches welcome little ones at every service. Some offer a nursery or a family room; each church's page has the details.

Rally Takes the Train book cover

Rally Takes the Train is a picture book about a corgi’s first train ride to visit his grand-paw-rents. Our story

A free public listing. Rally Takes the Train is a children’s book and does not endorse any church or faith. Every church is listed the same way, and no church pays to be listed or placed higher. Times come only from each church’s own page; check it before you go. Church staff: send corrections to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com.

Kelsey Cecil
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