Christmas Eve Services in Durham (2026)

Christmas Eve Services
Written by Kelsey Cecil

Updated November 8, 2026 · Checked weekly

10 churches in the Durham area with Christmas Eve services on Thursday, December 24, 2026. 2 have 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

  • 10 churches with Christmas Eve services on Thursday, December 24, 2026. 2 have posted 2026 times so far.
  • Latest service posted: 5:00 PM at First Baptist Church of Durham and Triangle Church.
  • 6 church traditions, listed in the same format, alphabetically.

Planning the rest of the season? See Christmas events for kids in Durham and Christmas train rides in North Carolina.

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 Durham

Thursday, December 24, 2026. Times from each church's own page.
TimeChurchService
5:00 PMFirst Baptist Church of DurhamService
5:00 PMTriangle ChurchCandlelight

Churches with Christmas Eve services in Durham

Showing all 10 churches. Filters, calendar, directions and church links unlock free with your email.

More Durham 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 Durham

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

Baptist Christmas Eve services in Durham (1)

Baptist services across North CarolinaBaptist services in other cities

Catholic Christmas Eve services in Durham (1)

Catholic services across North CarolinaCatholic services in other cities

Episcopal Christmas Eve services in Durham (2)

Episcopal services across North CarolinaEpiscopal services in other cities

Lutheran Christmas Eve services in Durham (1)

Lutheran services in other cities

Nondenominational Christmas Eve services in Durham (1)

Nondenominational services in other cities

Presbyterian Christmas Eve services in Durham (1)

Presbyterian services across North CarolinaPresbyterian services in other cities

Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi researches Christmas events for kids in Durham.

  • New events every weekWe research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Durham.
  • Exclusive access to free eventsFind the free Christmas events in Durham 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.

Enter your email to get new Christmas events in Durham every week.

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More Christmas Eve services near Durham

All Christmas Eve services in North CarolinaAll Christmas Eve services in the United States

More Christmas for families in Durham

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

Questions about Christmas Eve services in Durham

What day is Christmas Eve in 2026?

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

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

This page lists 10 churches in the Durham area with Christmas Eve services. 2 have 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 Durham?

Of the times posted so far, the earliest is 5:00 PM at First Baptist Church of Durham and Triangle Church.

What is the latest Christmas Eve service in Durham?

Of the times posted so far, the latest is 5:00 PM at First Baptist Church of Durham and Triangle Church.

Are there candlelight Christmas Eve services in Durham?

Yes. Triangle Church lists a candlelight service for 2026. Times are on each listing above.

Which parts of the Durham area have Christmas Eve services?

Churches on this page are in Downtown, Duke West Campus, Near Duke East Campus, Ninth Street, Old North Durham, South Durham, Southeast Durham and Southwest Durham and more. Each listing has its address and a map link.

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

Yes. Triangle Church 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 Durham?

The 10 churches on this page include 2 Episcopal, 1 Catholic, 1 Lutheran, 1 Nondenominational and 1 Presbyterian. Episcopal: St. Joseph's Episcopal Church and St. Philip's Episcopal Church. Catholic: Holy Cross Catholic Church.

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

Blacknall Memorial Presbyterian Church, Christ Central Church, Duke University Chapel, Grace Lutheran Church, Holy Cross Catholic Church, Hope Creek Church, St. Joseph's Episcopal Church and St. Philip's Episcopal Church held Christmas Eve services in recent years but have not posted 2026 times. We check their pages each week.

Which Durham churches had a family Christmas Eve service last year?

St. Joseph's Episcopal Church and St. Philip's Episcopal Church held a family or children's Christmas Eve service last year. Their 2026 times are not posted yet.

When do churches in Durham 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 an Episcopal Christmas Eve service in Durham?

Yes. This page lists 2 Episcopal churches in Durham with Christmas Eve services, including St. Joseph's Episcopal Church (West End) and St. Philip's Episcopal Church (Downtown). Their 2026 times are not posted yet.

Is there a Baptist Christmas Eve service in Durham?

Yes. This page lists 1 Baptist church in Durham with Christmas Eve services, including First Baptist Church of Durham (Downtown). First Baptist Church of Durham has posted 2026 times starting at 5:00 PM.

Is there a Catholic Christmas Eve Mass in Durham?

Yes. This page lists 1 Catholic church in Durham with Christmas Eve services, including Holy Cross Catholic Church (South Durham). Its 2026 times are not posted yet.

Is there a Lutheran Christmas Eve service in Durham?

Yes. This page lists 1 Lutheran church in Durham with Christmas Eve services, including Grace Lutheran Church (Near Duke East Campus). Its 2026 times are not posted yet.

How is this list put together?

We list every church we find in Durham 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 North Carolina?

Our page for North Carolina 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 Durham?

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

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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