Christmas Eve Services in Lancaster (2026)

Christmas Eve Services
Written by Kelsey Cecil

Updated November 9, 2026 · Checked weekly

8 churches in the Lancaster 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

  • 8 churches with Christmas Eve services on Thursday, December 24, 2026. 2 have posted 2026 times so far.
  • Earliest family service: 3:00 PM at Saint James Episcopal Church.
  • Latest service posted: 11:00 PM at Saint James Episcopal Church.
  • 1 church streams Christmas Eve online.
  • 5 church traditions, listed in the same format, alphabetically.

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

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 Lancaster

Thursday, December 24, 2026. Times from each church's own page.
TimeChurchService
3:00 PMSaint James Episcopal ChurchFamily
5:00 PMSaint James Episcopal ChurchMass
7:00 PMHoly Trinity Lutheran ChurchCandlelight
7:30 PMSaint James Episcopal ChurchMass
11:00 PMSaint James Episcopal ChurchMass

Churches with Christmas Eve services in Lancaster

Showing all 8 churches. Filters, calendar, directions and church links unlock free with your email.

Saint James Episcopal Church

Episcopal · Downtown

  • 3:00 PMChildren & Youth Christmas Pageant & Mass (Children and youth in costume retell the Christmas story)
    FamilyLivestream
  • 5:00 PMA Quiet Christmas Mass
  • 7:30 PMChristmas Eve Mass
    Livestream
  • 11:00 PMMidnight Mass with incense
    Livestream

119 North Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602

(free with email) Directions to Saint James Episcopal Church (opens in a new tab)(free with email) Church schedule for Saint James Episcopal Church (opens in a new tab)

More Lancaster 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 Lancaster

Every church on this page, grouped by tradition in alphabetical order, in the same format.

Catholic Christmas Eve services in Lancaster (3)

All Catholic listings in LancasterCatholic services across PennsylvaniaCatholic services in other cities

Episcopal Christmas Eve services in Lancaster (1)

Episcopal services across PennsylvaniaEpiscopal services in other cities

Lutheran Christmas Eve services in Lancaster (1)

Lutheran services in other cities

Methodist Christmas Eve services in Lancaster (2)

Methodist services in other cities

Presbyterian Christmas Eve services in Lancaster (1)

Presbyterian services across PennsylvaniaPresbyterian services in other cities

Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi researches Christmas events for kids in Lancaster.

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

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

More Christmas for families in Lancaster

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

Questions about Christmas Eve services in Lancaster

What day is Christmas Eve in 2026?

Christmas Eve is Thursday, December 24, 2026. Most churches in the Lancaster area hold services from the afternoon into the evening, and some hold a service at or near midnight.

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

This page lists 8 churches in the Lancaster 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 Lancaster?

Of the times posted so far, the earliest is 3:00 PM at Saint James Episcopal Church.

What is the latest Christmas Eve service in Lancaster?

Of the times posted so far, the latest is 11:00 PM at Saint James Episcopal Church.

Which churches in Lancaster have a family or children's Christmas Eve service?

Churches with a family or children's service posted for 2026 include Saint James Episcopal Church. Family services are usually earlier and shorter, often with a children's pageant or simple songs.

Are there candlelight Christmas Eve services in Lancaster?

Yes. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church lists a candlelight service for 2026. Times are on each listing above.

Can I watch a Christmas Eve service online from Lancaster?

Yes. Saint James Episcopal Church lists a livestream for Christmas Eve. Each church's page has the link.

Which parts of the Lancaster area have Christmas Eve services?

Churches on this page are in Downtown, Southeast, Southwest and West End. Each listing has its address and a map link.

Which church traditions hold Christmas Eve services in Lancaster?

The 8 churches on this page include 3 Catholic, 1 African Methodist Episcopal, 1 Episcopal, 1 Lutheran and 1 United Methodist. Catholic: Sacred Heart of Jesus, San Juan Bautista and St. Joseph. African Methodist Episcopal: Bethel A.M.E. Church.

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

Bethel A.M.E. Church, First Presbyterian Church Lancaster, First United Methodist Church, Sacred Heart of Jesus, San Juan Bautista and St. Joseph held Christmas Eve services in recent years but have not posted 2026 times. We check their pages each week.

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

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

When do churches in Lancaster 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 Lancaster?

Yes. This page lists 3 Catholic churches in Lancaster with Christmas Eve services, including Sacred Heart of Jesus (West End), San Juan Bautista (Southeast) and St. Joseph (Southwest). Their 2026 times are not posted yet.

Is there a Methodist Christmas Eve service in Lancaster?

Yes. This page lists 2 Methodist churches in Lancaster with Christmas Eve services, including Bethel A.M.E. Church (Southeast) and First United Methodist Church (Downtown). Their 2026 times are not posted yet.

Is there an Episcopal Christmas Eve service in Lancaster?

Yes. This page lists 1 Episcopal church in Lancaster with Christmas Eve services, including Saint James Episcopal Church (Downtown). Saint James Episcopal Church has posted 2026 times starting at 3:00 PM.

How is this list put together?

We list every church we find in Lancaster 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 Pennsylvania?

Our page for Pennsylvania 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 Lancaster?

Our guide to Christmas events for kids in Lancaster 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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