Sankta Lucia at York Minster

The highlight of the YASS year is surely the annual Sankta Lucia celebration. This is held at York Minster
and involves a candlelit procession, carols and traditional Swedish songs sung by a visiting choir. In 2024 this choir was Chorus Pictor Choir & Friends from Stockholm.

The event is always very popular and attracts visitors from far afield. For further details see our events.

Members of YASS have access to reserved seats close to front, with an excellent view of the choir.

A collection made at the service is split between York Minster and the York Anglo-Scandinavian Society, with YASS making a donation from this towards the CoScan Travel Award.

The service is streamed live via the York Minster YouTube channel and we are very grateful to the Dean and Chapter of York Minster for making it possible for everyone to enjoy the event in this way.

The Sankta Lucia service in York Minster begins and ends with prayers, hymns and readings. At the centre of the service is the Choir, led by the chorister representing Lucia. The Choir procession moves from the West End of the Minster to the Nave Sanctuary. By candlelight, the Lucia song and other traditional songs are sung in Swedish. A video of the 2024 service and a description of the event are provided below:

Sankta Lucia, ljusklara hägring and Natten går tunga fjät

There are several versions of the Sankta Lucia song but the most commonly sung today are:

Sankta Lucia, ljusklara hägring

Sung by the Adolf Fredrik Church Chamber Choir

Natten går tunga fjät

Från Oskar Frediks kyrke i Göteborg

For Press and Media attendance at Sankta Lucia in York Minster please contact the York Minster Media Centre.

York Anglo Scandinavian Society

YASS