RTÉ lyric fm is delighted to launch our annual celebration of community, amateur choral music making from all around the island of Ireland - RTÉ lyric fm Choirs for Christmas 2026 supported by Sing Ireland.
We know choirs up and down the country are busy rehearsing again and preparing for Christmas celebrations. We would love you to join in our choral celebration and send in a recording to the RTÉ lyric fm Choirs for Christmas Competition. We really look forward to hearing your performances and sharing your music making with the nation this Christmas!
As always, a selection of submissions will be chosen for airplay on Weekend Classics with Claudia Boyle from December 5th on RTÉ lyric fm with the winners announced by Claudia on Sunday December 20th.
RTÉ lyric fm will create a unique soundtrack to Christmas, so all choirs entries will be posted and available on the RTÉ lyric fm Choirs for Christmas webpage and RTÉ Listen.
Closing date for the receipt of entries is Friday 27th November 2026, 12 noon.
RTÉ lyric fm looks forward to sharing your music making and creativity with the nation this Christmas! Grab your scores and get rehearsing - and have fun!
Prizes:
BEST OVERALL CHOIR : €750
BEST OVERALL RUNNERS UP: €200
BEST YOUTH CHOIR: €200
BEST COMMUNITY / CHORAL SOCIETY CHOIR: €200
BEST PRIMARY SCHOOL CHOIR: €200
BEST SECONDARY SCHOOL CHOIR: €200
BEST PERFORMANCE OF A CONTEMPORARY IRISH CHORAL WORK*: €200 *Composed within the last 10 years - may include one of the RTÉ lyric fm Christmas Carols Commissions. A selection of scores can be downloaded below:
Adam Lay yBounden by Sebastian Adams
Christmas Day by Elaine Agnew
Curoo Curoo by Elaine Agnew
Stars of Wonder by Linda Buckley
Draíocht na Nollag by Linda Buckley with Music students of Presentation Secondary School, Cork
