With Christmas just a day away, Christians across Kigali are preparing to gather for worship, with churches planning special services, concerts and family celebrations.
Many congregations will also live-stream their programmes for those unable to attend in person. Here is a guide to some of the Christmas services taking place across the city, to help you plan where to worship.
Saint Michel Parish
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Saint Michel Parish opens the festive season on Wednesday, December 24, with a Christmas concert at 7:00 p.m. An English mass will be held at CELA at 6:00 p.m., while the French-speaking community and participants in the Dimanche en Famille avec Jésus (DFJ) programme will gather at LNDC at 7:00 p.m.
On Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25, masses will follow the usual Sunday schedule. On Friday, December 26, infant baptisms will be held at 9:00 a.m., followed by a mass at 1:00 p.m. during which sacraments will be administered.
Zion Temple Celebration Center, Ngoma
Zion Temple Celebration Center will host a family service on December 24 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., followed by a Christmas service from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. On Christmas Day, three services are scheduled: 7:00-9:30 a.m., 9:30-11:30 a.m., and 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Healing Center Church Rwanda
Healing Center Church Rwanda will hold its Christmas service on December 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The service will be live-streamed for worshippers who cannot attend physically.
Life Givers Christian Center (LGCC), Gakinjiro
LGCC will welcome worshippers on Christmas Day from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. The church will also hold a year-end thanksgiving service on December 31 starting at 8:00 p.m., reflecting on 2025 and committing 2026 to God's guidance.
Winners Chapel International, Kimironko
Winners Chapel International in Kimironko will hold its Christmas service from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
St Charles Lwanga, Nyamirambo
St Charles Lwanga Parish begins its celebrations on December 24 with an evening service from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. On Christmas Day, masses will be celebrated at 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Christian Life Assembly (CLA) and New Life Ministries
Christian Life Assembly in Nyarutarama will hold a service on December 24 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., and a single Christmas Day service at 10:00 a.m.
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New Life Ministries in Kicukiro will begin its festivities on December 23 with Teens Manger Vibes at 5:00 p.m., followed by Christmas carols on December 24 at 6:00 p.m. On Christmas Day, services will be held in English at 10:00 a.m., and in both Kinyarwanda and English at 12:00 p.m.
A crossover service is also planned for December 31 starting at 8:00 p.m.
ADEPR churches in Kigali
ADEPR Remera will hold its Christmas service at 9:00 a.m. ADEPR Ntora in Gisozi, at Dove Hotel, will host an English service from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., while ADEPR Nyarugenge will hold its service from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Evangelical Restoration Church (ERC), Masoro Parish
ERC Masoro Parish will offer a Kinyarwanda service on Christmas Day from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m., followed by a combined French and English service from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
