A significant festive revival is underway across the United Kingdom, with a major new survey revealing that nearly half of all British adults plan to attend a church service or event this Christmas. The trend is being spearheaded by the youngest generation, Gen Z, marking a surprising shift in seasonal habits.
The Numbers Behind the Festive Revival
The study, commissioned by the Christian humanitarian charity Tearfund, found that 45 per cent of UK adults expect to visit a church this festive season. This represents a notable increase from the 40 per cent who reported the same intention last year. The research, conducted by Savanta, polled 2,017 UK adults aged 18 and over between November 28 and 30, with data weighted to be nationally representative.
Breaking down the figures by generation reveals a striking pattern. Gen Z, aged 18 to 28, are the most likely to attend, with 60 per cent planning to go. They are closely followed by Millennials (aged 29-44) at 59 per cent. In contrast, the figures drop sharply for older generations: 36 per cent for Gen X (45-59), 30 per cent for Baby Boomers (60-79), and just 24 per cent for the Silent Generation (80-plus).
Why Are Young People Returning to Church?
The motivations for attending are varied, blending tradition with contemporary needs. For 39 per cent of those planning to go, it is simply part of their cherished Christmas tradition. Meanwhile, 34 per cent are drawn by the unique atmosphere, and 28 per cent seek a moment of spiritual reflection.
For many younger attendees, the reasons extend beyond the purely spiritual or traditional. The survey found that nearly a quarter (22 per cent) of Gen Z churchgoers said they would attend to access practical support, such as food banks or warm spaces. Furthermore, the data indicates that more than a third (34 per cent) of non-Christians plan to attend a church service this year, up from 30 per cent in 2023.
This trend is vividly illustrated on social media platform TikTok, where young people have been sharing their experiences. Content creator @1pro_yapper posted about his first voluntary visit to church, stating he "overall enjoyed it" due to the singing and "really great people," despite some disagreements with the sermon's content. Another video by @belsspamms showed two young women attending a traditional carol service at Eton. Meanwhile, churches like Liverpool's Temple of Praise Church are using the platform to promote their services directly to a younger audience.
A Wider Pattern of Religious Engagement
Stuart Lee, Director of Global Fundraising at Tearfund, said the high Gen Z attendance figures align with other recent surveys suggesting a return of young people to church. "A few years ago, I couldn't even get a ticket to my own church's annual carol service," he told the Daily Mail. "As I looked around, most of those attending were young people. This is fascinating - you might have expected attendance to be in decline over the years, but instead, young people are turning to church at Christmas."
He suggested this indicates "something good is happening in the church," possibly related to a desire to be part of a community, take time to reflect, and belong to something bigger. This survey echoes the findings of the much-cited 'Quiet Revival' report published in April by the Bible Society and YouGov. That study of over 13,000 adults found that regular monthly churchgoers in England and Wales had risen to 12 per cent of the population, up from 8 per cent in 2018. The increase was most pronounced among 18-24 year olds, jumping from 4 per cent to 16 per cent.
While organisations like Humanists UK have criticised aspects of that report, the new Tearfund data provides further evidence of a distinct, youth-led uplift in Christmas church attendance. It paints a picture of a generation seeking connection, tradition, and support within the historic setting of the church, reshaping the festive landscape in Britain.
