St. Agnes Fountain is a British folk band formed in 2001 by Chris While, Julie Matthews, Chris Leslie and David Hughes (1950-2023). Initially conceived as a seasonal project, it quickly became a much-loved Christmas tradition. Blending original compositions, revisited carols and spoken humor, the group has developed a unique style, often described as "carols revisited". Renowned for their warm, intimate live shows, the band have toured the UK almost every December since their inception, building up a loyal following within the UK folk scene. Following the departure of David Hughes in 2020 and his death in 2023, the band continued as a trio, maintaining its reputation as a key figure in contemporary Christmas folk music. The band's recorded albums include Acoustic Carols for Christmas (2001), The White Xmas Album (2006), Twelve Years of Christmas (2012), Night of a Million Stars (2021), St. Agnes Fountain (Live) (2024) and Flake and Flurries (2025).
