Easter Sunday worship
Whether in-person, online or by TV and radio, there are lots of ways you can share with us in this celebration of Christ’s resurrection.
Find out more.
From special services, tours and talks, to unique exhibitions, music concerts and visitor events, there's always lots to discover at Canterbury Cathedral.
A Pilgrimage of Prayer
Holy Week and Easter
Join us for worship, Lenten event series and our Good Friday family service.
Highlighted events
DAILY Between 10:00- 16:00, various intervals
FREE* Mini Talks
Listen to a bite-sized exploration of the Cathedral’s history with a free 15-minute Mini Talk, delivered by our knowledgeable team.
A great chance to discover more about the 1,400 years of history of our magnificent Cathedral - from the Black Prince and the turbulent Thomas Becket, to our Historic Graffiti and marvellous Stained Glass.
Take a pew and learn something new!
Talks subject to availability on the day. Ask at our Visitor Centre for times.
*Included with a valid Cathedral Admission Ticket or Cathedral Pass
WEEKLY Monday - Saturday 10:30, 12:00 and 14:00 and Sundays 13:00
'The Inside Story' Tour
Discover the story of Canterbury Cathedral through its soaring architecture, beautiful medieval stained glass and the history that helped make and shape the Cathedral.
£5 per person. Book at our Visitor Centre.
Monthly until July 2024
The Julian Prayer Meetings
If you are drawn to silent prayer, join our Julian Prayer Meetings (named after Julian of Norwich). The meetings are for people of all denominations, faiths or none who wish to join with others in the practice of silent prayer, resting in the present moment.
Dates in April, May & June
Canterbury Cathedral Library Tours
Our Cathedral Library collection includes books from the early decades of printing onwards, including books from some of the earliest European printing presses.
Join a guided tour to learn more about the Library and to explore some of the collection close-up.
Tues 2 - Fri 5 & Mon 8 - Fri 12 April, 11:00 - 15:00 in the Community Studio
FREE* Easter Drop-in Activities
Easter-themed crafts and more...
This is a drop-in activity; no need to book.
* Included free with a valid Cathedral Admission Ticket or Cathedral Pass. Children aged 17 and under go free (T&Cs apply).
Tues 2 - Fri 5 & Mon 8 - Fri 12 April, 11:05 & 13:30
FREE* Family Tours
Bring your little historians to Canterbury Cathedral to hear stories of Becket and the Black Prince, Monks and Miracles, Tombs and Towers.
* Included free with a valid Cathedral Admission Ticket or Cathedral Pass. Children aged 17 and under go free (T&Cs apply).
Tues 2 - Sun 14 April
FREE* Gregory Gargoyle’s Easter Trail
What are your plans for the Easter Holidays?
Why not visit Canterbury Cathedral, and help Gregory Gargoyle complete our Easter Trail.
Return your completed trail sheet to the Cathedral Shop and claim your prize!
* Included free with a valid Cathedral Admission Ticket or Cathedral Pass. Children aged 17 and under go free (T&Cs apply).
Friday 5 April 2024, 19:30
Gavin Bryars Ensemble: Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet
In this celebration of Gavin Bryars’ 80th birthday, experience his seminal minimalist orchestral work performed live in the atmospheric surroundings of the Cathedral.
The Flower of Friendship
The Sinking of the Titanic
Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet
Saturday 6 April 2024, 10:00-16:00
'The Glorious Mysteries' Quiet Prayer Day
An opportunity to contemplate the life of Christ, through scripture and the ancient devotional practice of the rosary; led by Canon Emma and Alexander Muir.
This Easter Season Quiet Day concludes our series, following on from our successful Lenten, Trinity and Epiphany Quiet Days.
This event is free to attend, but booking required.
Sat 6 April, 11:30-16:00 in The Chapel of Our Lady Undercroft in the Crypt
Celebrating 800 years of the Franciscans in the British Isles
Members of the Third Order of Franciscans in Kent will be in the Crypt through out the day to pray with people.
If you would like to find out more about this order - founded by St Francis in the twelfth century and still present in Kent today - please do visit them in the Crypt.
There will also be a short act of worship at 12:30 as part of their 800 year celebration of the Franciscans in the British Isles.
All are welcome to attend.
Tuesdays during the Easter season (starting 9th April), 20:00 - 21:00 BST, via Zoom
The Cloud of Unknowing Book Group
As part of our theme for Lent this year - A Pilgrimage of Prayer - we gathered online each Tuesday evening from 8 pm to 9pm BST to reflect and discuss the great spiritual classic The Cloud of Unknowing.
As these sessions only took us roughly half way through the text, Canon Emma is delighted to welcome you to complete this book in the six weeks following Easter.
Free event, online only. *Booking available soon*
Mondays (15 April - 8 July)*, 12:30-13:00 in the Eastern Crypt
Taizé Lunchtime Prayer
All our welcome to come and experience this way of praying as we connect with God and one another through sound and silence.
As with worship and services, those coming to take part do not need to pay admission.
In person only.
*Excluding 27 May and 24 June.
Monday 22 April 2024, 14:30-16:30
‘A History of Canterbury Cathedral in 20 Objects’ - Archives talk and afternoon tea
Join us at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge for a fascinating illustrated talk by Cressida Williams, Cathedral Archivist about ‘A history of Canterbury Cathedral in 20 objects’. Cressida will provide a potted history of the Cathedral told through some of the fascinating items from its collections
The talk will take place in the Lodge’s AV Theatre, followed by a full afternoon tea to finish, in the Refectory Restaurant.
£25 per person (10% discount for Friends of Canterbury Cathedral).
Friday 26 April, 10:00-16:00 at Canterbury Cathedral
Royal School of Needlework: Goldwork Wyvern inspired by Medieval Window at Canterbury Cathedral
Create your own stunning Wyvern motif - designed by RSN Tutor, Helen Stevens and inspired by one of the medieval windows at the Cathedral - at this exclusive onsite Goldwork and mixed techniques hand embroidery partnership class.
View the original window with Léonie Seliger, Director of the Stained Glass Studio, and explore the Cathedral after the class until 5pm.
Organised in partnership with the Friends of Canterbury Cathedral.
Saturday 27 April, 10:00-11:00 & 11:30-12:30 in the Cathedral Archives Reading Room
Medieval Canterbury Weekend 2024: Canterbury Cathedral Archive & Library Treasures
This visit will focus on the early printed books, manuscripts and other sources in the Cathedral collections.
Tickets: £10/person per event in person (discounts available).
The Medieval Canterbury Weekend, organized by the Centre for Kent History & Heritage at Canterbury Christ Church University, returns for 2024 with a programme of 19 talks and its hallmark guided visits.
Sunday 28 April, 16:00 - 17:10 at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge
Canterbury Festival: Festival Chamber Orchestra – More Music to Feed the Soul
The Festival Chamber Orchestra presents another programme of uplifting and emotive music featuring the wonderful Soprano voice of Kathryn Jenkin.
Tickets £22, Student £12 (Incl. £2 booking fee)
This event is organised, managed and delivered by the Festival Chamber Orchestra.
Programme available.
Tuesday 7 May & Tuesday 11 June, 11:15-12:30
'Women at Canterbury Cathedral' Tour *SPECIAL THEMED TOUR*
Experience this special themed tour inspired by International Women's Day: Friday 8 March.
Uncover the lives of the queens, noblewomen and more humble artists and makers who have all helped shape Canterbury Cathedral.
Only £5 per person, plus admission charge.
Monday 13 May and Monday 10 June 2024, 10:15-17:30
A Day Exploring the Gardens at Canterbury Cathedral
Enjoy a fascinating day exploring gardens and garden history at Canterbury Cathedral. The day includes a talk by members of the Cathedral’s gardening team, a chance to see items from the wonderful Archives and Library collections, a hot two-course lunch at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge, a tour of some of the gardens themselves, and afternoon tea.
Price £65 per person (10% discount for Friends of Canterbury Cathedral).
Not local? Why not stay overnight at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge and receive 10% off your stay!
Dates in June
Precincts and Gardens Tour
Explore the Cathedral Precincts to find traces of the lives of the monks who were the site’s early inhabitants and discover our beautiful public gardens while learning how these spaces, created over centuries, are still used and tended by our gardening team today.
Only £5 per person, plus admission charge.
Multiple dates June - September, 09:30 - 16:30
Canterbury’s UNESCO Sites tour: Foundations of Faith
Discover more about the introduction of Roman Christianity to Britain on this unique fully-guided tour experience which takes you through the heartland of historic Canterbury.
£59.95 per person
Saturday 1 June, 19:00 - 21:30 at Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Festival: The London Welsh Male Voice Choir in Concert at Canterbury Cathedral
Join us for a musical experience – a wonderful evening of virtuoso singing and entertainment featuring the London Welsh Male Voice Choir with soloists from Kent College Canterbury.
Tickets: £17 - £37 (Incl. £2 booking fee per ticket)
This event is organised, managed and delivered by Canterbury Forest of Blean Rotary Club.
Friday 14 June, 18:30-23:45 in the Campanile Garden and Clagett Auditorium
Annual Summer Party with 3-course Dinner and 7-piece Band
Enjoy the spectacular backdrop of the Cathedral at our Cathedral Lodge annual Summer Party.
Guests will be greeted with a glass of Pimms/apple juice in the Campanile Garden*, then move to the Auditorium for dinner.
‘CoCo’, a 7-piece local, popular function band will entertain after dinner and throughout the evening until 23:00, then there will be a disco until the end.
£59 per person
Please see full information and booking requirements.
Fancy making a night of it? Guests attending an event at Cathedral Lodge receive 10% off room rates.
Saturday 15 June, 18:00 in the Nave
The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral present: D-Day Commemoration Concert from the RBL Central Band
Join us for a spectacular celebration of the music of World War Two to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the 80th anniversary of the Central Band of the Royal British Legion, and the 200th Anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institute.
Music will feature the sounds of songs made famous by Dame Vera Lynn, Eric Coates, The Sounds of Richard Rogers, Ladies in Lavender, ABBA Gold and more...
Tickets: Adults £22, Children (under 12) £12 (Incl. £2 booking fee per ticket)
This concert is a charity fundraising event in support of The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral. Registered Charity No 256575.
Saturday 22 June 2024, 19:30
Britten: Spring Symphony
Come and celebrate as Richard Cooke marks his 40th anniversary as Music Director of Canterbury Choral Society, with the CCS Youth Choir and an ambitious programme of rarely-performed but outstanding works from the 20th century.
They'll be joined by the London Mozart Players and a team of fine soloists in a programme of music in which to revel and dream on a June evening.
This event is organised, managed and delivered by Canterbury Choral Society.
February-March 2024
What's On Guide
Your guide to worship, events, family-friendly activities, and new visitor experiences at Canterbury Cathedral.
Stay in the loop
Sign up to our newsletter and stay up to date with all the latest events, news and offers
By adding my email I confirm my subscription to the newsletter and understand that the email address provided will be held by the Cathedral and the email service company (dotdigital) to use for distributing this newsletter only. For more information please see the Cathedral Privacy Notice.