Public Events at Canterbury Cathedral
Below you will find details of our main public events. To see details of all events and services, check the Calendar View, which can be viewed per day, week or month. For news items, see the News & Newsletter section.
September 2019
Canterbury War Horse
Ongoing
Over eight-million horses died during the First World War, of which many travelled through Kent on their way to the continent. read more...
Graffiti in the Cathedral
Ongoing
Throughout the year our Volunteer Graffiti Researchers can be found in the Cathedral investigating and recording its historic graffiti. Volunteers are very happy to share what they have discovered so please do stop and talk to them to find out more about the fascinating marks made on this ancient monument. read more...
Daily Mini Talks
June talks
Daily mini talks, providing an insight into the Cathedral’s rich history read more...
See-through Stories: Windows on the World
25 September 18:30 - 21:00
Book here Six presentations by leading public speakers looking through/at Canterbury Cathedral’s stained glass windows, the biblical figures they illustrate and their relevance for today. These talks are supported by The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral in association with the University of Kent. read more...
The Big FRIENDly Sing: Handel’s Messiah
28 September 18:00 - 20:00
Come and support The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral by joining us in the audience for this exciting performance of Handel’s Messiah. It will be performed by professional soloists Annalisa Traill (soprano), Paul Young (tenor), Jeremy Bowyer (bass) and Sam Sytsma (alto) and a scratch choir of 200 enthusiastic amateurs. read more...
October 2019
Songs my Grandma Sang
2 October 19:00 (doors open 18:30)
The Very Reverend Dr Robert Willis, Dean of Canterbury, invites you to join him in conversation with The Most Reverend Michael B Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church, as they take you on a personal journey of music and faith. read more...
The FRIENDly Animal Blessing Service
6 October 14:00 - 15:00
All animals and their families are welcome to join us for our second Animal Blessing Service, with certificates for all pets blessed on the day! Working animals and assistance dogs are encouraged to come along – please contact the Friends of Canterbury Cathedral Office if you require mobility assistance in the Precincts by calling 01227 read more...
See-through Stories: Windows on the World
9 October 18:30 - 21:00
Book here Six presentations by leading public speakers looking through/at Canterbury Cathedral’s stained glass windows, the biblical figures they illustrate and their relevance for today. These talks are supported by The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral in association with the University of Kent. read more...
Come and Sing Evensong
12 October 10:00 - 16:30
Come and Sing Evensong offers an opportunity to sing Choral Evensong under the direction of Hugh Morris, Director of the Royal School of Church Music and formerly Organist and Choirmaster at Derby Cathedral. read more...
Canterbury Festival Opening Concert: The Sixteen Choir and Orchestra
19 October 19:30 - 21:30
Conductor: Harry Christophers Soprano: Katy Hill, Charlotte Mobbs Tenor: Jeremy Budd, Mark Dobell Bass: Ben Davies, Robert Davies Book tickets via The Canterbury Festival website and see the choir rehearse here. read more...
Canterbury Festival: The Keys of Canterbury
26 October 19:30 - 21:30
Frisian Symphonic Wind Orchestra Conductor Jouke Hoekstra with Jess Gillam (Saxophone) In an exciting international collaboration, multi award-winning saxophonist Jess Gillam joins the Frisian Symphonic Wind Orchestra to present the world premiere of The Keys of Canterbury by John Harle, a work commissioned by Canterbury Festival. read more...
Music in the Collections of Canterbury Cathedral: Talk, Tour and Tea
28 October 14:30 - 17:30
Enjoy an afternoon starting with a fascinating talk by Dr Chris Price, Senior Lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University, and also a member of the Cathedral Choir, on the music collections of the Cathedral Archives and Library. This will be followed by a viewing of items from the collections. read more...
November 2019
Canterbury Festival: A Musical Tapestry
1 November 19:30 - 21:30
David Rees-Williams Piano Iain Ballamy Tenor Saxophone Ian Crowther Oboe With the Festival Chamber Orchestra Ensemble Book tickets via the Canterbury Festival website. read more...
Canterbury Festival Closing Concert: Tallis Scholars
2 November 19:30 - 21:30
The Festival is brought to a triumphant close by celebrated early music vocal ensemble Tallis Scholars. Known for their subtle clarity and tone, the Scholars have done more than perhaps any other group to establish sacred vocal music of the Renaissance asthe greatest repertoire of Western classical music. read more...
Canterbury Cathedral Girls’ Choir Winter Concert
16 November 19:00 - 21:00
The Girls and Men of Canterbury Cathedral Choir will join with acclaimed period instrument orchestra The Harmonious Society of Tickle-Fiddle Gentlemen and internationally-renowned soloists to perform Haydn’s The Creation. The concert will take place in the awe-inspiring surroundings of Canterbury Cathedral’s Gothic nave. read more...
Scribes and Calligraphy: A Day At Canterbury Cathedral
18 November 10:30 - 17:00
Enjoy a fascinating talk by Dr Alison Ray, Assistant Archivist, on the finely decorated (‘illuminated’) manuscripts in the Cathedral’s collections and on manuscript production by the monks here in the Middle Ages. This will be followed by a special display of items from the collections. read more...
Art of the Lost: Conference 2019
27 November - 29 November
Canterbury Cathedral is proud to present its second Conservation and Collections Conference – Art of the Lost: Discussing the future of the past, from 27 to 29 November 2019. This conference will explore and appraise current and developing studies of how art changes, is reused or repurposed, disappears or is rediscovered. read more...
April 2020
Medieval History Weekend
3 April - 5 April
A joint venture between Canterbury Christ Church University and Canterbury Cathedral, the city’s hugely popular biennial Medieval History Weekend returns next year for Becket2020. It will coincide with 850th anniversary of St Thomas Becket’s martyrdom in 1170, and the 800th of the relocation of his shrine in 1220. read more...
May 2020
Thomas Becket – World Celebrity Healer
16 May - 27 September
Focusing on mental and physical health and wellbeing, The Beaney will present a major community creative project in the context of Becket’s story and Canterbury pilgrimage. Miracles after Becket’s murder, recorded in stained glass, led to Europe-wide spread of relics and images, making Becket an acclaimed celebrity. read more...
July 2020
Medieval Pageant
4 July 11:00 - 17:00
Canterbury’s fifth annual Medieval Pageant and Trail will take place on Saturday 4th July 2020 and is bound to be a highlight of this summer’s event calendar! Commemorating Henry ll’s pilgrimage to Canterbury and astonishing public apology in 1174, this colourful parade features historical characters, local schools and community and re-enactment groups, giants, music and medieval mayhem read more...
November 2020
Becket2020 Conference
November 2020
Canterbury Cathedral is proud to present its third Conservation and Collections Conference, ‘Thomas Becket: Life, Death and Legacy’ – 11th-13th November 2020. This conference will be attended by world renowned experts who have undertaken research into Thomas Becket, his life, death, and beyond. read more...
December 2020
Becket2020 Choral Evensong
29 December 2020 15:15 - 16:30
A special evensong service commemorating the Martyrdom of Archbishop Thomas Becket on this day in 1170, with procession to the Martyrdom and Crypt. read more...