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.
June 2019
Canterbury War Horse
Event Date
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
Event Date
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...
See-through Stories: Windows on the World
Event Date
1 June - 9 October
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...
Daily Mini Talks
Event Date
June talks
Daily mini talks, providing an insight into the Cathedral’s rich history read more...
Choir Bursary Concert
Event Date
21 June 19:30 - 22:00
A lovely opportunity to hear the choristers in concert and know by attending that you are supporting the future of choral talent at the Cathedral. The Choir Bursary Fund is a bi-annual event and is held in conjunction with the Graeme Hamilton Memorial Fund. read more...
Elgar The Apostles
Event Date
22 June 19:30 - 21:00
An epic event for Canterbury Choral Society and Youth Choir together again with the Royal Philharmonic, following their triumphant performance of The Dream of Gerontius in June 2018. read more...
July 2019
Choirs in the Quire
Event Date
2 July 15:15 - 17:15
Part of the King’s Week calendar. read more...
Summer Party Night
Event Date
Starts 5 July
Canterbury Cathedral Lodge invites you to enjoy the spectacular backdrop of Canterbury Cathedral at their Summer Party on Friday 5 July. On arrival guests will enjoy a glass of Pimms and canapés in the beautiful Campanile Garden, overlooking the Cathedral, while being entertained by a solo singer. read more...
Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius
Event Date
6 July 19:30 - 21:30
Canterbury Cathedral’s Director of Music, Dr David Flood, will conduct Whitstable Choral Society in a performance of Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius. read more...
The Girls’ Choir of Canterbury Cathedral Summer Concert
Event Date
13 July 19:30 - 21:30
The Girls’ Choir of Canterbury Cathedral will perform a vibrant mix of sacred and secular music at their 2019 Summer Concert. read more...
International Children’s Choir Festival
Event Date
22 July - 24 July
The International Children’s Choir Festival will take place between the 22 and 24 July. It is centered around three major choral performances under the direction of festival co-conductors, Dr David Flood Canterbury Cathedral’s Director of Music, and Henry Leck, Founder/Artistic Director of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir. read more...
Plants and Print-Making
Event Date
29 July 10:30 - 16:30
Join us for a day exploring gardening history at Canterbury Cathedral and developing print-making skills with a local artist. In the morning, the Cathedral’s Head Gardener, Philip Oostenbrink will give an illustrated talk on the history of the Cathedral’s gardens. read more...
August 2019
Plants and Print-Making
Event Date
5 August 10:30 - 16:30
Join us for a day exploring gardening history at Canterbury Cathedral and developing print-making skills with a local artist. In the morning, the Cathedral’s Head Gardener, Philip Oostenbrink will give an illustrated talk on the history of the Cathedral’s gardens. read more...
Cathedral Archives and Library Tour with Afternoon Tea
Event Date
9 August 14:30 - 17:30
Enjoy a full afternoon tea in our delightful restaurant which overlooks a beautiful courtyard garden. Afterwards, experience a fascinating behind-the-scenes tour of the Cathedral Archives and Library. During the tour you will learn about the rich collections of printed books, archives and manuscripts held at the cathedral and see some important examples. read more...
Cathedral Archives and Library Tour with Afternoon Tea
Event Date
19 August 14:45 - 17:30
Enjoy a full afternoon tea in our delightful restaurant which overlooks a beautiful courtyard garden. Afterwards, experience a fascinating behind-the-scenes tour of the Cathedral Archives and Library. During the tour you will learn about the rich collections of printed books, archives and manuscripts held at the cathedral and see some important examples. read more...
September 2019
Stained Glass Studio Tour
Event Date
20 September 14:00 - 15:00
The Cathedral houses the most important collection of early medieval stained glass, and we employ a team of expert conservators who create new and restore old. read more...
The Big FRIENDly Sing: Handel’s Messiah
Event Date
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
Music in the Collections of Canterbury Cathedral: Talk, Tour and Tea
Event Date
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
Scribes and Calligraphy: A Day At Canterbury Cathedral
Event Date
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...