WEEKLY on a Thursday (please check dates), 16:30-17:00

Join our Pilgrim Officer after visiting hours, for a short guided pilgrimage around the outside of the Cathedral, stopping at places of significance for reflection and prayer.

We will walk in silence between reflections of meaning, in an exercise of mindfulness, and in preparation for the evening service.

All are welcome to our evening service at 17:30, followed by a blessing.

Free to attend; but donations gratefully received.

Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays in July - September*

The Corona Chapel was built in the 12th century to house the crown - ‘corona’ in Latin - of St Thomas Becket’s skull, which had been sliced off during his murder and was revered as a saintly relic.

Explore the Chapel, usually closed to the public, before climbing the 95 steps to the top of the tower itself!

£12 per person, plus Cathedral admission charge.

This is a popular tour; pre-booking suggested. Over 16s only.

Read full tour information and restrictions before booking.

*until 19 September

Between 11 - 20 September

Every September, thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate the country’s fantastic history and culture. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are FREE to explore.

This year we are hosting three special events at Canterbury Cathedral:

• ‘Lives of the Monks’ Guided Tour
• 'Cathedral Gardens Through History' Exhibition
• 'Monastic Gardens' Guided Tour

All events have a limited capacity and spaces fill up fast - so don't miss out, and book your FREE place now!

BOOK NOW

St Paul’s Church Hall, Canterbury, CT1 1NH

ALL welcome – rusty singers included!

Turn up for a cuppa and a biscuit, followed by sociable singing to put a smile on your face, led by Jamie Rogers, Assistant Director of Music, and our Choral Scholars.

Please join us between 14:00-15:00 on the following Mondays:

NO session in July 2026

• 14 September 2026
• 12 October 2026
• 2 November 2026
• 14 December 2026

This is a free event, but donations to help sustain this monthly event are welcomed. 

All welcome. No need to book.

Organised by and in support of The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral (Charity No 1210093).

A talk by Prof Benjamin Pohl, Professor of Medieval History, University of Bristol

Thursday 17 September, 19:00-20:30 at Cathedral Lodge

Prof. Benjamin Pohl is an expert in the history of medieval Britain and Europe. Coinciding with the Bayeux Tapestry’s highly anticipated exhibition in the UK, he will present a new interpretation of how and where this world-famous artefact was intended to be viewed.

The talk is based on Prof Pohl's recent research published in Historical Research, which received global media coverage.

Attendance is free, but advanced registration is required.

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.

Dates:

• Wednesday 23 September, 14:00-14:45

£8 per person. Cathedral admission not included. Pre-booking required.

Tuesday 13 October, 14:00-15:15 in the Conservation Studio

A rare chance to see behind the scenes of the Archives and Library, in our conservation and bookbinding studio.

Learn about the skills and techniques required to repair fragile paper, parchment, bindings and seals, and view some fine and rare examples of bindings from our collections.

£25 per person. Cathedral admission not included.

Pre-booking required; not suitable for under 18s.

Regrettably, due to the location, this tour is not wheelchair accessible, and is not suitable for those with limited mobility.

Friday 16 October, 20:00 at Canterbury Cathedral

One of the UK’s most dynamic ambassadors for classical music gives her first performance on the Canterbury Cathedral Organ.

Expect a dazzling programme of film music interspersed with traditional organ repertoire.

As the official organist of the Royal Albert Hall, Anna Lapwood has broken genre boundaries and introduced a huge new audience to the organ. An established conductor, broadcaster, and a fierce advocate for the advancement of female voices within her industry, she has reached millions via her devoted social media following and collaborated with artists from Florence & the Machine to Benedict Cumberbatch.

Tickets: £13.50 (+ £1.50 fees)

Due to the position of the Cathedral organ audiences will be unable to see Anna directly, however a live video feed of Anna’s performance will be projected onto a large screen in the central nave.

Saturday 17 October, 19:30 at Canterbury Cathedral

Join Canterbury Choral Society and the London Mozart Players for an evening of celebratory masterpieces in the beauty of Canterbury Cathedral Nave.

Bringing together the glory of the High Baroque and Classical periods, this concert combines two of Handel’s majestic anthems written for the Coronation of King George II in 1727, together with the music he wrote for a grand fireworks display following a victory against the French.

This is followed by one of the finest of Haydn’s six great masses, his Harmoniemesse, written for the name day of Princess Maria Josepha Hermengilde Esterházy, the wife of his patron.

Tickets range: £21.50 - £32.50 (+ £1.50 fees)

Tuesday 20 - Saturday 24 October evenings, various times

A one-of-a-kind Festival experience. Acrobats hang from the roof of the Nave and perform incredible feats in a bespoke Cathedral circus piece for a rare UK performance.

• Tue 20 Oct, 19:30
• Wed 21 Oct, 19:30
• Thu 22 Oct, 19:30
• Fri 23 Oct, 19:15 & 21:30
• Sat 24 Oct, 19:15 & 21:30

Step into Canterbury Cathedral for a transformative hour of world class circus from Australian ensemble, Circa.

Take your seat around the catwalk stage to witness these talented circus artists explore powerful emotions and delve into profound themes such as love, death, loss, hope and wonder.

Tickets range: £40 - £43.50 (+ £1.50 fees)

Tuesday 27 October, 19:30 at Canterbury Cathedral

Lie down and discover a completely new way to experience world-class classical music in this relaxed, immersive performance with Britten Sinfonia and Tenebrae in the magnificent setting of the Cathedral Nave.

You’re sitting or lying on mats in the Cathedral, looking up at the soaring arches and beautiful ceiling above. Lighting states shift and capture the mood as a seamless musical sequence fills the magical space from all directions… like a drivetime radio mix or eclectic playlist, but live and all around you, performed by more than 100 musicians, with orchestral drama, solo virtuosity and heart bursting moments of choral beauty.

Tickets range: £25 - £53.50 (+ £1.50 fees) - Child tickets from £8.50

Wednesday 28 October, 10:00-16:00 in the Community Studio

An inaugural class run in partnership with The Quilters’ Guild.

Students will be creating a design inspired by our Cathedral’s Cosmati Pavement using the English Paper Piecing quilting method. More information and details of how to book will be released in the autumn.

£65 for Friends of Canterbury Cathedral and members of The Quilters’ Guild; £95 non-members.

Cost includes the kit, a sandwich lunch, and afternoon tea and cake.

This event is organised by and in support of The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral (Registered Charity No 1210093).

Thursday 29 October, 19:30 at Canterbury Cathedral

Take a musical pilgrimage along the Via Francigena as critically acclaimed British vocal ensemble APOLLO5 launch their new album Crossings at Canterbury Festival with an expansive programme which maps this historic pilgrimage route in song.

One of Britains’ smallest but most dynamic vocal groups bring their vibrant and versatile sound to the atmospheric setting of Canterbury Cathedral. Part of the VOCES8 Foundation, APOLLO5’s repertoire embraces Renaissance, classical and contemporary works alongside folk, jazz and pop.

Tickets range: £21.50 - £32.50 (+ £1.50 fees)

Saturday 28 November, 10:00-16:00 in the Community Studio

Embroider a beautiful festive robin motif, with Royal School of Needlework tutor, Kathryn Sanders - an exclusive design and class, inspired by the original James I Charter issued in 1608.

After the morning session, you will visit the Cathedral Archives and Library to view, under the guidance of the Cathedral Archivist, the original James I Charter; an exquisite illuminated document of historic significance.

This exclusive partnership class is part of The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral’s unique association with the Royal School of Needlework, dating back to the 1930s.

The class cost is £185 per student and includes all materials and necessary equipment to complete the project.