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.

October 2018

There But Not There

The installations are available to view daily in the Cathedral

There But Not There a nationwide installation for the fallen. It is hoped that these nationwide installations will be one of the defining centenary commemoration of the end of the 1914-1918 war, with the silhouettes being installed where the men and women came from across the country, back in the communities they left behind.

26 May - 6 January 2019

**Now running until January 2019** - a series of installations by international artists Philip Baldwin and Monica Guggisberg reflecting on themes of war and remembrance, migration and refugees.

Starts 1 October

Daily mini talks, providing an insight into the Cathedral’s rich history

This is a weekly event held every Wednesday evening between 19.00 - 19.45 during term-time

Sacred Space is a collaboration between the Cathedral and Canterbury Christ Church University Chaplaincy and is a service particularly for young adults. It is held every Wednesday evening during term-time in the Cathedral Crypt and starts at 19.00 hrs.

19 October - 19 February

Items from the Cathedral’s historic collection are off to London from an exhibition of Anglo-Saxon Life. See the tiny beautiful Anglo-Saxon sundial and the early 10th century Fonthill Letter, the earliest known example of a personal letter from a layman to the King of England.

The installation will be on display in the Precincts daily.

To commemorate the centenary of the end of The First World War, students and staff from Canterbury School of Visual Arts at Canterbury College, led by Sculptor Clive Soord, have created a large-scale wooden horse for the Cathedral Precincts. The Canterbury War Horse’s head is bowed in respect, facing oncoming visitors to the cathedral.

This exhibition will run daily from Saturday 20 October. It will be closed from 3 - 8 November and reopen from 9 until 12 November

A series of work produced by the Cathedral’s recent Artist in Residence, Dawn Cole, who has been using Canterbury Cathedral Archives as the starting point for a new body of work which explores the act of Remembrance.

22 October 17:45 - 18:45

Award-winning journalist Luke Harding reveals the true nature of Donald Trump’s decades-long relationship with Russia, drawing on sources from the intelligence community. He shows how Russia is reshaping the world order to its advantage with an astonishing story of offshore money, sketchy real-estate deals, mobsters, money laundering, hacking and Kremlin espionage.

23-25 October , 11.00-15.00 daily

We are thrilled to once again be taking part in the world’s biggest drawing festival, The Big Draw. This year we are making upcycled poppies for the Canterbury War Horse sculpture.

23-25 October , 11.00-15.00 daily

Free tools to help young visitors explore the Cathedral

23 October 17:45 - 18:45

As a 95-year-old, the remarkable Pat Davies has lived through some of the greatest upheavals in history. Here, in conversation with Simon Robinson, she talks about women’s lives in the 20th century from the vote onwards, including her experiences as a woman in wartime, serving as Special Duties (Linguist) in the WRNS for Bletchley Park.

23 October 20:00 - 21:00

Why do we fear death, where does this fear come from and what exactly are our concerns? This event starts with a fascinating 30 minute presentation on the topic of death anxiety (inspired by psychologist Sheldon Solomon’s work on our fear of death), after which the discussion will be opened up to the floor.

24 October 19:30 - 20:30

At 19.30 on Wednesday 24 October, as part of the Canterbury Festival, the glass artists Philip Baldwin and Monica Guggisberg will hold an evening of conversation with the Dean under the ‘Under the Equal Sky’ glass exhibit in the Nave.

25 October 17:45 - 18:45

Hilary Kay is a consultant, lecturer, broadcaster and writer on antiques and collectables. In this presentation she draws on her personal experience over 40 years in the rarefied world of international antiques; as an expert on Antiques Roadshow and as a former auctioneer and senior director of Sotheby’s.

25 October 20:00 - 21:00

Ninety-seven-hour weeks, life and death decisions, a constant tsunami of bodily fluids – and the hospital parking meter earns more than you. Welcome to the life of a junior doctor.

26 October 17:45 - 18:45

Highly regarded Classic FM radio presenter, author and newsreader John Suchet explores the troubled genius of the great Romantic Russian composer Tchaikovsky.

27 October 2018, 11.00 and 14.00

Meet the artist in residence during her exhibition, Remember Me?!

27 October 19:30 - 21:45

‘Queen of the Baroque violin’ (Sunday Times) Rachel Podger’s serene and beguiling virtuosity is the angelic guiding voice amidst choral masterpieces sung by star vocal ensemble VOCES8. Designed to explore the acoustics of the Cathedral, the music alternates between the artists with VOCES8 calling to Rachel’s central ‘Angel’ from around the space.

29 October 17:45 - 18:45

It is when people lie about food that the anger bubbles over.

29 October 20:00 - 21:00

A comedian’s take on what makes us human As a connoisseur of comedy and co-presenter with Professor Brian Cox of the BBC Radio 4 show The Infinite Monkey Cage, Robin Ince has spent decades mining our eccentricities.

30 October 10:30 - 11:30

A TALK: Discovering Becket’s Pilgrims. The eight Becket Miracle Windows in the Trinity Chapel are amongst the most important stained glass windows in Europe. They constitute the surviving part of a hagiographic cycle unique in medieval art in its detail and scale.

30 October 17:45 - 18:45

Historian and presenter David Starkey, best known for his Channel 4 series, The Six Wives of Henry VIII and Monarchy, presents his witty insight into Britain’s most notorious king. Starkey argues that the Reformation could be defined as the first Brexit.

30 October 19:30 - 21:00

Concert by the Medics and Scientists Music Ensemble with friends.

31 October 17:45 - 18:45

In 2015, Champagne Taittinger acquired a slice of farmland in Chilham, Kent, and announced the launch of Domaine Evremond.

Diaries of the Here and Now

1 November 11:00 - 16:00

The Diaries of the Here and Now is a project commemorating the centenary of the Armistice.

1 November 17:45 - 18:45

John Tusa, veteran journalist, broadcaster and former Managing Director of BBC World Service and the Barbican Centre, is an influential player and observer of British cultural politics. In almost sixty years of professional life he has fought for and sometimes against major British arts and political institutions.

1 November 20:00 - 21:00

In partnership with the Festival’s Headline Sponsor, Kent College, we are delighted to present award-winning architect Ptolemy Dean, who grew up in Brabourne and is an alumnus of the school.

On display in the Precincts daily.

Featuring 531 miniature crosses bearing the names of WWI fallen that can be found in the Buttermarket Cross outside the Christ Church Gate. This installation is included in the Cathedral’s programme of events to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. Click here to view the full programme.

2 November 14:30 - 16:00

An afternoon at Canterbury Cathedral, with a guided tour by the Cathedral’s Artist in Residence, Dawn Cole, of her exhibition in the Chapter House entitled ‘Remember Me?!’. This exhibition marks the centenary of the end of World War I, and takes its inspiration from the Cathedral collections.

2 November 17:45 - 18:45

Dockyard Church at Sheerness is among the most moving architectural sights in Kent. Built in 1828 to serve the Royal Naval Dockyard, it has stood derelict since a fire in 2001. Now this great monument is set to rise from the ashes.

3 November 19:30 - 21:45

Rebecca Lea Soprano Madeleine Shaw Mezzo soprano Peter Auty Tenor Richard Cooke Conductor Saturday’s concert in the Cathedral closes the Festival with a romantic flourish.

6 November 14:30 - 15:30

A TALK: From Passchendaele To Peace. An illustrated talk providing an overview of the events of the final months of The Great War and into the 1920s.

15 November 17:45 - 18:45

For over 30 years Mark Austin has covered the world’s biggest stories as a foreign correspondent and anchorman for ITN and Sky News. He has witnessed first-hand some of the most epic events of our times, including the Iraq war and the historic transition in South Africa from apartheid to democracy.

15 November 18:30 - 20:00

David Herd, co- organiser and co-editor of Refugee Tales will give an illustrated talk introducing the project, which is based on Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales. He will discuss indefinite detention in the UK and explain how the project makes its call for detention to end.

16 November 16:30 - 18:00

History: The Beginning of the End? Is there a future for the Humanities? Does it still make sense to study the past when the present is changing faster than ever? Are we really what we read? And what messages does the Heritage sector send out about what it means to be young today? Chaired by

16 November 18:30 - 20:00

Writers involved in Refugee Tales will read tales from the project, The Prologue, The Visitor’s Tale, The Appellant’s Tale and The Refugee’s Tale. they will be read by Refugee Tales contributors Patience Agbabi, Hubert Moore and David Herd. This event has been organised in partnership with the University of Kent and is part of www.beinghumanfestival.org.

27 November 10:30 - 11:30

Bach to Baby is the acclaimed concert series for the whole family to enjoy together. Featuring outstanding musicians and exhilarating performances in inspiring venues right on your doorstep. Programme for this concert date will be announced shortly.

30th November 2018

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.

Advent Wreath Workshop

1 December 11:00 - 15:00

Come and make your family’s Advent Wreath with greenery from the Cathedral gardens. All material for making your wreath will be provided . This is a Family Friends of Canterbury Cathedral event but is open to all. Come and find out about the Cathedral’s fan club.

2 December 15:15 - 16:30

Celebrate the start of the Advent season with the Cathedral’s Advent Carol Service. All are welcome to attend.

3 December 14:30 - 15:30

A TALK: The Politeness Of Princes. Punctuality being the politeness of princes, Imogen Corrigan examines the reality of manners and etiquette in later the Medieval period. A far cry from the popular image of appalling table manners, Medieval dining was a minefield of dos and don’ts.

10 December 10:30 - 11:30

15 December 19:00 - 21:00

Canterbury Choral Society’s Family Carol Concert. A ticketed concert, tickets available from The Canterbury Ticket Shop on either www.canterburyticketshop.com or 01227 787 787 Further details to be confirmed.

17 December 19:30 - 21:00

Demelza House’s “Celebration of Christmas”. A ticketed concert, tickets available from Demelza House on either www.demelza.org.uk or 01795 845191.

19 December 19:00 - 20:00

All are most welcome to attend the Friends’ Carol Service.

23 December 15:00 - 17:00

Cathedral Carol Service, a reading of seven lessons with seasonal music. This the first of two identical services. It is an un-ticketed service and all are welcome to attend. Please note this service is seated on a first come first seated basis. Doors open at 13.30.

24 December 11:00 - 12:00

The Family Crib Service.

24 December 15:00 - 17:00

25 December 11:00 - 12:30

Christmas Day Eucharist. All are welcome to attend. Please note this service is seated on a first come first, seated basis. Doors open at 10.00.

28 December 15:00 - 16:00

Now in its 50th year Christingle is a celebratory event which takes place every year at Christmas. This event is hugely popular and raises vital funds for The Children’s Society to help transform the lives of vulnerable children.

29 December 15:15 - 16:30

Choral Evensong, commemorating the Martyrdom of Archbishop Thomas Becket on this day in 1170. All are welcome to attend.

31 December - 1 January

New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner Dance at the Cathedral Lodge. We cannot think of a more spectacular back drop to seeing in the New Year. Enjoy Prosecco and canapés on arrival, a 5-course gala dinner, DJ and live music by The Kingsdown Band, followed by a glass of Prosecco and a Scottish Piper at midnight.

October 2018

November 2018

December 2018

March 2019

April 2019

May 2019