Public Events at Canterbury Cathedral

Making History: Church, State and Conflict

A major new exhibition in Canterbury Cathedral’s Crypt allows visitors to explore up close, for the first time, a unique collection of artefacts – including the battle shield, gauntlets and jupon of medieval warrior Edward The Black Prince, and fragments of Thomas Becket’s shrine – that tell the complex, and often violent, story of Church-State relations. read more...

Discovery Days – Claymaking

This August, explore the amazing history and craft of the Cathedral with FREE* interactive activities including stonemasonry, claymaking and storytelling. Claymaking Join the team from Clay Space Margate who will be leading an air-dry clay making activity – come along for expert advice on how to craft your own Cathedral-inspired creations. read more...

Archives and Library Tour with Afternoon Tea

Enjoy a splendid afternoon learning about the rich collections of printed books, archives, and manuscripts held at the Cathedral and the view of some important examples from our medieval collections. A Full Afternoon Tea will be served in the delightful Refectory Restaurant which overlooks a pretty courtyard garden. read more...

Discovery Days – Stonemasonry Demos

This August, explore the amazing history and craft of the Cathedral with FREE* interactive activities including stonemasonry, claymaking and storytelling. Stonemasonry Demos Back by popular demand – the Canterbury Cathedral Stone Mason team will be showing you how to create your own mason’s marque using traditional medieval techniques. read more...

The Canterbury UNESCO World Heritage Site Tour

This fully-guided six-hour tour visits Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey and St Martin’s church, the three sites in the city that together make Canterbury a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to give a fascinating and detailed insight into the introduction of Roman Christianity to Britain. read more...

A Day Exploring the Gardens of Canterbury Cathedral

Join the team at Canterbury Cathedral for a fascinating day exploring gardens and garden history at Canterbury Cathedral. read more...

Discovery Days – Storytelling

This August, explore the amazing history and craft of the Cathedral with FREE* interactive activities including stonemasonry, claymaking and storytelling. Storytelling Writer performers Neelam Saredia-Brayley and Pauline Holmes will be telling tales based on the Cathedral’s colourful history. read more...

The Canterbury UNESCO World Heritage Site Tour

This fully-guided six-hour tour visits Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey and St Martin’s church, the three sites in the city that together make Canterbury a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to give a fascinating and detailed insight into the introduction of Roman Christianity to Britain. read more...

Julian Meeting

If you are drawn to silent prayer, do come and join our Julian Meetings. Silent or contemplative prayer began around the 4th century and Julian Meetings (named after Julian of Norwich) have been held nationwide since 1971. read more...

Friendly Singing for Wellbeing

Join us each month for a fun and friendly activity for older people and their carers that focuses on the health and wellbeing benefits of singing. You’ll enjoy a variety of popular songs, followed by a cuppa and a biscuit! Led by Adrian Bawtree, Second Assistant Organist at Canterbury Cathedral. read more...

Heritage Open Day Talk: The Anglo-Saxon Collections of Canterbury Cathedral

An illustrated talk on manuscript and object collections from the Anglo-Saxon period, including items featured on the UNESCO UK Memory of the World Register. *Visitor entrance charges apply. Pre-booking required; please email archives@canterbury-cathedral.org. read more...

Heritage Open Day Talk: The Oakeley Models

A talk focusing on the extraordinary set of 19th-century miniature models of cathedrals which are on display in the Cathedral Viewing Gallery. *Visitor entrance charges apply. Pre-booking required; please email archives@canterbury-cathedral.org. read more...

Book Bag Blessing

A 30-minute family-friendly Service to celebrate a new chapter in your child’s learning journey at the start of the school year. read more...

Exhibition: ‘The Road to Santiago’

An exhibition by Torin Brown detailing his experiences while walking on pilgrimage to Santiago. Torin will also give a talk on his pilgrimage on 21 September. This exhibition is part of The Kent Pilgrims’ Festival, which takes place from 21 to 25 September 2022. read more...

Talk: ‘The Road to Santiago’ by Torin Brown

A talk by Torin Brown detailing his experiences while walking on pilgrimage to Santiago. An exhibition to accompany the talk will be available to view in the Community Studio between 21-15 September. Free tickets can be booked via Eventbrite. read more...

The Canterbury UNESCO World Heritage Site Tour

This fully-guided six-hour tour visits Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey and St Martin’s church, the three sites in the city that together make Canterbury a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to give a fascinating and detailed insight into the introduction of Roman Christianity to Britain. read more...

Talk: ‘We Are Pilgrims: Journeys in Search of Ourselves’ by Victoria Preston

A Friends of Canterbury Cathedral talk by Victoria Preston on pilgrimage. For enquiries and to book tickets, please contact The Friends Office on friends@canterbury-cathedral.org. This is part of The Kent Pilgrims’ Festival, which takes place from 21 to 25 September 2022. read more...

Talk: ‘Pilgrimage – The Road to Canterbury’ by Canon Emma Pennington

A talk by Canon Emma Pennington on modern day pilgrimage. Free tickets can be booked via Eventbrite. This is part of The Kent Pilgrims’ Festival, which takes place from 21 to 25 September 2022. All are welcome to join the journey and discover modern-day pilgrimage with exhibitions, talks, and tours. read more...

The Canterbury UNESCO World Heritage Site Tour

This fully-guided six-hour tour visits Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey and St Martin’s church, the three sites in the city that together make Canterbury a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to give a fascinating and detailed insight into the introduction of Roman Christianity to Britain. read more...

The Kent Pilgrims’ Festival Evensong

A special Evensong to celebrate the end of The Kent Pilgrims’ Festival. All are welcome. This is part of The Kent Pilgrims’ Festival, which takes place from 21 to 25 September 2022. All are welcome to join the journey and discover modern-day pilgrimage with exhibitions, talks, and tours. Find out more about pilgrimage at Canterbury Cathedral. read more...

Autumn Organ Recital Series: Jamie Rogers

Join us for the first Organ Recital in our Autumn series, given by Jamie Rogers, our Assistant Director of Music. In 2022 Jamie was appointed as Assistant Director of Music, having previously worked as the Assistant Director of Music at St Marylebone Parish Church and the Head of Jazz Studies at Queen Mary’s University, London. read more...

Animal Blessing

All animals and their families are welcome to join us for our annual Animal Blessing Service, with certificates for all pets blessed on the day! All animals must be kept on leads, or in secure carry cases. read more...

Julian Meeting

If you are drawn to silent prayer, do come and join our Julian Meetings. Silent or contemplative prayer began around the 4th century and Julian Meetings (named after Julian of Norwich) have been held nationwide since 1971. read more...

Friendly Singing for Wellbeing

Join us each month for a fun and friendly activity for older people and their carers that focuses on the health and wellbeing benefits of singing. You’ll enjoy a variety of popular songs, followed by a cuppa and a biscuit! Led by Adrian Bawtree, Second Assistant Organist at Canterbury Cathedral. read more...

Julian Meeting

If you are drawn to silent prayer, do come and join our Julian Meetings. Silent or contemplative prayer began around the 4th century and Julian Meetings (named after Julian of Norwich) have been held nationwide since 1971. read more...

Friendly Singing for Wellbeing

Join us each month for a fun and friendly activity for older people and their carers that focuses on the health and wellbeing benefits of singing. You’ll enjoy a variety of popular songs, followed by a cuppa and a biscuit! Led by Adrian Bawtree, Second Assistant Organist at Canterbury Cathedral. read more...

Advent Carol Service

We mark the start of the Advent season with the Cathedral’s Advent Carol Service. This beautiful service at the beginning of the season of Advent brings together music, readings, and the lighting of candles, as we move from darkness to light in the expectation of Christ’s coming. The service lasts about 1 hour. read more...

Julian Meeting

If you are drawn to silent prayer, do come and join our Julian Meetings. Silent or contemplative prayer began around the 4th century and Julian Meetings (named after Julian of Norwich) have been held nationwide since 1971. read more...

St Nicholas Family Service

This short service for children and families is a joyful celebration of the story of St Nicholas and a chance to find out more about the original Santa Claus! All are welcome. read more...

Friendly Singing for Wellbeing

Join us each month for a fun and friendly activity for older people and their carers that focuses on the health and wellbeing benefits of singing. You’ll enjoy a variety of popular songs, followed by a cuppa and a biscuit! Led by Adrian Bawtree, Second Assistant Organist at Canterbury Cathedral. read more...

Evensong by Candlelight for the Festival of Santa Lucia

All are welcome to join us for Evensong by candlelight to celebrate the Scandinavian Festival of Light in honour of St Lucia (or St Lucy), who was one of the earliest Christian martyrs. read more...

Canterbury Cathedral Carol Service – 23 December

Our main Cathedral Carol Services are one of the highlights of the Cathedral’s year, with music and readings to tell the story of the birth of Christ in an atmospheric service with candlelight. read more...

Family Crib Service

A joyful and informal service for children and families which tells the story of the birth of Jesus, with music from the Cathedral’s Boy Choristers and the singing of traditional Christmas Carols. The service lasts around 45 minutes. All are welcome to attend. read more...

Canterbury Cathedral Carol Service – 24 December

Our main Cathedral Carol Services are one of the highlights of the Cathedral’s year, with music and readings to tell the story of the birth of Christ in an atmospheric service with candlelight. read more...

Christmas Day Eucharist with the Archbishop of Canterbury

All are welcome to join the Most Reverend, Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury and the clergy and choir of Canterbury Cathedral to celebrate the Christmas Day Eucharist. read more...

Christmas Day Choral Evensong

All are welcome to join the Cathedral clergy and choir to celebrate our Christmas Day Evensong. read more...

Choral Evensong for St Thomas of Canterbury

All are welcome to attend a very special Canterbury Cathedral tradition to mark the martyrdom of Canterbury’s most famous Saint. We gather for a candlelit service of mediaeval chant and readings as we mark the day on which St Thomas was murdered in his own Cathedral. read more...

Epiphany Carol Service

Celebrate the feast of the Epiphany with this beautiful carol service. The music and readings of this service reflect on the three signs of Christ’s “Epiphany” (his manifestation to the world): the visit of the wise men, the Baptism of Christ, and the transformation of water into wine at the wedding at Cana. read more...

‘Scribes and Calligraphy’: A Day at Canterbury Cathedral

Enjoy a fascinating talk by the Archives team, 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...