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.

December 2018

Under an Equal Sky

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.

The horse was built in the Precincts in October 2018 and will be in place until 6 January 2019.

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.

Starts 1 December

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

This exhibition opened in October and continues until 19 February 2019.

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.

3-8 December 2018

As part of the Heritage Lottery Fund #ThanksToYou! campaign, we’re offering lottery ticket holders the opportunity to join one of our expert guides on a tour of the Cathedral, from 3 – 8 December, free of charge.

10 December 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.

15 December 19:00 - 21:00

A Christmas feast for all the family! Come and celebrate by singing some favourite Christmas classics with old favourites and a few less familiar carols. The programme features the CCS Youth Choir and the Festival Brass Ensemble, and will include Once In Royal David’s City, In The Bleak Midwinter and O Little Town Of Bethlehem.

16 December 17:00 - 18:00

Carols and Nativity Play written by the Dean of Canterbury, with the Girls’ Choir, and Conducted by David Newsholme. Children are encouraged to come dressed as angels, shepherds, kings, and anyone who was present at the stable, to join in at the end of the play.

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.

20 December 12:00

Join The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral, colleagues and contractors as we muster around the Precincts’ Christmas tree for some informal carol singing led by Dr David Flood, Master of Choristers. There’s no better way to warm up those voices in time for the Cathedral Carol services. All are welcome.

21 December 17:30 - 18:15

#FollowTheStar to Canterbury and enjoy a spectacular light show projected onto the Cathedral.

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

Cathedral Carol Service, a reading of seven lessons with seasonal music. This the second 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.

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.

The Epiphany

6 January 11:00 - 16:00

11.00 Sung Eucharist of the Epiphany – Quire 15.15 Epiphany Carol Service – Nave All are most welcome.

19 January 19:30 - 21:30

Canterbury Choral Society Julia Doyle soprano Alexander Chance counter-tenor Charles Daniels tenor Benjamin Bevan bass Handel’s enduring masterpiece continues to be the absolute favourite amongst concert audiences. The glories of the Hallelujah Chorus, the Amen Chorus and many others are surrounded by solo arias of exquisite beauty and refinement.

23 January 19:30 - 21:30

A Service to celebrate the start of Christian Unity Week. All are most welcome.

24 January 2019, 19:00

The 2019 Historical Association Lecture is Apocalypse and Invasion; the age of Aethelred the Unready, c.966-1016 by Professsor Katy Cubitt from the University of East Anglia. This event is free for Historical Association members and students and £3 for others. No need to book. For further details contact the Cathedral Archives.

27 January 08:00 - 19:30

Holocaust Memorial Day will be marked at all our services and through prayer all those who died will be remembered.

29 January 2019 10:30

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was an Italian painter active from the 1590s to 1610. His paintings, often depicting religious scenes, combine a realistic observation of the human state, both physical and emotional, with a dramatic use of chiaroscuro – light and dark.

Lunchtime Concert

6 February 13:00 - 14:00

Come and hear the musicians of Canterbury Christ Church University, the daughter institution of the Cathedral. With a distinguished tradition of musical study, composition, and performance, the university boasts ensembles and solo performers working in classical, choral, jazz, experimental, pop, and rock styles.

14 Febuary 2019

The Cathedral Lodge invites you to enjoy a superb four-course Valentine’s dinner with coffee in its restaurant overlooking a courtyard terrace. A perfect setting for a romantic celebration. Please see the website for further details.

19 February - 21 February

Gregory Gargoyle was no ordinary Gargoyle. He lived high up on the roof of Canterbury Cathedral and for hundreds of years sat patiently watching over the City. He certainly had a tale or two to tell. The problem was he was so SO high up nobody could hear.

19 February - 21 February

Our backpacks are full of tools to help children aged 3-12 investigate the Cathedral. 11.00 – 15.00 daily. Activities are free, normal precinct charges apply. Children must be accompanied at all times.

25 February 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.

Illuminating The Bible In Medieval Canterbury

4 March 18:45 - 19:45

The 2019 Archives and Library Lecture will be an illustrated lectures by Dr Alixe Bovey of the Courtauld Institute, London, to mark the acquisition by the Cathedral in July 2018 of the Lyghfield Bible, a medieval illuminated ‘pocket’ Bible.

9 March - 5 March

This year we are celebrating British Science Week at the Cathedral by exploring the architecture of the building. Drop in on either day to become engineers and discover how the arches in the Cathedral stay up. Activities are free, normal Precincts charges apply. Children must be accompanied at all times.

9 March 19:30 - 22:00

The Girls and Men of Canterbury Cathedral Choir perform Bach's St John Passion.

11 March 11:00 - 12:00

Mothering Sunday, Sung Eucharist, in the Quire.

12 March 14:30 - 15:30

In his enthusiastic and captivating style, the Revd Max Kramer, Cathedral Precentor, will share more about the remarkable short life of Herbert and his outstanding legacy of poetry including ‘Let all the world in every corner sing’.

14 March 19:30 - 21:30

St Edmund’s School Gala Concert

16 March 19:30 - 21:30

The King’s School Chorus, formed of pupils, parents, staff and friends of the school, and the Symphony Orchestra come together to perform the epic German Requiem by Johannes Brahms in the Nave of Canterbury Cathedral. We are thrilled to welcome Marie Arnet to the school as soprano soloist, alongside Tristan Hamble (OKS), their baritone soloist.

23 March 19:30 - 21:30

& Symphony No.39 Pergolesi Magnificat Canterbury Choral Society Mhairi Lawson soprano Marta Fontanals-Simmons mezzo-soprano Robin Bailey tenor Tristan Hambleton bass Mozart’s final composition has held its place amongst the great works of Classical music, and one which carries a deep intensity for audience and performers alike.

29 March 19:30 - 22:00

Musicians from Canterbury Christ Church University perform their annual Cathedral concert.

30 March 19:30 - 22:00

The University Chorus and the Symphony Orchestra perform: Verdi – Stabat Mater Mendelssohn – Italian Symphony Butterworth – Shropshire Lad Poulenc – Gloria

31 February 2019

Every Mum deserves a chance to relax! Enjoy a delicious three-course lunch, followed by a stroll around the Cathedral grounds.

London Welsh Male Voice Choir

6 April 19:00 - 22:30

This much in demand choir which sings in concert venues around the world makes a welcome return to the Cathedral.

Open Gardens Weekend

25 May - 26 May

One of the Cathedral's most popular events.

31 May 19:30 - 22:00

Featuring University Chamber Choir and Consort. Full details to follow.

Elgar The Apostles

22 June - 19 June

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.

December 2018

January 2019

February 2019

March 2019

April 2019

May 2019

June 2019