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 2017

Tapestry of Light: Intersections of Illumination

14 Oct-19 Nov, 10.00-16.00 Mon-Sat. Closed 4-10 Nov and all Sundays

The Cathedral's Chapter House is a dramatic setting for artist Irene Barberis' glowing tapestry. Following the end of the Canterbury Festival the tapestry will not be available to see between 4 November and 8 November but will be on display again between 9 and 18 November.

19th October 18:30 - 20:30

From Catwalk to Quire, Cathedral Virger Margaret Ovenden, entertains and delights an audience with tales of her two contrasting worlds.

23rd October 17:30 - 18:30

One of Britain’s best-loved art historians and BBC television presenters Dan Cruickshank lives in a house in Spitalfields first occupied by French Huguenot silk weavers in the 18th century. His talk will draw on his love of the area and the Huguenot influence in Spitalfields, Canterbury and beyond.

23rd October 20:00 - 22:00

Can we conquer the last taboo to achieve a ‘good end'? Join a panel of experts chaired by Andrew Thorns, Medical Director for Pilgrims Hospices, for a warm and sometimes even light-hearted debate about this important human topic.

24th October - 27th October

Explorer Backpacks for little pilgrims will be available this half term. Inside the backpacks are binoculars, magnifying glasses and magnetic compasses – all to help young explorers investigate many of the beautiful and extraordinary places and objects within the Cathedral. Backpacks are available from 11.00 – 15.00hrs (last issue at 14.00hrs) each day (Tues-Fri).

24th October - 27th October

The Big Draw is the world’s biggest celebration of drawing. It’s for anyone who loves to draw, as well as those who want to give it a go. It’s an opportunity to join a global community in celebration of the universal language of drawing.

24th October 17:30 - 18:30

David Lough Churchill and Trumps: birds of a feather? It takes some chutzpah to compare two holders of the world’s greatest offices, but David Lough, a former banker with a first-class degree in history from Oxford, fearlessly examines the private records of Winston Churchill and Donald Trump before each became a national leader – and

25th October 17:30 - 18:30

Two remarkable sisters, now in their nineties, recall their father Colonel Owtram and his fascinating secret war diary – published this spring – kept hidden while British Camp Commandant of a Japanese POW camp.

26th October 17:30 - 18:30

Prolific, droll and always entertaining, AN Wilson casts his waspish eye on the Queen, painting a vivid portrait of ‘Lilibet’ the woman, while examining the recent history of the monarchy and how and why the Royal Family has survived.

26th October 20:00 - 22:00

Why did Agatha Christie use poison so often to dispatch characters, and why do their poisons of choice provide such important clues to the identity of the murderer? Kathryn Harkup explores the fascinating background to the novelist’s detailed chemical knowledge, illustrated by the use of poisons in her classic crime novels.

27th October 17:30 - 18:30

Tom Kerridge has all the ingredients of a national treasure-in-the-making. He is known and loved for his west-country burr and meteoric rise through the culinary world (his gastro pub, The Hand and Flowers, won a Michelin star a year after it opened, and a second star a few years later; it is the only pub to do so).

28th October 20:00 - 22:00

To mark their fifteenth anniversary, Tenebrae is reviving its first major commission – Path of Miracles by Joby Talbot. Based on the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, the work received dazzling reviews when it premiered in 2005.

30th October 17:30 - 18:30

The history of Britain has traditionally been defined by its conflicts, its conquests, its men and its monarchs. It’s high time that it was defined by its women. In her most recent book, Woman’s Hour presenter Jenni Murray tells the stories of women who refused to succumb to the established laws of society.

31st October 17:30 - 18:30

Colourful posters for advertising, travel, entertainment and propaganda have shaped and documented our lives for 150 years, combining design and social history in a dramatic and often memorable way. Antiques Roadshow presenter Paul Atterbury, who has been a poster enthusiast all his life, tells the story of the poster from the the Victorian era to the creation of the modern multicoloured image.

31st October 20:00 - 22:00

The way we understand the past has been radically altered by the introduction of DNA as an historical text. Adam Rutherford, one of the country’s most engaging broadcasters and presenter of Inside Science, Radio 4’s flagship science programme, explains how history can be revisited using the map that we all contain, and all its revelations.

Canterbury Festival Talk – James Alexander-Sinclair

1st November 17:30 - 18:30

James designs gardens all over the place, from the Western Isles to the outskirts of Moscow, and most recently the Listening Garden for Radio 2’s Feel Good Gardens at Chelsea Flower Show. He will give a whistlestop tour of his life in horticulture – from Peckham to adjudicating on some of the world’s most beautiful gardens.

2nd November 17:30 - 18:30

‘At heart, I’m a walker – it’s just you, a backpack and a pair of boots’. Writer and broadcaster Nicholas Crane never leaves home without a map, a compass and his trademark umbrella – and has written books and presented television series based on his explorations.

3rd November 17:30 - 18:30

Operation Garbo and Kent. Author Nigel West gives an intriguing account of his 12-year search for the most successful double agent of World War II – Juan Pujol García, Codenamed Garbo - and how he went to Buckingham Palace in 1984 to receive a medal in recognition of his contribution to the liberation of Europe.

3rd November 20:00 - 22:00

The Dean of Canterbury, the Very Revd Dr Robert Willis has long been an admirer of the works of the Irish composer Stanford (1852-1924). In a special concert to mark the visit to Canterbury by the Stanford Society, the Dean introduces a selection of his favourite pieces including the Te Deum Laudamus in B flat.

4th November 14:00 - 16:00

Voice trials for girls wishing to join the choir in January 2018 will be held on Saturday 4 November.

4th November 19:30 - 21:30

An evening of expectation, harmonic beauty and reflection in a programme which comprises a world premiere, Tasmin Little - one of the country’s best-loved violinists, the world-renowned English Chamber Orchestra and Canterbury Choral Society.

7th November 14:30 - 16:30

Dick Bolton, Man of Kent, returns to speak to Friends by popular demand.

11th November 11:55 - 16:00

Canterbury Cathedral Choir is looking to award substantial scholarships to talented boys who would like to join them in September 2018. Auditions, for a long time referred to as a Voice Trial, will be held on Saturday 11 November 2017.

15th November 2017 09:45-17:00

A free one-day conference for 16-25 year-olds, exploring the life and influence of the Black Prince

16th November - 17th November

Exploring the following and fascination around Edward Woodstock, Prince of Wales - "The Black Prince" 1330 -1376.

Friday 17 November, 19.00

Closing our Black Prince conferences, a talk from lawyer and historian, Jonathan Sumption, followed by a 3-course dinner.

18th November 19:30 - 22:00

The Girls and Men of Canterbury Cathedral Choir give their debut performance of Handel’s famous oratorio, Messiah. They will be joined by critically-acclaimed period instrument orchestra The Harmonious Society of Tickle-Fiddle Gentlemen and internationally-renowned soloists for the performance in the Cathedral’s Nave.

27th November 14:30 - 16:30

One of the Friends’ favourite speakers, Imogen Corrigan, returns to talk to about the history of Christmas traditions.

Festive lunches and Christmas parties

1st December - 22nd December

Enjoy the festive season with family, friends or colleagues at the Canterbury Cathedral Lodge.

2nd December 12:00 - 14:00

Join Adrian Bawtree, Second Assistant Organist, as he attempts to play 90 hymns in 90 minutes as part of The Dean’s Challenge.

5th December 11:00 - 00:15

Join the Mothers’ Union in celebration and praise at their annual festive service.

6th December 20:00 - 21:20

The annual carol service of the 3 Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment Battalion.

8th December 10:30 - 11:30

Magical music, festive frolics, sparkles and spices, oh my! Grab your friends, harness up your fastest reindeer and meet us at a Bach to Baby concert for the perfect prelude to the holiday season! Bach to Baby is the acclaimed concert series for the whole family to enjoy together.

9 December from 12 noon

St Nicholas Parade – a short service following the city parade which departs from the Westgate Hall at 12 noon. All are welcome to join the parade and service.

16th December 19:00 - 20:30

Canterbury Choral Society and Canterbury Choral Society Youth Choir. Doors open at 18.30. Tickets go on sale late September from 01227 787787 or Canterbury Ticket Shop .

18th December 19:30 - 21:00

Annual fundraising Carol Service held to raise money for the Demelza House Children’s Hospice. Doors open at 19.00 hrs. Ticket hotline 01795 845204.

23rd December 11:00 - 12:00

A service for all the family to enjoy as we prepare for Christmas.

23rd December 15:00 - 17:00

The first of our two carol services. Doors open at 13.30 hrs.

24th December 15:00 - 17:00

Second of two identical Carol Services.Doors open at 13.30 hrs.

29th December 15:15 - 16:00

Choral Evensong, commemorating the Martyrdom of Archbishop Thomas Becket on this day in 1170

31st December - 1st January

See in the New Year in beautiful surroundings at the Canterbury Cathedral Lodge hotel.

Being Female and Homeless in Early Modern England

25th January 19:00 - 21:00

Talk hosted by the Historical Association.

Lunchtime Concert

7th February 13:00 - 14:00

Come and hear the musicians of Canterbury Christ Church University. 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. Today’s recital offers a snapshot of the best current and developing undergraduate talent.

28th February 14:30 - 16:00

By popular demand, Melanie Gibson-Barton returns to talk about her Great Uncle George, a member of the 1914 British Expeditionary Force who is buried just outside of Ypres.

October 2017

November 2017

December 2017

January 2018

February 2018