Three Choirs Festival

Who we are

The Three Choirs Festival is a week-long programme of choral and orchestral concerts, cathedral services, solo and chamber music recitals, masterclasses, talks, theatre, exhibitions and walks, rotating each summer between the beautiful English cathedral cities of Hereford, Gloucester and Worcester. It is thought to be the longest-standing classical music festival in the world, and celebrated its 300th anniversary in 2015.

At the heart of the modern festival are large-scale evening concerts featuring the Three Choirs Festival Chorus and the Philharmonia Orchestra (resident at the festival since 2012), and services of Choral Evensong sung by the professional choirs of the three cathedrals. Concert programmes feature internationally-recognised soloists and combine the established favourites of the British classical choral tradition with works drawn from a broader, more international musical canvas. Some are conducted by the directors of music of the three cathedrals, who also undertake the role of Artistic Director of their city’s festival, and some by guest conductors from the UK and abroad. The main festival’s packed schedule of daytime events is augmented by a community and outreach projects bespoke to each city.

Next festival dates: Worcester 25 July - 1 August 2020 | Hereford 24 - 31 July 2021 | Gloucester 23 - 30 July 2022