About
Held since 1715, the Three Choirs Festival is the oldest classical music festival in the world. It rotates each year between the three cathedral cities of the western shires; 2026 is Gloucester's turn, with the festival chorus, the Philharmonia Orchestra and a long list of soloists performing across the nave of Gloucester Cathedral, Blackfriars Priory and several Gloucester parish churches.
The programme spans large-scale choral works (Bach, Elgar, Handel), chamber recitals, late-night concerts and free fringe events. Day passes and individual concert tickets are available; book early for headline evenings.
