It has been a long wait but we are incredibly excited to reveal the Canterbury Festival 2020 programme! 

Whilst slimmer than a normal year, we are delighted to offer over 50 events that cater for tastes from improvised theatre and acrobatics, to choral music and comedy. A Family programme spanning half-term, Artists Open Houses, guided Walks and a rich and varied programme of Talks accompany the strong musical core.

The Festival will operate events at substantially reduced capacities and take measures to reduce risk and ensure that social distancing is observed. Whilst we are aware that everything could change at any moment, we feel it is important to keep the flame of culture alive and look forward to welcoming you back this autumn from 17 – 31 October.

Music highlights include Tenebrae, Joanna MacGregor performing all 32 of Beethoven’s sonatas, the Festival Chamber Orchestra with Stephen Barlow, flamenco-jazz master Eduardo Niebla, the Ivo Neame Quartet, Joglaresa, Graffiti Classics and Gentlemen of Few. 

Performance and theatre fans are invited to take a socially distanced seat and enjoy Mig Kimpton’s Shakespeare’s Botanicals, Bumper Blyton, Barely Methodical Troupe’s Bromance, stand-up with Hal Cruttenden and a comedy cabaret with Slightly Fat Features. 

Our Talks and Science programme is crammed full of revealing histories, untold stories and landmark discoveries. Highlights include Loyd Grossman, Kadie Kanneh-Mason, Oliver Letwin, Bettany Hughes, Andy McConnell, Jim Al-Khalili and Dr Kathryn Harkup.

Click here to download a digital copy of the 2020 Festival brochure

Priority booking for Festival Friends will open on Thursday 3 September at 11am. Click here to become a Festival Friend.

General bookings will open on Monday 14 September at 11am.  

Visit our What’s On page to view all our 2020 events