Three Choirs Festival – Gloucester, England 2026

Overview

The Three Choirs Festival 2026 celebrates over 300 years of choral excellence as the world’s oldest non-competitive classical music festival, returning to the majestic Gloucester Cathedral after its acclaimed 2023 edition there. Rotating annually among Gloucester, Hereford, and Worcester, this week-long extravaganza unites the three cathedral choirs with world-renowned soloists, orchestras like the Philharmonia, and emerging talents, delivering a profound program of sacred and secular works amid the historic splendor of England’s cathedral cities.

As a registered charity committed to inclusivity, the festival fosters community through youth choirs, family events, and outreach programs, ensuring music-making opportunities for all ages and backgrounds. With Artistic Director Adrian Partington at the helm for Gloucester’s turn, the 2026 lineup promises timeless masterpieces by Elgar and Vaughan Williams alongside contemporary commissions, creating an immersive tapestry of sound that echoes through Gloucester’s fan-vaulted nave, drawing over 16,000 attendees annually for a transformative blend of reverence, innovation, and shared joy.

Event Highlights

• Main Activities or Performances: A vibrant schedule of over 50 events, including flagship evening orchestral concerts with the Philharmonia and Three Choirs Festival Chorus, choral evensongs, solo recitals by international stars, chamber music sessions, masterclasses, talks, theatre productions, exhibitions, guided walks, and world premieres of commissioned works by living British composers like Bob Chilcott and Roderick Williams.
• Special Traditions or Features: Daily cathedral services blending liturgy with festival programming, the iconic opening procession featuring cathedral choirs and brass bands, youth ensembles like the Three Choirs Festival Youth Choir (ages 16–25), and a legacy of premiering British works, including revivals of forgotten gems such as Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s oratorios.
• Unique Attractions for Visitors: Intimate late-night “laid-back” concerts in cozy venues, a bustling Festival Village with pop-up bars, food stalls, and artisan markets; family-friendly daytime recitals and interactive workshops; and the ethereal acoustics of Gloucester Cathedral’s 14th-century nave, enhanced by candlelit settings for select evenings.
• Dedicated Section: The festival’s extensive Archive on 3choirs.org preserves centuries of history, featuring digitized programs from 1715–2025, composer timelines (e.g., Elgar’s deep ties to the event), audio/video recordings of past highlights like Handel’s Alexander’s Feast, and essays on milestones such as the 300th anniversary celebrated in 2015, offering a rich portal into its evolution as a cornerstone of British musical heritage.

Why Attend

The Three Choirs Festival 2026 is a pilgrimage for choral aficionados and newcomers alike, where the transcendent power of voices soaring through Gloucester Cathedral’s luminous arches delivers moments of profound emotional resonance—from Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius stirring the soul to vibrant youth choirs igniting future passions. Its charitable ethos ensures broad accessibility, with discounted tickets for under-25s and families, while fostering a warm community spirit that unites locals and global visitors in celebration of music’s unifying force, all while supporting emerging talents through scholarships and workshops.

Beyond the performances, Gloucester’s medieval charm—its bustling docks, ancient lanes, and proximity to the Cotswolds—provides a delightful backdrop for exploration, with post-concert strolls to historic sites or riverside picnics. Hailed by The Times for its “fine moments and performers with gusto” and The Spectator for deserving “three cheers,” the festival offers not just concerts but a holistic cultural immersion, blending sacred tradition with innovative programming to leave attendees renewed, inspired, and eager to return to this timeless English ritual.

Date & Duration

• Dates: July 25 – August 1, 2026.
• Duration: 8 days, encompassing morning services, afternoon recitals, evening spectaculars, and late-night sessions.
• Additional Notes: Programming peaks on weekends with major orchestral works; full schedule and commissions announced in early 2026; complements pre-festival events like spring choral concerts in March.

Venue / Location

• City: Gloucester, England.
• Main Venues: Gloucester Cathedral (flagship evenings and services), St Mary de Crypt Church (chamber recitals), St Nicholas Church (family events), Greyfriars Priory (outdoor-inspired talks), and the Festival Village at College Green (hub for exhibitions and markets); additional sites in surrounding Gloucestershire like Slimbridge Wetland Centre for fringe events.
• Main Event Address: Gloucester Cathedral, 12 College Green, Gloucester GL1 2LX.
• Additional Notes: Venues cluster within Gloucester’s compact historic core for 5–15 minute walks; wheelchair access with ramps and lifts at the cathedral, hearing loops throughout; capacity up to 1,500 for main concerts; EV charging in city car parks.

Ticket Information

• How Tickets Are Sold: Online via 3choirs.org (Ticketsolve platform, 24/7 with interactive seating maps), phone through Box Office, or in-person at Gloucester Cathedral during priority periods; season passes, multi-event bundles, and group discounts (10% for 10+); priority booking for Friends/Members from March 2026.
• Admission Type: Primarily paid, with concessions for students, seniors (65+), under-25s (Ryedale Rush scheme at reduced rates), and families; select free services and talks.
• Ticket Pricing (USD): Individual tickets $8–$104 (£6–£82, converted at current rates); family events from $8, concessions $5–$65; season passes $130–$260; booking fees ~$1.30–$6.50.
• Price Range: $5–$104 per ticket.
• Special Seating or VIP Options: Premium reserved seats for headline concerts ($78–$104); Patron packages ($260+) include front nave access, pre-concert receptions, priority entry, and exclusive talks; companion tickets free for accessibility; transferable with credit for resales if unable to attend due to illness.

Booking with Euro Travelo

Planning to revel in the Three Choirs Festival’s choral splendor? Euro Travelo streamlines your pilgrimage, from reserving season passes or premium cathedral seats to curating Cotswolds excursions and dockside dinners. Our connoisseurs design bespoke journeys blending festival indulgences with Gloucester’s historic haunts, ensuring seamless arrivals via Birmingham shuttles. Contact Euro Travelo today to orchestrate tickets, transfers, and tailored lodgings—unlock an effortless 2026 odyssey into England’s choral soul.

Contact Information

• Email: info@3choirs.org (general inquiries); boxoffice@3choirs.org (tickets); membership@3choirs.org (supporter programs); outreach@3choirs.org (youth/volunteering).
• Phone: +44 1452 528 793 (Box Office, Mon–Fri 9am–5pm; voicemail for evenings).
• Website: https://www.3choirs.org.
• Social Media: @ThreeChoirsFest (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X).
• Key Staff: Adrian Partington (Artistic Director for Gloucester); David Francis (CEO, via info email); Board of Trustees (details under ‘About’ on website).
• Press/Volunteers: Press to press@3choirs.org; volunteer applications via volunteers@3choirs.org (ushers, setup; free tickets and training from spring 2026).
• Note: Response time 24–48 hours; English primary with accessibility support; policies on privacy, diversity, sustainability, and terms at 3choirs.org/policies.
• Official Site: Visit https://www.3choirs.org for program launches, live updates, and secure bookings.

Getting There

• Nearest Airports: Birmingham (BHX, 1-hour drive via M5) or Bristol (BRS, 1-hour via M4/M5); London Heathrow (LHR, 2 hours) for international flights.
• Public Transport: Gloucester Railway Station (direct from London Paddington, 2 hours; Avanti West Coast/Northern services), then 10-minute walk to cathedral; local buses (Stagecoach 20/21 from airport, $3.90) and taxis to venues.
• Parking: Multi-story at Merchant’s Road ($13/day, 5-minute walk); disabled bays at cathedral (pre-book); Festival Village offers bike racks for eco-arrivals.
• Walking/Cycling: Pedestrian-friendly city center; e-bike rentals from Gloucester Cycles for outskirts.
• Additional Notes: Festival shuttles from stations/hotels (~$6.50/day, TBD); scenic M5 drives through Forest of Dean; taxis like Gloucester Cabs (+44 1452 523 040, $11–$22); green travel via car-share promoted in sustainability statement.

Accommodation Options

• Luxury Hotels: Hatton Garden House Gloucester ($180–$280/night, boutique near cathedral with spa) or The Kings Hotel ($160–$260/night, Georgian elegance in historic quarter).
• Mid-Range Hotels: Ibis Gloucester ($90–$140/night, modern with views) or Premier Inn Gloucester Quays ($80–$130/night, dockside location).
• Budget Options: YHA Gloucester (hostel, $50–$80/night, central and family-run) or B&Bs like The Edward Hotel ($60–$100/night); Airbnbs in city from $70.
• Camping/Glamping: Cotswold View Caravan Park (15-minute drive, $40–$70/night, scenic pitches) or luxury pods at Standish Court ($90–$140/night).
• Booking Tip: Reserve 4–6 months early for July peak; festival partners offer discounts; Euro Travelo bundles with tickets; Visit Gloucestershire lists riverside eco-stays.

Reviews

• The cathedral’s acoustics made Elgar’s Gerontius feel heavenly—pure choral bliss that lingered for days!
• Youth choirs stole the show alongside pros; a vibrant mix of tradition and fresh voices in a magical setting.
• From processions to late-nights, every moment buzzed with passion—Gloucester truly came alive with song!