Thaxted Festival 2026 Events

Expect extraordinary performances and an expansive repertoire from Craig Ogden and the dynamic and innovative guitar quartet Aquarelle in our 2026 Season Launch!

Don’t miss the opening concert of our 40th anniversary season, bringing a feast of elegant Baroque music from our Orchestra in Residence and star trumpet soloist Matilda Lloyd.

A relaxing morning during which local community choirs, including the Thaxted Singers, will join to showcase their current repertoires.

Thaxted Festival is proud to present the Fibonacci Quartet, one of Europe’s leading young string quartets, who have already won numerous awards for their playing.

These tours are an exciting opportunity to see restoration work in progress and learn about the specialist skills and materials needed to conserve this Grade II* building.

We are delighted to welcome back baritone Roderick Williams and pianist Susie Allan to perform a wide-ranging programme, themed on the outdoor and natural world.

With performances from the Royal Albert Hall to the world’s leading jazz clubs, Emma Smith shows are the hottest ticket in town!

A private view at this gem of a local public gallery, which showcases work by mid-20th century North-West Essex artists who became known as the ‘Bardfield Artists’.

Our Classical Music Sensory Workshops for Babies invite little ones and their caregivers to explore the magic of classical music through play.

Our Classical Music Sensory Workshops for Toddlers invite little ones and their caregivers to explore the magic of classical music through play.

St Martin’s Voices join forces with Thaxted Festival patron and Classic FM presenter Zeb Soanes in a programme of words and song - a voyage round the British Isles.

A relaxing morning during which local community choirs, including the Thaxted Singers, will join to showcase their current repertoires.

Local musicians The Turkey Shed Ceilidh Band will guide you through a repertoire of popular dances for an uplifting community afternoon.

Together, James Pearson and Lizzie Ball bring new life to a sophisticated programme of much-loved compositions by George Gershwin and his musical contemporaries.

Come and celebrate worship with a new setting of the Mass for choirs, congregation and jazz quartet, composed by Festival Artistic Director Christopher Weston.

Join Festival Artistic Director and pianist Christopher Weston in an exploration of improvised music. Suitable for any instrumentalist above grade 3.

Enjoy a magical journey to a secret glade where you will disembark and be swept up in music by the fantastic OperaBeatz! duo.

We welcome back pianist Tom Poster, with internationally-acclaimed violinist Elena Urioste for her 1st appearance, in a programme that spans time and place.

West End Swings. The energy and creativeness of this young talent is distilled in the Sam Every (Little) Big Band, who bring a wide range of favourite standards to their Thaxted Festival debut.

Saffron Screen and Thaxted Festival present Oscar-winning masterpiece, The Wrong Trousers, featuring a live soundtrack performed by the Haverhill Silver Band.

Scottish-Indian classical guitarist Samrat Majumder celebrates Julian Bream’s iconic 1985 recording of a musical journey through Spain via its guitar works.

Top entertainment for all tastes and ages as Harry amazes with his phenomenal talent, respond to audience requests at the drop of a hat.

Get ready for an evening of sparkling tunes, tangled romances, and razor-sharp wit with Wild Arts' fresh approach to major opera repertoire.

Thaxted Parish Church’s historic restored Lincoln Organ takes centre stage once again for our lunchtime recital by one of today’s leading musicians.

Junyan’s virtuosity will be highlighted across highly challenging works, ranging from Tanaka’s contemporary Techno studies, through Wild’s Gershwin variations.

These tours are an exciting opportunity to see restoration work in progress and learn about the specialist skills and materials needed to conserve this Grade II* building.

Bring the whole family for a cross-generational last-night at the movies experience from this powerful big band, highlighting the emotion and excitement of our favourite movies!