Three Choirs Festival returns this summer 2025 — and this year it's Hereford's turn to host the world's longest-running choral music festival.
Taking place in and around Hereford Cathedral from Saturday 26 July until Saturday 2 August 2025, the event spans everything from spectacular large-scale concerts to interactive family events and a series of laid-back late night concerts.
Classical music enthusiasts can look forward to performances of Mendelssohn's 'Elijah', Fauré’s 'Requiem' and Howells' 'Hymnus Paradisi', as well as concerts from Emma Johnson and the Carducci Quartet; The King's Singers; Stile Antico; Sarah Connolly; popular baritone Roderick Williams; and the National Youth String Orchestra — with the festival also welcoming back its orchestra in residence, the Philharmonia Orchestra, as well as its own talented choirs which are at the heart of the festival programme.
Showcasing new works, the festival has commissioned a new piece inspired by Welsh novel One Moonlit Night, with 'The Black Lake' from Richard Blackford being performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales; plus the festival features the premiere of new work 'Mass for Peace and Reconciliation' by Bob Chilcott, too.
This year's festival commemorates some significant anniversaries, including the 150th anniversary of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's birth with a revival of 'The Atonement', which was first performed at Hereford Three Choirs Festival in 1903.
While for younger audiences, the family programme features a musical retelling of Babar the Elephant and a series of interactive family concerts which allow little ones to sing, dance and even try their hand at playing some of the instruments themselves.
There's also a lively festival village for the duration of the event, featuring street food, bars, shopping and free live performances on the community bandstand — and the opportunity to watch free rehearsals taking place at Hereford Cathedral between concerts.
Tickets for Three Choirs Festival go on general sale on Monday 14 April 2025.
To see the full programme and book tickets visit 3choirs.org, or call the Box Office on (01452) 768928.
