The Tallis Scholars – Saturday 11th May 7.30pm
The internationally acclaimed Tallis Scholars combine their perfect a capella sound with the fabulous Dorchester Abbey acoustics to make this the unmissable concert of the Festival week.
John Rutter Come & Sing – Bank Holiday Monday 6th May 10am
John Rutter, one of the UK’s foremost choral composers, will lead a Come & Sing day in Dorchester Abbey
Eclectica – The 2019 Dorchester Festival Bash – Friday 3rd May 7pm
A great way to kick off Festival week in the Cloister Garden Marquee. This is the party of the year!
Ben Morris – Star Wars, CGI and me – Sunday 5th May 6pm
OSCAR and BAFTA award winning Ben Morris, Creative Director of Industrial Light & Magic’s London Studio, explains how CGI effects are created with clips from his work including the latest Star Wars films.
A Night at the Oscars – The BBC Elstree Concert Band and The Oxford Collutorium Choir – Saturday 4th May 7.30pm
A night on the red carpet of Hollywood with a programme of music straight from the Oscars! Every memorable piece from West Side Story to Superman has won a prestigious Academy award. The Oxford Collutorium Choir will be joining the incredible sound of this big band as it makes a welcome return to the Dorchester […]
Out of the Blue – Sunday 12th May 7.30pm
Oxford’s all-male a cappella group and semi-finalists of Britain’s Got Talent showcase their award-winning combination of vibrant vocals, outrageously unprofessional choreography and occasionally intentional comedy!
Out of the Blue workshops – Sunday 12th May 2pm & 3.30pm
This hugely popular all-male a cappella student group from Oxford Universities run fun afternoon workshops for children and adults.
Quintessential – Sunday 12th May 1pm
A fun family concert for all ages!
Comedy Night – Friday 10th May 7.30pm
Always one of the most popular events of the Festival! Don’t miss this great night out fronted by the amazing queen of Radio comedy Angela Barnes.
Nick Galer Cookery Demonstration – Saturday 11th May 11am & 1.30pm
Seasonal Artisan Breads
Nick demonstrates (and encourages you to taste) a number of the breads for which The Miller of Mansfield is famous, including their Miller Bacon Brioche.
Festival Charity Fun Run – Bank Holiday Monday 6th May 11am
Take part in the hugely popular 5k Fun Run (or walk). Enjoy the amazing scenery of a run through the historic water meadow and alongside the river and raise money for Style Acre and Dorchester Abbey by getting sponsorship. Bring the whole family – you can even bring the dog!
Tentertainment! – Sunday 5th May 12.30pm
Rain or shine, roll up for fabulous entertainment for all ages. Lunch, tea and amazing cakes available while children are entertained for the whole afternoon.
Dorchester Duck Race – Sunday 5th May 5pm
Buy a duck to launch down the river from the Hurst Water Meadow to a nail biting finish next to the Abbey. Prizes for the first three ducks home!
Scarecrow Trail – Friday 3rd May to Sunday 12th May
Song Titles
Take a trail around this lovely village and look into gardens and windows to discover song titles represented by scarecrows. Can you guess the song titles and win the prize? Fun for all ages!
Grand Opening and Tower Abseil – Saturday 4th May 12noon
Brave volunteers (including many Oxfordshire and village familiar faces!) will abseil down the 100 foot Abbey tower to raise money for the Festival charities – Dorchester Abbey and Style Acre
Come and cheer them on!
May Morning Breakfast with Two A Part – Sunday 5th May 8.30am
Continuing the annual tradition Dorchester’s a capella group, Two a Part. will welcome May in by singing from the Abbey tower and then in the Abbey.
Festival Service with guest speaker – Sunday 12th May 10.30am
At this service we welcome a guest speaker to talk about their life and faith.
Festival Service – Godparents and Teddies – Sunday 5th May 10.30am (refreshments from 10am)
A special celebration for families and friends to invite Godparents to join in a special service and to wake up the Teddy Bears who slept over in the Abbey on Saturday night!
Music for Autistic Schools – Friday 10th May 12noon
A rare opportunity for children autistic schools to enjoy the therapeutic effects of music live in the Abbey. Please do join them!