St Birinus Festival 2026

The St Birinus Festival returns for its fourth year, celebrating sacred music, liturgy, and the rich Christian heritage of Dorchester-on-Thames — the historic mission centre of St Birinus, Apostle to Wessex.

Set primarily within the medieval abbey, the festival offers a full programme of liturgies, concerts, talks, and workshops, bringing together leading performers and scholars of sacred music. Highlights include Gregorian chant, Renaissance polyphony, and music from the Iberian tradition, performed within the context of the Church’s liturgical life.

The 2026 festival features artists including Ryan Wigglesworth, Sophie Bevan MBE, and Simon Over, with Dominic Bevan as Artistic Director.

Programme Highlights

• Opening Vespers (9 July): Music by Victoria and Spanish Renaissance composers
• Lecture Recital: Mary Tudor & Philip of Spain (Prof. Glenn Richardson)
• Requiem Mass (10 July): Cardoso’s Missa pro defunctis
• Concert: Yo Soy La Locura – early music ensemble La Locura
• Pontifical Mass & Procession (11 July): Feast of St Birinus
• Festival Concert: Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610, directed by Simon Over
• Sunday Mass & Organ Recital (12 July)

Alongside the main events, the programme includes chant workshops, children’s activities, and talks from leading authors and theologians. 

A festival pass is available, or tickets can be booked for individual events.