Clergy Support Trust’s 371st Festival Service

On Tuesday 12 May 2026, 5pm, the Festival Service will celebrate 371 years, running continuously since 1655 with only two breaks; during the pandemic (2020) and the London Blitz (1940).

The Service brings together three exceptional cathedral choirs to perform as one, under the magnificent dome of St Paul's Cathedral. This year, we welcome the cathedral choirs of St Albans and Blackburn, alongside the St Paul's Cathedral Choir. The Service is a key date in the Church, City of London and choral music calendars, and over the years composers including Edward Elgar have written music especially for the event.

The Service includes a majestic procession of Bishops, Masters of Livery Companies, representatives of the City of London, Stewards of the Festival and other dignitaries. Each year, we welcome an engaging speaker to give the sermon. In recent years, these have included the Bishop of Chelmsford, Guli Francis-Dehqani, and the Bishop of Gloucester, Rachel Treweek.

• Tickets are free.

• Doors open at 4.00pm, entering by the West Doors.

• Please be seated by 4.45pm for the 5pm procession.

• The service will last approximately an hour.

• The service is ticketed, which will be required for entry.

• General Seating is in the Nave and Transept areas of the Cathedral. Guests taking part in the Service (including the procession), such as Stewards, Bishops and Livery Masters, will receive a ticket for the Dome area.

• Photography is not permitted within the Cathedral.

• Security bag-checking will be in operation. There is no cloakroom facility.

• If you have any accessibility needs, please email us at [email protected]

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