The University’s staff and students are also engaged directly in Festival events, on stage, behind the scenes and online, presenting a series of concerts, performances, talks and events.

Canterbury Festival returns from 26 September – 4 November to light up the city as the autumn evenings draw in. Presenting local favourites, fresh faces and some truly unique experiences, this year’s line-up promises thrills, spills and eclectic chills, with live music, performance, comedy, cabaret, talks, science, family events and much more.

Following last year’s three-day sold-out event, Luxmuralis will follow up their spectacular son-et-lumiere experience Shine: Let There Be Light at Canterbury Cathedral with a thrilling opening to this year’s Canterbury Festival. Renaissance (26 - 30 September) will transform the iconic landmark with a stunning new light show.

This year’s opening concert welcomes one of the UK’s greatest choirs, Tallis Scholars. UK legend Gabrielle will perform an intimate concert packed full of hits as part of her 30 Years of Dreaming tour, while Ruby Turner and her band hit the stage at The Great Hall with an unbeatable night of soul, gospel and R&B.

Other music highlights include pianist Lucy Parham with Elégie – Rachmaninoff, narrated by celebrated actor Alex Jennings, legendary Scottish trailblazers Peatbog Faeries, folk troubadour Seth Lakeman, Ivo Neame’s 12-piece jazz super group Dodeka, Canterbury heroes Gentlemen of Few, high-energy classical comedy group Graffiti Classics, and much more.

There’ll be more comedy with stand-up legend Rich Hall, Hal Cruttenden, Britain’s favourite French dead-pan comedian Marcel Lucont, variety troupe Slightly Fat Features, an unmissable Comedy Club, A Marvellous Evening of Magic and the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre’s Eurovision Sock Contest.

This year’s Performance line-up packs a punch with comedy, theatre and everything in between launching with the Festival Opening Party - raising funds for the Festival’s year-round work and partner charity Catching Lives – the event features cabaret Queen Abi Collins, KD Jazz and Dance Orchestra, magician Josh King and more.

The Talks series welcomes speakers on history, travel, the arts and more. Highlights include the UK’s foremost female travel writer Sara Wheeler, geopolitics expert Tim Marshall on the exploration and exploitation of space, and historian Michael Wood on the Dark Ages.

The 2023 Science programme will begin with the Kent College Lecture, presenting Simon Watt with Cracking the code – the Genetics of Super Heroes. Further speakers include Helen Czerski with Blue Machine, Sir David Haslam on a lifetime as a doctor, patient and healthcare leader, Dr Kathryn Harkup answers all your Bond villain questions, Lousie Gray delves into ethical food decisions, and the team behind The Blean Bison Project reveal how these amazing animals can act as ecosystem engineers.

There will be family entertainment throughout the October half term, including a puppet-filled extravaganza - The Sea Show, and variety legend John Hicks presents the fast-paced fable of Jon and Frank the Dog - Kickmouse Mysterium. Comedy Club 4 Kids bring the laughs with three of the stand-up circuit’s best, while one-man ringmaster, magician and comedian Matt Bernard wows with Instant circus – Just Add Kids. Rounding things off is Marcel Lucont with Les enfants Terribles – A Gameshow For Awful Children, guaranteed to be a hit with ages 6+.

There are lots of ways to get involved in creative activities as part of the Public Engagement programme. Don’t miss the Beautiful Noise Community Music Celebration with local musicians, community groups and choirs performing across Canterbury City Centre. The Upstart Comedy Workshop and Show is a great opportunity for budding comedians to learn from a trio of professionals and perform live to a Festival audience. Ceramics project Open Clay in collaboration with Clayground Collective will offer the chance to sculpt something special with Open Clay – Building Bridges Together.

Explore the full programme by picking up a copy of the brochure from the Festival Office, 8 Orange Street, Canterbury CT1 2JA, or by visiting canterburyfestival.co.uk

Priority booking for Festival Friends will open on Monday 24 July at 11am, with general sales opening on Monday 7 August at 11am. Tickets can be purchased online at canterburyfestival.co.uk, over the phone on 01227 457568 or in person at the Festival Office (Mon – Fri, 10am – 5pm).