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Dorchester-on-Thames Festival
03 May 2024 to 12 May 2024
About the Dorchester-on-Thames Festival
The biennial Dorchester-on-Thames Festival is one of Oxfordshire’s leading Festivals and is based in and around the stunning location of Dorchester Abbey.
The Dorchester Festival takes place this Spring from 03 to 12 May, with an exciting collection of over 50 events packed into just 10 days at the Abbey.
This year, the festival is partnering with the incredible local charity Restore, who support individuals to live with increased freedom from the constraints of mental ill health through therapeutic activity, coaching and learning.
Highlights in 2024 include the return of world-class classical group The Tallis Scholars, the BBC Elstree Concert Band, the now legendary abseil down the Abbey’s 100ft tower, cookery workshops by top chefs, comedy, folk and jazz nights, a gift and food fair, and even a duck race.
Restore will be adding its own activities focused on mental health and wellbeing.
Dorchester Festival was started in 2005 following a significant restoration of Dorchester Abbey. It was initially a way of encouraging new people into the building and showing the potential of the Abbey as a venue for different events.
Over time, this event has evolved into a significant community gathering. It provides members of the rural South Oxfordshire community with the chance to create, participate in, and enjoy large-scale professional arts events that are typically not accessible in their locale.
The organisers raise money across the festival and then share the profits equally between the Abbey and a different local charity every time. It is run entirely by volunteers who take on roles such as organising events, taking tickets or simply pouring tea.
Since 2005, the festival has regularly attracted over 3,000 people each year, from followers of the arts to schools, families and children of all ages and has raised £250,000 for Dorchester Abbey and local charities.
Tickets
Visit the festival box office to book your tickets.
Please see important booking information below.
Booking information
Dates, times & prices:
Please see individual event lisitings on the box office website for dates, times and prices. For more information, visit the festival website.