HEREFORD will come alive with music and community spirit this summer as the world’s oldest classical music festival, the Three Choirs Festival, returns from Saturday, July 26 to Saturday, August 2, 2025.

Celebrating its 297th year, the prestigious festival will transform the city into a hub of cultural activity, with its signature blend of large-scale cathedral concerts, relaxed open rehearsals, family-friendly performances, and a bustling Festival Village packed with free events.

Organisers say there’s something for everyone – and much of it is free to enjoy.

The open-air Festival Village, located in the heart of Hereford, will feature a lively bandstand with live music, a crafts marquee showcasing work from talented local artists across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and beyond, plus plenty of food and drink, including street food, a festival café, and a fully-stocked bar.

Visitors are encouraged to drop in, browse local stalls, share a drink with friends, or simply soak up the festival atmosphere. For those curious about the festival’s musical offerings, the open rehearsals inside Hereford Cathedral provide the perfect taster – no ticket required and no pressure to stay for the full session.

Olivia Brown, Press & PR representative for the festival, said: “Whether you’re on a lunch break, visiting Hereford, or just passing by, the open rehearsals are a beautiful opportunity to experience the cathedral’s breathtaking acoustics and get a taste of the world-class music the festival offers.”

The main concert programme includes beloved choral favourites like Fauré’s Requiem, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, and Herbert Howells’ Hymnus Paradisi – all performed in the atmospheric setting of Hereford Cathedral.

One of the festival’s most anticipated highlights is the world premiere of Richard Blackford’s The Black Lake, a powerful new commission inspired by the iconic Welsh novel One Moonlit Night. Scored for full orchestra, chorus, narrators and soloists, the work explores themes of loss, community, and coming of age in a remote Welsh village. It will be performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, with David Hill conducting and Elizabeth Watts among the soloists.

For families, there’s plenty on offer. Comedian and impressionist Alistair McGowan will narrate the story of Babar the Elephant in a musical adventure perfect for children, while renowned clarinettist Emma Johnson brings stories, games, and music to life in engaging family concerts designed to introduce younger audiences to the magic of live performance.

And for those attending evening concerts, a two-course pre-concert dinner is available to book at The Green Dragon Hotel, complete with wine, dessert, and coffee.

David Francis, Chief Executive of the Three Choirs Festival, is available for interviews, as is Geraint Bowen, Hereford’s Artistic Director.

The full programme will be released on Friday, March 21, 2025, with tickets going on sale from Monday, April 14.