Five Churches Festival
Concerts and Events in the Glaven Valley
The five churches of the Glaven Valley on the North Norfolk Coast - Blakeney, Cley, Glandford, Letheringsett and Wiveton, each with their own unique architecture, history and atmosphere, host this varied and exciting annual programme of classical music.
Celebrating the 2026 Festival
…Exhilarating, thrilling, heartening, moving and quite astonishing to name but a few emotions that this incredible festival provoked!
…N Norfolk certainly presented itself in its finest apparel last week! Those translucent ecclesiastical spaces all became gorgeous palaces and solemn temples…
…Guy Johnston is a star; quiet, intense, humble to the music and supremely prepared. His three solo suites were riveting.
Over 1500 people attended festival events this year! A programme showcasing international stars, as well as young talent and the best of Norfolk’s professional musicians in our five beautiful churches in rural North Norfolk. Add to this an inspirational event at Bayfield Hall and the most incredible transformation of Cley Church into a jazz café, every event revealed beautiful music, incredible artists, inspiration, friendship, joy and warmth.
We are so grateful to everyone who came along, bought tickets and became Festival Friends - the feeling of a Festival Family is central to all that we do. Sharing the joy of music is one of life’s richest gifts. Music affects people. It influences our emotions, creates physical responses and brings nostalgia or feelings of new discovery and many people shared those experiences with us.
We’re already planning the 2027 Festival from 7-11 July. In the meantime, keep checking the website as we upload photos and comments from this year’s Festival!
Michael Chance CBE
The Five Churches Festival is thrilled to announce that the celebrated countertenor Michael Chance, CBE has agreed to become its first Patron.
Michael Chance has a worldwide reputation as one of the main exponents of the male alto voice in all areas of the classical music repertoire. In his long and distinguished career he has performed in all the world’s greatest opera houses and concert halls from Sydney Opera House to Covent Garden, from Carnegie Hall to Wigmore Hall. His list of recordings is numerous and widespread and includes a Grammy award.
‘North Norfolk was home to our family for many years, and so is dear to my heart. I take my hat off to anyone having the energy and courage to start up something new in the arts, especially along the river Glaven, and so when I was asked to come on board as Patron of the Five Churches Festival, which already in its short life seems buzzing with creative energy and widespread local appeal, it was an obvious yes. I am, of course, honoured, and look forward to hearing fabulous live music in wonderful buildings.’
Since 2017, Michael has led the Grange Opera Festival in Hampshire as CEO and Artistic Director, from where he will retire this year. The Five Churches Festival is looking forward to a long and fruitful collaboration with Michael!
