All imagery by ©Michael Whitefoot - https://www.michaelwhitefoot.co.uk/
Born just outside Worcester at The Firs in Lower Broadheath, Elgar drew lifelong inspiration from the county’s rolling countryside, church towers and market towns.
The Malvern Hills, in particular, shaped both his musical imagination and his daily routines, becoming a constant presence in his work and words.
Each spring, that deep connection is celebrated through the Elgar Festival – an inclusive and ambitious programme that places world‑class music alongside community participation. True to its motto, Elgar for Everyone, the festival invites audiences of all ages and musical backgrounds to experience Elgar’s legacy in the very landscapes that inspired him.
In 2026, the Elgar Festival runs from Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 May, with a series of pre‑festival relaxed concerts earlier in the month. Venues across Worcester, Malvern, Pershore and the wider county come alive with concerts, walks, talks, workshops and exhibitions, all celebrating Elgar’s music and Worcestershire’s rich cultural heritage.
What’s on at the Elgar Festival 2026?
The programme below highlights events from the official Elgar Festival What’s On 2026 listings. For full details, timings and booking information, visitors are encouraged to check the Elgar Festival website.
Pre‑festival events
Relaxed Concert with DownsideUp String Duo (FREE)
Tuesday 19 May, 11am
Great Malvern Priory
A friendly, accessible concert designed for audiences who prefer a more informal performance environment.
Relaxed Concert with ESO Winds (FREE)
Thursday 21 May, 11am
St George’s Church, Worcester
Relaxed Concert with ESO Winds (FREE)
Thursday 21 May, 2.30pm
Pershore Abbey
Two relaxed concerts continuing the festival’s commitment to welcoming new audiences and ensuring music is accessible to all.
Elgar for Everyone Exhibition
Wednesday 27 – Saturday 30 May, 10am–4pm
Worcester Guildhall, High Street, Worcester
Running during the main festival period, this free, drop‑in exhibition offers an engaging introduction to the life, music and legacy of Sir Edward Elgar. Curated by leading Elgar historian Chris Bennett, it brings together artefacts, manuscripts and memorabilia alongside displays such as 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Elgar and a short film exploring Elgar’s Worcestershire. Designed for all ages and levels of musical knowledge, it’s an ideal stop between concerts in the heart of Worcester.
Festival events
Saturday 23 – Sunday 31 May
In Elgar’s Footsteps – Guided Walk and Recital (£12 / £8)
Saturday 23 May
Meet at Gardiner’s Quarry Car Park, Malvern Hills, 9.30am (recital at 11.15am)
A guided walk through landscapes that inspired Elgar, paired with live music in the hills he loved.
Lano Quartet at Croome (£5)
Saturday 23 May, 2.30pm
Church of St Mary Magdalene, National Trust Croome
Chamber music in the elegant setting of Croome Court, linking heritage and performance.
Enigma Re‑imagined (£8)
Saturday 23 May, 7pm
A creative response to Elgar’s Enigma Variations, presenting new musical portraits inspired by the original work.
The Jenny Lind Singers (£12)
Sunday 24 May, 3pm
A choral programme celebrating British music past and present, including works by women composers.
An Evening with Julian and Jiaxin Lloyd Webber (£19)
Sunday 24 May, 7pm
Elmslie House, Great Malvern
Festival Patron Julian Lloyd Webber is joined by fellow cellist Jiaxin Lloyd Webber for an intimate evening of live music and conversation.
Elgar’s Worcester Walking Tour (£7.50)
Monday 25 May, 2pm
A guided walk through Worcester city centre exploring places that shaped Elgar’s life and music.
Explore the Elgar Archives (£5)
Monday 25 May, 4pm
Script Haven, Worcester
A rare opportunity to explore original Elgar materials in an intimate setting.
This Fragile Beauty (£12)
Tuesday 26 May, 2pm
The Firs – Elgar’s Birthplace, Lower Broadheath
Song and spoken word exploring English poetry and music, including Elgar and his contemporaries.
I Fagiolini – 40th Anniversary Concert (£20)
Tuesday 26 May, 7pm
Pershore Abbey
One of the UK’s finest vocal ensembles marks its anniversary with a wide‑ranging programme.
English String Orchestra – Elgar’s Strings in Malvern (£22)
Thursday 28 May, 7pm
Great Malvern Priory
A programme featuring works by Elgar alongside Sibelius, Schoenberg and Thea Musgrave, with oboist Nicholas Daniel.
Lunchtime Oboe and Piano Recital (£12)
Friday 29 May, 1pm
Henry Sandon Hall, Royal Porcelain Works, Worcester
Nicholas Daniel is joined by composer and pianist Huw Watkins for a special lunchtime concert.
Holst’s The Planets (£12–£32)
Friday 29 May, 7.30pm
Worcester Cathedral
Performed by the English Symphony Orchestra, celebrating three of Britain’s great orchestral tone poems - Holst’s Planets Suite, Elgar’s Falstaff and Bax’s Tintagel
Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra: Meet Elgar’s Orchestra (FREE)
Saturday 30 May, 11am
Worcester Guildhall
A free, family‑friendly performance by the orchestra co‑founded by Elgar himself.
Elgar Chorale Concert (£12)
Saturday 30 May, 1.30pm
St Martin in the Cornmarket, Worcester
Festival Evensong (FREE)
Saturday 30 May, 5.30pm
Worcester Cathedral
Elgar Festival Gala Concert
Saturday 30 May, 7.30pm
Worcester Cathedral
The flagship event of the festival, performed by the English Symphony Orchestra and Elgar Festival Chorus under Artistic Director Kenneth Woods.
Festival Evensong and Wreath‑laying (FREE)
Sunday 31 May, 4pm
Worcester Cathedral
A closing service marking the end of the festival, concluding with the annual wreath‑laying beneath the Elgar Memorial Window.
Planning your visit
With events spread across Worcester, Malvern and Pershore, the Elgar Festival offers the perfect opportunity to explore Elgar Country – from cathedral concerts and historic market towns to hilltop walks and cultural attractions. Many venues are within easy walking distance of places to eat, drink and stay, making it easy to plan a short break around the festival.
For the full list of Elgar Festival events, visit https://elgarfestival.org/
