DIARY OF ANNUAL EVENTS
February
• Candlemas (Imbolc) Celebration at the Chalice Well
May
• Druid gathering – on the Tor
• Beltane Celebration at the Chalice Well
• Megalithomania Conference - early May, Assembly Rooms
• Glastonbury Road Run – 6 miles around the Tor
June
• Vale of Avalon Vintage Vehicle Road Run – early June
• Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts – much more than pop music, at Worthy Farm, Pilton (last weekend in June - no festival in 2006)
• Sunrise Summer Solstice Celebration - a festival not far from Glastonbury
• Flower Festival in St John's Church (usually around John-Baptist day)
July
• Church of England Pilgrimage to the Abbey – solemn Eucharist at noon, procession to Evensong at 15.30 – on a Saturday
• Roman Catholic Pilgrimage, from Tor to Abbey – on the Sunday
• Miracles at Glastonbury – medieval-style plays in the Abbey ruins
• Glastonbury Symposium - Crop Circles and Signs of Our Times – Town Hall
August
• The Goddess Conference – Town Hall
• Tor Dance Festival – multicultural dance at various venues in Glastonbury & Street
• Glastonbury Abbey Musical Extravaganza – orchestral and modern music in the Abbey grounds
• Children's Festival – four days of fun and entertainment for children
• The Big Green Gathering - an annual eco-festival organised in Glastonbury, held on the Mendips
September
• Tor Fair – traditional travelling fairground
• Somerset Arts Week (SAW) – Somerset artists and makers open their studios and workshops to the public, with terrific talent on show
• Equinox celebration, Chalice Well
November
• Glastonbury Carnival – huge illuminated procession (usually the second Saturday in the month)
December
• Cutting of the Holy Thorn to send to the Queen for Christmas, by the vicar, mayor and schoolchildren in St John's churchyard
• Frost Fair – pre-Christmas fair on the High Street
• Solstice Celebration – Chalice Well
Events in Glastonbury
Glastonbury hosts three main kinds of events:
- Regular annual events - see the list on the right
- One-off and weekly events, courses, meetings and celebrations - see below and, when you're here, check out The Oracle (from local shops) and noticeboards
- Unpublicised events and happenings which you'll discover 'on the grapevine' or 'by chance' - in homes, church halls, out in a field or arising spontaneously
There is an ongoing programme of events at:
· Somerset Rural Life Museum – exhibitions, arts, crafts and events
Telephone (01458) 831197
· Peat Moors Visitor Centre – demonstrations and activities.
(01458) 860697
· Isle of Avalon Foundation – talks, courses & venues.
Tel: (01458) 833933
· Assembly Rooms Community Arts Centre – music, dance, theatre, events.
. Tel: (01458) 834677
· Phoenix Project – innovative arts and multimedia
. Tel: (01458) 830522
· Strode Theatre – theatre and arts cinema in Street
. Tel: (01458) 442846
· Chalice Well – tranquillity and seasonal celebrations.
Tel: (01458) 831154
· Glastonbury Abbey
Tel: (01458) 834747
· Abbey Retreat House
Tel: (01458) 831112
· Christians Together in Glastonbury – events and church services
For information listings on dates and venues, visit:
Glastonbury Online for:
- Major annual events
- Smaller events, meetings, music, talks and courses
Glastonbury Tourist Information Centre
The Tribunal, 9 High Street, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 9DP. Tel: (01458) 832954 or fax 832949.
Glastonbury Town Council, Town Hall, Magdalene Street, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 9EL. Tel: (01458) 831769.
Glastonbury Music - local musicians and bands
Check out Glastonbury FM too!
If all these details confuse you, we suggest going to Glastonbury Online, above. Or simply come to Glastonbury, pick up The Oracle and sniff around the noticeboards up and down the High Street. If you come at the 'right' time, the right things will happen for you!
Generally, from late June to late August, there are major events nearly every weekend. At other times of the year, events are smaller and more folksy.
Show original sliced image (8 pieces)
Photos by Lesley Delamont, Laurence Sharpe & Palden Jenkins
Note for event local organisers: this site does not advertise specific smaller events - only regular annual events that you see above. To advertise an event, contact Glastonbury Online
Isle of Avalon
Page written and designed by Palden Jenkins with assistance from Barry Taylor and members of the Glaston Group, February 2006.