Four exhibitions as part of this year’s Elgar Festival

Worcester’s Guildhall will be the venue for a number of fascinating exhibitions as part of the 2026 Elgar Festival.

The exhibitions will present Elgar artefacts, manuscripts and memorabilia curated by renowned Elgar historian Chris Bennett including ’10 Things You Didn’t Know About Elgar’ plus a half hour film on repeat discovering Elgar’s Worcestershire.

The exhibitions will take place on Wednesday 27 May, Thursday 28 May, Friday 29 May and Saturday 30 May, each running from 10.00am until 4.00pm.

Kenneth Woods, Artistic Director of the Elgar Festival said: “These exhibitions will feature rare memorabilia, letters and personal items related to Sir Edward Elgar, by recognised expert Chris Bennett.  They will offer personal insights into the life and career of Worcester’s most famous son.”

Each of the exhibitions is free although tickets must be booked.

Set in the composer’s hometown and surrounding areas over the week closest to Elgar’s birthday on 2^nd June – this year’s festival will take place from Saturday 23 May until Sunday 31 May – the festival is an annual celebration of Elgar’s music spanning symphonic and string orchestra concerts by the resident English Symphony Orchestra, along with chamber concerts, choral concerts, recitals, workshops, masterclasses, street performances, a young composers competition, exhibits, tours and talks.

Since its inauguration in 2018, when it was a Critic’s Pick in both The Guardian and The Times, the festival has doubled in size and scale and continues to grow annually through an innovative development programme of appealing and accessible events, working with hundreds of both internationally renowned professional artists and amateur musicians and performers of all ages to ensure Elgar really is for everyone.

The music of the festival’s namesake will be the centrepiece of a busy programme of 27 events across 15 different venues with 3 pre-festival events including the relaxed concerts. The full breadth of Elgar’s work will be showcased, including songs, miniatures, chamber music and choral anthems alongside his most beloved orchestral masterpieces.

This year’s festival will bring together world-class professional musicians and artists alongside local choirs and ensembles placing the music of Worcester’s most famous son alongside that of his contemporaries and some of today’s leading composers and arrangers.

For a full list of events, costs and booking information, please visit www.elgarfestival.org.