Events at Dorchester Abbey
For generations people have brought their gifts and skills to enhance the life of Dorchester Abbey and this tradition continues as a huge variety of groups and organisations hire and use the Abbey each year as the venue for a wide and vibrant programme of concerts, theatre, visual arts and other events.
If you would like to hire the Abbey for your event then take a look at our information for hirers.
‘Awake to Wonder’ – an evening of lively conversation with William Blake and +Rowan Williams.
Artist, Adrian Brooks, will be projecting his latest artwork on the walls of Dorchester Abbey. The six canvases based on the work of William Blake, along with words from Blake and music composed by Tim Cook, each provoke profound questions for today. The questions we will explore include:
Is reason the only arbiter we have?
What does it mean to be human?
Does imagination have power?
Is love the answer?
The event is free – but we will be inviting generous donations for +Rowan’s chosen charity Christian Aid.
Please help us with our planning by booking here: https://www.ticketsource.com/dorchesterabbey/t-kdyvvdl ,
Ginestera Dances from Estancia no 2 and 4
Darius Milhaud’s La création du monde (The Creation of the World) is a groundbreaking 1923 ballet blending African creation myths with the vibrant sounds of American jazz, featuring bitonal harmonies, syncopated rhythms and bluesy melodies.
George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue is a landmark American work, blending jazz & classical music, famous for its iconic clarinet glissando, capturing the energy of the Roaring Twenties with its mix of syncopation, soulful melodies, & “blue notes”.
The Firebird was Stravinsky’s first major breakthrough, commissioned by Serge Diaghilev for his pioneering Ballets Russes in Paris. It immediately propelled the 28-year-old composer to international fame.
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One Date : Two Performance Times ~ Please Book Tickets For Your Preferred Performance on This Date ~
05:45pm – Performance One: Tribute to Hans Zimmer & Film Favourites Illuminated
08:15pm – Performance Two: Tribute to Hans Zimmer & Film Favourites Illuminated
A Tribute to Hans Zimmer & Film Favourites Illuminated An immersive tribute to Hans Zimmer and cinema’s most iconic music with a live chamber orchestra illuminated by light
Please Follow Yellow Event Signage to Dedicated Event Car Parking ~ Please respect the Village and Park in designated Car Parking Provided ~ DO NOT park on the high street blocking main through roads for emergency vehicles or blocking drive ways
The Brandenburg Concertos are unique Baroque masterpieces, each concerto a showcase of distinct instrumentation and inventive style.
Johann Sebastian Bach’s Concerto for Oboe and Violin in C minor (BWV 1060R) stands as one of the great collaborations, not only between the two solo instruments but also between history and scholarship.
His “Double” Concerto is arguably his most popular and frequently performed orchestral work
Come and enjoy our lovely Christmas Market in the beautiful surroundings of Dorchester Abbey with live Christmas music all day!
Over 40 stalls full of gifts and Christmas food, with wreaths to order or take away, all surrounded by the smell of Bratwurst and mulled wine and Christmas music.
As always, the highlight of the Market is the Tea Room stall packed full of home made Christmas cakes and food to take away!
For further information on the market and how to book for Father Christmas, follow this link
More Details coming soon and ticket information for this wonderful fundraising evening in support of The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund
Nadia Eide returns to Dorchester Abbey on Thursday 03 December 2026 with a fantastic live show!
Featuring songs from Phantom of the Opera, Sound of Music, Wizard of Oz and more in the ultimate celebration of songs from stage and screen.
Christmas at the Musicals at Dorchester Abbey
No 1 selling classical soprano and star of The Voice UK, Nadia Eide is touring her brand new Christmas concert tour Christmas At The Musicals in November and December 2026.
Featuring songs from Phantom of the Opera, Sound of Music, Matilda, Home Alone, Wizard of Oz and many more in the ultimate celebration of well-loved songs from stage and screen. Featuring special guests. Suitable for all ages.
“A spellbinding, festive treat!” -BBC Radio Oxford
“Five stars. Stunning voice with captivation stage presence.” – The York Press
“Nadia is a goddess. From where she starts to where she finishes is mind-blowing!” -will.i.am
“You hit notes that only we mortals can dream of! ” – Sir Tom Jones
“She’s a superstar! I love the operatic sound.” – Anne-Marie
“When you combine talent with emotion and passion like that, magic can happen. Nadia has a God-given gift.” – Danny O’ Donoghue, Lead Singer of The Script
Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Monteverdi’s Vespers (1610) is a seminal work of the early Baroque and is Benson Choral Society’s choice for their winter concert. Musical Director Thomas Neal is steeped in this music and brings an authentic period performances,with the Ensemble Pro Victoria as vocal solists, the Monteverdi String Band, and His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts the pioneering British early music brass ensemble specialising in historically informed performances of this period. We will be in the historic and atmospheric setting of Dorchester Abbey, whose tower was rebuilt only a few years before Monteverdi composed this piece. Some of the soloists will be spread round the Abbey, adding to the dramatic effect.
The concert will be on Saturday 5 December at 7.30pm. It promises to be a performance to remember, so book now, first come, first served! Tickets are £23 reserved, £20 unreserved, £12 u/21 at www.bensonchoralsociety.org.uk
Ding, dong, merrily on high! OSJ Voices will raise the roof in this festive evening of wide-ranging music celebrating Christmas.
Back in 2020 when actor/musicians Fra Fee and Declan Bennett moved out of London and found themselves in the beautiful little town of Watlington, they soon integrated themselves into the creative heart of its community and as the first festive season that we could all attend without restrictions approached, in 2021 the boys put on a Christmas Concert – Christmas Round Ours.
They invited their nearest and dearest West End friends and musicians and in the gorgeous setting of their local church, St Leonards, they shared a stunning event of world class talent performed with an unparalleled intimate beauty that has become an annual sell out success.
Last year, to celebrate its 5th year anniversary, they decided to add an extra date at the beautiful Dorchester Abbey, selling out in minutes. And due to the phenomenal demand they are back.
This incredible and beautifully unique celebration of music, Christmas and community continues to grow bigger and bigger each year and if you live in South Oxfordshire, you’ve probably heard about it by now.
This is the festive concert you don’t want to miss.
Christmas Round Ours
Sunday December 13th – St Leonards, Watlington
Monday December 14th – Dorchester Abbey, Dorchester on Thame
Tickets go on sale at 9am on Sunday November 1st on www.wegottickets.com
Fastest finger first!