Organ Festival 2026

The IAO is pleased to announce

plans for our 2026 Organ Festival:

Bristol, Sunday 26 – Thursday 30 July

10 featured organs

35 manuals

over 500 stops

A ‘festival ticket’ is available, which allows admission to all events including the three-course
Festival Dinner at the
Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel,
the coach trip to Cirencester and Gloucester and all stages of the
IAO/RCO Organ Competition.

The cost for IAO members has been held at the same price as for the 2022 festival ticket.

IAO members have the option
of a bargain-priced ‘early-bird’ ticket, which includes hotel accommodation in single en-suite rooms at the Bristol Central Travelodge (situated near the cathedral) with full English breakfast.
Book early to avoid disappointment.
SORRY: sold out by Christmas Eve
Like the ‘festival ticket’, this includes admission to all events
including the Festival Dinner.

.
Online booking for
season tickets has now closed.

Day tickets
are still available online.
Click the ‘TICKETS’ button below.

Admission to some individual events will be possible during the festival by cash or card.
.

Click for TICKETS information

 

SUNDAY
3.30pm – Choral evensong, Bristol Cathedral
followed by Registration
5.30pm – Choral evensong, St Mary Redcliffe
followed by an organ recital

MONDAY

9.30am – AGM & Coffee, All Saints Church, Clifton

10.15am – IAO/RCO competition *  semi-final A

12noon – Visit Clifton RC Cathedral
3.00pm – IAO/RCO competition *  semi-final B
evening – Vocal recital, Lord Mayor’s Chapel

 

TUESDAY

9.30am – Talk: Notes from the Choir, Redland Park URC

10.15am  – Recital

1.15pm – President’s Recital, Bristol Cathedral
2.15pm – Talk: Rebuilding the cathedral organ

3.30pm – Conversation with Peter King
7 for 7.30pm – Festival Dinner, Bristol Marriott Hotel

 

WEDNESDAY
8.45am – Coach departs for
Westbury-on-Trym

9.00am – Visit the chapel of
St Monica’s Retirement Village

 

 

10.00am – Coach departs for
Cirencester

11.15am – Recital, St John’s Church
followed by opportunities to play
the organ during lunch

1.15pm – Coach departs for
Gloucester

3.00pm – Choral Evensong,
Gloucester Cathedral

 

 

4.15pm – Coach departs for Bristol

7.30pm – IAO/RCO competition final,
Bristol Cathedral

…sponsors of the competition

THURSDAY

9.15am – Talk and short recital,
Bristol Beacon

followed by Open Consoles
This is a provisional programme.
Events may be subject to change.
Click for TICKETS information

Terms & Conditions

CANCELLATION – The IAO reserves the right to cancel the Festival up to four weeks before it is due to start if enrolled numbers have not reached the minimum required.
INSURANCE – Participants are strongly advised to take out travel insurance or adequate cover for the duration of their journey to & from, and time at, the Festival.  The IAO does not provide insurance to cover cancellation costs, loss of luggage, injury, money, etc.
LIABILITY – The IAO maintains a public liability policy covering legal liability for bodily injury and property damage; but any loss, damage to property or injury not resulting from negligence will not be covered by the IAO.
CHANGES TO EVENTS – The IAO reserves the right to replace advertised performers or amend the programme in response to changed circumstances.
MINORS – The IAO regrets that it is unable to admit unaccompanied minors to its events unless previously agreed with parents/carers.