Announcing the 2025 Lichfield Festival
With a brand-new dance show created exclusively for Lichfield by Strictly Come Dancing star Neil Jones, and headline acts including The Unthanks and former Spandau Ballet frontman and celebrated solo artist Tony Hadley, we’ve pulled out all the stops to make this year’s Lichfield Festival more spectacular than ever.
Here are some of the events to look out for:
Music and dance In Lichfield Cathedral
A highlight of this year’s event is Strictly dancer and choreographer Neil Jones’s latest show Gingerland, created especially for Lichfield Cathedral. It’s his second exclusive show for Lichfield Festival, following the success of Somnium: A Dancer’s Dream in 2018. Playing for two nights, the family-friendly comedy tale features Neil alongside a dazzling cast of top professional dancers, with glamorous costumes and original music.
Folk superstars The Unthanks, pop legend and Festival Patron Tony Hadley, the world-famous Black Dyke Band, the Sam Every (Little) Big Band, and jazz royalty Jacqui Dankworth with the Carducci Quartet, all grace Lichfield Cathedral. They’re showcasing new albums, celebrating pop, brass band and TV theme classics, and reimagining jazz and music theatre standards.
The sublime choral group Tenebrae make imaginative use of the Cathedral for Joby Talbot’s modern masterpiece Path of Miracles, inspired by the Santiago de Compostella pilgrimage route. Also in the Cathedral, renowned bass-baritone Sir Willard White and Brodsky Quartet join forces for an unforgettable evening of classics from the Great American Songbook to the magic of Sinatra; and the ever-popular BBC National Orchestra of Wales return to play Beethoven and Bruch, with exciting young violinist Hana Chang.
Elsewhere across the Festival venues
Pianist, singer and raconteur Joe Stilgoe returns after last year’s Festival triumph while folk legend and former Show of Hands front-man Steve Knightley appears as part of a much anticipated solo tour. Historian and Festival Patron Tracy Borman takes an in-depth look at the Tudor artist Holbein; stand-up comedian-turned-author, Mark Watson, showcases both talents in a double bill; and Lichfield’s own award-winning writer and performer, Katie Arnstein, presents her brand new comedy, specially created for the Festival.
Pirates, harps and historical figures
The eclectic theme continues with the tale of fearsome pirate Anne Bonney by Tortive Theatre, Congolese dance music from Kasai Masai; a selection of traditional Scottish harps played by Karen Marshalsay; a comedy cabaret Frau, That’s What I Call Music! and Twelfth Night performed outdoors with an all-male cast, by The Lord Chamberlain’s Men.
The lives of intriguing historical figures are explored through musical, theatrical and literary events: actor Tama Matheson presents Lord Byron’s scandalous life in a concert-play with pianist Clare Hammond; Apollo’s Cabinet celebrate 18th century actress Kitty (Mrs) Clive in a musical ‘Baroque meets Bridgerton’ world; and Lichfield historian Lesley Smith dresses in full costume to tell Anne Boleyn’s story, complementing new book releases from historians Alison Weir and Nicola Tallis.
Fireworks and family entertainment
Younger audiences will be entertained by Waterperry Opera’s family production Winnie-the-Pooh’s Songbook and Paperback Theatre’s The Wizard of Oz. And of course, the Festival Fireworks fill the sky of Beacon Park with a spectacular – and FREE – display.
Inspirational young artists
The Festival’s daily series of Young Artists recitals showcases truly exceptional talent, up close in an intimate setting. And another captivating young musician, pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, closes this year’s Lichfield Festival with an atmospheric candlelit concert in Lichfield Cathedral.
Ticket offers for Under 30s and more
A new discounted ticket initiative is launched this year, offering 30% off for Under 30s and £5 tickets for students, carers, unwaged, children and eligible community groups, thanks to Audience Development Partner, Executive Carers. The new offers aim to help remove financial barriers and allow everyone to experience the joy of the Arts at Lichfield Festival.
A huge thank you!
Lichfield Festival is incredibly grateful for the ongoing, generous support of its Principal Partner, McArthurGlen West Midlands, and extends thanks also to Major Festival Partners – Pegasus Homes, Roxane UK (Aqua Pura), Lichfield District Council – as well as to the Festival’s individual supporters. Their continued commitment makes it possible for the Festival to bring world-class artists and unforgettable events to Lichfield City.
Image: Joe Stilgoe will perform two Festival shows at The Hub at St Mary’s