Holy Week and Easter at Gloucester Cathedral

With fun family activities, traditional services and a brand-new Easter trail, Gloucester Cathedral is inviting everyone to celebrate the Christian holiday, this April 2023.

Easter services at Gloucester Cathedral

Holy Week beings with the Palm Sunday Eucharist at 10.15am on Sunday 2 April 2023; with a performance of 'Les Leçons de Ténèbres de François Couperin’ accompanied by the cathedral's lay clerks and assistant director of music, Jonathan Hope, on the organ later that afternoon at 4.15pm.

The cathedral commemorates the Last Supper on Thursday 6 April 2023 - known in the Christian calendar as Maundy Thursday - with a service at 11am, featuring the blessing of holy oils led by the Bishop of Gloucester; with another Eucharist service that evening at 7.30pm. 

A powerful theatre performance re-enacting the last few hours of Jesus' life, The Way of the Cross begins at 10.30am on Friday 8 April 2023 at Gloucester Cathedral before taking to the streets of the city; The Liturgy of Good Friday takes place at 12pm in the Nave; then the Cathedral Choir performs a spectacular rendition of Bach's 'St John Passion' at 7pm. 

The Liturgy of Easter Eve takes place at 8pm on Saturday 8 April 2023 and includes a confirmation service for people wishing to publicly reaffirm their faith, too. Then Easter Sunday begins with a special Eucharist service at 10.15am, with readings and hymns celebrating the resurrection; followed by a Choral Evensong service at 3pm with music from the Cathedral Choir.

Family Easter activities at Gloucester Cathedral

There's plenty of fun for families during the Easter holidays at Gloucester Cathedral. Its brand-new Cheeky Chicks Easter Trail is available during the cathedral's regular opening hours from Saturday 1 to Sunday 16 April 2023, excluding Good Friday, where visitors can hunt for a flock of cheeky chicks that are hiding around the spectacular building. 

In the Chapter House on Tuesday 11, Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 April 2023, visitors can take part in free Easter-themed arts and crafts sessions from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. 

There are also Highlights and Crypt Tours taking place every day of the Easter holidays except Good Friday, with various time slots throughout the day; Library Tours taking place on Saturday 15 April 2023, giving visitors a rare opportunity to explore the cathedral's awe-inspiring library and see items in the collection that tell the Easter story; and Tower Tours on selected dates throughout April, providing incredible views of the city. 

Anyone wanting to take part in the free Easter arts and crafts sessions are asked to book a timed entry slot in advance. 

Guided tours cost from £3.50 per adult and £1.50 per child; while tickets for Bach's 'St John Passion' cost £10 for adults, are free for children under 16 and can be booked online in advance. 

To book tickets, visit gloucestercathedral.org.uk.