SAT24OCT

Alfredfest 2026

Saturday 24 to Sunday 25 OctoberIn 10 daysFestivals

Tickets & info Add to calendar Google Calendar

About

Alfredfest celebrates King Alfred the Great, who was born in Wantage. It takes place each October, and in 2026 it runs over the weekend of Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October, mostly at the Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul.

Wantage Town Council lists it as one of the town’s three main annual events, alongside the Food & Drink Festival and the Christmas Artisan Market.

What happens

A free music workshop for children aged 6 and over: they learn and perform part of the children’s chorus from a new opera about King Alfred’s daughter Aethelflaed. Booking needed.
A procession and prayers at the King Alfred statue in the Market Place.
A set lunch at the Vale & Downland Museum (booking essential).
Free talks on the Alfred Jewel and other Saxon treasures, and on writing historical fiction about the Saxon past.
A preview recital of Aethelflaed: A New Opera, sung in Old English, about the warrior queen of Mercia.

Programme for 24 and 25 October 2026

Sat 1.00pm to 3.00pmChildren's music workshop (ages 6 and over, free, booking needed)Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul
Sun 12 noonProcession and prayersKing Alfred statue, Market Place
Sun 12.30pm to 1.30pmLunch (set menu, £18.50, booking essential)Vale & Downland Museum
Sun 1.30pmJude Barrett (Ashmolean Museum): the Alfred Jewel and other Saxon treasuresWantage
Sun 2.30pmMike Carden in conversation: writing historical fiction about the Saxon pastWantage
Sun 5.00pm to 6.30pmAethelflaed: A New Opera, preview recital (doors 4.30pm)Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul

Getting there and parking

The Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul is on Church Street (OX12 8AQ), and the Vale & Downland Museum is further along at 19 Church Street (OX12 8BL), both a short walk from the Market Place. The organisers haven’t published parking details; the district council runs the town’s car parks.

Food and drink nearby

Within about a 10-minute walk.

Questions

When is Alfredfest 2026?

Saturday 24 October (the children's workshop, 1pm to 3pm) and Sunday 25 October 2026 (12 noon to 6.30pm). Details can change: check with the organisers before you go.

Is it free?

The children's workshop and the talks are free. The museum lunch is £18.50 and the opera recital is £20 for adults, with concessions.

Do I need to book?

Yes, for the children's workshop (free), the lunch (booking essential) and the opera recital.

What age is the children's workshop for?

Children aged 6 and over.

Where does it take place?

Mainly at the Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul on Church Street. The procession is at the King Alfred statue in the Market Place and the lunch is at the Vale & Downland Museum.