Full programme of events lined up for Windsor Festival

Musicians, writers, artists and performers from the area will be entertaining audiences at the upcoming Windsor Festival.

The festival, which looks to inspire the next generation of creatives, takes place over two weeks and celebrates literature, music, and the arts.

Guests will enjoy a range of musical performances, talks, exhibitions, walks and tours, dance performances and workshops from tomorrow (Friday) until Tuesday, September 30.

It was founded in 1969, when Ian Hunter, the Dean of Windsor, and Yehudi Menuhin spotted an opportunity to host concerts in Eton College and Windsor Castle.

Events take place across several venues, including St George’s Chapel, the State Apartments of Windsor Castle and at other venues across Windsor and Eton.

A series of concerts will be held to celebrate the 550th anniversary of the building of St George’s Chapel.

Since the festival was established, the chapel has been a focal point for many performances and events.

In the chapel, guests will enjoy performances from The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on Tuesday, September 23, and The Choir of St George’s Chapel on Tuesday, September 30.

The festival will feature a unique gathering of Taplow Youth Choir, Orpheus Sinfonia and The Beavan Family Consort, which includes 15 siblings and cousins of the same singing family, on Saturday, September 20.

The literary series will include Lyse Doucet, Thomasina Miers, Lady Carnavon, Lady Hale and writer Hugo Vickers.

The children’s programme includes Opera Magic, which offers an introduction to opera for local schools and families on Monday, September 22.

Festivalgoers will enjoy a ballet production of Hansel & Gretel by Let’s All Dance Ballet Company on Saturday, September 27.

Youngsters can also enjoy fun story time sessions with storyteller Liz Fost on Saturday, September 20.

Windsor schools will be performing in a Coffee Concert at Windsor Parish Church on Thursday, September 25.

Organisers, the Windsor Festival Society, believe it is ‘hugely important’ to offer school students access to music and is a ‘key objective’ of the festival.

The festival season has been extended this year, with some events taking place later in October.

This includes a performance of Tenebrae at St George’s Chapel on Wednesday, October 22.

The Old Court, the festival’s hub, will host broadcaster and former MP Gyles Brandreth on Sunday, October 5 and author Alison Weir on Thursday, October 30.