Friends' Events

2026 Events

Friends’ Day 

Saturday 12 September
Friends' Day is the highlight of our annual calendar and a wonderful opportunity for members to come together in friendship and fellowship while celebrating our shared commitment to Ely Cathedral. This year proves extra special as we turn 90.  

Whether you are a long-standing Friend or have joined recently, we warmly encourage you to attend this special day. It is a chance to meet fellow members, hear about the work of The Friends, enjoy time in the Cathedral and take part in our Annual General Meeting. 

Programme for the Day

2pm - Annual General Meeting
All Friends are invited to attend the AGM to hear reports on the work of The Friends, review the past year and consider plans for the future. Following the AGM, we will be delighted to welcome our guest speaker, Jasmine Allen, Conservator at the Stained Glass Museum. 
Free to attend.

3.45pm - Friends' 90th Anniversary Afternoon Tea in the Lady Chapel
A relaxed and enjoyable Afternoon Tea for our 90th anniversary celebrations with fellow Friends and guests in the beautiful surroundings of the Lady Chapel. Afternoon tea will be provided by the fabulous Grazing Company and includes fizz, fun and a chance to see our exhibition on 90 years of the Friends. 
Tickets: £25 Friends, £30 Guests.
Book Afternoon Tea Tickets

5pm - Friends' Choral Evensong
The day concludes with Choral Evensong in the Cathedral. During the service, the Friends' Chorister Prizes will be awarded, recognising the dedication and achievements of the choristers who contribute so much to the musical life of Ely Cathedral.

We look forward to welcoming Friends from near and far to what promises to be another memorable Friends' Day. 

Tours

Join us for some Friends’ tours including a brand-new Friends’ themed tour! 

Wednesday 9 September, 10.30am – 11.30am
Etheldreda’s Legacy: The Monastery that started it all 
Come and hear the story of Queen St Etheldreda and the monastery she founded here in Ely. On this tour, you’ll hear how Etheldreda established her monastery, what became of the church she built, and how a second church eventually gave way to the Cathedral we see today after the Norman Conquest. As you explore, you’ll look out for the traces of St Etheldreda that are still dotted around the building. Binoculars handy!

Monday 30 November, 10.30am – 11.30am
Restoring Glory: Ely Cathedral's Victorian Story 
Step back 150 years and imagine Ely Cathedral right in the middle of an ambitious restoration programme by Dean Peacock and George Gilbert Scott. Together they set in motion what became the most ambitious restoration of any British cathedral attempted at that time – re-imagining the inside, outside and from top to bottom. Their mission? To repair the damage left by the Reformation and peel away the layers that had built up over the centuries, hiding the beauty of the medieval building.

Tickets: £6, available via the Cathedral box office. 

Thursday 19 - Saturday 21 November
Ely Cathedral Christmas Gift & Food Fair 
Find us at the Christmas Fair where we will be selling our Christmas cards and other merchandise. Whether you’re searching for unique Christmas gifts, meeting friends for 
festive food and drink, or simply enjoying the season, the Fair offers a truly memorable start to Christmas. 
Book tickets here from 3 August