The Three Choirs Festival returns to Gloucester between 22 July and 29 July for eight days of music and entertainment.

Concerts will take place throughout the week, alongside a host of free activities in and around Gloucester Cathedral.

There is so much on offer at the festival without even having to book a ticket. Here are just some of the things you could enjoy for free during the week:

Opening Celebration

The festival kicks off at 10am on Saturday 22 July with music and celebrations. There will be three separate processions through the streets of Gloucester, moving down Southgate Street, Eastgate Street and Northgate Street before joining together on Westgate Street. The brightly-coloured, musical procession will feature Gloucester Cathedral Choir, the Flowers Band with the Festival Chorus, the Nethra Academy of Performing Arts, Gloster Gladiators Scout Marching Band, and Gloucestershire Constabulary Police Cadets. All are welcome!

Festival Village

The Festival Village is the perfect place to relax, enjoy a drink and meet with friends. Open all week outside Gloucester Cathedral, there will be a café, bar and street food vendors serving refreshments. If you would simply like to come for tea and cake or a beer and soak up the festival atmosphere, you are more than welcome to do so.

Community Bandstand

Located in the Festival Village, the community bandstand will play host to local bands and performers during festival week. The Flowers Band will open the stage at 11.30am on Saturday 22 July and performances will take place throughout the week, including from Nethra Academy of Performing Arts, Gloucester Brass, Gloucester Folk Choir and Glevum Big Band.

Open Rehearsals

Want to get a taste of the incredible festival music for free? Then dip into the cathedral rehearsals. You can come in at any point, no ticket needed, and stay for as long or short a time as you would like. There will also be activities for any children who come along. Full details of rehearsal times can be found online at 3choirs.org/rehearsals 

The Guilds of Craftsmen Exhibition

Members of the Herefordshire, Cotswold and Worcestershire Guilds will be exhibiting their latest collection of work in the marquee in the Festival Village throughout the week. Open daily 9 am - 7.30 pm and free to enter.

For further information about the Three Choirs Festival, visit www.3choirs.org  or call the box office on 01452 768928 (Monday - Friday, 10am until 4pm).