Winchester Cathedral is set to become a celebration of colour, creativity and the natural world this September as it opens its doors for Wild! a festival of flowers and nature, with themes of biodiversity, wellbeing, sustainability, climate, creativity and hope running throughout the programme.
Winchester goes Wild!
Taking place from 15 to 19 September 2026, the festival will bring together hundreds of floral designers, artists and performers to create a spectacular programme of installations, live botanical art, talks, workshops and performances inside the iconic cathedrals.
The festival, which last took place in 2021, will once again offer visitors an unforgettable fusion of flowers, history and architecture, with the cathedral brought to life in full bloom through vibrant displays and imaginative interpretations of nature that reflect the beauty, fragility and resilience of the natural world.
Angela Turner, Creative Director of Wild!, said: “Wild will transform the Cathedral into something truly extraordinary.”
And businesses across the city have also caught the Wild! bug, helping to spread the word by displaying promotional window stickers, sharing leaflets with customers and coming up with creative ideas and themed window displays.
Alasdair Akass, Director of Development at Winchester Cathedral, said,
“It has been wonderful to see so many local businesses supporting Wild!
‘Winchester is a city that thrives on collaboration, and this response shows how much pride local businesses take in welcoming visitors and supporting events that bring people into the city.
‘The festival showcases remarkable creativity within the Cathedral and attracts visitors from across the region, benefiting businesses throughout Winchester. We are incredibly grateful to everyone displaying our Wild! stickers, helping create a sense of anticipation.’
Visitors will be able to experience inspiring talks on nature, biodiversity, flower arranging, meadow management and sustainable approaches to caring for the environment, led by local experts and members of the Cathedral community.
A special late-night opening will take place on Wednesday 16 September when tickets are available for selected evening entry times and there are Wild! Afternoon tea or Cream teas too.
Wild! A festival of flowers and nature runs at Winchester Cathedral from 15 to 19 September 2026. Tickets and further information are available from Winchester Cathedral’s website.
