Cambridge Contemporary Choir Festival 17th-18th July
Cambridge Corn Exchange
JOIN US FOR THE SHOWCASE
Come to a wonderful evening of entertainment on the iconic Corn Exchange stage in celebration of all things 'Choir'. It’ll be a night to remember hosted by the incomparable Carrie & David Grant (BBC 1’s Fame Academy, ITV’s Pop Idol, Gospel Choir of the Year & Chorister of the Year). It features the talents of Musical Theatre choir Sing Space Cambridge, Mixed a cappella choir Strictly A Cappella, community pop choir The Collaboration Choir and west end sensation Julie Stark. Come, sit back and enjoy vibrant original arrangements of well-known songs featuring as part of this amazing choir showcase. It’s the finale to a whole weekend as part of The Cambridge Contemporary Choir Festival and it’s not to be missed!
Adults and children of all ages are welcome at this concert.
Festival Programme 2026
FRI 17TH JULY: 7:30pm-10:00pm (Doors from 6:45pm)
Anyone aged 10+ is welcome at this event. Under 18’s must be accompanied by a paying adult.
SAT 18TH JULY: 7:30pm-10:00pm (Doors at 6:45pm)
Adults and children of all ages are welcome at this concert.
SAT 18TH JULY: 10am-11am (Doors at 9:45am)
Children aged 4+ are welcome. Each ticket is for this workshop covers 1 adult and 1 child. An adult (aged 18+) must be present and taking part throughout.
SAT 18TH JULY: 11:30am-12:45pm (Doors at 11:15am)
Anyone aged 10+ is welcome at this session. Under 18’s must be accompanied by a paying adult.
SAT 18TH JULY: 1:15pm-2:30pm (Doors at 1:00pm)
Anyone aged 10+ is welcome at this session. Under 18’s must be accompanied by a paying adult.
SAT 18TH JULY: 3:00pm-4:15pm (Doors at 2:45pm)
Anyone aged 10+ is welcome at this session. Under 18’s must be accompanied by a paying adult.
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The Showcase
The Cambridge Contemporary Choir Festival is returning to Cambridge Corn Exchange this Summer and you won’t want to miss it!
On Friday 17th and Saturday 18th July 2026 a programme of fun singing events and workshops; exploring many different genres of music is happening at Cambridge Corn Exchange. On Saturday evening an uplifting concert, showcasing contemporary choirs from across the UK, will fill Cambridge Corn Exchange with song. This joyous occasion is being hosted by the wonderful advocates of all things singing – Carrie & David Grant.
Friday evening we present our opening event – The BIG BIG Collab – hosted by Carrie Rawlings and other expert vocal coaches including Angela Moran, Jennie Harwood and Rachel Hill from The Collaboration Choir alongside a LIVE band led by another amazing talent – Lizzie Deane. Come and party the night away at our ultimate Band-e-oke experience with your friends. No previous singing experience is needed just the urge to expose your inner diva and sing out loud and proud!
On Saturday evening the stage will be reset for a celebration of all things ‘Choir’. This will be a night to remember hosted by the inimitable Carrie & David Grant. It will feature Sing Space Cambridge, Strictly A Cappella, The Collaboration Choir and Julie Stark. Vibrant original arrangements of well-known hits will feature as part of this amazing choir showcase. It is not to be missed!
Saturday daytime is filled with a programme of workshops beginning with a Family Friendly Pop Singing Workshop with Rachel Hill. Then we’ll explore Gospel with Lizzie Deane, Musical Theatre with Carrie Rawlings, and A Cappella with Helen Lappert.
Cambridge will be alive “with the sound of music” as part of this special event. There will be free pop up performances happening in Cambridge Market Square on Saturday 18th July so head there to soak up some fab music. Carrie Rawlings, curator of the festival says: “If you sing in the shower, in a choir or just love contemporary music you won’t want to miss this event. Come to beautiful Cambridge next summer and celebrate the amazing human voice. Be part of the action!”
Join The Workshops
Check out Backstage
SAT 18TH JULY: 7:30pm-10:00pm (Doors from 6:45pm)
The Cambridge Contemporary Choir Festival culminates in an evening concert featuring 500 singers from three amazing groups from across the UK.
It’s a celebration of all things ‘contemporary choir’ being staged in Cambridge for only the second time by Collaboration Choir Founder Carrie Rawlings. Help make this a regular fixture in the Cambridge musical calendar. An event by the community, for the community.
Talented soloists and ensembles will perform vibrant original arrangements of well-known hits as part of this amazing showcase. If you sing in the shower, in a choir or just love listening to contemporary music you won’t want to miss this event.
Come and celebrate the power of the human voice with us. It’s a great night out for all the family in beautiful Cambridge this summer featuring over 500 singers across the evening. Miss it, miss out!
Our Showcase Hosts and Performers
Carrie & David Grant
Carrie and David Grant are BAFTA award-winning broadcasters, vocal coaches, leadership coaches and campaigners. Their TV and music career has spanned over 35 years and they have been awarded a MOBO award and a BASCA for their lifetime services to the music industry. We are so excited to be welcoming them to Cambridge to host our showcase. They understand the power of choirs and have worked with many over their varied careers. Their passion and love of group singing is something behold. Come along and let them take you on our journey of musical discovery for one night only.
Sing Space Musical Theatre Choir
Strictly a Cappella
Strictly a Cappella is an award-winning, British mixed vocal group in South Herts led by the inspirational Helen Lappert. They have performed internationally in Prague, Dublin and Berlin. They sing a range of contemporary and classic audience favourites.
The Collaboration Choir
The Collaboration Choir is a collective of community pop choirs across the UK founded with the goal of bringing people together through music and supporting local causes. They offer a welcoming and inclusive space for singers of all levels, focusing on uplifting and popular music, and fostering a sense of community and musical growth. Members from 16 choirs across the UK will be taking to the stage at CCC-Fest this year and they just can’t wait!
Julie Stark
Julie Stark is a versatile British singer and actress with a powerful soprano voice and standout stage presence. Trained at Mountview Academy, she has starred in major productions including We Will Rock You, Bat Out of Hell, Sister Act, and Les Misérables. Julie has also fronted soul, disco, and rock bands, and appeared in The Music of Queen and ABBA tribute shows. Her screen credits include EastEnders and various voice-over roles for games and audiobooks. Whether on stage, screen, or in concert, Julie brings energy, talent, and professionalism to every performance. You will be wowed by her vocals as part of our evening showcase.
Visiting Cambridge
We love the Cambridge so if you fancy making a weekend of it whilst attending any part of the festival here are our recommendations courtesey of INDIE CAMBRIDGE
Accommodation
Food & Drink
Independent spots for brunch or lunch
www.bridgescambridge.com
www.thelockercafe.co.uk
www.gastronome.co.uk
www.copperkettlecambridge.co.uk
Independent restaurants for supper
www.delucacucina.co.uk
www.tradizionirestaurant.co.uk
www.steakandhonour.co.uk
www.rajarestaurant.com
www.pintshop.co.uk
www.butchannies.com
www.efes-cambridge.co.uk
www.theoakbistro.co.uk
Supermarkets
Tesco Express, Christ’s Lane, Cambridge, CB1 1NP
Sainsburys, 42-45 Sidney Street, Cambridge, CB2 3HX
Parking
The Grand Arcade Car Park, Corn Exchange Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QF
Castle Hill Car Park, off Castle Street, Cambridge, CB3 0AT
To avoid driving into the City info on all 5 of our Park & Ride Car Parks can be found here: https://cambridgeparkandride.info/