Join the traditional celebration of the local miners in this annual festival, returning for 2022 following the pandemic. The hugely popular Miners Festival Service at Durham Cathedral has been part of every Gala since 1897.
This service will be livestreamed on Durham Cathedral’s Facebook page.
The Durham Miners’ Gala takes place annually to celebrate the mining communities of Durham.
Colliery bands and banners will march from the Market Place to Durham Racecourse, where there will be rides and stalls for all to enjoy. Following speeches, new banners parading at the Gala for the first time will march to the cathedral, where there will be a special commemorative service and a blessing of the banners. This service has been part of every Gala since 1897.
The new banners parading at the Durham Miners Gala for the first time will march to the cathedral, where they will be blessed by the Bishop of Durham in a special commemorative service.
What’s happening at the event
1.30pm: everyone is welcome to come to the service. To help us manage the numbers of people at the cathedral, you are welcome to start arriving from 1.30pm. Please follow the signs outside the cathedral which will direct you to enter through the Galilee Chapel, to the right of the main entrance.
1.45pm-2.15pm: the world-famous Mangrove Steel Band from Notting Hill, London, will be performing in Durham Cathedral before the service begins. Find out more about their cultural exchange partnership with the Durham Miners Association band.
2pm: the cathedral closes to visitors in preparation for this very busy service. The museum, shop and cafe remain open until their usual closing time.
2.30pm: brass bands and banners will parade into the cathedral
3pm: service begins
