An exciting community initiative celebrating the 200-year anniversary of the Orpheus Mosaic discovery in Cirencester. Revel in a vibrant array of art, music, and heritage events, all leading up to one spectacular day of festivities.
Orpheus Day is coming.
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Orpheus Day
Saturday 23rd August 2025, Cirencester UK
A spectacular celebration of music, creativity, and history. The town of Cirencester bursts to life as Orpheus leads his giant ‘Parade of Puppets’ and we look to build ‘The Big Orpheus Choir’ to open the Phoenix Festival 2025.
Join Orpheus and experience the magic
On Saturday 23rd August 2025, Orpheus Day will welcome creatives and communities from across the nation to join us as we revel in the myth and mystery of Orpheus and allow creativity to boldly take centre stage.
The event will launch the annual Phoenix Festival which features a host of events and activities for all the family to enjoy. We kick off with Orpheus and his Parade of Puppets followed by the chance to be part of The Big Orpheus Choir. Following that, you can enjoy two days of live music courtesy of the Phoenix Festival…all for free!
From the creative minds that brought you The Human Poppy in 2018, Orpheus Day will allow singing groups, choirs and passionate vocalists from all over the UK to come and join us in performing A Song for Orpheus for it’s world premiere.
We want your voices celebrated loudly and your creative flare on display in the parade for all to see. So, check the details below and join in the day with us!
A Song for Orpheus
We’re on a mission to get as many voices from across the entire nation to join us on Orpheus Day to co-create The Big Orpheus Choir and WE NEED YOU! It doesn’t matter if you’ve been singing for decades or are a total newbie; if you’re a choir, ensemble or vocal group with a love for singing and sharing music, you’re welcome to join us.
A Song For Orpheus has been commissioned especially for our town and this event. With music written by the sensational, Brit, BAFTA and Emmy award-winning Howard Goodall (The Vicar of Dibley, Mr Bean, Red Dwarf, Blackadder) and lyrics by critically acclaimed Irish poet, Theo Dorgan, we will come together in harmony to experience the true power of an otherworldly shared musical experience. Here are the different ways you can get involved:
Sign up your choir
If you’re a member of a choir, chamber ensemble or singing group, then sign up today to be a part of our Big Orpheus Choir on Saturday, 23rd August. All you have to do is learn the song in your usual rehearsal times and then show up on the day and sing. It’s that simple! We want to build the BIGGEST Orpheus Choir possible, so we need you and your talents to make this happen.
Join our Orpheus Community Choir
If you’re local to Cirencester and the surrounding areas, this is your chance to share your love of singing with others. Forget everything you know about strict choir masters, having to read complicated music and those not-so-enjoyable choir experiences you had at school. Instead, we plan to welcome as many members of the community along to relax, socialise, have a drink and sing! Sign up and receive all the information you need to be a member of our Orpheus Community Choir.
Learn from home
For those who aren’t part of a choir and maybe don’t have the availability to join the Orpheus Community Choir, do not panic; you can still be involved!
Either learn the song through our handy tutorial video in advance of Saturday, 23rd August or turn up on the day and learn a smaller part of the song there and then! We want to make sure that everybody has the chance to take part in this event.
Orpheus and his Parade of Puppets
Beginning in the beautiful natural setting of Cirencester’s Abbey Grounds Park, we’ll be gifted a feast for the eyes, as we bring Orpheus to life, with a mesmerising Parade of Puppets.
This sensational spectacle performance, curated and designed by Russell Kirk with additional puppets from Mandinga Arts, will bring bursts of colour and a spectacle you haven’t seen in Cirencester before. To celebrate the undying spirit of community, the procession will be joined by an abundance of community members who have crafted their own puppets and contributed to the Orpheus story throughout the year. All are welcome and all can take part!
New Brewery Arts drop-in Workshops
There are two opportunities for children and adults alike to come down to New Brewery Arts in the centre of town, and take part in puppet-making workshops. All you have to do is turn up between 11am and 4pm on either Saturday, 16th August, or Wednesday, 20th August, and let your creative flair loose! Click below to learn more via the New Brewery Arts website.
Make a puppet at home
If you are unable to attend one of the drop-in workshops and still want to be a part of the Parade of Puppets, we have made a fun and easy puppet you can make at home! Watch our tutorial video as our specialists take you through the process. Fun for all the family!
Volunteer With Us!
Help Make Orpheus Day Unforgettable
We’re pulling out all the stops to make Orpheus Day a truly magical celebration — and we need you to help make it happen!
Do you love being part of something big? Enjoy helping people or getting stuck into creative fun? Then step up and join our team!
We’re on the lookout for enthusiastic, reliable volunteers to join our incredible team and bring this event to life. Whether you want to bring a puppet to life, lead a team, or guide guests on their journey, there’s a role for you.
Join the adventure. Be a part of Orpheus Day.
Sign up today — we can’t wait to welcome you!
Other Project Orpheus Events
Brickus Orpheus: A New Way to Explore the Ancient World
15th April – 2nd November 2025
Follow the Brickus Orpheus LEGO® brick trail at the Corinium Museum inspired by the legendary story of Orpheus.
Bring Life to your Garden
5th May – 30th September 2025
Cirecenster Wildlife Group have launched a gardening compeition to encourage you to tell your story on how you’ve become a wildlife charmer just like Oprheus.
Singing Workshop for Schools
15th July – 16th July 2025
Choir and education leader Amy Bebbington has been visiting schools teaching part of “A Song for Orpheus” to open up the Phoenix Festival 2025.
Puppet Making Workshop for Schools
26th June – 16th July 2025
Our team have been visiting schools to help children make their own Orpheus-inspired puppet to take part in Orpheus’ Parade of Puppets!
Orpheus singing workshop for young people
Friday 22nd August
Children from 9-15 are invited to take part in our summer singing workshop! Come and have fun singing with our incredible conductor, Stuart Overington.
Orpheus up close – A New Brewery Arts Exhibition
19th July – 4th October 2025
Meet the Orpheus Puppet first-hand in the stunning exhibition space at New Brewery Arts.
Orpheus Workshops for Key Stage 1
Date TBC
More info coming soon.
The Orpheus Walking Trail
July 2025
A new walking trail has been created to celebrate the history, nature and hares of Cirencester!
More info coming soon
The Cirencester Archaeological and HISTORICAL Society Conference
Saturday 6th December 2025
More info coming soon.
A new educational video
More info coming soon.
A Talk on Archaeology with Prof. Mark Horton
More info coming soon.
The Withington Mosaic Comes to Cirencester
More info coming soon.
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The time has come:
Orpheus awakens
Explore the origins of the Orpheus Project and the philosophy that has brought it to life.
Community Collaboration at its best
Project Orpheus made possible through the extraordinary support of local organisations, passionate about celebrating our culture and history.
Find out more about the organisations who have helped make Project Orpheus a reality.