Throughout Play the Organ Year 2025, organists around the UK and overseas will be holding First
Encounter performances and Play the Organ sessions designed to allow anyone to experience this
remarkable instrument first hand. Click the map (or overseas button if not in the UK) below to find
events listed for your region.
The Victoria Hall, Victoria Road, Shipley, BD18 3JS
Come and play our 3 manual 12 rank Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ, and visit the organ chambers with professional guidance. Open to all, from complete beginners to pianists and church or electronic organists. Refreshments available.
Link: https://www.cinema-organs.org.uk/northern-district/
East Midlands
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West Midlands
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Wales
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Eastern England
S W Herts - Try your hand at our pipe organ
Saturday 7th June 2025 – Wednesday 31st December 2025
St. Paul’s Church, Chipperfield, Hertfordshire WD4 9BS
Never played the organ before (or possibly any other instrument!) / used to playing the piano/starting out on the organ? If so, our church will aim to arrange a mutually convenient time for you to experience playing our fine, three manual and pedal, 40-stop organ with historic pipe-work. Contact Stephen Morrill at smorrill26@outlook.com for further details and to book a guided 30-minute session free of charge. Experienced organists are also invited to try our organ.
Link: mailto:Smorrill26@outlook.com
Organ Open Day
Saturday 22nd November 2025 (10:00 – 16:00)
St James the Greater, London Road, Leicester, LE2 1NE
Join us to hear and play our wonderful pipe organ - the King of Instruments. All are welcome to this event where our organist team and guests will be playing a variety of music and hymns throughout the day.
There will be opportunities to learn about and play the organ, as well as hear about the many musical activities at St. James the Greater. Donations to support our musical activities. Please invite your friends, especially young people who might be interested in learning the organ!
Link: http://www.adlibitum.co.uk/sjg/
South East England
S W Herts - Try your hand at our pipe organ
Tuesday 18th March 2025 – Wednesday 31st December 2025
St. Paul’s Church, Chipperfield, Hertfordshire WD4 9BS
Never played the organ before (or possibly any other instrument!) / used to playing the piano/starting out on the organ? If so, our church will aim to arrange a mutually convenient time for you to experience playing our fine, three manual and pedal, 40-stop organ with historic pipe-work. Contact Stephen Morrill at smorrill26@outlook.com for further details and to book a guided 30-minute session free of charge. Experienced organists are also invited to try our organ.
Link: mailto:Smorrill26@outlook.com
Link: mailto:Smorrill26@outlook.com
Play The Organ | Free Workshop
Wednesday 19th November 2025 (10:45 – 13:00)
Union Chapel
Free Entry - pre-booking essential
Never played the organ before, or perhaps any other instrument? Are you used to playing the piano and thinking about starting out on the organ? Join us for this unique opportunity to learn more about our organ and have a go as part of Play the Organ Year 2025, regardless of your ability or experience.
Link: https://unionchapel.org.uk/venue/whats-on/play-the-organ-free-workshop
The Royal School of Church Music Director's Challenge
Friday 21st November 2025 (17:00)
Viscount Organs, Bicester
25 hours of organ playing. Hugh Morris, Director of the RSCM, will be playing the organ for a marathon 25 hours in 2025 to mark Play the Organ Year. This will be streamed on the RSCM YouTube channel. There will be a mix of organ music and hymns, with a series of special guests appearing each hour. Hugh has also challenged himself to learn a new piece for the marathon organ play. See also how you can join in and use the challenge as a springboard for your own Play the Organ Year event!
Link: https://www.rscm.org.uk/whats-on/directors-challenge/
Open Organ Morning
Saturday 22nd November 2025 (10:00 – 11:30)
St. Nicholas, Sevenoaks
An opportunity for members of the St. Nicholas church family to become acquainted with/play the organ under the supervision of the church's organist.
Ringmer and Lewes Play the Organ project 2025
Saturday 22nd November 2025 (14:00 – 16:00)
St Mary the Virgin, Ringmer & St Michael's Lewes, St Anne's Lewes
Working together these churches are publicising the national event of November 22nd between 2-4, with simultaneously playing of Handel's Largo and the invitation for people of all ages to come and play our great church organs.
Link: https://www.ringmerparishchurch.org.uk/Groups/426616/Music.aspx