Little Missenden Festival

The village of Little Missenden in Buckinghamshire has hosted a 10-day Festival of Music and the Arts every October since 1960, excepting 2020. There is always a stimulating variety of events with performances of the highest artistic quality held in the perfect acoustics and evocative surroundings of the 10th-century church of St John the Baptist. Early, baroque, classical and contemporary music, jazz, folk, art lectures, literary discussions, poetry readings and children's events have all featured during the Festival. The music ranges from classical masterworks to lesser known repertoires, and showcases promising young musical talents as well as renowned artists and composers.

Early music has always played a significant role in the Festival from lute songs with Peter Pears and Julian Bream in the early days to later generations of performers such as the Hilliard Ensemble, The Clerks Group, and Gothic Voices. In recent years we have hosted performances by Helen Charlston, Ensemble Pro Victoria, The Gesualdo Six, The Marian Consort, Mahan Esfahani, The Brook Street Band and Joglaresa. In 2025 we have concerts by The Monteverdi String Band, Stile Antico, Chelys Consort of Viols and Siglo de Oro.