Experience a candlelit journey into the spiritual heart of a medieval Christmas. Following on from their sell-out appearance last year, Opus Anglicanum return to Wivenhoe with their most popular Christmas concert,Mediaeval Carols. From simple Gregorian chant and devotional polyphony to joyous & raucous Christmas songs (some of which are over 800 years old), hear beautiful mediaeval readings interspersed within the music creating peaceful moments of quiet reflection. One of the UKs Top 10 Carol Concerts The Guardian If you want to escape the usual seasonal fare completely, you could do no better than Mediaeval Carols. Opus Anglicanum presents a feast of words and music of the very highest quality. RSCM

We are very fortunate to have the Churchfitters coming to Wivenhoe this year. Their origins began in Colchester in the late 70s and early 80s, and where they still have a big following. These days they live in France. The Churchfitters is a band like no other. A double bass made out of a saucepan, heart-wrenching vocals accompanied by a musical saw or a glass harp, foot-stompingly fast fiddle mixed with infectious funk-rock rhythms and traditional tunes reinvigorated with mesmerising jazz sax. These three virtuoso musicians from England and France strut their stuff on a stage that bristles with instruments - adding flute, banjo, dulcimer, tin whistle, guitar, ukulele, electric hub-cap bass-bouzouki and a sackful of percussion to their ensemble. And let’s not forget the unique ‘bing-bong’ machine made out of hack-saw blades. Throw in some exquisite harmonies, a slew of startlingly original songs and a few jokes that create instant rapport and you’ve got a high energy show that always leaves audiences cheering. Once seen, never forgotten.