Worcester’s retail and cultural sectors are aligning to launch an extensive program of summer activations designed to drive regional footfall, anchoring public activities across the high street from mid-July through to August 2026.

The campaign represents a strategic collaboration between Cathedral Square and Worcester Cathedral, demonstrating how retail destinations and heritage sites can co-create experiences to keep the city centre vibrant during the school holidays. The Cathedral’s “In Awe and Wonder Land” family activities will start on 22nd July and extend across the summer holidays, while the dedicated “Alice in WorcesterLand” high street takeover at Cathedral Square will run from 27th July to 2nd August 2026.

The central pillar of the joint programming is a live production of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by the This Is My Theatre company. This highly anticipated event will take place on Wednesday, 29th July at 2:00 PM as a live indoor theatre production inside the Cathedral Nave.

Cathedral Square is also joining the adventure, introducing a week-long series of interactive public events.

The business-led activations running in Cathedral Square from 27th July to 2nd August 2026 include window art installations by local artist Catt Standen, a giant playing card scavenger hunt with prizes ranging from mini-golf rounds to gym memberships, and more fun activations hosted by Cathedral Square’s fantastic tenants. On the afternoon of the headline theatre performance, iconic characters will also roam the square between 11:00 AM and 2:30 PM to engage shoppers.

“We can’t wait to bring these classic characters to life in the vibrant heart of Cathedral Square is going to be magical,” said Cathedral Square Centre Manager, Maria Hughes.

The public calendar across the two venues includes:

  • Family Craft & Storytime: Operating as a drop-in event in the Cathedral Nave on Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd July from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, focusing on Mad Hatter crafts at one pound per child.
  • Polymer Clay Earring Workshop: An adult-focused artisan class on Saturday 25th July from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, priced at twenty-five pounds per person.
  • Cathedral Square Takeover: Running from 27th July to 2nd August 2026, featuring character meet-and-greets, Escape Hunt outdoor adventures, and business prize giveaways.
  • Theatre Production: The live performance of Alice’s Adventures in at Worcester Cathedral on Wednesday 29th July at 2:00 PM, with tickets ranging from zero, with the first 100 children to go free!, to twenty pounds.
  • Lawn Croquet: A family-friendly interactive event on the Old Palace Top Lawn on Thursday 6th August from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, operating on a donation basis.
  • Summer Holiday Trail: The “Alice in Awe and Wonder Land Trail” will remain active throughout the entirety of the summer holidays, allowing families to pick up a trail map from the Cathedral Welcome Desk for one pound.

So why not join Alice as she tumbles down the rabbit hole and encounters a whirlwind of curious characters right here in Worcester?

Find out more about the Cathedral’s Alice in Wonderland Programme here: https://www.worcestercathedral.org.uk/whats-on/alice-s-adventures-in-wonderland

Discover Cathedral Square here: https://www.cathedral-square.co.uk/offers-events/alice-in-worcesterland