Remembrance Sunday is 8 November. Last year the Cathedral service began at 10am, with the two-minute silence at 11am at the Outer Close war memorial. No ticket.

Remembrance Sunday this year is Sunday 8 November 2026. In Winchester the day centres on the Cathedral: a service at 10am, then the two-minute silence at 11am at the war memorial in the Outer Close. Armistice Day, 11 November, falls on a Wednesday.

Updated 3 October: the Cathedral has listed a Chamber Choir Remembrance concert for Saturday 7 November. The 2026 service itself is still not posted.

Winchester Cathedral has not yet posted its 2026 service. The detail below is from its 2025 listing, and the pattern has been the same for years.

The quick answer

  • Sunday 8 November 2026: Remembrance Sunday. Last year the Cathedral service started at 10am, doors at 9am.
  • Two-minute silence at 11am at the War Memorial in the Outer Close, open to anyone standing outside.
  • No ticket needed for general seating. Come early; it is first come, first served.

What happened in 2025

Winchester Cathedral’s 2025 service listing set out the morning:

  • 9am: doors open.
  • 10am: the Custos rings the bell and the service begins with the choir singing “They shall not grow old as we who are left grow old”.
  • Shortly before 11am: the congregation goes outside to join the hundreds already gathered around the War Memorial in the Outer Close for the Act of Remembrance and the two-minute silence.
  • After the silence: dozens of local groups and associations lay wreaths at the memorial.

The Cathedral said everyone was welcome, that no ticket was needed for general seating, and that anyone who could not come could watch online on the Cathedral Channel. Visit Winchester warned it would be very busy, with invited guests, the military, veterans, uniformed groups, schools, civic leaders and other faiths.

The Chamber Choir’s Remembrance concert, 7 November

The day before, Saturday 7 November 2026, 12pm to 12.45pm, Winchester Cathedral’s Chamber Choir, directed by Joshua Stephens, sings a lunchtime concert for the season of Remembrance: Frank Martin’s Messe, Herbert Howells’ Requiem and his “Take him, earth, for cherishing”. It is free with a cathedral annual pass but must be booked in advance, online, on 01962 857 275 or at the box office inside the cathedral (Winchester Cathedral).

Armistice Day at the Guildhall

On Armistice Day last year the Mayor of Winchester joined the Royal British Legion on the steps of the Guildhall at 11am for a two-minute silence, and the council said the public were welcome (Winchester City Council). This year 11 November is a Wednesday.

The Garden of Remembrance

Each November the Royal British Legion opens a Garden of Remembrance in the Cathedral grounds: a small fenced area near the statue of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps soldier where anyone can leave a poppy cross. In 2025 it opened with a short service on Tuesday 4 November, and the Legion’s women’s branch chair said the service had been running for more than 20 years. Poppies were also added to the railings of Abbey House, the Mayor’s residence. All of that is from the same council news release.

Around the district

The council said acts of remembrance also took place last year in Bishop’s Waltham, Alresford and Denmead. Visit Winchester’s 2025 round-up added:

  • Bishop’s Waltham: a parade through the High Street and a service at St Peter’s Church on Remembrance Sunday, then a two-minute silence and an air raid siren on the High Street on 11 November.
  • Alresford: a Remembrance concert by Alresford Community Choir on Saturday 8 November 2025 at St John the Baptist Church, for the Royal British Legion and SSAFA.

None of the parish or town councils had published 2026 details when we checked on 25 September.

Getting there

The Cathedral is in the city centre. Park and ride buses do not run on Sundays (Winchester City Council), so plan to drive to a car park or walk in. See our parking in Winchester page and check the roadworks and travel page for any closures that morning. The week before is the city’s bonfire and fireworks.

Still to be confirmed

  • The Cathedral’s 2026 service listing, including who leads and preaches. Expected in October. This page will be updated.
  • Any road closure orders for parades in the city or the market towns.
  • 2026 arrangements in Bishop’s Waltham, Alresford and Denmead.