Union Chapel Open Day 2024

Walk within our walls on Saturday 14 September to discover our Grade I & II* listed buildings, unique organ, 200+ year legacy, and plans for the future - plus organ technology workshops for ages 7+ - in this unique day for all.

Discover what we do in the beautiful Victorian Gothic chapel, which is home to an inclusive church, an award winning live venue, one of the UK's finest organs, and The Margins Project supporting those in crisis in London.

Learn more and book free tickets below for our guided tours, family workshops learning how an organ works, organ recital, and more.

SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER, 9.45am - 2pm

*Free pre booking required for activities*

Or, just turn up between 9.45am - 2pm for a self-guided tour of our space.

Refreshments available to purchase.

Family Workshops: Wooden One-octave Organ For Young Technologists

Explore the connections between music, science, engineering and technology. The WOOFYT makes these connections visible and audible, linking music in a simple and direct way with the physics of fluids and the technology of pumps and valves. This workshop is generously supported by the Institute of Physics.

"Both my daughter and I enjoyed it all - learning about physics too - but she very much enjoyed getting to ‘play’ the organ."

9:45 - 10:45 Session 1 aimed at ages 7-10  Book 

11:15 - 12:15 Session 2 aimed at ages 11+   Book

Guided Tours

Currently sold out - but don't fret! All are welcome to turn up for a self-guided tour of our space.

Discover our legacy, future, community, and the stage that has hosted Amy Winehouse, Elthon John, Ed Sheeran, Adele, Mavis Staples, Damon Albarn, Olivia Coleman, Nick Cave, and more. Only 30 places available per slot!

"A thorough description of the history and architecture of the building." "All very friendly and informal."

10:00 - 11:00 Guided Tour Book 

11:00 - 12:00 Guided Tour Book 

13:00 - 14:00 Guided Tour Book

Organ Recital

A lunchtime treat from Union Chapel's organ students and their tutor and acclaimed concert organist Jeremiah Stephenson on the world-famous 1877 Willis organ.

"I came for a tour of the chapel - but actually enjoyed the enthusiasm of the organist most."
"The talent and courage of the young performers." "The organ music and the calm atmosphere."

12:00 - 13:00 Book

Tag A Tile

Your chance to be a part of Union Chapel's building by making your mark on a roof tile that will be part of our Sunday School Hall.

We'll be taking donations at our Open Day to support our Sunday School Stories Project renovations and community activity programme. Supporters will get to write a message or picture on a donated Keymer roof tile that will be installed into our Grade II* listed Sunday School Hall during its essential works saving the building to bring it back to the community. Find out more about Sunday School Stories Project here.

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Stick around after our activities to chat with us in our bar and take in some behind-the-scenes films of Union Chapel's work with refreshments available to purchase.

Tube: Highbury & Islington  |  Train: Highbury & Islington, King's Cross  |  Bus: 4, 19, 30, 43, 271

Additional travel info: We encourage visitors to travel by public transport or bike. Bike racks are available at Highbury Roundabout or on Upper Street nearby.

Founded in 1799 by a group of ‘radical activist’ Nonconformist Christians, Union Chapel’s founding principal was to be a ‘Friend for All’. In 1991 Union Chapel Project charity was formed to preserve the building and open up the space to as many people as possible to enjoy, and to develop the building for cultural and community use. The next year, the space became a stage for live performance, beginning our journey to being one of the most beloved London music venues where you could see international stars, emerging talent, and experience the stunning acoustics fill with the sounds of all genres.

 Love from open days past: 

"The event and the venue worked perfectly together. It was one of the most engaging things I have been"

“So much more than you’d expect from a typical chapel” 

“It really captures the essence of how special the chapel is and the wonderful hugely varied work” 

“It really breathed life into the idea of Union Chapel to the children” 

"Fabulous community event and organisation! Keep it up!" "I enjoyed my visit tremendously"

Got free tickets? Please consider donating to our organ here.

Designed & built for Union Chapel’s size & acoustics in 1877 by master organ builder Henry “Father” Willis. Known to be one of his finest & registered as an instrument of importance by the British Institute of Organ Studies, it is one of few organs left in the UK with a fully working original hydraulic blowing system.

Our highly praised organ programme of education and performance provides opportunities for all ages and disadvantaged communities with a supported path from childhood to professional organ performance and composition of all genres.

Through free workshops, residencies, scholarships, lessons, tours, and our critically acclaimed festival Organ Reframed, our programme is world renowned for its innovative approach.

Please consider donating to support this work and to help maintain our unique & historic organ. Your donation can fund...

• £10 One primary school student place at an organ workshop. 
• £15 A subsidised ticket for an organ recital or concert for someone who would otherwise miss out. 
• £30 One free organ lesson for a local young person with a Royal College of Organists Accredited Teacher. 
• £150 A month of organ maintenance and routine repairs. 
• £250 An educational organ-building workshop for young people. 
• £500 An organ masterclass for student composers.