'You will experience the beauty of the Church' CELEBRATE festival 'enthusiastically recommended' after successful 2026 event
By Emma Martin
Over 1,000 faithful gathered at Worth School as CELEBRATE festival lit up West Sussex.
Running from Saturday 15 to Wednesday 19 August, over 1,000 people gathered for CELEBRATE festival 2026, the Catholic family festival held over five spectacular days at Worth Abbey and Worth School, West Sussex.
Featuring a packed programme for every generation, this year's gathering took as its theme "Let There Be Light" (Genesis 1:3-4), drawing families, young people, singles,
couples and grandparents from across the UK and beyond for a week of worship, prayer,
teaching, sacraments and fellowship.
CELEBRATE Trust, supported by CHARIS England and Wales, is a national Catholic ministry that inspires and equips people of all ages to live an authentic Christian life in the power of the Holy Spirit, in support of the family, to form the next generation and encourage local community.
All night adoration and faith communities bringing hope and light
Across the five days, delegates enjoyed daily Mass, all-night Adoration of the Blessed
Sacrament, and the opportunity to venerate a first-class relic of Saint Carlo Acutis. International. Keynote speakers included Fr Roberto Pasolini OFM Cap, Preacher to the Papal Household; Dr Johannes Hartl, theologian and founder of the House of Prayer in Augsburg, Germany; Christy Wimber from the USA; renowned speaker David Wells; and Jordan Kelly.
A "Panel of Light"of speakers was also welcomed. The speakers were:
Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, Campaign Director for 40 Days for Life and Co-director of March for Life UK.
Abi Martin, CEO of St Chad’s Sanctuary, a place of welcome for asylum seekers and refugees.
Steve Horne, Pastor of Emmanuel Church, Brighton, leading a local congregation in a diverse area.
They each addressed how faith communities can bring hope to some of society's most pressing challenges and shine light into dark places
Worship was led by One Hope Project and ecumenical worship guest and recent chart-topper Elle Limebear, with sessions in the Big Top drawing a thousand voices in joyful praise and worship. Children and young people were catered for at every age and stage, with groups for all school years aptly titled: from Little Lights and the festival creche through Sparks, Kindle and Glow, to the youth discipleship groups Shine and Ablaze, and Joel's Bar for young adults aged 18-24.
Family Fun Time brought puppet shows, sports and games, a St Francis treasure hunt with
CAFOD, face painting and a special SEN family music therapy session, alongside an exclusive preview screening of the new animated film "David". Evenings offered a Quiz Night, a Talent Show and a festival community gathering "Ice Cream Sunday", where old friends and new were welcomed with free ice cream.
'I would enthusiastically recommend CELEBRATE as a Catholic summer festival'
The festival was celebrated with the support of Bishop Philip Egan, Bishop of Portsmouth,
together with Fr Emmanuel Mansford, of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, Fr John
McKenna, Fr Paschal Uche, and Fr Rod Jones of Worth Abbey.
Fr Emmanuel Mansford CFR said: "If you come to CELEBRATE, you will experience the beauty of the Church, faith, family, friendship and fellowship. It gives opportunities to grow deeper in relationship with God.
"A big part of the beauty of this event is that you can talk easily about who you are, about your faith and your struggles.”
Bishop Philip Egan added: "I would enthusiastically recommend CELEBRATE as a Catholic summer festival."
Looking ahead to 2027
Building on this year's momentum, CELEBRATE festival will return to Worth Abbey from 14
August 2027 for five days, with camping discounts available for early bookers for a limited time.
CELEBRATE festival 2026 was made possible with the support of partners including CHARIS England and Wales, Benefact Trust, CAFOD, , Divine Renovation, GIFT, Puer Iesus College and The Chosen, alongside a large team of clergy, speakers, worship leaders, Catholic ministries, children's and youth teams, stewards and volunteers.
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