📰 ELY — What’s Happening This Week
(curated by Ely Online Editor)

Sunday 13 September 2026

Ely’s September programme is now properly under way, and today is actually a particularly good local-events day: there’s a free Health & Wellbeing Fair at Jubilee Gardens, the Cathedral has its Physick Garden event and its Brass & Organ Spectacular, and the regular Sunday Market is running.

🗞️ Local News & Developments
🏥 Free Health & Wellbeing Fair — TODAY

Sunday 13 September, 11am–3pm
📍 Jubilee Gardens, Ely, CB7 4BJ
🎟️ Free

East Cambridgeshire District Council is holding its fourth annual Health and Well Fair today.

There are sports taster sessions, a free climbing wall and smoothie bikes, Health MOTs, CPR demonstrations from the East Anglian Air Ambulance, cost-of-living advice and information from local clubs and organisations.

🗞️ Latest Local News & Developments

🍽️ Recent opening: Grain Kitchen & Bar

Meanwhile, Grain Kitchen & Bar is now open at Ely Leisure Village in the former Mangiare premises. It opened on 7 August and is an independent all-day restaurant serving modern British food with global influences.

🎭 What’s On in Ely
🛍️ Sunday Market — TODAY

Sunday 13 September, 9am–3pm
📍 Ely Market Place

The regular Sunday Market is running today, with food, plants, gifts, vintage collectables, vinyl and other local traders.

🌿 Physick Garden Talk & Tour — TODAY

Sunday 13 September, 1:30pm
📍 Ely Cathedral Physick Garden

A one-hour guided tour explaining how plants in the medieval Physick Garden would have been used for healing.

🎺 Brass & Organ Spectacular — TODAY

Sunday 13 September
📍 Ely Cathedral

Prime Brass joins the Cathedral organ for a special concert. This is one of the standout musical events in Ely this month.

So if you’re looking for something to do today, Ely actually has a surprisingly good choice: market → Health Fair → Cathedral.

🏛️ Heritage Open Days

The Heritage Open Days programme continues through today, with the Cathedral offering special access and events.

The Physick Garden tour is today’s particularly useful remaining event.

The Cathedral has also confirmed a run of historic precinct tours next week:

🚶 Stories of Ely Cathedral

16–19 September
📍 Ely Cathedral and medieval precinct

These guided tours explore the historic monastic buildings and stories surrounding the Cathedral.

🎵 Live Music & Culture
🎹 Ely Chamber Group

Thursday 17 September
📍 Ely Cathedral

A lunchtime recital by the Ely Chamber Group.

🎸 Gryphon

Thursday 17 September, 7:30pm
📍 The Maltings, Ship Lane, Ely, CB7 4BB

The progressive-rock/folk/classical group Gryphon comes to Ely as part of its current tour.

This remains one of the most interesting non-Cathedral music events in the city this month.

🎼 Arthur Wills @100

Saturday 19 September
📍 Ely Cathedral

A special organ recital marking the centenary of composer and organist Arthur Wills.

🎻 Ely Sinfonia

Saturday 26 September, 7:30pm
📍 Ely Cathedral

The autumn concert features Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7, Martinů’s Rhapsody-Concerto and a world premiere by David John Roche.

This remains my pick for the best major classical concert coming up in Ely.

👶 Family Events
👶 Little Explorers

Friday 18 September, 10am–12pm
📍 Ely Museum, The Old Gaol, Market Street

A creative session for pre-school children featuring stories, songs and craft activities.

🐾 Animal Service

Sunday 20 September, 1:30pm
📍 Ely Cathedral

One of Ely’s more unusual annual events.

People can bring pets and working animals for a blessing, while photographs can be brought for animals that can’t attend. Dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and other animals are welcome.

No booking is required, with collections supporting animal charities.

🛍️ Markets
Saturday Craft, Food & Vintage Market

Saturday 19 September, 8:30am–3:30pm
📍 Ely Market Place

Local makers, bakers, vintage traders, books, antiques, artisan food and street food.

Another market follows on Saturday 26 September.

🚗 Roads & Transport

There isn’t a major new Ely-specific road closure that warrants a warning this week.

The main practical point is that today’s Jubilee Gardens/City Centre events and Cathedral activities will increase pedestrian activity, so central parking may be busier than normal.

🌦️ Ely Weather

The week starts quite warm, with Monday and Tuesday the best chances for pleasant outdoor weather. It then turns noticeably cooler from Wednesday, with a more autumnal feel and some showers, particularly Thursday.

So today’s events are worth bearing in mind if you’re happy with a little unsettled weather; Monday and Tuesday currently look like the best outdoor days. The forecast is also considerably cooler by the weekend.