Mobo award-winning singer Laura Mvula is among a host of artists set to perform at this year’s Canterbury Festival.

The two-week celebration of the arts boasts a programme of global stars, emerging local talent and live performances.

Music, comedy, talks and family events will take place at venues including Canterbury Cathedral, The Marlowe, Kent College’s new Great Hall and the touring Salon Perdu Spiegeltent from Saturday, October 19, to Saturday, November 2.

The festival has a packed line-up with Green Garden hit-maker Mvula joined by British singer Jack Savoretti and chart-topping folk-pop duo Ward Thomas.

The classical line-up features live musicians and vocalists from around the world. Audiences can also enjoy jazz, rock and blues music from acts including The 360 Band featuring Average White Band members Hamish Stuart, Molly Duncan and Steve Ferrone, Tex-mex Border music from Los Pacaminos featuring Paul Young, and Americana super group Orphan Colours featuring members of Ahab and Noah and the Whale.

Canterbury Christ Church University - festival partner and main sponsor - will also present a series of free concerts and performances taking place at St Gregory’s Centre for Music and Anselm Studio.

A packed programme of performance acts starts with The Spiegeltent Spectacular fundraiser - a procession of music, dancing and cabaret.

Festival favourites Casus return for two nights of bonkers circus in the big top and there will also be A Night at the Musicals with the award-winning Ebony and Ivory of Drag, Le Gateau Chocolat and Jonny Woo.

The Laughing Boy Comedy Club, which helped launch the careers of Josh Widdicombe, Jon Richardson and Michael McIntyre, will also be showcasing some of the UK’s rising stand-up stars.

Visitors can enjoy a host of talks covering everything from history and crime, to the clergy and Rupert Bear.

There will be plenty for families, including Chicken Licken with three fun-filled tales from the Ladybird books, award-winning musical-comedian Jay Foremanwith Disgusting Songs for Revolting Children and the return of Baby Loves Disco.

n To see the full line-up and booking details visit canterburyfestival.co.uk.

Festival friends priority booking opens Monday, July 15, at 11am, and general booking opens Monday, July 29, 11am.

To book tickets for festival events taking place at The Marlowe, please contact the Box Office on 01227 787787 or visit marlowetheatre.com

Read more: All the latest news from Canterbury