20-31 Dec. Organisers claim that this festival has become the most important festival of its genre in Europe. It certainly features an impressive line-up of choirs from the United States who showcase the tradition of Gospel music in continuous evolution.

The programme this year presents a couple of novelties including the presence of Grammy Award winner Dr Bobby Jones, the well-known singer and television presenter. It also features the New York Choir, the Harlem Gospel Choir, the Chicago Gospel Choir, the Songs of Solomon, the Spirit of New Orleans, Light of Love and Gospel Victory of Chicago as well as soloists Craig Adams and Monica Lisa Stevenson.

One of the best loved traditional formations, The Johnny Thompson Singers from Philadelphia, kicks off the festival.