Celebrations for the 400th anniversary of the birth of Quaker co-founder George Fox will take place throughout 2024. Many of these events can be joined online, from around the world. Find out more.
If you are organising an event to mark the occasion, please let us know by emailing us.
Events
For more information and registration, please click on the name of the event.
The Start of the Quaker Way: Fox 400
Online. 4 October – 24 October 2024. There are live Zoom sessions on Thursdays 10th, 17th and 24th October at 19:00-20:30 BST.
Explore the beginnings of the Quaker movement and how the summer of 1652 proved pivotal for the start of the Quaker movement. The course is based around a series of films and discussion topics with the option of live discussion with the tutor each week.
Rasulia Hoshangabad (renamed Narmadapuram)
9-13 October 2024
Who was George Fox? The First Quaker
Brighton Quaker Meeting House, Friends’ Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton, BN1 1AF, UK
12 October, 14:30-16:30 BST
A talk given by Geoffrey Durham, well-known TV personality and long-standing Quaker. Tea and cakes after Q and A. Tickets free at the link above. Donations welcome.
George Fox: the first Quaker Socialist?
Online. 4 November 19:30 (GMT)
The Quaker Socialist Society will be holding a Zoom meeting in which Graham Taylor will talk on the subject ‘George Fox: the first Quaker Socialist?’ Full details and the Zoom link will be provided nearer the time.
The Religious Roots of the Historic Peace Churches
Online. 5 November, 19:30 (GMT)
The Anabaptist Theology Forum is hosting a presentation by Friend Stuart Masters on ‘The Religious Roots of the Historic Peace Churches.’
Please click on this link to attend on Zoom. Meeting ID: 880 2117 7548; passcode: 057145
George Fox: global Quaker perspectives
Online. 9 November, 16:00-17:30 (GMT)
This single live session will feature Emma Condori Mamani who is a member of Santidad (Holiness) Yearly Meeting in Bolivia, Alfred Wasike who is a member of the Uganda Friends Church, and Nim Njuguna who has been active among Friends in both Britain and Kenya.
George Fox: an African-American Indigenous Quaker perspective
Online. 23 November, 16:00-17:30 (GMT)
Vanessa Julye serves as the Coordinator of the Ministry on Racism with Friends General Conference, based in Philadelphia, where she is a member of Central Philadelphia Friends Meeting. In this session Vanessa Julye will offer an African-American Indigenous perspective on Fox.
Sing and Rejoice: George Fox, the English Civil Wars and the Beginnings of Quakerism
Quaker Tapestry Museum, Kendal
Open until 14 December
A special exhibition at the Quaker Tapestry museum in England. This exhibition showcases the story of George Fox and the development of Quakerism, featuring contributions from Friends House and Swarthmoor Hall, along with reproductions from the state papers at the national archives.
Past events:
Celebration for 400th Birthday of George Fox
Columbia Friends Meeting, South Carolina, USA
7 January 2024 at 10:00
The first part of the programme will follow the unprogrammed tradition of Friends’ Meetings with 30 minutes of prayerful silence.
Young Friends will then present a programme highlighting the life and legacy of George Fox followed by a 17th century birthday cake and lunch—which Columbia Friends will provide. Guests from Columbia Interfaith Partners of South Carolina are welcome, during this month of Interfaith Harmony. Attendance can be in-person or online via Zoom. Please register by email.
Spring Social
South Belfast Preparative Meeting
24 February 2024 at 18:00 (GMT)
A potluck meal and quiz to raise money for Quaker Service (Quaker Service is a charity in Northern Ireland providing services in the community for families and prisoners), incorporating George Fox’s 400 anniversary themes into the quiz, and possibly the potluck. This event is free, but it is hoped those attending will feel led to assist with fundraising on the night.
Exhibition
Alfreton Library, Derbyshire
1-31 March 2024
There are 3 small glass cases exhibiting items in the library – a short history, mention of local miracles (Mansfield); the Mansfield Quaker trail and some books including the Journal of George Fox, Faith and Practice, and some historic books from Chesterfield LM including “The great case against tithes”
In conjunction with this there will be an open Meeting for Worship on March 20th at 10.30am in Alfreton Christian Centre.
George Fox and Early Quaker Culture
Glenthorne Quaker Guesthouse
26-28 April 2024
George Fox was a key leader of the early Quaker movement but how did he create such a powerful Quaker culture? What were the hallmarks of the early Quaker faith and practice? Why was he so successful?
Happy Birthday George Fox
Cambridge Friends Meeting
5 May 2024
A presentation by Paul Anderson (George Fox University) exploring the theme “Valiant for the Truth – then and now”.
Margaret Fell, Mother of Quakerism
Cambridge Friends Meeting
6 May 2024
A presentation by Janet Scott exploring the history-changing contribution of Margaret Fell’s legacy and her most well-known written work “Women’s Speaking Justified”.
A Ramble with Fox in Mind
Brigflatts Quaker Meeting
11 May 2024, 10.00 BST
A walk from Fox’s Pulpit on Firbank Fell to Sedbergh town passing Drawell Farm at Bramaskew. From Sedbergh there will be an option to walk the last 2 miles to Brigflatts for refreshments.
Tour of Pennsbury Manor, the home of William Penn (in-person event)
19 May 2024
This special visit for the Friends Historical Association will focus on William Penn’s Quakerism and his relationship to George Fox. It will include a tour and conversation, both with Site Director Doug Miller. The event is free but registration is required at the above link.
George Fox 400 Celebration Day
Hartshill Quaker Meeting
25 May 2024 at 10:00 (BST)
Hartshill is the nearest Quaker meeting to the village of Fenny Drayton where George Fox was born. The meeting will showcase George Fox and Hartshill Quaker heritage displays and share creative work exploring the legacy of Fox.
George Fox on Spirituality, Community, Witness, and Hope
Woodbrooke course, 28 May – 13 June. The single live Zoom session is at 19:00-20:30 (BST) on Thursday 13 June.
A short online course exploring four well-known passages written by George Fox including by listening to them performed in plainsong by Paulette Meier.
“William Penn: Enigmatic Quaker, Founding Father” by J. William Frost (virtual event)
29 May 2024, 12:00 (ET (find my local time)
Quakers: the Who, What, When, Where, Why, How
8 June 2024, Northern Monthly Meeting, New Zealand
George Fox at 400: What Canst Thou Say? – A Workshop
Rathfarnham Meeting House, Dublin, Ireland
8 June 2024, 13:00-16:30 (BST)
Would George Fox agree that, 400 years after his birth, Quakers in Ireland uphold his message? Lunch (bring your own) at 13:00, workshop from 14:00. Register by 5 June by email.
Fox’s Pulpit Meeting for Worship
Brigflatts, UK
9 June 2024
Speaker: Judith Baker. Brigflatts Friends will organise the parking in farmers’ fields at Fox’s Pulpit and back at Brigflatts plus providing tea and cake afterwards.
Letchworth Quakers’ Open Day
Howgills Friends Meeting House, Letchworth
15 June 2024, 11:00-15:30 (BST)
Quakers in Letchworth are holding an open day to celebrate the 400th birthday of George Fox. Howgills Friends Meeting House is opening its doors from 11am to 3.30pm. Refreshments and activities will be on offer for adults and children.
George Fox: a feminist Quaker perspective
Online, 18 June 2024, 19:00-20:30 (BST)
Rachel Muers, who is a Quaker and Chair of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh, will explore George Fox’s attitude towards women, and assess his legacy as an advocate of spiritual equality.
Fox at 400: The Life, Times, and Legacies of George Fox
Conference of Quaker Historians and Archivists – Lancaster University and online
20-23 June 2024
A Joint Conference of the Conference of Quaker Historians and Archivists, Centre for Research in Quaker Studies, and the Quaker Studies Research Association held online and at Lancaster University, England. See registration page for costs.
In Fox’s Footsteps: 1652 Country Quaker Pilgrimage
Swarthmoor Hall, Ulverston, UK
Sunday 23 June – Thursday 27 June 2024
This spiritual journey will transport you to the heart of the Quaker movement, offering a unique opportunity to explore historic meeting houses and early Quaker sites. Featuring four nights at Swarthmoor Hall.
George Fox 400 Birthday Party
Arch Street Meeting House, Philadelphia, PA, USA
29 June 2024 from 10:00 – 16:00 (EST)
A birthday party for George Fox. Engage with historical characters, crafts, games and more. Join for a birthday picnic at lunchtime and take in the other historic sites around the meetinghouse. More information here.
Rooted in Story: Reflections on 400 Years of George Fox
Friends General Conference, USA 1 July 2024
Registrants attending the 2024 week-long FGC Gathering at Haverford College in Pennsylvania, USA will listen to a panel discussion of diverse Friends discussing the legacy, influence, and storytelling that surrounds the life of George Fox.
Experiment with Light, a Quaker Spiritual Practice
Experiment with Light, online
A meditative process of listening prayer, based on the writings of George Fox. Quakers from Britain Yearly Meeting will guide this process, explaining how it arose from a study of George Fox’s writings, and has become a spiritual practice used around the world. This event is free of charge.
We will take about 1 hour 45 minutes, including a brief introduction; then the guided practice, time for individual reflection, and time for worship sharing. Many people find it useful to have writing or drawing materials handy as part of this practice. We have to limit numbers, so it will be first come first served.
A website is available if you wish to find out more in advance. https://experiment-with-light.
This event will be repeated three times, to be accessible for different time zones:
- 30 June 2024 at 16:00 (BST – find my local time)
Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 827 7879 3650
Passcode: 770868 - 3 July 2024 at 19:00 (BST)
Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 818 3569 6607
Passcode: 928523 - 6 July at 10:00 (BST)
Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 889 9702 3156
Passcode: 720612
Explore the Quaker book collection
Central City Library, Auckland, Aotearoa/New Zealand
4 July 10.30-11.30am
An opportunity to explore Quaker testimonies of Peace, Simplicity, Integrity, Equality and Sustainability through the Quaker books collection, with curators Jane Wild and Renée Orr.
Throughout June and July a rare 1694 edition of George Fox’s journal will be on display at the library, as well as other books published by Quakers.
Geoffrey Durham on George Fox
Barrow Library, UK
6 July
George Fox 400th Anniversary Open Day Ross on Wye, UK
6 July, 10:00 – 16:00 BST
Find us at:
Friends Meeting House
Brampton Street
Ross On Wye
Herefordshire HR9 7EQ
United Kingdom
George Fox 400: A Concert of Words and Music
Jordans Quaker Meeting House, Welders Lane, Jordans, UK
7 July 15:00 BST, refreshments to follow at 16:30 BST
Musicians: Jane Faulkner (violin), Richard Simpson (oboe), Esther Cavett (piano). Narrators: Kat Troth, Martin Pounce. Free admission: Donations to Musicians for Peace and Disarmament.
George Fox’s Australian Birthday Party
Australia Yearly Meeting
12 July 2024, 16:30 AEST (UTC+10 – find my local time)
A birthday party on the Friday of Australia Yearly Meeting in July, featuring a speaker and a large cake to share. Click the link above for a draft timetable of the yearly meeting. Email David Tehr for more information.
Meeting for Worship and picnic
Clevedon Local Meeting, UK
13 July 2024, 12:00 BST
A Meeting for Worship followed by a picnic in the gardens of the historic Claverham Meeting House for F/friends who attend local Meetings in North Somerset Area. Friends from neighbouring areas are very welcome to attend. Email Russell Richards for more information.
George Fox: the Quaker Peace Testimony
Online, 13 July 2024, 16:00-17:30 BST
Douglas Gwyn has written a number of books on historical Quaker theology. In this session, Douglas Gwyn will look at George Fox and the Quaker peace testimony.
Bring and Share Lunch and Songs
Alton Meeting House, UK
13 July 2024
Hampshire and the Islands Area Meeting will be holding an Area Business Meeting followed by a bring and share lunch and celebration of George Fox’s 400th birthday. We will be looking at some of his writings and considering their relevance for us today. This will be followed by singing the George Fox song.
Birthday Celebration
Peterborough Meeting House, UK
13 July 2024
Cambridgeshire (UK) Area Meeting will be celebrating George Fox’s 400th birthday with an all-age gathering of local Quakers at Peterborough Meeting House on Saturday 13th July, including local visits, worship, food, singing, dancing – and birthday cake!
Celebration at Sudbury Meeting House
13 July 2024, 13.00-17.00 BST
Concert: War and Peace in Music (‘Song of the Birds’ by Pablo Casals, ‘Sonata La Guerra’ by J.P. von Westhoff, ‘Ferdinand the Bull’ by Alan Ridout, with Natasha Holmes – cello, Pavlo Beznosiuk – violin), a Strawberry Cream Tea, and Circle Dancing led by experienced dance teacher Robin Hart, from the Friendship Dancers.
Fox 400 Pilgrimage and concert
Selly Oak Meeting House, UK
14 July 2024, 13:00-18:30 BST
Central England Quakers in collaboration with Churches Together in Birmingham are planning a pilgrimage to mark the 400th anniversary of the birth of George Fox. The event is free but registering in advance will help with planning. Please register here.
Meet at Selly Oak Meeting House (930 Bristol Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, B29 6NB) at 13:00 or arrive from 12:00 and bring a packed lunch to eat in the beautiful garden or inside. Walk between Selly Oak Meeting House, Bournville Boating lake and Bournville Meeting House, with activities for learning and reflection at each location. Finish back at Selly Oak Meeting House for closing worship, with tea at 16:00 and concert from 17:00 to around 18.30. All ages welcome.
George Fox Birthday Celebration
Worcester Friends Meeting House, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
14 July 2024, 9:30 EDT
Worcester Friends Meeting will celebrate the 400th anniversary of George Fox’s birth with a potluck lunch and birthday cake, followed by videos about his life, a discussion of his legacy and singing. All are welcome. 9:30 worship, 10:45 lunch & celebration (EDT).
A Week of Celebration of the lives of Margaret Fell & George Fox at Swarthmoor Hall
Swarthmoor Hall, Ulverston, UK
15 – 20 July 2024
A week-long celebration of the lives of George Fox and Margaret Fell and to explore how Quakerism is relevant to the world we live in today. The programme will include family activities, talks and guided tours of Swarthmoor Hall. See a poster with more information here.
Exhibition about the life of George Fox
Clevedon Local Meeting, UK
20 July 2024, 10:00-16:00 BST
Everyone welcome to Clevedon Meeting House. A short video about George Fox’s early ministry will be shown and refreshments served in the garden. Email Russell Richards for more information.
George Fox 400: A Day of Celebration
New Earswick Folk Hall and Meeting House, UK
20 July 2024, 10:00-16:00 BST
A celebration of the 400th anniversary of the birth of George Fox, one of the leading founders of Quakerism.
Children & Young People: from 10:00 in the Folk Hall
Celebration lunch & cake: 12:30 in the Meeting House
Exhibition: from 13:00-16:00 in the Folk Hall
Concluding Reflections: from 15:30-16:00 in the Meeting House
Quaker Walk, Plays, Poetry and Worship (contact Val Brittin)
Worcester Meeting House, UK
20 July 2024 13:00-17:00 BST
Birthday Celebrations at Friends Wilderness Center
Friends Wilderness Center, West Virginia, USA
27 July
All events are free, and we welcome participation of Quakers and non-Quakers.
George Fox 400 Celebration
Wells-next-the-Sea Meeting, Norfolk, UK
28 July, 13.30 BST
The Meeting House will be open from 1.30 pm. We will have an exhibition in the front room and a running tape of songs from the Quaker Song Book plus a ten minute video about the Quaker Tapestry. At 3.00pm we will listen to The Fire and the Hammer a Quaker Cantata with music by Tony Biggin words selected by Alec Davison from Fox’s Journal. And after that a very splendid tea around 4.30pm! We’d be so pleased to welcome Friends from across the Quaker Area Meeting as well as our Wells Churches Together friends.
Birthday Party at Yearly Meeting
London, UK
28 July
A Celebration on the Sunday of Yearly Meeting, incorporating games, crafts, and singing of the Ballad of George Fox and songs from the World Quaker Songbook. Register for Yearly Meeting to take part.
World Plenary Meeting
Friends World Committee for Consultation
5-12 August 2024
South Africa and online
Join Friends from 100+ Yearly Meetings and groups for a celebration of George Fox’s Birthday led by Earlham College Dean Gretchen Castle.
George Fox: nontheist Quaker perspectives
Online. 10 August, 16:00-17:30 BST
David Boulton and Tim Regan of the Nontheist Friends Network will explore what George Fox means to modern Liberal Quakers who are humanists, or who adopt a non-realist understanding of God, and regard religion as a human creation.
Foxsteps on the Crag: Pardshaw Past, Present and Future
Pardshaw Quaker Centre, 25 August, 11:00-16:00 BST
A Meeting for Worship, readings, appeal launch, picnic and open afternoon at Pardshaw Quaker Centre. How did the Truth come to Pardshaw from 1653? – with words of the first Publishers of Truth and George Fox. What foundation was made from 1672 at Cumberland’s earliest Meeting?
What future for such “Storied Ground”?
George Fox 400 Exhibition
Jordans Meeting House, Welders Lane, Jordans, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, HP9 2SN, UK.
6, 7 and 8 September, 14:00-17:00 BST each day
Visit Jordans Meeting House to learn more about George Fox and other early Quakers. Information panels and short film clips will share more about George Fox, how he revolutionised religion in 17th-century England and his relevance today. Also take a tour of the historic, 1688 built, Quaker Meeting House, and visit the final resting place of William Penn, early Quaker and founder of Pennsylvania.
The Life and Work of George Fox
Coventry Quaker Meeting House, Hill Street, Coventry, UK, 7 September, 10:30 BST
An illustrated talk about the life and work of George Fox, with readings from his journal. There will also be a chance to view a small exhibition about Fox, the precepts of the Quaker way and the history of the movement in Coventry.
George Fox, The First Quaker
Friends Meeting House, 12 Jesus Lane, Cambridge, CB5 8BA, UK
7 September, 15:00-16:00 BST
A talk by Geoffrey Durham (author of ‘What Do Quakers Believe?’ and ‘Being a Quaker’) on the visionary whose ‘heretical’ beliefs electrified the nation 370 years ago and who still inspires Quakers today. Please book tickets at the Eventbrite link above.
George Fox: a universalist Quaker perspective
Online, 7 September, 16:00-17:30 BST
Rex Ambler was a lecturer in theology at Birmingham University for over thirty years, and is retired. He now works mostly with Friends, teaching ‘Quaker meditation’ and helping people set up their own ‘light groups’ to practice it. In this session, Rex Ambler will look at George Fox from a universalist Quaker perspective.
George Fox after 400 years
Glenthorne Quaker Centre, UK
Friday 13 – Sunday 15 September
This course, led by Rex Ambler, will focus on Rex’s anthology of George Fox, Truth of the Heart, published by Quaker Books.
Heritage Open Day and “Walk in the Light” – George Fox Play
Reading Meeting House, UK
Saturday 14 September. Art Exhibition 10:00-16:00 BST, Play at 14:00-14:30 BST
This year’s national Heritage theme is about travelling, and because it is also the 400th anniversary of George Fox’s birth we decided to put together a short 30 minute play about George Fox’s travels through life. It is based on the Quaker song about George Fox, enacting the theme of each verse. The play is written and performed by adults and children from Reading Meeting. All welcome, free refreshments.
In Fox’s Footsteps: 1652 Country Quaker Pilgrimage (German-speaking)
Monday 16 September – Friday 20 September
This is a repeat of the same pilgrimage in June, but German-speaking.
George Fox 400 with FUM
1840 SW E st, Richmond, IN, 47374
Saturday 21 September
Friends United Meeting (FUM) will be hosting a birthday party for George Fox on Saturday September 21 at 7pm as a part of a gathering of Young Friends sponsored by Western Yearly Meeting, Wilmington Yearly Meeting, and New Association of Friends. Friends of all ages are welcome, there will be cake and a pinata, as well as time for celebrating with Friends.
400th Birthday celebration of George Fox – publicity poster
Friends Meeting House, Marlborough
Sunday 22 September, 10.30am BST
Meeting for Worship at 10.30am, tea party at 2pm. Join for any or all of the day. An exhibition of Fox’s life and teaching and of the history of Quakers in Marlborough accompanies it.
George Fox Film
Barnt Green and Redditch Meeting
Sunday 29 September 2024, 14.00 BST
A screening of the George Fox film made by the Quaker Tapestry Museum. The Meeting House has full cinema facilities with stereophonic sound. It will be followed by a talk for newcomers about Quakers.
George Fox around the world
Bunhill Fields Friends Meeting
Sunday 29 September 2024
An exploration of the ways different aspects of George Fox’s legacy are continued by different Quaker groups around the world, with FWCC General Secretary Tim Gee.
11.00: Meeting for Worship
12.00: Guided walk around Quaker Gardens where George Fox and many other early Friends are buried
13.30: Talk by Tim Gee
George Fox: an ecological Quaker perspective
Online. 5 October, 16:00-17:30 BST
Cherice Bock is a recorded Quaker minister. She sees environmental concerns as this generation’s most pressing social justice issue. In this session, Cherice Bock will consider George Fox from an ecological perspective.
The Life and Times of George Fox: 400th anniversary celebration of his birth
Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2JL
5 October, 12:30-16:45 BST