World Carillon Federation
World Carillon Federation
World Congresses
The WCF congresses bring the international carillon community together every three years.
Next congress · 2026
World Carillon Congress
Mafra, Portugal
Dates: 24 – 28 June 2026 (post-congress visits until 30 June)
Venue: Mafra Palace – UNESCO World Heritage Site, Portugal
Programme: Concerts, conferences, Bell Expo, CICO travelling carillon, 2 restored historic carillons, guided tours
19th
Edition
52 yrs
WCF history
5
Continents
About the congresses
A global gathering every three years
WCF congresses are held every three years and organised by one of our member organisations. The programme brings together concerts, conferences, presentations on performance, composition, campanology, history and conservation, as well as visits and cultural discoveries linked to the host region.
Since the inaugural edition in 1974 in Douai, France, the congresses have spanned four continents, uniting carillonists, campanologists and enthusiasts around a unique musical heritage.
Host a congress
Member organisations may submit proposals to host a future world congress. Consult the official guidelines for conditions and timeline.
Congress Guidelines
History
Past congresses
1974
Douai, France
1978
Amersfoort, Netherlands
1982
Løgumkloster, Denmark
1986
Ann Arbor (MI), United States
1990
Zutphen, Netherlands
1994
Chambéry, France
1996
Aschaffenburg, Germany
1998
Mechelen + Leuven, Belgium
2000
Springfield (IL), United States
2002
Cobh, Ireland
2004
Oslo, Norway
2006
Gdańsk, Poland
2008
Groningen, Netherlands
2011
Bloomfield Hills (MI), United States
2014
Antwerp + Bruges, Belgium
2017
Barcelona, Spain
2021
Hartford (CT), United States (online)
2023
Utrecht, Netherlands