There are many festivals to visit in Gloucestershire, including live music, food and arts. Cheltenham is famous for the variety of festival that it is home to, from sports to music and also art festivals. However, there are many differing events in Gloucester, Cheltenham, The Cotswolds and The Forest of Dean.
Gloucestershire Festivals
Some more notable festivals in Gloucestershire include;
Food & Drink Festivals
Festivals relating to food and drink, many of which you can enjoy free samples or purchase locally produced wares.
Wine, Cheese & Chocolate in Cheltenham
The Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Festival at Cheltenham Race Course includes artisan suppliers and industry experts. They invite foodies to sample, discover, and also purchase gourmet food from around the globe. Details…
Cheltenham Food & Drink Festival
The annual Cheltenham Food & Drink Festival in Montpellier Gardens, which includes wine tasting. However, the highlight is cookery displays by some top chefs. This event typically takes place every June and is a very enjoyable day out for foodies.
Great British Food Festival
The Great British Food Festival serves up a tasty menu of exhibitors and activities for all ages as it comes to Gloucestershire. The festival typically features an artisan market, food challenges, and also has an interactive baking stage.
Witcombe Cider Festival
Witcombe Cider Festival takes place on the August bank holiday weekend. The festival is a splendid chance to celebrate local Real Cider, Real Ale & local produce. Witcombe festival champions live music from local bands & artists. The festival is also in a very picturesque location, near to the Cheese Rolling Hill.
Art & Craft Festivals
Events showcasing many arts and crafts. This also includes many of Gloucestershire based creators.
Contemporary Craft Festival
The Contemporary Craft Festival showcases; jewellery, pottery, furniture, textile art, glassware, woodcraft and many more. Details…
Music Festivals in Gloucestershire
Who doesn’t love the opportunity to watch live music? However, add to that beautiful surroundings you end up with a great music festival.
Mellow in the Meadow
Mellow in the Meadow is a newly established fun and friendly one day live music festival. They set it in a rural situation in South Gloucestershire. This is a rural live music festival that takes place annually each August.
This family event features live music from local bands and singers. They also have family entertainment and trade stands. Visitors can bring a picnic or treat themselves to tasty delights from a range of food stalls and bars. The event is a committee led and run by a team of eager volunteers on a not-for-profit basis. Its aim is to raise money for local organisations and charities. The event offers free overnight camping, so bring your tent, caravan, campervan or horse lorry!
Coleford Music Festival
Coleford Music Festival takes place usually in the middle of July in various places in the town centre. They hold the festival to support local companies, organisations, performers, artists, and also groups from The Forest of Dean.
Gloucester Rooftop Festival
Set in the car parks of the city of Gloucester, The Rooftop Festival incorporates music theatre and other performing arts. This takes place in mid-July each year when possible. Strike A Light and Gloucester Guildhall are partnering with the Roundhouse, Gloucester Culture Trust and The Music Works. The aim is to transform the rooftops of King’s Walk multi-storey and Eastgate Centre car parks into a summer festival. The Rooftop Festival includes many performing arts, including theatre, music and performance.
Together they have joined forces with artists across the country to bring the perfect collision of classical music, hip hop, pop, rap, rock and spoken word to Gloucester. Combined with a rooftop bar and tasty grub, this is a great way to spend a summer’s evening. The 2023 festival dates and lineup have not been confirmed because of the pandemic and restrictions associated with that.
Sport Festivals in Gloucestershire & The Cotswolds
Sporting events throughout the shire with festivities.
Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle event of National Hunt horse racing in the UK, affectionately known locally as race week.
Gloucestershire Festival of Polo
A festival in The Cotswolds that celebrates the world’s oldest sport. The Festival of Polo takes place yearly each June for a 2-day spectacle.
Other Festivals in Gloucestershire
Other key events in the Gloucestershire festival calender people flock to.
Tall Ships Festival in Gloucester
The Tall Ships festival takes place every 2 years on the Spring Bank Holiday weekend in Gloucester docks. This, however, is a very popular event, thus gets busy at peak times. You get to enjoy a day or 2 of history and also get to see some historical boats on display.
Gloucester Goes Retro
A festival and car show of all things retro in Gloucester city centre. The show covers many eras from the early 20th century through to the 1980s. If you like cars, Gloucester Goes Retro is a must visit festival.
Cheltenham Literature Festival
They hold the Cheltenham Literature Festival in Montpellier Gardens for those that enjoy literature. This is a must-visit event for those who enjoy books and reading. Details…