In the heart of the charming Cotswolds, Cheltenham is well-known for its lively festival season.
Kicking off in spring at Cheltenham Racecourse with the main event in the jump-racing calendar, Cheltenham’s festivals of music, science, literature and food and drink unfold through summer and autumn. Beyond festivals, Cheltenham is a stunning town worth exploring in its own right.
Get ready to explore Cheltenham’s stunning scenery, buzzing festivals and vibrant cultural scene.
Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham Racecourse has been offering the ultimate horse racing experience since 1815, with the main event taking place each spring at the Cheltenham Festival. The hallowed Cheltenham turf goes on to host high-quality racing all season long. Over the coming months, there are plenty of races to see alongside a programme of music and other sporting events.
And there’s much more to a visit to Cheltenham than racing. Dress in your best, visit the shopping village and wine and dine at one of the many restaurants or bars.
Cheltenham Jazz Festival
1st-6th May 2024
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This annual event runs in the first week of May and brings 20,000 jazz lovers together to celebrate the genre. The heart of Cheltenham is transformed into a Festival Village with a free stage showcasing stars of the future and local schools. Other stages include the main Arena, hosting jazz icons and emerging talent, and the intimate Parabola Arts Centre.
Big names performing in 2024 include Dionne Warwick, Jack Savoretti, Morcheeba, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, UB40 and Gregory Porter. Plus, don’t forget the Brand New Heavies performing with the London Concert Orchestra!
Cheltenham Literature Festival
4th-13th October 2024
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When the music stages come down for the autumn, a season of literature festivals begins in Cheltenham. New voices in fiction and poetry star alongside literary greats and high-profile speakers in a 10-day festival celebrating the written and spoken word.
Montpellier Gardens is transformed into a booklover’s haven with something for readers of all genres. There’s plenty for families too, with authors and illustrators of all your favourite bedtime stories popping in. The line-up for 2024 will be announced over the summer but expect a packed programme of huge names and rising stars.
Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival
21st-23rd June 2024
Ring in the summer with good company, great food and fine wine. Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival combines it all across three days in Montpellier Gardens. The most talented chefs from the Cotswolds come together with knowledgeable food and wine experts from across the UK.
The lineup is crammed with demonstrations, tastings, talks and masterclasses. A programme of live music, street theatre and children’s entertainment also takes place over the weekend – don’t miss the dog show, the annual Cotswold BBQ Championships and gardening events if you’re keen to grow your own!
Wychwood Festival
31st May-2nd June 2024
Giddy-up to the groove! Sister Sledge, Texas and Ocean Colour Scene are set to headline Cheltenham’s electric music festival. Held at Cheltenham Racecourse, this vibrant music festival is also set to host The Coral, Corrine Bailey Rae, Peter Hook & The Light plus many more across various stages.
Stand-ups, including Marcus Brigstocke and Andrew Bird, lead a programme of comedy, plus there are tonnes of family entertainment, activities and workshops.
Stay nearby
Home to Cheltenham Town Football Club since 1932, Whaddon Road, also known as Completely-Suzuki Stadium, is a must-visit for football fans. This famous stadium is home to history, passion and community spirit combined in an infectious atmosphere.
Dating back to 1891, this ornate Frank Matcham-designed theatre offers a diverse range of world-class and community-centred theatre shows. Its programme of performances includes plays, musicals, comedy and dance throughout the main Edwardian-style auditorium and smaller performance spaces. Matcham’s Restaurant serves up pre-show meals, while the Cafe Bar offers a relaxed space to dine and enjoy drinks.
A community theatre and cinema housed in the former Montpellier Baths, the Playhouse offers a broad range of film, theatre, music and comedy year-round. Between the 20th and 26th May, the Playhouse plays host to the Cheltenham Fringe Festival. 
No visit to Cheltenham is complete without taking in the stunning Cotswold countryside. Leckhampton Hill offers the perfect accessible viewing spot – suitable for families, wheelchairs, bikes and walkers. The hill lies within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, due to the limestone grassland that grows there.
