The world-famous Cheltenham Music Festival is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2025, promising a 'vibrant' and 'energising' programme to mark its milestone year.
Returning to Cheltenham from Friday 4 to Saturday 12 July 2025, this year's lineup provides a fresh new mix of music, as well as extensive outreach work to help develop the 'audiences and performers of tomorrow'.
There are brand-new compositions from Deborah Pritchard and Anna Semple to open and close the 2025 event, along with a special concert by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales performing pieces by Edward Elgar and Benjamin Britten which featured as part of the very first Cheltenham Music Festival concerts.
Highlights from this year's programme also include the BBC Concert Orchestra performing much-loved film and theatre scores; Britain's Got Talent stars Braimah and Isata Kanneh-Mason; an eclectic blend of classical, hip hop, afrobeat and spoken word from Senegalese star Seckou Keita; Dames Sarah Connolly DBE and Imogen Cooper DBE; and up-and-coming guitarist Alexandra Whittingham and trumpeter Aaron Akugbo.
Songs From The Earth provides a break from the traditional by incorporating jazz and folk music, while the ever-popular 'no rules' Mixtape event gives audiences a chance to enjoy unique musical collaborations in an informal setting.
Over in Gloucester, Gloucester Cathedral hosts a production of Berlioz's 'Te Deum' and interpretations of work by Orlando Gibbons from the Gesualdo Six; while the ...around town programme brings classical music to unconventional venues across Cheltenham town centre.
Cheltenham Music Festival is playing a significant part in Cheltenham Festivals' mission to bring arts and culture to 80,000 children in its 80th year, too, hosting a special Relaxed Concert for Families for the first time ever, which will give over 200 children with additional needs, their families and carers the chance to experience classical music in a relaxed and inclusive environment, thanks to SEND partner Attivo.
For more information, or to book tickets, visit cheltenhamfestivals.org/music.
