This year sees Gloucester Tall Ships Festival bring its biggest-ever music line-up, Hollywood stars and loads of fun family entertainment to Gloucester Docks across the late May bank holiday weekend — SoGlos rounds up nine reasons to get tickets to this unmissable event...
See Hollywood stars
Leading lady, Phoenix, has starred alongside Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy, Tom Holland and Joaquin Phoenix, with starring roles in Ridley Scott's Napoleon and 2015 historical drama In the Heart of the Sea; while 118-year-old Irene has shared the screen with none other than Captain Jack Sparrow himself, starring in Pirates of the Caribbean.
Alongside the film stars, there'll be plenty more spectacular ships to see and step aboard, with three-masted lugger Grayhound showing off its cannons; and 94-foot schooner Spirit of Falmouth — which weighs the same as a blue whale — sailing into Gloucester with a crew of retired Armed Forces personnel.
Sing along to 'Wellerman' with Nathan Evans
'Wellerman' and 'Heather on the Hill' singer Nathan Evans is headlining the jam-packed music line-up at Gloucester Tall Ships in 2024, bringing his unique take on traditional shanties and folk songs to the main stage. With his uplifting energy and soaring vocals, it promises to be an unforgettable performance — especially with a glorious line-up of historic tall ships providing the backdrop!
There's loads more artists to see, too, including The Roving Crows, The Old Time Sailors, Brassienda, Nordet, Mad Apple Circus and The Gin Bowlers.
Get your sea legs on board the historic ships
With two different day ticket options available in 2024, festivalgoers can hop on board some of the event's spectacular tall ships with a Sea Legs ticket from £19 for adults or £13 for children — offering fabulous photo opportunities and the chance to get to know each ship's rich history from the crews that sail them.
Land Lubbers can enjoy all the entertainment on dry land with their own ticket, costing from £14 for adults and £8 for children, while Stowaways aged five and under can come along for free with a paying adult. There are discounts for attending multiple days of the festival, too, with 10 per cent off the total price for two days and 15 per cent off for all three days.
Hear exciting up-and-coming artists on the Crane Stage
With not one, but two stages providing non-stop live music across the weekend, festivalgoers can see some of Gloucestershire's most exciting up-and-coming artists on the Crane Stage, alongside the big names on the main stage.
The line-up spans talented young musicians from local hub The Music Works, to Gloucester Brewery's Battle of the Bands 2023 winners, Saint Senara, accompanied by one of the best views of the boats.
Take in immersive theatre performances
From stepping into the Wagon of Dreams full of fantastical sea creatures and mermaids, to diving into the mouth of a giant metal whale to find an immersive theatre experience inside, exciting new area The Hideout has loads of fun family entertainment to enjoy.
There's a whole cast of performers to spot on Tell-Tale Island too, from salty storytellers searching for booty in their pint-sized galleons; giant seagulls on the hunt for ice creams; The Trawlers telling tales of the high seas; to a shipwrecked 1700s sea captain and his mate floating through time in their lifeboat.
Enjoy mechanical art installations
Global sensation Toc de Fusta brings its impressive art installation 'Friends of Crusó' to the UK for the very first time at Gloucester Tall Ships Festival.
The all-ages kinetic art experience features brain teasers, mechanical games and all sorts of interactive fun dreamed up by the shipwrecked Crusó, to keep him entertained when his ship washed up on a lonely island.
See spectacular circus artists and dancers
From juggling pirates to acrobatic sailors, Gloucester Tall Ships Festival brings the circus to the high seas with breathtaking performances from dancers and artistes across a variety of disciplines.
Don't miss Roll Play blending hip hop and circus with a spectacular cyr wheel act and gravity-defying group juggling; and Step Hop House bringing their high-energy mix of maypole dancing, clogging, ceilidh and break dance to the docks.
Laugh along with HMS Punafore
Expect laughter and mayhem as a crew of sailors attempt to take on Gilbert and Sullivan's iconic musical masterpiece, HMS Pinafore.
As you may have guessed, things don't quite go to plan — with hilarious results!
Take a ride on the traditional funfair
Taking visitors back to the bygone days, Gloucester Tall Ships Festival also has a traditional funfair with loads of classic rides to jump on.
Speed down the Helter Skelter; go for a trot around on the galloping horse carousel; or head up to the heights of the crow's nest with a ride on the ferris wheel, providing the most incredible view of the boats.
