Gloucestershire is a vibrant county that’s packed with incredible cultural and music events, covering a spectrum of genres from jazz and opera to rock, pop and indie — and there’s so much to look forward to in 2025!
From atmospheric performances in purpose-built opera houses to Britain's coolest festival, SoGlos rounds up 11 music events taking place in and around Gloucestershire in 2025 that you won’t want to miss.
Cheltenham Jazz Festival
A must for fans of jazz and the many genres it has influenced, the annual Cheltenham Jazz Festival is just one of the town’s famous festivals, taking place over the May bank holiday weekend — with this year's event getting underway from Wednesday 30 April to Monday 5 May 2025.
Whether you’re looking for music legends, unique collaborations or the most exciting up-and-coming talent, Cheltenham Jazz Festival has hosted some of the world’s greatest musicians, including Gregory Porter, Jamie Cullum, Robert Plant, Laura Mvula, Rufus Wainwright and Katie Melua. This year, jazz fans can expect to see the likes of Tom Walker, Roger Daltrey, Lulu, Macy Gray, Amadou & Mariam, Nubya Garcia and plenty more.
Longborough Festival Opera
Opera fans can enjoy incredible performances in a truly unique setting with spectacular views at Longborough Festival Opera in the Cotswolds — with this year's season running from Monday 26 May to Saturday 2 August 2025.
Nestled on a hillside in Moreton-in-Marsh, the purpose-built opera house plays host to brand-new production, The Birth of the Wagner Cult by Avner Dorman in 2025; along with Rossini's Il Barbier di Siviglia; Claude Debussy’s timeless masterpiece of Pelléas et Mélisande; concluding with Purcell's Dido and Aeneas.
Cheltenham Music Festival
One for classical music enthusiasts, Cheltenham Music Festival is one of the most prestigious music festivals in the world — and this year's event takes place from Friday 4 until Saturday 12 July 2025.
With a programme of show-stopping concerts in extraordinary local venues like Cheltenham Town Hall and Pittville Pump Room, the festival celebrates the very best the world of classical music has to offer, from the most exciting up-and-coming composers to world-renowned orchestras performing iconic works.
Three Choirs Festival
Rotating between the gorgeous English cathedral cities of Gloucester, Hereford and Worcester, Three Choirs Festival is the longest-running, non-competitive classical music festival in the world.
After a hugely successful 2024 in Worcester, this year's event takes place just over the border in Hereford from Saturday 26 July to Saturday 2 August 2025, featuring a programme packed with concerts, services, recitals, masterclasses, exhibitions and more.
Forest Live
Taking live music out into the trees, Forest Live is coming to Westonbirt, The National Arboretum from Tuesday 17 to Sunday 22 June 2025, with a stellar line-up of Snow Patrol, Sting, Eblow, Paul Heaton, McFly and The Script set to perform at the Cotswold attraction.
Ticket sales all help to raise money to look after the nation’s forests — there's even a VIP package which includes access to The Glade VIP area with premium views of the stage, a private bar, premium food options and toilets, not to mention a VIP entry lane to avoid the queues.
2000trees
Dubbed 'Britain's coolest festival' by Kerrang! Magazine, the independently run 2000trees took home the title of UK's Best Medium-Sized Festival in 2023 and brings some of the most exciting rock, punk, indie and alternative artists to Gloucestershire.
The action returns to Upcote Farm near Cheltenham from Wednesday 9 to Saturday 12 July 2025, with headliners including Kneecap, Coheed & Cambria and Alexisonfire.
The Big Feastival
Hosted on a farm belonging to Blur bassist-turned-cheesemaker Alex James, Big Feastival returns to the Cotswolds from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 August 2025.
Combining a passion for music and tasty food, the festival’s exciting line-up features Nelly Furtado, Faithless, The Wombats, Tom Walker, Scouting For Girls, Daniel Bedingfield and Rizzle Kicks, as well as live-cookery demos, street food, family activities and silent discos.
Lakefest
Taking place at the spectacular Eastnor Castle in neighbouring Herefordshire, Lakefest offers a vibrant festival experience at the foot of the Malvern Hills when it returns from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 August 2025.
This year's headliners include Echo & The Bunnymen, Groove Armada, Pixie Lott, Busted and Faithless, supplemented with exciting entertainment from circus and BMX shows to wrestling, lakeside meditation and a dedicated kids’ area.
Wychwood Festival
Family favourite Wychwood Festival is returning to Cheltenham Racecourse from Friday 30 May to Sunday 1 June 2025, with music, comedy, wellbeing and kids entertainment on the bill.
This year's line-up features Shed Seven, James and Doves as headliners, with performances from Scouting For Girls, The Zutons and Roving Crows — as well as a mass workout on the main stage, led by Joe Wicks.
Guiting Music Festival
Guiting Music Festival is a summertime showcase of classical, jazz and blues music, bringing 10 days of evening performances and open-air concerts to the village near Stow-on-the-Wold every year — with ticket prices kept as low as possible to make quality music accessible to more people.
This year, it takes place from Friday 25 July to Sunday 3 August 2025, with artists from all over the world set to perform in its legendary marquee.
App-Fest
App-Fest brings a variety of excellent original artists and top tribute acts to the county from Thursday 31 July to Sunday 3 August 2025.
Taking place at Hillworth Farm just outside Tewkesbury, this year's line-up for Gloucestershire features Newton Faulkner, Jamie Grey, Caitlin McCarthy, Louisa Johnson and Ash.
