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 2024!
From atmospheric performances in purpose-built opera houses to Britain's coolest festival, SoGlos rounds up 13 music events taking place in and around Gloucestershire in 2024 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 1 to Monday 6 May 2024.
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 Jack Savoretti, Morcheeba, Courtney Pine and UB40, with plenty more to be announced.
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 Sunday 16 June to Tuesday 6 August 2024.
Nestled on a hillside in Moreton-in-Marsh, the purpose-built opera house plays host to four of Richard Wagner's operas — Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried and Götterdämmerung — in 2024, as well as Puccini's classic tragedy, La Bohème.
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 Saturday 6 until Saturday 13 July 2024.
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 2023 in Gloucester, this year's event takes place just over the border in Worcester from Saturday 27 July to Saturday 3 August 2024, 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 4 to Friday 12 July 2024, with a stellar line-up of Gregory Porter, Anne-Marie and Nile Rogers & Chic 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 10 to Saturday 13 July 2024, with headliners including The Gaslight Anthem, Manchester Orchestra and Kids In Glass Houses.
The Big Feastival
Hosted on a farm belonging to Blur bassist-turned-cheesemaker Alex James, Big Feastival returns to the Cotswolds from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 August 2024.
Combining a passion for music and tasty food, the festival’s exciting line-up features Sigrid, Tom Grennan, Blossoms, Everything Everything, The Vaccines, Mel C and Rick Astley, 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 7 to Sunday 11 August 2024.
This year's headliners include Olly Murs, The Libertines, The Stranglers, Jake Bugg, Sigala and Rudimental, supplemented with exciting entertainment from circus and BMX shows to wrestling, lakeside meditation and a dedicated kids’ area.
Witcombe Festival
Witcombe Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023 and promises to bring even more killer artists to Gloucestershire when it returns over the August bank holiday weekend in 2024, with the fast-growing festival attracting over 25,000 music lovers each year.
While this year's line-up is yet to be announced, previous headliners have included DJ Luck and MC Neat, Bugzy Malone, Chase & Status and Rag 'n' Bone Man.
Wychwood Festival
Family favourite Wychwood Festival is returning to Cheltenham Racecourse from Friday 31 May to Sunday 2 June 2024, with music, comedy, wellbeing and kids entertainment on the bill.
This year's line-up features Texas and Ocean Colour Scene as headliners, with performances from The Hoosiers, Seasick Steve and The Feeling — as well as a mass workout on the main stage, led by 90s icon Mr Motivator.
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 19 to Sunday 28 July 2024, with artists from all over the world set to perform in its legendary marquee.
Nibley Festival
Set in a stunning Cotswold location between Dursley and Wotton-under-Edge, Nibley Festival takes place from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 July 2024.
On the bill for 2024 are Gloucestershire legends, EMF; festival-faves Dodgy; Dutty Moonshine Big Band; and singer and MC, Eva Lazarus — to name a few.
App-Fest
App-Fest brings a variety of excellent original artists and top tribute acts to the county from Thursday 1 to Sunday 4 August 2024.
Taking place at Hillworth Farm just outside Tewkesbury, this year's line-up for Gloucestershire features Feeder, Scouting For Girls, The Boomtown Rats, Rebecca Ferguson and Chesney Hawkes.
