Spring and beyond in Cheltenham is packed full of feel-good experiences, with unmissable events spanning music, literature, science, food and drink, vintage trains and the world's longest running cricket festival.
With a packed calendar of cultural festivals and major sports events, it can be hard to choose just what to do.
In partnership with Visit Cheltenham, SoGlos rounds up some of the Cheltenham 2025 festivals and events that you won't want to miss!
Cheltenham observation wheel
Hosted by Cheltenham BID, the wheel is at Imperial Gardens opposite The Queens Hotel from Saturday 12 April to Monday 5 May 2025, just in time for Easter half term and Cheltenham Jazz Festival.
Offering the chance to admire the town's Regency architecture from high up in the sky from 12pm to 9pm, it's well worth a spin for a date night or fun family day out in Cheltenham. Tickets cost £8 per adult and £6 per child under 1.4 metres tall, with family tickets costing £25.
Cheltenham Jazz Festival
Starting on Wednesday 30 April 2025, the six-day celebration of jazz and its wide-reaching influences spans venues including Cheltenham Town Hall, Parabola Arts Centre, Dunkertons Taproom and the Festival Village at Montpellier Gardens, with over 60 artists taking to the stage across the early May bank holiday weekend.
With performances from the most exciting jazz musicians from around the world, to soul, rock and pop royalty, music fans won't want to miss it. There are also a variety of free pop-up performances across the town from the Free Stage at the festival itself to The Brewery Quarter, The Bottle of Sauce, Hotel du Vin, John Lewis, Imperial Garden Bar, Smokey Joe's and The Queens Hotel.
Cheltenham Racecourse Race Night
The curtain comes down on the roaringly successful 2024/25 racing season with Cheltenham’s only evening horse racing fixture with seven fiercely fought Hunter chases on Friday 2 May 2025.
Full of fun from start to finish, there's a party atmosphere as soon as you arrive at Cheltenham Racecourse. Local legends The Chip Shop Boys are bringing the season to a close with an extended live performance.
Cheltenham Poetry Festival
Offering a 10-day programme of live literature events, this year's Cheltenham Poetry Festival runs from Wednesday 7 to Saturday 17 May 2025 at a variety of venues across town. Visitors can take in readings from poets whose works are inspired by biochemistry, physics and astronomy.
Other powerful themes include healing from trauma, the gift of poetry to shed light in dark times, as well as the joys and consolations of nature. Visitors will also get to try workshops, take part in the legendary poetry slam, and chat with widely published local poets and visiting writers from further afield.
Pride in Cheltenham
Bursting with passion, heart and soul, Pride in Cheltenham takes to the streets on Saturday 17 May 2025.
The colourful and flamboyant Pride march is the ultimate expression of inclusivity. It starts at 11.15am outside John Lewis. Marchers aim to bring awareness to equality, diversity and inclusion as they stream through the streets, celebrating community and showing hatred and prejudice have no place in modern society.
Cotswold Festival of Steam Gala
Choo choo! Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway is showcasing the elegance and power of steam locomotives from Saturday 24 to Monday 26 May 2025 at its Festival of Steam Gala.
Get ready to embark on a journey through time, where the past comes alive and the heritage of steam locomotives is celebrated in all its glory. Soak up the magic of steam, picturesque landscapes, and the rich history of the Cotswolds.
Wychwood Festival
Bringing recognisable names in music and comedy together with a wide range of performances and activities for kids, Wychwood Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse prides itself on its family appeal.
Headliners for this year's festival, taking place from Friday 30 May to Sunday 1 June 2025, include 90s Britpop favourites Shed Seven and James, while for younger ones there's everything from music, dance and fitness workshops, to arts and crafts, circus skills, storytelling and more.
Cheltenham Science Festival
Giving science fans a chance to have their minds blown by bestselling authors, activists, scientists and even a real-life astronaut, Cheltenham Science Festival is back from Tuesday 3 to Sunday 8 June 2025.
With the festival village taking over Imperial Gardens and over 114 events on the programme, whether you're interested in the latest developments in AI, the truth behind Hollywood weight loss drugs, or how politicians like Donald Trump affect the world of science, there's bound to be something that sparks your curiosity.
Cheltenham Food & Drink Festival
The 18th Cheltenham Food & Drink Festival takes place in Montpellier Gardens from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 June 2025.
Enjoy live music, wine tasting talks, cheese tasting, artisan food producers, along with demonstrations from some of the UK’s leading chefs. It promises to be a very tasty weekend!
Cheltenham Cricket Festival
A highlight of the summer, this is an unmissable opportunity for any cricket fan to be bowled over by the longest running cricket festival in the world. Kicking off on Thursday 17 July and running through to to Tuesday 05 August 2025, the idyllic setting of Cheltenham College provides the perfect backdrop for cricket at the height of summer.
The fixtures at Cheltenham Cricket Festival are set to be revealed soon. Whatever the line-up, expect a fantastic atmosphere while soaking up the sunshine with great food and drink on offer too.
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, celebrating its 80th anniversary, takes place from Friday 4 to Saturday 12 July 2025.
With a programme of show-stopping concerts in a variety of venues including 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.
Lions at Large
Lions at Large — The Pride of Gloucestershire Trail is roaring onto the streets of Cheltenham and Gloucester from Friday 11 July until Sunday 14 September 2025.
More than 30 colourful large lion sculptures and 52 adorable little cubs will pop up in Cheltenham town centre and Gloucester city centre as well as in parks and open spaces at a mix of stunning landmarks and interesting everyday locations. A map of locations is expected to be published very soon.
Cheltenham 7s Festival
Expect an unmissable two days of fun, action, entertainment and partying at Newlands Park in Southam Lane on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 July 2025 at Cheltenham 7s Festival. It's ideal for festivalgoers, sport lovers and families too.
There'll be lots of sports, lively music with a huge main stage, shopping, food and drink, a fitness competition zone, family entertainment, fairground rides, a colour fun run and the chance to cheer on your favourites during the charity rugby match. There's camping available to make the most of the weekend too.
Summer Diesel Gala at GWSR
Running from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 July 2025, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway annual Diesel Gala at Toddington promises a unique blend of vintage charm and modern power as it celebrates the rich heritage of railway transportation.
Climb aboard one of the meticulously restored diesel locomotives and embark on a nostalgic journey through time. Feel the rumble of the engines, hear the whistle blow and experience the magic of a bygone era in the comfort of a vintage carriage.
Summer Jam: The Lakefest Warmup
Bringing festival vibes to the town centre, The Brewery Quarter in Cheltenham is hosting Summer Jam: The Lakefest Warmup this July 2025 — featuring top talent handpicked from the Lakefest line-up, plus the final of the Road to Lakefest competition, which sees talented local bands battling it out for a place on the main stage.
Taking place from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 July 2025, the free event gives visitors a taster of what's to come at the popular music festival at Eastnor Castle in August, with three days of music and family entertainment. The Brewery Quarter's plethora of bars and restaurants are also serving up cocktails, craft beers, ciders and tasty takeaway food. There's also a silent disco, so you can grab a pair of headphones and dance the night away under the stars.
Cheltenham Heritage Open Days
Take the chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences with a range of open buildings across Cheltenham from Friday 12 to Sunday 21 September 2025. Explore on your own or as part of an organised tour with guided walks, talks and exhibitions inside many hidden gems that aren't usually open to the public.
The events are all free, but tickets must be pre-booked for some events where numbers are limited. Organised by Cheltenham Civic Society and run by volunteers, the carefully thought out programme is found in brochures, which feature all of the activities and open buildings.
Cheltenham International Film Festival
This popular festival brings the best of world cinema to enthusiastic audiences at Tivoli Cinema in the Regent Arcade shopping centre, through films that question, inspire and entertain along with documentaries that raise issues and inform from Friday 19 to Sunday 28 September 2025.
There'll be film shorts by filmmakers who are new to the industry and tributes to recognise the contributions of celebrated artists who have left a legacy of great cinema. This year's programme includes year-round screenings of films and live events.
Cheltenham Literature Festival
The impressive 10-day programme draws book fans from across the UK with its mixture of ticketed events, free family activities and fringe events scattered across town.
Taking place from Friday 10 to Sunday 19 October 2025, some of the world’s foremost writers, thinkers and performers will provide plenty of food for thought during a jam-packed timetable of fascinating discussion. We can't wait to hear who the 2025 headliners will be!
