This year is set to be a busy one in Cheltenham, with 2024 seeing everything from new health hubs like Beet Juice Bar and Kitchen opening on Regent Street, new shows including Bonnie and Clyde coming to the stage, and even the chance to become a detective, all on the cards.
Giving you plenty of things to put in your calendars, SoGlos rounds up 24 things to get excited about in the year ahead…
Catch a cult British comedy in Cheltenham
Direct from the West End season and described as 'one of the best British comedies ever written', Michael Frayne's legendary 80s farce, Noises Off will be coming Cheltenham this February 2024.
Taking to the Everyman Theatre stage from Tuesday 13 to Saturday 17 February 2024, it's expected to be a hilarious night out for Valentine's dates and groups of friends alike complete with 'slamming doors, falling trousers and even flying sardines'!
Take in panoramic views on the Cheltenham Observation Wheel
Hosted by Cheltenham BID, Cheltenham's observation wheel is set to return to Imperial Gardens this February 2024, offering panoramic views across Regency Cheltenham.
Visitors have the chance to see the town from new heights for only three weeks, when the wheel returns from Friday 9 February to Sunday 3 March 2024.
See Henry VIII's six wives storm the Everyman Theatre's stage
After selling out on London’s West End, SIX the Musical is on its way to Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre for a string of performances that fuse together history with bang-up-to-date girl power.
Coming to Cheltenham on Tuesday 30 January to Saturday 10 February 2024, SIX the Musical will have audiences ‘losing their heads’ over Henry VIII’s six wives, as they take to the mic to give their side of the story.
Place your bets for Cheltenham Gold Cup
Headlining day four of the Cheltenham Festival, the Gold Cup falls on Friday 15 March 2024. The pinnacle of jump racing, previous winners like Best Mate have become household names — and this year is set to be bigger and better than ever before, celebrating 100 years of the iconic event.
Whilst nothing has been confirmed just yet, there's always exciting entertainment and live music to accompany all the action on the track, with previous performers including the likes of The Wickermen, The Lucky 15’s, The Hipcats, Taylor & The Masons and The Brimstones.
Believe in magic with A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Everyman
Combining magic, mishaps and traditional Shakespearean wit with an imaginative musical twist, the Everyman Theatre brings its unique interpretation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream to the stage this March 2024.
Starring the inimitable Tweedy the Clown, who is recognised throughout the land — and by King Charles in his first ever New Year Honours List — for his physical comedy and slapstick prowess, along with the Everyman Theatre Company’s talented troupe, the show promises an evening of pure delight for audiences of all ages.
Get into the groove at Dunkertons new jazz nights
Mark your calendars for the launch of the upcoming jazz sessions at Dunkertons, with Kim Cypher taking centre stage alongside an all-star ensemble, delivering an interesting blend of saxophone and vocal jazz, blues, Latin rhythms, swing and funky grooves for its inaugural night on Thursday 7 March 2024.
The exciting new night is back again on Thursday 11 April 2024 and then every first Thursday of the month after that.
Get festival fever
First up on the Cheltenham Festivals roster is Cheltenham Jazz Festival, from Wednesday 1 until Monday 6 May 2024. This year, organisers are inviting musicians, dancers, artists and street performers to take part in some 100 new '...Around Town' events, designed to showcase emerging talent.
Cheltenham Science Festival follows in June, with Cheltenham Music Festival in July and the highly-anticipated Cheltenham Literature Festival in October 2024.
Laugh the evening away at a comedy night
Laugh yourselves silly at a collection of comedy nights at Cheltenham Town Hall — bringing a line-up of award-winning comedians such as Jimmy Carr and Romesh Ranganathan to the venue throughout 2024.
Expect smirks, sniggers and big belly laughs with a hilarious mix of dry, observational humour and dark comedy which are sure to have audiences in stitches.
The opening of Cheltenham’s highly anticipated £6.8 million MX centre
One of the most highly anticipated and high-profile building projects in Gloucestershire — the £6.8 million MX centre, which is set to become a new headquarters for Cheltenham Festivals, the town's Growth Hub business support team, and a performance, workspace and cafe — is set to open some time in 2024.
Opening was originally planned to take place by the end of autumn 2022, with those behind the project blaming the knock-on effects of Covid-19, supply chain issues, inflation and workforce shortages on the delay.
Show your Pride
Bringing together the community and its allies for a celebration of freedom and LGBTQ+ culture, Pride in Gloucestershire and Cheltenham Pride Festivals are collaborating to bring Cheltenham Pride back to the town this May 2024.
Following a march across the town centre, the day features a jam-packed programme including a line-up of artists performing on the main stage, stalls, food and drink, funfair, as well as trans and multi-sensory areas — and afterwards, the team has something special planned, with more to be revealed closer to the time.
Conquer the Three Peak Challenge
Do you have what it takes to tackle Cheltenham's Three Peak Challenge? Put your fitness to the test on Saturday 8 June 2024, for a worthwhile charity, climbing a total of 22 miles across Cleeve, Crickley and Leckhampton hills.
All proceeds will go to Aim Up — formerly known as St Vincent’s and St George’s Association — a brilliant charity which works to provide care, support and independent living opportunities for adults with disabilities, complex needs and health conditions.
See history's most notorious lovers on stage
Following two hell-raising seasons in London's West End, Gloucestershire audiences have the chance to see Danny Hatchard and Katie Tonkinson star in Bonnie & Clyde at Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre, in July 2024.
Garnering a mass following — much like the infamous couple themselves — the show follows two small-town kids from the middle of nowhere who became the biggest folk heroes in all of America.
Rock out at the UK's Best Medium-Sized Festival
After a cracking year for 2000Trees resulted in the event being named the UK's Best Medium-Sized Festival of 2023, 'Britain's coolest festival' will be back for another year of sun, music, friends and good food, all at the idyllic Upcote Farm.
On the bill this year, festivalgoers can expect to see big names such as Kids In Glass Houses to The Gaslight Anthem, via Boston Manor and Hot Mulligan, with the festival’s six stages hosting over 100 of the best bands in punk, rock, indie and alternative music from Wednesday 10 to Saturday 13 July 2024.
Become a detective for an evening
Following the resounding success of the original smash hit play, Cluedo is back with a new and exclusive whodunnit, when the world premiere UK tour of Cluedo 2 - The Next Chapter comes to Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre stage in July 2024.
Set in the swinging 60s, audiences will meet six new suspects, a new house and lot of new bodies, in this reimagined tale of murder, mystery and secret passageways. But who will survive the night with an anonymous murderer in their midst?
Get some tap room parties in the diary
2024 promises another jam-packed schedule for DEYA Brewery at Lansdown Industrial Estate, off Gloucester Road in Cheltenham, with another series of its tap room parties set to go ahead this year.
Expect food trucks, plenty of DEYA's cult unfiltered and unpasteurised craft beer to try, with a chance to see some of the county's most exciting bands, artists and DJ's tearing up the tap room.
Get your vitamin fix at Beet Juice Bar and Kitchen
On a mission to challenge and redefine what lunch 'on the go' can be, Beet Juice Bar and Kitchen is set to open on Cheltenham's Regent Street in 2024, adding to the plethora of foodie hot spots here in the town.
Promising to provide nourishment at your convenience — whether you're out on your lunchbreak or having a leisurely catch up with friends — the shop front is set to feature an informal alfresco dining area with seating, as well as moveable fresh vegetable and herb planters. An official opening date for the wellness hub is yet to be announced, so follow SoGlos on social for the latest.
Tuck into an eastern feast at Rosa's Thai
Foodie fans can look forward to tucking into some Thai delights when popular chain restaurant, Rosa's Thai, opens on Cheltenham's Promenade later this year. Joining the town's other successful Southeast Asian eateries — Giggling Squid, Bangkok Thai and Thai Emerald — the menu is set to include authentic dishes such as Tom yum noodle soup, pad Thai, red duck pineapple curry and Rosa’s ‘khao pad’ fried rice.
An opening date is yet to be announced for the latest addition to the Rosa's Thai family, but work is expected to begin on the new venue soon.
See smash hit musical comedy Hairspray at the Everyman Theatre
Belting out its biggest hits ‘You Can’t Stop the Beat’, ‘Without Love’ and ‘The Nicest Kids in Town’ from Tuesday 13 to Saturday 17 August 2024 at the Everyman Theatre, feel good show, Hairspray, promises to have audiences out of their seats and dancing down the aisles.
The production sees underdog Tracy Turnblad, a ‘big girl with a big personality’, dance her way onto national television alongside heartthrob Link Larkin, but can she use her new-found fame to achieve equality and integration?
Challenge yourself to Cheltenham Half Marathon
Grab your running shoes and get training for the Cheltenham Half Marathon this September 2024, with one of the UK's most unique town centre halves — starting and finishing at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Run Cheltenham offers courses for runners of all ages and abilities, with the option to sign up for the full half marathon, taking in the Regency town centre; the 10k; or the more accessible community mile around Cheltenham Racecourse, which is ideal for first-timers or families.
Brace yourself for a cold water dip at Sandford Parks Lido
Bringing the trend of cold water swimming to Gloucestershire, improve your mental and physical health with cold water swims at Cheltenham's Sandford Parks Lido in 2024.
Cold water swimming activates the sympathetic nervous system and triggers your body to release beta-endorphins, as well as other feel good hormones. These hormones help with pain relief and leave you feeling euphoric. With specific events such as Winston’s Wish Charity Polar Plunge taking place on various dates throughout the year, if you're brave enough, give it a go!
Make your way through the menu at CIRCO Brasserie
Part of the JM Socials' group, Cheltenham’s food scene is set to get a brand-new arrival as the highly anticipated CIRCO Brasserie is finally set to open in the town in 2024.
The restaurant is situated on Cheltenham’s busy Bath Road and will be open for all day dining, with the website stating it'll be serving ‘freshly ground coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner and a Sunday roast for the family.’ We can't wait to tuck in!
'Ooh' and 'ahh' at this year's fireworks display
Treating locals to a bigger and better firework display than ever before, Cheltenham Round Table’s Fireworks Display returns to Cheltenham Racecourse in November 2024, along with entertainment, special guests and plenty of refreshments to warm the cockles on a chilly November night.
Known for being one of the best family fireworks shows in town, the event is set to have children's funfair rides; television favourites in attendance; food and drink stalls; and of course, a spectacular fireworks display illuminating the skies high above Cheltenham.
Get your caffeine fix at Black Sheep Coffee
Black Sheep Coffee is set to open its first Gloucestershire coffee shop in the unit next door to KIBOU, serving up specialty-grade Robusta coffee, smoothies, pastries, waffles, muffins, bagels and toasties.
The London-based brand has 35 stores across the UK and Europe and is passionate about reducing plastic usage and fighting social exclusion, by offering free coffees to homeless people.
See Tweedy in this years' pantomime
And last, but of course, by no means least, following on from another spectacular pantomime in 2023, comedy genie-ous Tweedy is back at the Everyman Theatre in 2024 for family-favourite, Aladdin.
Sure to be packed with dazzling costumes and belly laughs, audiences can expect a spectacular show from the team behind Mother Goose, Dick Whittington and His Cat Tweedy, Jack and the Beanstalk and Cinderella from Saturday 21 December 2024 through until Sunday 5 January 2025.
