This year is set to be a busy one in Cheltenham, with 2025 seeing everything from Rosa's Thai opening on the Promenade, thrilling shows including Matthew Bourne's The Midnight Bell coming to the stage, and even the chance to indulge in a meal cooked by a celebrity chef, all on the cards.
Giving you plenty of things to put in your calendars, SoGlos rounds up 25 things to get excited about in the year ahead…
Catch Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical in Cheltenham
Get ready to do the 'Time Warp' when Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical, The Rocky Horror Show comes to Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre from Monday 17 to Saturday 22 February 2025, as part of a new world tour.
Filled with fun, frolics and frivolity, The Rocky Horror Show tells the story of one fateful night for squeaky clean teens, Brad and his fiancée Janet. When by a twist of fate, their car breaks down outside a creepy mansion whilst on their way to visit their former college professor, they have to ask the charismatic Dr Frank’n’Furter for his help...
Try out Dunkertons new shuttle service
Whether you're sipping cider, tucking in to one of its fabulous foodie offerings or attending one of its many events, visitors to Dunkertons have access to its shuttle service from February 2025 — no more designated driver or taxis necessary!
Every Saturday from 4pm, the Dunkertons bus will depart from No.131 The Promenade, make a stop outside Ashley Manor and then head to Dunkertons Park. Buses will run every 40 minutes throughout the evening, costing £3 each way.
Dine with a celebrity chef at Cheltenham's only rooftop restaurant
The Nook on Five has appointed celebrity chef and TV personality, John Burton-Race, as executive head chef, shaking up the kitchen with exciting menu changes inspired by his Michelin-star background, this February 2025.
Shaking up The Nook's menu with fresh twists on its modern British classics, as well as introducing new dishes and seasonal specials, menu highlights include an Italian-style wild boar ragu and a new signature smash burger, with more classic English, French and Italian desserts — including John's to-die-for tiramisu.
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, soft launches on Cheltenham's Promenade on Tuesday 25 February and officially opens on Monday 10 March 2025, 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.
Place your bets for Cheltenham Gold Cup
Headlining day four of the Cheltenham Festival, the Gold Cup falls on Friday 14 March 2025. 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 more than 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.
Dive into the drama behind the scenes of Hollywood's first blockbuster at Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre
A smash hit in the West End and on Broadway, Gloucestershire audiences have the chance to celebrate movie history and peek at the choppy waters behind Hollywood’s first blockbuster when The Shark is Broken appears at Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre, this spring.
Running from Tuesday 22 to Saturday 26 April 2025, see Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider dive behind the scenes of the making of Jaws. With the trio crammed into a too-small boat, entirely at the mercy of foul weather and a faulty mechanical co-star. Alcohol flows, egos collide and tempers flare on a chaotic voyage that just might lead to cinematic magic… if it doesn’t sink them all.
Take in panoramic views on the Cheltenham Observation Wheel
Hosted by Cheltenham BID, Cheltenham's observation wheel is set to return to Imperial Gardens at the end of April, offering panoramic views across Regency Cheltenham.
Visitors have the chance to see the town from new heights when the wheel returns from Saturday 12 April to Monday 5 May 2025.
Get festival fever
First up on the Cheltenham Festivals roster is Cheltenham Jazz Festival, from Wednesday 30 April to Monday 5 May 2025. 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 2025.
See Dear Evan Hansen when it tours the UK for the very first time
Packed with some of the biggest musical songs of the last decade, don't miss the popular Broadway and West End production of Dear Evan Hansen when it comes to Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre from Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10 May 2025.
With a score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Oscar-winning composers for The Greatest Showman) the award-winning show follows Evan: an anxious high school kid who wants nothing more than to fit in — but on his way to fitting in, he didn't tell the whole truth... And now must give up on a life he never dreamt he'd have. As events spiral and the truth comes out, Evan faces a reckoning with himself and everyone around him.
Laugh the evening away at a comedy night
Laugh yourselves silly at a collection of comedy nights at Cheltenham Town Hall — bringing a lineup of award-winning comedians such as Jason Manford and Dara O'Briain to the venue throughout 2025.
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.
See Matthew Bourne’s The Midnight Bell when it returns to Cheltenham in 2025
A huge coup for Cheltenham, and a must for dance fans, theatregoers can see Matthew Bourne’s The Midnight Bell at the Everyman Theatre when it returns in 2025, after its sold-out run in 2021.
On stage in Gloucestershire from Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 May 2025, the production premiered to great acclaim in Cheltenham in 2021. The show plays out lovelorn affairs of the heart; bitter comedies of longing, frustration, betrayal and redemption as the world premiere explores the under-belly of 1930s London life — where ordinary people emerge from cheap boarding houses nightly to pour out their passions, hopes and dreams in pubs and bars.
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 on Saturday 17 May 2025.
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 a brand new healthy body, healthy mind programme.
Crack Agatha Christie's thrilling Murder on the Orient Express
Join Hercule Poirot as he solves one of Agatha Christie’s most thrilling and masterfully cryptic mysteries live on the Everyman's stage in Murder on the Orient Express, running from Tuesday 29 April to Saturday 3 May 2025.
Set in the winter of 1934, an avalanche stops The Orient Express dead in its tracks. A murder. A train full of suspects. An impossible case. Trapped in the snow with a killer still on-board, can the world’s most famous detective, Hercule Poirot, crack the case before the train reaches its final destination?
Get your chicken wing fix at Cheltenham's Brewery Quarter
Wingstop UK is opening its first Gloucestershire restaurant at The Brewery Quarter in Cheltenham, offering a signature menu of wings, tenders, burgers and sides — bringing the leisure development to 100 per cent capacity.
While an official opening date is yet to be confirmed, Wingstop UK is expected to open at The Brewery Quarter in summer 2025. Offering 'chicken wings from the wing experts' the new arrival brings a distinctive flair, with diners looking forward to a signature menu of wings, tenders, burgers, and sides — all freshly cooked to order and hand-sauced-and-tossed in a choice of ten distinctive flavours ranging from classic lemon pepper to the fan-favourite, hickory smoked barbecue.
Peek into the world of our most popular monarch at the Everyman Theatre
Starring national treasure Anne Reid as The Queen and star of stage and screen Caroline Quentin as the dresser, don't miss By Royal Appointment when it graces the Everyman stage from Tuesday 17 to Saturday 21 June 2025.
A funny, poignant and celebratory new play about the kind of power that only a Queen can wield, she charms the world through coats and cautions her family through a carefully chosen hat. Audiences will follow as her dresser, a working-class girl, goes from advising the Queen on the colour of her lipsticks to the real power behind the throne. But the dresser, like all royal favourites is living on borrowed time...
See Alfred Hitchock's North by Northwest at the Everyman
Featuring glamour, romance, jeopardy and a liberal sprinkling of tender truths, Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest heads to Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 7 June 2025.
Based on the Turner Entertainment Co. Film, North by Northwest, theatre legend Emma Rice takes on movie icon Alfred Hitchcock in this reworking, turning the original thriller on its head. With just six shape-shifting performers and a fabulous ‘50s soundtrack, this blazing production plays with the heart, mind and soul.
Conquer the Three Peaks Challenge
Do you have what it takes to tackle Cheltenham's Three Peaks Challenge? Put your fitness to the test on Saturday 14 June 2025, 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.
Rock out at the UK's Best Medium-Sized Festival
Reigning the UK's Best Medium-Sized Festival — a title it has won three times — 'Britain's coolest festival' will be back for another year of sun, music, friends and good food, when 2000trees returns to the idyllic Upcote Farm.
On the bill this year, festivalgoers can expect to see big names such as Alexisonfire to Kneecap, via Taking Back Sunday and Coheed & Cambria, with the festival’s six stages hosting over 100 of the best bands in punk, rock, indie and alternative music from Wednesday 9 to Saturday 12 July 2025.
Get some tap room parties in the diary
2025 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.
Challenge yourself to Cheltenham Half Marathon
Grab your running shoes and get training for the Cheltenham Half Marathon this September 2025, 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.
See Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey, Phoebe and Gunther on stage at the Everyman
Brand new for 2025, Gloucestershire's biggest Friends fans can see their favourite member of the gang in a hit musical based on the world-famous sitcom, at Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre in October.
A stateside hit, in New York, Las Vegas and on tour, the show is described as an 'uncensored, fast-paced' production made up of iconic moments from all ten seasons of Friends, featuring an entirely original musical score that reflects 'the challenges of work, life and love in 1990s Manhattan'.
'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 2025, 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.
Become an inspector for a night at Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre
Put your detective skills to the test when the first-ever stage adaptation of Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts, heads to Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre for four nights of mystery, in November 2025.
Set to grip Gloucestershire audiences from Tuesday 4 to Saturday 8 November 2025, see detective chief inspector Morse together with DS Lewis, as a suspicious death inquiry takes a darker turn, uncovering a connection to sinister events in his own past, twenty-five years earlier.
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 2024, comedy genius Tweedy is back at the Everyman Theatre in 2025 — with the show yet to be revealed...
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 Friday 28 November 2025 through until Sunday 11 January 2026.
