With a brand-new year stretching ahead, there's lots to look forward to in Gloucester, from music events to history festivals, major city developments and entertainment by the bucket load.
In partnership with Gloucester BID, SoGlos rounds up a host of highlights for 2024 — and there's plenty to get excited about.
The Forum digital and technology campus
A new collaborative creative environment is opening at The Forum in 2024, bringing with it 97,707 sq ft of office space, a 398-space car park, 116-room Hotel Indigo, restaurant, bar, gym and shops.
There'll be 43 city apartments within the £107 million regeneration development opposite Gloucester railway station, too, promising to be a hive of activity.
University of Gloucestershire's new city campus
The University of Gloucestershire will start operating from its new city centre building in the summer, with teaching kicking off at the start of the new academic year in September 2024.
Expected to bring a buzz to the city centre once it opens its doors, the building will house nearly 4,000 students and 350 staff.
New openings at Gloucester Food Dock
Scandinavian Coffee Pod is opening its second Gloucestershire cafe in January 2024, followed by Strip Steak Bar, authentic Mexican eatery Elote and Chuck burger joint, with more names expected to be announced as the 14 units fill up.
Recent openings Hop Kettle Tap Room, Bella Mia Pizza @ No.1, Wholly Gelato, Hetty’s Place and Sibling Distillery's Our House cocktail bar have already gone down a storm.
Putt Putt Noodle opening
Taking over the former Primark building on Eastgate Street, Putt Putt Noodle promises scented mini golf courses along with sushi, exotic cocktails and bubble teas.
With an opening date soon to be revealed, it's poised to be a hotspot for family fun and great days out, with 18 holes across two courses.
Soul N' Seoul opening
The former Hubble Bubble cafe in Westgate Street is being transformed into a Korean kitchen this January 2024.
With red walls and minimalist furniture, Soul N' Seoul will be serving up vibrant meat and veggie dishes with rice and sizzling Korean sauces, adding to Gloucester's eclectic food and drink scene.
Anti-violence bee monument
Buzzing into Gloucester from Manchester, this huge sculpture made of firearms will be in the city from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 February 2024.
Crafted from thousands of weapons – including knives and guns – collected from the streets of Manchester, it follows last year's visit from the Knife Angel and echoes the aim of reducing violent crime to communities of all ages.
Gloucester half marathon
This new event, sponsored by Sue Ryder, is set to raise thousands for a great Gloucestershire cause — as well as raising plenty of smiles!
The first ever 10K and half marathon starts and finishes at Gloucester Park on Sunday 31 March 2024, passing around Gloucester Cathedral, before heading out around Gloucester and Quedgeley along a closed road circuit and along the Sharpness Canal Path.
Immersive 1980’s video game experience at Gloucester Guildhall
Tickets go on sale soon for this interactive experience that uses the nostalgic aesthetic of 1980’s video games to explore the relationship between players and avatars.
ARCADE is presented by DARKFIELD at Gloucester Guildhall from Wednesday 27 March to Sunday 7 April 2024 for over 16s. In a choose-your-own-path experience, game fans will be fully immersed in alternate environments within a dark shipping container, using 360 degree binaural sound and sensory effects.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year at Nature in Art
Visiting from the Natural History Museum in London, the world-renowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition opens at Nature in Art in Twigworth from Tuesday 6 February until Sunday 7 April 2024.
Featuring extraordinary images, curated from 49,957 entries from 95 countries around the globe, this showcase of stunning species is not to be missed.
Gloucester Folk Trail
Returning with a terrifically tuneful programme of talent, the Gloucester Folk Trail is back in 2024 to get toes tapping throughout the city.
Bringing together the best folk musicians, poets and artists the county has to offer, 13 of Gloucester's venues transform into stages showcasing the popular festival's line-up. This year there'll even be a broom dance workshop! Fully funded by the businesses and venues involved and Gloucester BID, the event is free to attend and takes place from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 February 2024.
All the fun of the fair at Llanthony Secunda Priory
On Saturday 25 May 2024, there'll be gifts, boutique crafts, independent artisan treats and fashion from some of Gloucestershire's best artists and producers at Llanthony Secunda Priory.
From 11am to 4pm, the beautiful heritage buildings will also be open to explore, with volunteers on hand to answer questions about the priory, too.
Gloucester Tall Ships Festival sails back into town
Ahoy there! From Saturday 25 to Monday 27 May 2024, the popular biennial Tall Ships Festival returns to Gloucester Docks.
Hop on board magnificent historic ships, soak up the bustling atmosphere, marvel at the creative costumes and enjoy fun-filled displays that make it a weekend that draws crowds from across the UK.
Holy Week at Gloucester Cathedral
Make it an Easter to remember this year by joining in with a host of family activities at Gloucester Cathedral for Holy Week.
Follow the cheeky chick Easter trail from Saturday 1 April to Sunday 16 April 2024. There'll also be family activity sessions from Tuesday 11 to Thursday 13 April 2024 from 12.30pm to 3.30pm.
Folk for Folk at the National Waterways Museum Gloucester
2024 sees the launch of the Folk for Folk project, which lets young people unlock and explore the National Waterways Museum Gloucester's hidden folk art collection.
The five-week exhibition starts on Saturday 23 March 2024, showcasing original artwork and items from the collection along with a host of family activities and events.
Music Festivals at Gloucester Guildhall
Underground Festival is returning to Gloucester Guildhall with a 'pay what you choose' format to make it accessible to all this Saturday 30 March 2024. Catch even more acts at Blackfriars Priory, The Music Works studios and Guildhall Cinema as well.
The Guildhall is also hosting Gloucester's Cajun & Zydeco Festival on Friday 26 to Sunday 28 January 2024, bringing the lively spirit of Louisiana to the city for its 30th anniversary year.
Gloucester History Festival
Following last year's sell-out success, Gloucester History Festival's spring weekend is back this April 2024, bringing some of the world's most compelling historians, authors and broadcasters to Blackfriars Priory.
With a programme of 20 inspiring events, names include broadcaster and author of Istanbul, Bettany Hughes; journalist and author of the forthcoming book EmpireLand: How Modern Britain is Shaped by its Imperial Past, Sathnam Sanghera; historian and Wolves of Winter author, Dan Jones; and author of the award-winning The Woman Who Saved the Children, Clare Mulley.
Prosperity Care and Wellbeing opening
A one-stop-shop for physical and mental health support is opening at Gloucester Quays. With classes running multiple times a week, the new holistic wellbeing pod will serve as a focal point for therapeutic events, including popular breathwork classes that provide relaxation and self-care.
The business hopes to partner with retail and food outlets within the Quays to provide supported employment opportunities for those with additional needs or re-entering the workforce, too.
International Photography Exhibition at the Museum of Gloucester
The Museum of Gloucester is hosting the Royal Photographic Society's renowned International Photography Exhibition for the third time from Saturday 2 March until Sunday 2 June 2024.
Packed with 96 snaps from 46 world-renowned photographers, it promises to showcase striking shots from across the globe.
LEGO® summer exhibition
Find out all about Brick History with a line-up of historical events shaped with the iconic tiny cubes.
Running at The Museum of Gloucester from Saturday 29 June until Thursday 6 October 2024, there'll be everything from famous figures to dinosaurs and iconic battles. Tickets will go on sale later in the year.
Gloucester Goes Retro
One of the highlights of every August, Gloucester's streets will be filled with retro cars, colourful costumes and a joyful atmosphere.
The Docks will also be getting involved with Retro on the Water celebrating the boats of yesteryear, with official dates set to be revealed soon. There'll be retro boat trips and picnics throughout the school summer holidays, so get your hampers at the ready!
Gloucester Day
Follow the colourful annual parade through the city centre on Saturday 7 September 2024 as Gloucester comes alive with pop-up stalls and an array of performances.
Bringing together the rich tapestry of communities across the city, it promises to be a day of riotous celebration.
Pride Day
The LGBTQ+ community will be standing proud in Gloucester Park on Saturday 14 September 2024. Join the march across the city and help celebrate inclusion and advocacy.
The family-friendly event is expected to feature live performances, discussions and debates throughout the day along with a great party atmosphere with plenty of entertainment.
Americana Music Festival
This hotly anticipated festival is back for 2024, bringing live music from this ever more popular genre to the city.
Running from Friday 13 to Saturday 14 September 2024, the venues and line-up are set to be released very soon. We can't wait!
Christmas celebrations
Gloucester's lovely lantern procession is set to be another highlight in 2024 with the tree of light switch on in Kings Square a firm favourite for many, too.
The dates have yet to be set but festivities are due to kick-off in mid November with plenty of markets, events and experiences in the pipeline.
