Top events in Gloucestershire 2026: Dates, tickets and tips

2026 Gloucestershire events calendar

Event	Dates
Cheltenham Festival (Jump Racing)	10-13 March 2026
Cheltenham Jazz Festival	29 April-4 May 2026
Cheltenham Science Festival	2-7 June 2026
Cheltenham Literature Festival	9-18 October 2026
Wychwood Festival	28-31 May 2026
2000trees Festival	8-11 July 2026
Cotswold Olimpick Games	29 May 2026
Giffords Circus	Multiple dates April-September 2026
Gloucester Tall Ships Festival	Biennial - next edition planned for 2027

Sporting highlights in Gloucestershire

With plenty of access to green spaces, it's no surprise that this county hosts many outdoor sporting events. Whether you're looking for spectator sports or hoping to join running events in Gloucestershire, there is something for everyone.

Cheltenham Festival (Jump Racing)

Cheltenham Racecourse holds its most significant horse-racing event, the Cheltenham Festival, every March. Several races take place over four days, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase and Stayers' Hurdle.

 

Key details:

 

• Dates: 10-13 March 2026

• Typical prices: £54-£1,200 (depending on enclosure and experience)

• Parking: Park and ride directly off Junction 11 of the M5 with a shuttle bus to the racecourse; onsite parking £20-£25

• Tickets: Available via The Jockey Club

Cotswold Olimpick Games (Dover’s Hill, Chipping Campden)

The Cotswolds host their own version of the Olympics, believed to have begun as early as 1612. Today, the Cotswold Olimpicks occur every year on the Friday following the Spring Bank Holiday, on Dover's Hill near Chipping Campden. Participants engage in unique games and activities such as Morris dancing, shin-kicking and tug-of-war.

 

Key details:

 

• Dates: 29 May 2026

• Typical prices: £8.30 (adults), £3.96 (under 16s)

• Tickets: Available via Eventbrite

Cotswold Way Challenge (Endurance Walk/Run)

The Cotswold Way Challenge is a 100km loop starting in Cirencester. Participants can choose to run or walk and complete the full distance or a shorter section of 75km, 50km, 25km, or 10km. Whether you want to have fun with friends or raise money for charity, the Cotswold Way Challenge can be an excellent opportunity to reach your goal whilst experiencing the scenery in the South West.

 

Key details:

 

• Dates: 13-14 June 2026

• Typical prices: £49–£199 (depending on distance); charity-funded places available where fundraising covers part or all the registration fee

• Tickets: Sign up via Ultra Challenge

Arts and culture festivals

From music festivals in the Gloucestershire countryside to travelling circuses and world-renowned literary events, these are some of the best ways to soak up the arts and culture in the county.

Cheltenham Jazz Festival

Part of the wider Cheltenham Festivals programme, the Cheltenham Jazz Festival brings the town to life each spring with six days of world-class performances. The event showcases internationally renowned artists alongside breakthrough talent, offering bold collaborations, innovative sounds and a vibrant celebration of contemporary and classic jazz. It is considered one of Europe’s leading jazz festivals and attracts music lovers from across the UK and beyond to Cheltenham.

 

Key details:

 

• Dates: 29 April - 4 May 2026

• Typical prices: Vary by performance; free outdoor music available, with ticketed events for major international acts

• Tickets: Available via the Cheltenham Jazz Festival website

Cheltenham Science Festival

The Cheltenham Science Festival transforms the town into a hub for discovery and big ideas. Over six days, it brings together world-leading scientists, thinkers and storytellers to explore breakthroughs, debates and discoveries shaping our future. The festival features more than 100 events, spanning science, technology, health, society and innovation, alongside free interactive zones and hands-on activities designed for all ages.

 

Key details:

 

• Dates: 2-7 June 2026

• Typical prices: A mix of ticketed events and free interactive zones; pricing varies by event, with many hands-on activities available at no cost

• Tickets: Available via the Cheltenham Science Festival website

Cheltenham Literature Festival

The Cheltenham Literature Festival is the world’s longest-running literature festival, renowned for bringing together leading writers, thinkers, journalists, poets and cultural figures for ten days of insight, debate and storytelling. Each October, the town transforms into a vibrant Festival Village centred around Montpellier Gardens, hosting hundreds of events ranging from headline talks and panel discussions to family sessions, workshops and free public activities.

 

Key details:

 

• Dates: 9-18 October 2026

• Typical prices: A mix of free events and ticketed sessions, with prices generally ranging from free to around £60, depending on the event and venue1

• Tickets: Available via the Cheltenham Literature Festival website

Giffords Circus

Founded in 2000 by Nell Gifford, who grew up between Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, this is a traditional English circus with a twist. Expect music, dancing, acrobatics and horses, amongst other unique performances. The circus tours the south of England from April to October every year, including multiple locations in Gloucestershire.

 

Key details:

• Dates:

• Fennells Farm, Stroud: 2–20 April 2026

• Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe: 23 April – 5 May 2026

• Frampton Court, Frampton-on-Severn: 23–27 July 2026

• Minchinhampton Common, Stroud: 30 July – 10 August 2026

• Stratton Meadows, Cirencester: 27 August – 7 September 2026

• Fennells Farm, Stroud (return): 10–27 September 2026

• Typical prices: Adults £20–£45, children’s and wheelchair-user tickets £10–£35, varying by location and performance time

• Tickets: Available via the Giffords Circus website

Music festivals

Gloucestershire offers a lively mix of music events each year, from family-friendly weekends to standout independent festivals. Below are the key highlights, along with essential details to help you plan your visit.

Wychwood Festival

Held annually at Cheltenham Racecourse, the Wychwood Festival is one of the UK’s most family-friendly music festivals, celebrated for its warm atmosphere, eclectic lineups and wide range of activities. The festival offers live music across multiple stages, comedy, workshops, children’s activities and a welcoming festival village. With headliners including well-known names from the music world, Wychwood continues to be a standout cultural event in the Gloucestershire calendar.

 

Key details:

 

• Dates: 28–31 May 2026

• Typical prices: Weekend tickets from £149.50 with camping (£144.50 without); day tickets from £59.50

• Tickets: Available via the Wychwood Festival website

2000trees

Set in the Cotswold Hills at Upcote Farm, 2000trees is an award-winning independent music festival celebrated for its energetic atmosphere, strong community spirit and focus on new and underground British music. The festival showcases more than 100 live acts spanning rock, punk, metal, indie and alternative genres, alongside comedy, DJs, children’s activities, food stalls and late-night entertainment.

 

Key details:

 

• Dates: 8–11 July 2026

• Typical prices:

• 3-day tickets: £250 (£225 Student/NHS) with camping

• 4-day tickets: £310 (£280 Student/NHS) with camping

• Day tickets: £85 (£55 evening tickets)

• Child tickets: From £20 (under 13s), free for ages 0–3

• Tickets: Available via the 2000trees official website

Barn on the Farm

Known for its intimate atmosphere, emerging-artist focus, and strong grassroots community is Barn on the Far. Traditionally held at Over Farm in Gloucester, it has built a reputation as an early champion of breakthrough artists, with past performers including Ed Sheeran, James Bay and Olivia Dean.

 

The festival was cancelled in 2025, with organisers emphasising a desire to return without compromising on quality, creativity or the festival’s intimate identity, and remain committed to a future comeback.

 

Check the Barn on the Farm website for updates on the 2026 edition.

Maritime and heritage

With its strong maritime roots and rich local history, Gloucestershire hosts much-loved heritage events.

Gloucester Tall Ships Festival

The Gloucester Tall Ships Festival is the city’s flagship cultural event and a biennial celebration of maritime heritage held at the historic Gloucester Docks. As one of the region’s largest festivals, it brings together majestic tall ships, live music, immersive performances, family activities, food markets and heritage storytelling.

 

Because of its biennial format, the Tall Ships Festival doesn’t take place every year, so visitors planning trips in off years should expect a quieter docks programme. However, Gloucester Docks hosts other maritime and cultural events, including dockside markets, heritage tours and occasional visiting vessels.

 

Key details:

 

• Next festival: Planned for 2027

• Last festival: Held 25–27 May 2024

• Tickets: Pricing varies per edition; check the Gloucester Tall Ships website for updates

Plan your visit: Official resources and travel

Plan accommodation, transport and accessibility easily via:

 

• Visit Gloucestershire

• Visit Gloucester

• Visit Cotswolds

Gloucestershire is easy to navigate by rail, with Great Western Railway trains stopping at all key locations. Stagecoach buses can also help you travel between destinations.

 

Whether you're drawn to Cheltenham’s festival buzz or Gloucester’s historic docks, you’ll find welcoming communities and thoughtfully designed homes close to the action.

 

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