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Welcome to Cheltenham Festivals Changing lives through culture

Literature for Schools 2026 Tickets Now on Sale
Join us from 9–18 October for inspiring events with Michael Rosen, Katherine Rundell, Nadia Shireen, Nathanael Lessore and many more.
This year's programme offers something for every age group, with events designed to spark imaginations, nurture creativity and inspire a lifelong love of reading and writing.
Book Your PlaceWe believe in a world where everyone can explore and create culture
Our charity brings joy, sparks curiosity, connects communities and inspires change year-round through four world-class Festivals in Jazz, Science, Music and Literature and projects for education, community and talent development
What's On What's on

Za Górami
Vocalist and violinist Alice Zawadzki, pianist Fred Thomas and bassist Misha Mullov-Abbado present a rare alchemy, fusing folk idioms from a multitude of sources with free-flowing interplay and fluid structures. Inhabiting their own…

Life and Director's Circle Patrons Dinner
The event will begin at 5pm where you’ll be greeted by the Patrons team and Co-CEO Ali Mawle, who will be sharing the Festivals’ five-year strategy.A two-course dinner will be provided, followed by a short performance from young musicians…

Idrîsî Ensemble
Idrîsî Ensemble return to Cheltenham Music Festival for a second instalment of their extraordinary exploration of the sounds of the medieval Mediterranean. The ensemble are pioneering a fresh approach to historical performance with a…

Composer Academy Showcase
A window into the future of contemporary classical music, featuring four new pieces written by a carefully-selected group of leading young composers performed live by the Carice Singers, led by George Parris.Held in DEYA’s intimate and…

Mahler, Brahms and Bruckner
Das klagende Lied is Mahler’s musical coming-of-age – an insight into one of the great musical minds of all time and a chilling tale of jealousy, murder and magic.Written for colossal orchestral and choral forces, an eerie woodland and a…

Mixtape x Squidsoup
Mixtape returns in 2026, refreshed by a brand new collaboration with world-leading arts collective Squidsoup, masters of beautiful immersive lighting design. Grab a drink, sit, stand, or lie back and get lost in the magical interplay of…

It's time for the Next Chapter
Since 1945, thanks to your support, we've been changing lives through culture. And now it's time for the Next Chapter. Read all about our Five Year Strategy today.
Keep up to date with Festival news See all news

The Big Read 2026
Tuesday 16 June 2026The Big Read 2026One book. One community. One Big Read.
The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival Announces Women's Prize for Fiction Winner 2026 ‘Big Read' Title
Tuesday 16 June 2026The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival has today announced Women’s Prize for Fiction winner Virginia Evans’ and The Correspondent as this year’s Big Read title, launching a celebration of reading ahead of the Festival…
Inspiring the Next Generation of Curious Minds
Friday 12 June 2026Last week our Festival Village sparked the curiosity of thousands of Festival-goers with over 100 vibrant talks, explosive demos and creative workshops during Cheltenham Science Festival 2026.


