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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

Relaxed Concert for Families
Join us to explore a musical rainbow in this very special orchestral concert. Will we find a pot of gold…?For children with disabilities or additional needs and their families, this is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a fully relaxed…

Gloucestershire Young Musician of the Year with Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra
In a new celebration of Gloucestershire’s outstanding musical talent, the Festival welcomes the winner of the Gloucestershire Young Musician Award to perform one of the greatest and most beloved violin concertos ever written. Superbly…

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…

Oleg Shebeta-Dragan
BBC New Generation ArtistUkrainian clarinettist Oleg Shebeta-Dragan is one of today’s most distinctive young artists. He first gained international recognition in 2022, when he won the prestigious Carl Nielsen International Competition in…

Astatine Trio
BBC New Generation ArtistThe award-winning Astatine Trio has emerged as one of the UK’s most exciting young ensembles and opens this year’s series of recitals by current BBC New Generation Artists. From 2022–25 the trio benefited from the…

Pre-concert Talk: Coates
Our guest speaker John Pickard explores the evocative sound world of Eric Coates, once dubbed the ‘King of light-music’. Focusing in particular on the two works to be performed this evening, including Cinderella – which Coates himself…

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.


