Whether being serenaded by jazz as you picnic in the countryside or a colourful carnival-style party in the city is more your vibe – find a Bath festival you'll love this year.

We've rounded up highlights on this year's festival calendar, featuring events dedicated to music, food, books, comedy and more.

April

Bath Comedy Festival (until 16th April)

Don't miss this celebration of comedy, with shows from some of the biggest names on the scene. The festival will have audiences laughing their socks off in some of Bath's most iconic locations both big and small. Venues span the length and breadth of the historic city, including Bath Forum, Walcot House, The Ring O Bells, The Hop Pole, Widcombe Social Club, The Bell, Komedia, Rondo Theatre and Bath Cider House. 

Easter Cider Festival at Bath Cider House (7th - 10th April)

Celebrate the Easter bank holiday with the latest and greatest Cider Festival at Bath Cider House. Showcasing dozens of incredible ciders from up and down the country. Paired perfectly with local sausages straight off the grill. All while bopping along to local legends Ninotchka.

May

The Bath Festival (12th - 21st May)

The Bath Festival returns to the city from 12 - 21 May, this year focusing on the theme of 'Opening Up' in its internationally renowned annual celebration of music and books. The festival will include guided walks, events in historic building, gatherings in intimate settings and more. 

Fire in Your Soul (13th - 14th May)

This new cooking over fire mini festival comes to Chew Valley, with live music, live demonstrations, workshops, competitions, and many other fun activities.

Shindig Festival (25th - 29th May)

The funkiest party in the West! Shindig Festival, now in its ninth year, takes place in the stunning grounds of Dillington Estate in Somerset, a 16th century house and hotel that’s surrounded by beautiful, tree-studded parkland.

Image - Shindig Festival

Bath Fringe Festival (26th May - 11th June)

The Bath Fringe is a festival of all the arts, with few rules as to what should be in or out – it’s what people want to do, and what venues in Bath want to put on. It all happens for two long weeks & three weekends in early summer, in the beautiful city of Bath.

June

Forest Live (8th - 10th June)

The forest-based concert series returns to Westonbirt Arboretum, with this year's shows from Paul Weller on 8th June, Tom Grennan on 9th June and Jack Savoretti on 10th June.

Image - Paul Weller

Tangled Roots Festival (9th - 11th June)

Head to Radford Mill Farm near Timsbury in Somerset for a chilled summer festival, with a music lineup of folk, acoustic, traditional and world music. You can also join in with yoga workshops, open mic sessions, campfire sessions and the Sunday Acoustic Café.

Pub in the Park (16th - 18th June)

Tom Kerridge’s celebration of the great British pub is back in Royal Victoria Park this summer. As well as tucking into amazing dishes and watching chef demos, catch chart-topping acts like Example, Bjorn Again, Mcfly and Gabrielle. 

Summer Party at Longleat (17th - 18th June)

Eat, drink and be merry as you ennoy headline acts such as The Coral, The Lightning Seeds and The Wurzels play against the grandest backdrop of Longleat House. There will also be a fairground, cooking demos and more.

Keynsham Music Festival (26th June - 2nd July)

An arts, eco and wellbeing festival just a short train or bus journey from Bath, take in several days of music, comedy opera and more in the Memorial Park.

Iford Jazz Festival (29th June - 2nd July)

Immerse yourself in idyllic Iford with a long weekend of jazz concerts to enjoy. Jazz legend Claire Martin OBE has once again curated a wonderful programme to be enjoyed by jazz lovers, countryside and garden aficionados alike.

July

Bath Carnival (8th July)

Join the city’s free annual celebration of carnival arts on Saturday 8^th July. Plans for this year include a combined arts festival in Sydney Gardens, a carnival procession, live bands, DJs, walkabout acts, and a Super Pirates play area.

Garden Theatre Festival (21st July - 5th August)

Choose from two weeks worth of shows from nationally renowned companies, performed in the magical gardens of the Holburne Museum. This year's programme includes David Walliams’s Bad Dad, As You Like It, Robin Hood and Doctor Dolittle, all performed on an open-air thrust stage space, with something for all of the family to enjoy. 

Image - Garden Theatre Festival

August

If Opera (24th - 30th August)

A series of operas, staged in the stunning surrounds of Belcombe Court in Bradford on Avon. This year's programme includes performances of Fedora, Iolanta and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Image - If Opera
 

September

Jane Austen Festival (8th - 17th September)

Visit Bath during the Jane Austen Festival for an immersive Regency experience. Walk alongside 500 costumed Jane Austen fans in the spectacular, opening Grand Regency Costumed Promenade. The highlight of the festival for many, this record-breaking event beings at the Holburne Museum and continues across Pulteney Bridge, past many landmarks in central Bath. 

Bathscape Walking Festival (9th - 24th September)

The annual Bathscape Walking Festival showcases Bath as a fantastic walking destination and landscape city. Look out for news of this year’s programme of free guided walks, led by knowledgeable local experts.  

The Great Bath Feast (22nd - 24th September)

The Great Bath Feast, in association with The Bertinet Kitchen, celebrates the best food and drink in the South West, as well as taste-sensations from further afield, appealing to culinary connoisseurs everywhere. There's plenty to taste and enjoy for all the family, with chef demos, an artisan village, book signings, masterclasses, talks and street performance alongside market stalls on Milsom Street. 

Bath Children's Literature Festival (29th September - 8th October)

Europe’s largest dedicated children’s literature festival will include talks, workshops, free events and more for all ages.

Image - Bath Children's Literature Festival

October

FilmBath (19th - 29th October)

Watch screenings of the best new and upcoming films from around the world, alongside workshops and film events in venues across the city.

November

Bath Mozartfest (10th - 18th November)

Celebrate the music of Mozart and his contemporaries in a series of concerts across Bath this November. Sister festival Bath Bachfest returns to the city from 15th - 17th February 2024.

Read more:

• Summer in Bath
• Family-friendly events
• 23 Things to do in Bath in 2023