Whether you're after a colourful carnival-style party in the city, a chance to taste the finest food the region has to offer, or seeing iconic music acts and comedians perform live, you're sure to find a Bath festival you'll love this year. 

Take a look through our highlights of this year's festival calendar, including events dedicated to books, music, food, comedy and more: 

May

The Bath Festival (17 - 26 May)

The Bath Festival returns to the city from 17 - 26 May, featuring an eclectic range of events in its internationally renowned annual celebration of books and music. Enjoy fascinating talks on everything from politics to fashion and star-gazing to crime fiction, as well as thrilling live music performances at the city's historic venues curated by this year's artist-in-residence Sean Shibe. There's also a chance to join guided walks around Bath led by expert local guides, or meet some of Britain's much-loved public figures, including Clive Myrie, Ruby Wax, Sara Pascoe, Michael Ball, George Monbiot, and many more. 

• Ten highlights at The Bath Festival 2024

Image: The Bath Festival 2024

Shindig Festival (23 - 26 May)

The funkiest party in the West! Returning for its tenth and final edition, Shindig Festival takes place in the stunning grounds of Dillington Estate in Somerset, a 16th century house and hotel surrounded by magnificent tree-studded parkland. Expect live music from headliners including Groove Armada, Brand New Heavies and Kurupt FM, stand-up comedy from the legendary Reginald D. Hunter, fun family experiences, and much more. 

Image: Shindig Festival

Bath Fringe Festival (24 May - 9 June)

The annual Bath Fringe Festival platforms talented local and international artists at landmark Bath venues including Komedia, The Grapes, Burdall's Yard and The Rondo Theatre. Take your pick from the huge range of events spanning music, theatre, comedy, and much more, all taking place over three weekends in early summer. 

June

Foodies Festival (7 - 9 June) 

The UK’s biggest touring celebrity food and music festival series is coming to Royal Victoria Park for the first time this year. Known as the 'Gastro-Glastonbury,' Foodies Festival will bring together an illustrious lineup of award-winning local chefs including Kasae Fraser, Chris Cleghorn, Jauca Catalin, Henry Scott and James Harris, as well as TV celebrities and chefs including 2023 Great British Bake Off winner Matty Edgell and 2023 MasterChef: The Professionals finalist Tommy Thorn.

Look forward to a jam-packed weekend of live cooking and baking demonstrations, drinks masterclasses, shopping in the artisan market, and performances from musical headliners Example, Blue, and Symphonic Ibiza. 

Image: Foodies Festival

Iford Jazz Festival (20 - 23 June) 

Be serenaded by the soothing sound of live jazz as you tuck into a picnic in the ravishing gardens of Iford Manor. Claire Martin OBE has once again curated a wonderful programme to be enjoyed by jazz lovers and garden aficionados alike.

Image: Iford Manor

Flourish Food Festival (22-23 June) 

Join Flourish for their first ever Food Festival this June, bringing a vibrant array of food and drink suppliers to the local community, along with live music, a craft market, and family-friendly activities. Entry is free. 

Image: Flourish 

July 

Keynsham Music Festival (1 - 7 July)

Take in several days of music, comedy opera and more at this arts festival just a short train or bus journey from Bath in Keynsham's Memorial Park. 

Forest Live (4 - 12 July)

The forest-based concert series returns to Westonbirt Arboretum once more this year, with shows from Gregory Porter on 4 July, Anne-Marie on 5 July, The Corrs on 6 July, Van Morrison on 7 July, and Nile Rodgers & CHIC on 12 July. 

Image: Forest Live

Garden Theatre Festival (10 - 26 July)

Choose from two weeks' worth of theatre shows from nationally acclaimed companies, performed in the magical gardens of The Holburne Museum on a beautiful open-air thrust stage space. This year's programme includes shows that everyone will love, from family-friendly productions of Peter Pan and The Railway Children to hilarious comedies for older ages, including Sherlock & Watson: A Murder in the Garden, Impromptu Shakespeare, and Jeeves & Wooster.

If you're not around in July to get your theatre fix, the festival will also be hosting a pop-up bonus production of Shakespeare's infamous comedy 'As You Like It' on 21 August.

Bath Carnival (13 July)

Join the city’s free annual celebration of carnival arts on Saturday 13 July, featuring a spectacular carnival procession through the city streets. 

Image: Bath Carnival

August

Valley Fest (1 - 4 August) 

Based a few miles west of Bath on the banks of the scenic Chew Valley Lake in the Mendip Hills, the 'best-tasting music festival in the South West' celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. Savour everything from charcuterie to cider and street food to sit-down feasts from fine local producers, accompanied by huge headline acts including Sister Sledge, Sophie Ellis Bextor, and Tinie Tempah. 

Image: Valley Fest 

If Opera (23 - 31 August)

A series of operas, staged in the gorgeous surroundings of Belcombe Court in the town of Bradford-on-Avon to the south east of Bath. This year's programme includes performances of two of the greatest operas in the repertoire to the stage: Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor and Strauss’s Die Fledermaus, together with the popular picnic prom and a children's concert. 

September

Bathscape Walking Festival (7 - 22 September)

The annual Bathscape Walking Festival showcases Bath as a fantastic walking destination, as well as the city's unique landscape. Keep an eye out for news of this year’s programme of free guided walks, led by knowledgeable local experts.  

Image: Bathscape Walking Festival 

The Jane Austen Festival (13 - 22 September)

Visit Bath during the Jane Austen Festival for an immersive Regency experience, where you can enjoy themed balls, experiences, tours, workshops, talks, and performances. Don't miss the Grand Regency Costumed Promenade, offering you the chance to walk alongside 500 costumed Jane Austen fans. This one-of-a-kind event begins at The Holburne Museum, then continues over Pulteney Bridge and past many of the landmarks in central Bath. 

Image: The Jane Austen Festival

Bath Children's Literature Festival (27 September - 6 October)

Europe’s largest children’s literature festival will bring some very special guests to Bath for a series of talks, workshops, and more free events suitable for children of all ages.

Image: Bath Children's Literature Festival

October

FilmBath (18 - 27 October)

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

November

Bath Mozartfest (8 - 16 November) 

Celebrate the music of Mozart and his contemporaries with a series of concerts across Bath this November.

Read more:

• 24 Things to do in Bath in 2024
• Family-friendly events