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 in 2022.

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 (27^th March – 21^st April)

Whatever your comedy taste palate, find a show that gets you giggling at Bath Comedy Festival. There’s stand-up, sketch comedy, cabaret, kids’ shows, music, magic and mystery tours to enjoy, with big names like Josh Widdicombe, Henning Wehn and Sarah Millican among the acts.

Image - Party in the City, The Bath Festival

May

The Bath Festival (13^th – 21^st May)  

Take your pick from an incredibly diverse programme of literary and music events for this year’s much-loved Bath Festival. The festival fun kicks off with Party in the City on Friday 13^th May, a free city-wide musical extravaganza. Eight days of cultural events follow, with gigs, talks, walks, and entertainment galore.

If you still need convincing, check out these five reasons to go to The Bath Festival and dive into each day of the programme:

• Day one
• Day two
• Day three
• Day four
• Day five
• Day six
• Day seven
• Day eight        

Bath Fringe Festival (27^th May – 12^th June)

Bath Fringe Festival will takeover various venues across the city for over two weeks of incredible new music, theatre and visual art that will challenge and delight you.

June

Bradford-on-Avon Food & Drink Festival (11^th & 12^th June)

Spend two delicious days indulging in food and drink from some of the city’s best producers in Bradford-on-Avon, just 12 minutes from Bath on the train. There’ll be heaps of family-friendly entertainment too, including cooking workshops for kids from Fun Kitchen.

Image - Bradford-on-Avon Food Festival

Pub in the Park at Royal Victoria Park (17^th – 19^th 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 Supergrass, Faithless, and Natalie Imbruglia & Melanie C.  

Bath Festival of Motoring 2022 at Albert Field (18^th & 19^th June)

Hundreds of classic and modern cars and motorbikes, plus the latest alternative fuel vehicles, will be at Albert Field for the Bath Festival of Motoring. Expect parades, exhibitions, demonstrations and supercar rides, alongside competitions, live music and family activities.  

July

Americana Fest at The American Museum (1^st – 3^rd July)  

This new festival of American culture will bring together a top line-up of all-American comedy and big names from the Americana music scene. Headliners include Reginald D Hunter, Ethan Johns’ Black Eyed Dogs and The Magic Numbers, and there’ll be games, workshops, vintage cars, and American food trucks and bars too.

Image - The Magic Numbers

Bath Carnival (9^th July)

Join the city’s annual celebration of carnival arts on Saturday 9^th July. Plans for 2022 include a combined-arts festival in Sydney Gardens, a carnival procession, live bands, DJs, walkabout acts, and a Super Pirates play area.

Image - Bath Carnival

Smoked & Uncut Festival at THE PIG-near Bath (9^th July)

This year’s Smoked & Uncut Festival at THE PIG-near Bath will be headlined by the legendary Jools Holland and His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. There’ll be heaps of delicious festi-food, local ales, and cocktails, all set in the idyllic Somerset countryside.

Iford Manor Jazz Festival (22^nd – 24^th July)

Enjoy live music, the English countryside, and picnicking at the Iford Manor Jazz Festival, curated by multi-award-winning jazz vocalist Claire Martin OBE. Watch a toe-tapping performance from Joe Stilgoe & Trio on Friday 22^nd July, king of swing Ray Gelato and the Giants on Saturday 23^rd July, and guitar virtuoso Martin Taylor on Sunday 24^th July, as well as daytime acts over the weekend.  

Fantastic Food Festivals at Royal Victoria Park (29^th – 31^st July)

Fantastic Food Festivals will be taking over Royal Victoria Park with local and national stalls bursting with tempting treats, savoury delights, and refreshing tipples. ⁠

September

The Jane Austen Festival (9^th – 18^th September)

Opening with the Grand Regency Costumed Promenade through the city, Janeites descend on Bath for the annual festival dedicated to the author, who once lived and wrote here. The rest of the festival is made up of guided walks, talks, music recitals, concerts, workshops, and dance classes, all inspired by the author and the Regency period.  

Image - The Jane Austen Festival

Bathscape Walking Festival (10^th – 25^th 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.  

VERVE Wellness Festival (17^th September)

A festival to leave you feeling energised, VERVE has activities like yoga, meditation, sound healing, forest bathing, and expert talks in store. Dance the night away to music from Huey Morgan (Fun Lovin' Criminals), Will Streetwise (Ghetto Funk, Shindig Festival), and DJ Emma & Dan Tolman.

The Great Bath Feast (23^rd – 25^th September)

Indulge your taste buds at autumn food festival The Great Bath Feast. Chef demos will draw in keen cooks, while every type of foodie will enjoy following the food and drink trail as well as sampling treats from the Milsom Street market.

Image - The Great Bath Feast

Bath Children’s Literature Festival (23^rd September – 2^nd October)

Bath Children’s Literature Festival inspires young bookworms of all ages with live, interactive events from their favourite authors and illustrators. Whether they love the escapism of storytelling and magic, are hungry for facts, passionate about drawing or simply like a giggle, there’ll be an event for them in the programme.

November

FilmBath Festival (3^rd – 13^th November)  

FilmBath Festival screens the best new and upcoming films from around the world with a stimulating and eclectic programme of films, workshops, and film events in venues across Bath and beyond.

To find more exciting events happening in Bath in 2022, search our What’s On listings.