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:
Spring
Bath Comedy Festival (21 March - 19 April)
Watch much-loved comedians including Harry Enfield, Troy Hawke, Paul Merton, Ed Byrne, Deirdre O’Kane, Rob Auton, Hal Cruttenden and Josh Jones in venues across Bath. It's also worth catching the heats and Grand Final of the New Act Competition, to see up-and-coming comedy acts.
BARF Festival (5 April)
A new festival celebrating Bath's alternative music scene, with a lineup featuring Bureau De Change, Bite The Buffalo, Kill Mirror Image, Sergeant Thunderhoof, The Setbacks and more.
May
Bath Festival Of Choirs (15 - 17 May)
Enjoy a series of live choir performances and workshops, including several free performances.
The Bath Literature Festival (16 - 24 May)
Take your pick from a jam-packed programme of talks, readings, walks and workshops, with highlights including an evening with Maggie O’Farrell, the bestselling author of 'Hamnet', Booker Prize-winning author Douglas Stuart, and Tom Holland on his translation of Lives of the Twelve Caesars. The festival will open with the free 'Party in the City' on Friday 15 May, with live music across dozens of venues.
Image - The Bath Literature Festival
Good Times Live (20 - 25 May)
Just outside Bath in the Cotswold market town of Chipping Sodbury, you can enjoy a series of music, comedy and family gigs, with music headliners including The Human League and Marc Almond, Jessie J, Tom Odell, Madness and Emeli Sandé.
Shindig Festival (21 - 24 May)
Known as “a pint-sized version of Glastonbury,” this family-friendly festival has live music, award-winning street food, boutique camping, a healing field and kids area.
Bath Fringe Festival (22 May - 7 June)
Featuring over 100 events with local and international artists, you can expected a varied programme of comedy, theatre, circus, live music, spoken word and more.
Bath International Music Festival (30 May - 7 June)
A highlight of Bath's event calendar, you can expect to see internationally-renowned musicians in beautiful venues across the city. Highlights include immersive concerts in Bath Abbey from The Gesualdo Six, performances from three of the world’s finest pianists, and a late evening jazz concert at The Pump Room.
Image - Bath International Music Festival
June
Queer Bath (1 - 30 June)
This celebration of Bath's LGBTQ+ arts and heritage includes a month of new tours, talks, comedy, workshops, exhibitions and more. Head to the Rainbow Family Fun Day at American Museum & Gardens, or dance along at a silent disco in the Holburne Museum.
Festival of Nature (6 - 14 June)
This free family-friendly festival is shining a spotlight on trees and forests this year, with special talks, crafting activities, tree trails and immersive screenings.
Image - Festival of Nature
Tangled Roots Folk Festival (7 June)
Just outside Bath in the serene surroundings of Radford Mill Farm in Timsbury, take in some relaxing folk and traditional music from around the world. The programme also features dance and singing workshops, yoga and Tai Chi.
Bath Fashion Festival (12 - 13 June)
Get up close with brands and styles from across the world in a series of exhibitions, catwalks, talks and workshops at The Holburne Museum.
Bath Refugee Festival (20 June)
Hosted at the former home of Ethiopia's Emperor Haile Selassie, Fairfield House, this one-day festival will be filled with global music, delicious food, creative workshops, storytelling and talks, as well as a range of family-friendly activities.
Iford Manor Jazz Festival (18 - 21 June)
Settings don't come much better than the beautiful Iford Manor Gardens, where you can enjoy concerts from jazz legends throughout the week.
Image - Iford Manor Jazz Festival
Forest Live at Westonbirt Arboretum (24 - 28 June)
Watch some of the country's best-known artists perform against the stunning backdrop of the forest, with this year's headliners including Fatboy Slim, Deacon Blue and Lightning Seeds,
UB40 feat Ali Campbell, Rick Astley and Richard Ashcroft.
Keynsham Music Festival (29 June - 3 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.
Image - Forest Live, credit Johnny Hathaway
July
Garden Theatre Festival (2 - 26 July)
Outdoor theatre returns to the garden at The Holburne Museum for a sixth year, with alfresco performances of The Importance of Being Earnest, Sense & Sensibility, and The Big Bad Wolf.
Party at the Palace (3 - 5 July)
Three days of live music and family entertainment come to The Bishop’s Palace in Wells, with a Country Superstars Theatre Tour on the Friday, followers by a 90s Party headlined by East 17 on the Saturday, and a Kids Party on the Sunday afternoon.
The Frome Festival (3 - 12 July)
This annual celebration of arts and culture celebrates its 25th year in 2026,with a huge programme of events spanning live music, theatre, comedy, tours, talks, family events and workshops.
RHS Badminton Flower Show (8 - 12 July)
See grand displays and show gardens in the historic Badminton Estate. You can also watch talks and demos from horticulture experts, and get hands-on with workshops and interactive exhibits.
Bath Carnival (11 July)
Join the city’s free annual celebration of carnival arts on Saturday 12 July, featuring a spectacular carnival procession through the city streets.
Image: Bath Carnival
Bath Summer Fayre (17 -19 July)
Head to Milsom Street for this free summer fayre, where you can explore a bustling open-air market with independent makers and producers, plus live entertainment at music throughout the weekend.
Valley Fest (31 July - 2 August)
The family-friendly food and music festival returns to the shores of Chew Valley Lake for a weekend of cookery demos, feasting, workshops and live music, with this year's headliners including Big Special, Friendly Fires and Cast.
Image - Valley Fest
August
If Opera (6 - 16 August)
A series of operas, staged in the gorgeous surroundings of the secluded and peaceful Church Farm near Trowbridge. The festival turns 30 in 2026 , and this year's repertoire will include Bizet's Carmen and Straus's The Chocolate Soldier.
Field to Fork Festival (22 August)
Learn more about local food, farming and nutrition at this one-day festival in Bradford on Avon. Expect cookery demos, hands-on workshops, live music, and a marketplace of local artisans and food producers.
Bath Pride (22 August)
Join the Pride march from The Holburne Museum at 11am, and then return to Sydney Gardens for a free day of entertainment, including music, drag performers and family activities.
Image - Bath Pride
September
Foodies Festival (4 - 6 September)
This food festival in Royal Victoria Park combines top chefs, tasty food, delicious drinks and live music. See headliners Symphonic Ibiza performing live on the Friday, Boyzlife on Saturday and Example on Sunday.
The Jane Austen Festival (11 -20 September)
There's no better time to celebrate all things Austen than in 2025 which would have been Jane Austen's 250th birthday. Don't miss the 10-day Jane Austen Festival for an immersive Regency experience, where you can enjoy themed balls, experiences, tours, workshops, talks, and performances. One highlight is 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
Yeo Valley Organic Garden Festival (17 - 19 September)
Green-fingered folk will love this weekend of hands-on workshops and expert demonstrations, designed to get your garden thriving.
Bath Children's Literature Festival
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
Bath Film Festival (16 - 25 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.
Wildscreen Festival (19 - 22 October)
Hosted across Bath and Bristol, the main festival hub will be at the Apex City of Bath Hotel, with workshops, talks and screenings celebrating natural world storytellers.
November
Bath Mozartfest (13 - 21 November)
Celebrate the music of Mozart and his contemporaries with a series of concerts across Bath this November.
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