Festival Fever in Bath
Please note, in line with current government advice, many events in Bath are being cancelled or postponed. As information is changing rapidly, please check event information directly with venues.
Bath serves as a stage for a packed calendar of events. From comedy and carnival to food and drink, music and literature, there are exciting events and festivals taking place throughout the city in 2020.
The Bath Festival is the city's largest celebration of music and literature, featuring a plethora of household names and rising stars, and The Bath Festival Finale Weekend offers the chance to enjoy an open-air music festival set right in the heart of the city centre.
You can immerse yourself in the world of Bath’s most famous literary resident at the Jane Austen Festival, featuring elegant masked balls, walking tours and talks (many staged in locations straight out of Austen’s stories).
Treat your ears to classical music when international performers descend on the city for Mozartfest and Bachfest, indulge your sense of fun at Bath Comedy Festival, or discover rising cinematic stars at FilmBath Festival.
Get into the festive spirit at our famous Bath Christmas Market, where you can browse twinkling chalets packed with one-of-a-kind gifts and seasonal surprises, and warm up with plenty of comforting winter food.
Bath Bachfest: February
Celebrating the eighteenth-century German maestro and his contemporaries, Bath Bachfest welcomes internationally-renowned musicians to the city each February. Treat your ears to an array of Baroque concerts, featuring glorious music in all its classical forms, from suites to concertos and as solos and ensembles.
With 2019 the festival’s eighth year, it shows no sign of slowing down, instead keeping up momentum with a vibrant programme spanning lots of venues across the city, from the grand Assembly Rooms and Guildhall to the intimate St. Mary’s Church in Bathwick.
Whether you’re already a classical connoisseur, or simply intrigued by Bach, all are welcome at the three-day mini-festival.
Bath Comedy Festival: March and April
Bringing Bath to life each spring, Bath Comedy Festival sees 20 days of exciting events take over the city, guaranteed to get you laughing.
With line-ups in previous years including household names from the likes of Greg Davies to Paul Merton, and Aisling Bea to Miles Jupp, it’s a draw for both established and up-and-coming comedians, many of whom have performed on the Edinburgh Fringe circuit.
Celebrating comedy in all its forms, with an eclectic and vibrant mix of stand-up, street theatre, film, workshops and much more, you’re sure to find something to tickle your fancy.
The Bath Festival: May
The perfect excuse for a longer stay in the city, Bath’s flagship festival is a multi-arts celebration of all things music and literature.
With over 120 events spread out over ten days, the line-up features rock, classical and world music, with the fantastic Finale Weekend topping off a festival to remember.
Party in the City on 15th May also promises to unite Bath for its biggest night of free entertainment. Bookworms won’t be disappointed either, as talks and question and answer sessions from top writers and journalists sell out the city’s most beautiful venues during the festival.
The Bath Festival Finale Weekend: May
For the third year running, The Bath Festival will be going out in style with The Bath Festival Finale Weekend, a two-day live music spectacular staged at Bath Recreation Ground.
The Bath Festival Finale Weekend is a family-friendly festival with something for all ages. As well as the main stage, there will be bands playing in the Big Top, plus other stages featuring local talent, spoken word and street theatre. There will be a Kids Zone to keep younger festival-goers entertained, and festival stalls will offer a variety of delicious artisan food and drink stalls, with bars selling beer and cider.
Iford Arts: Various Productions from May to September
The annual Iford Arts Festival attracts sell-out audiences who travel to see its unique, intimate opera (performed in the round and sung in English), proms and concert performances at Belcombe Court, a stunning Grade I-listed historic house, near Bath. The 2019 season opened in Bath in May, and saw performances from Clare Teal and a run of Donizetti’s opera and comic masterpiece L’elisir D’amore. A specially commissioned geodesic dome (seating up to 240) was installed in Belcombe Court's grounds. Pack a picnic and enjoy the festival’s vibrant programme!
Bath Fringe: May and June
Uniting Bath’s creative scene, Bath Fringe’s packed summer programme features everything from theatre to dance and music to comedy.
With an ‘anything goes’ mentality, it means there’s something for everyone and the city will come alive with the arts – kids can enjoy a children’s festival whilst street performers and artists will (often literally) paint the town with creativity.
Part of Bath Fringe, Fringe Arts Bath embodies this hands-on approach and celebrates the contemporary visual arts with a range of exhibitions, events and workshops during the festival. Keep an eye out for art popping up in a host of unusual places and in unexpected ways across the city!
Pub in the Park: June
Combining the winning formula of great food and live music, Pub in the Park returns to Bath for its second year.
Fronted by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge, this year he’s joined by host Monica Galetti of MasterChef: The Professionals fame, along with a fabulous range of world-class chefs, pubs and restaurants to showcase the best food the country has to offer.
Expect plenty of demos, talks and tastings during the three-day feast of a festival. With music from the likes of Basement Jaxx, Gabrielle, Texas and Will Young, plus many more, Pub in the Park will bring all the right ingredients for the perfect summer festival!
Bath Carnival: July
Back once again to paint the town a rainbow of colours, Bath’s very own carnival takes to the streets in July.
Always an unmissable spectacle of sequins, feathers and tassels, the sounds of samba drums and their infectious rhythms are guaranteed to get you moving.
With its exciting street procession of colourful costumes, vibrant dance and dynamic music – embracing all that carnival culture has to offer, from all corners of the globe – Sydney Gardens also plays host to a free Party in the Park, with music, workshops, kids’ activities and plenty of food and drink from day to night.
Michael Bublé Live at the Royal Crescent: July 2020
Grammy award-winning global megastar Michael Bublé will herald the return of live music to the stunning Royal Crescent in July 2020 as he performs two spectacular summer open-air concerts, kicking off his 2020 ‘An Evening with Michael Bublé’ UK tour.
_1_780_485_s_c1.jpg)
Jane Austen Festival: 11th–20th September 2020
Bath’s most famous resident is the focus of this ten-day programme of literary-inspired events.
Now in its 19th year and undoubtedly Austen-approved, the Grand Regency Costumed Promenade kicks off proceedings – always an impressive event to behold even if you’re not taking part!
With a whole range of talks and workshops taking place in various venues across the city, the international festival draws Austen fans to Bath from far and wide, attracting all those looking to walk in her footsteps and step back in time.
Bathscape Walking Festival: 12th–22nd September 2020
Bathscape Walking Festival offers 50 free walks covering a variety of themes and distances, lead by knowledgeable leaders and supported by volunteers. Walks start at various locations around the city and allow you to explore every corner of Bath and its glorious surrounding countryside. The festival's grand finale, The Circuit of Bath Walk, which will take place on Sunday 22nd September, offers walkers the chance to take on a 20-mile challenge and fundraise for local homeless charity Julian House.
Whether you enjoy taking in stunning views on long-distance ambles, want to find out more about Bath's history, or prefer shorter walks that offer a thought-provoking experience, Bathscape's schedule offers a walk that you'll enjoy.
Bath Children’s Literature Festival: 25th September–4th October 2020
Europe’s largest dedicated children’s literature festival features ten days of talks, signings, activities and workshops promising to inspire and intrigue young and old alike in a range of venues, from The Guildhall to The Forum.
Welcoming the biggest and best authors and illustrators to the city, the Bath Children’s Literature Festival has previously hosted the likes of Michael Morpurgo, David Walliams and Lauren Child (to name but a few), so 2020’s line-up looks set to dazzle and delight yet again.
FilmBath Festival: 5th–15th November 2020
Whether you’re a film fanatic with your finger on the cinematic pulse, or simply looking to expand your interests in genre and style, FilmBath is the festival for you.
Previews, special events and question and answer sessions with filmmakers are the main ingredients, with screenings of world cinema, LGBT films, documentaries and more filling out the diverse and vibrant programme.
FilmBath Festival is celebrating it's 30th year in 2020, so expect 11 days of thought-provoking, diverse films that you won’t see anywhere else.
Bold, inspiring and causing a stir, the F-Rating champions films written, directed and focussed on women. The IMDb Awards unearth raw scriptwriting and filmmaking talent, and FilmClub provides fascinating films though the year.
With a whole host of creative opportunities, pioneering leaders and a truly inclusive spirit, FilmBath is one of the UK’s leading destinations for all fans of film.
Bath Mozartfest: 13th–21st November 2020
Bath Bachfest’s counterpart, Mozartfest showcases the eminent Austrian composer through nine days of classical concerts, often recognised as one of the country’s best celebrations of classical music.
Enjoy the music of Mozart and others – including Haydn, Wagner and Beethoven – through solos meriting quiet reflection, and joyful orchestral ensembles bringing music to life in celebration of the masterful maestro.
With a range of venues to match the music, from candlelit church settings to the grandeur of Bath Abbey, Mozartfest is not to be missed.
Bath Christmas Market: 26th November—13th December 2020
The festive season in Bath is an all-round magical experience with the arrival of Bath Christmas Market and its twinkling chalets.
Around 150 artisan makers and craftspeople, almost all local to the southwest region, set up shop on the streets of the city, bringing a range of unique products and gifts with which to fill their chalets.
Whether a tasty local cheese, a sparkling piece of jewellery, a handcrafted wooden toy or delicious handmade chocolate, you’re sure to find a present for everyone on your list. Make a trip out of your visit to the Market by extending your stay overnight, to fully experience all that the city has to offer over Christmas.