What’s On - Bath Festivals and Events

Are there any Bath festivals and events going on while you are visiting the city of Bath England?

This list tells you about the major Bath festivals, but there may be other more local events too, so don’t forget to check when you arrive.

March

Bath Literature Festival has now been running annually for over 10 years and attracts many well-known writers of fiction, non-fiction and journalism. There are talks, workshops and walks.

Bath Half Marathon starts at 11 am from Great Pulteney Street, covers a route through Queen Square, along the Upper Bristol Road to the dual carriageway and back along the Lower Bristol Road across Churchill Bridge to end once more in Great Pulteney Street. The race means road closures and inevitable hold-ups, so check details before driving to Bath on Sundays in March!

Spring Flower Show in Royal Victoria Park

Bath International Music Festival has been an annual event since the 1940’s and has an international reputation. It takes place in late May to early June and includes classical, jazz and world music in venues throughout the city. The Friday night opening celebration has for many years been held in Royal Victoria Park below the Royal Crescent, starting with a procession and stage performances while residents picnic in the park, and culminating in a spectacular fireworks display after dark. The 2006 opening breaks this tradition and will be held in the city centre, where there will be open-air stages, street performances and public art. Another innovation in 2006 are the free ‘Music in the City’ performances at the bandstand in Parade Gardens.

Bath Fringe Festival overlaps the Music Festival and is one of the largest fringe festivals in the UK.

Somerset County Cricket Festival, Bath Recreation Ground

Bath International Guitar Festival at various venues around the city

Jane Austen Festival includes costume events for admirers of the author and her times.

Bath Film Festival was established in the early ‘90’s by Bath Film Society working with the three commercial cinemas in the city. It now includes participatory workshops and special events as well as screenings.

Bath Mozartfest is another Bath festival recognised as outstanding in the UK and indeed the world, and features lesser-known pieces as well as the masterworks.

Bath Christmas Market offers well over a hundred wooden chalets beside the Abbey and the Roman Baths, selling a huge variety of crafts, gifts, food and mulled wine.

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