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For an up to date version of the best festivals and events in Cheltenham head to - Cheltenham Festivals & Events.
What a year we have planned for you in Cheltenham!
Below is a summary of 40+ major races, events and festivals we are proud to be hosting in 2020 here in Regency Cheltenham, The Festival Town including Cheltenham Cricket Festival which is the world's oldest cricket festival and Cheltenham Literature Festival which celebrated its 70th year in 2019.
** Whilst every effort is made by Visit Cheltenham to ensure the information on our website is correct, we might not always be aware of last minute changes or even cancellations, so we encourage visitors to always check with the venue/operator in advance of visit.
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Make sure you add these dates to your calendar so you don’t miss out! Many of these are annual events, others are a one off. We have clearly highlighted these so you can make plans for future visits to Cheltenham.
In 2019 over 1,500 events were listed on the Visit Cheltenham website so we recommend you check our what’s on and things to do pages regularly for weekend and short break inspiration.
Visitors tell us time and time again that one day is not enough to experience our spa town, the most complete Regency town in the UK. Why not plan to attend an event listed below and then extend your stay for a few nights? Check out our recommended Cheltenham hotels for every type of accommodation you could possibly wish for from spa hotels to self-catering apartments and guest houses.
With many award winning restaurants and bars Cheltenham is truly a foodie paradise. Our eating out recommendations are guaranteed to convince you to stick around for a few days to indulge. (Just make sure you pack some clothes with an adjustable waistband!)
Without further ado here are the 40+ major races, events and festivals taking place in Cheltenham in 2020…
January 2020
New Year’s Day Races
Location: Cheltenham Racecourse, Prestbury, Cheltenham, GL50 4SH
Date: 1 January. Annual event
Festival Trials Day
Location: Cheltenham Racecourse
Date: 25 January. Annual event
Cheltenham Boutique Sale
Location: Cheltenham Ladies College, Princess Hall, Cheltenham, GL50 3EP
Date: 26 January. Annual event
February 2020
Light Up Cheltenham
Location: 30+ buildings lit up across town. Observation wheel in Imperial Gardens
Dates: 1 to 23 February. Annual event
Coral World Grand Prix Snooker
Location: Cheltenham Racecourse
Dates: 3 – 9 February. Annual event (2nd year)
The Cheltenham Masters Darts
Location: Cheltenham Racecourse
Date: 21 February. Annual event
March 2020
The Festival™ featuring The Gold Cup
Location: Cheltenham Racecourse
Dates: 10 – 13 March 2020. Annual event
(Day one - Champion Day, Day two – Ladies Day, Day three - St Patricks Day, Day four – Gold Cup).
April 2020
Cheltenham Wine Festival
Location: Pittville Pump Room, East Approach Drive, Cheltenham, GL52 3JE
Date: 4 April. Annual event
The April Meeting (Cheltenham races)
Location: Cheltenham Racecourse
Dates: 15 – 16 April. Annual event
Cheltenham Poetry Festival
Location: Various venues across Cheltenham
Dates: 16 – 25 April. Annual event (10th year)
Fresh Art Fair
Location: The Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse
Dates: 24 – 26 April. Annual event
May 2020
Race Night featuring Hunter Chase Racing
Location: Cheltenham Racecourse
Date: 1 May. Annual event
Cheltenham Jazz Festival
Location: Various venues across Cheltenham
Dates: 5 - 10 May. Annual event
Cheltenham International Film Festival
Location: Various venues across Cheltenham
Dates: 23 - 31 May. Second year for this new festival
Cheltenham Children's Festival
Location: Cheltenham Town Hall
Date: May bank holiday Monday, 25 May. Annual event (4th year)
Wychwood Music Festival
Location: Cheltenham Racecourse
Dates: 29 – 31 May. Annual event (16th year)
Cotswolds Festival of Steam
Location: GWSR train stations including Cheltenham Racecourse.
Dates: Late bank holiday weekend 23 – 25 May. Annual event
Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts
Location: Cheltenham Town Hall
Dates: 5 – 17 May. Annual event
June 2020
Cheltenham Science Festival
Location: Across the town, main base Imperial Gardens
Dates: 2 - 7 June. Annual event (18th year)
Cheltenham Running Festival
Location: Cheltenham Racecourse
Date: 7 June. New event for 2020
Christian Arts Festival - Festival of the Stars
Location: Recreational Land, Whaddon Road, Whaddon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 5RA
Dates: 13 June. Annual event
Cheltenham Challenge
Location: Cheltenham Racecourse
Date: 14 June. Annual event
Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival
Location: Montpellier Gardens
Dates: 19 - 21 June. Annual event (12th year)
Cheltenham Balloon Fiesta
Location: Cheltenham Racecourse
Dates: 19 – 21 June. Annual event (2nd year)
Cheltenham Craft Beer and Cider Festival
Location: Various venues across town
Date: 6 June. Annual event
July 2020
Cheltenham Music Festival
Location: Various venues across town
Dates: 3 – 12 July. Annual event (76th year!)
Midsummer Fiesta
Location: Montpellier Gardens
Date: 4 July. Annual event (10+ years)
Bugatti Festival
Location: Prescott Hill Climb
Date: 4 July. Annual event
2000 Trees
Location: Upcote Farm, Withington
Dates: 9 – 11 July. Annual event
Cheltenham Cricket Festival
Location: Cheltenham College
Dates: 29 June – 9 July. Annual event (the world's oldest cricket festival)
Open-Air Theatre Festival & Cinema Under The Stars
Location: Tuckwell Amphitheatre, Dean Close School, Cheltenham GL51 6EP
Dates: TBC. Annual event
August 2020
Cheltenham Cheese & Chilli Festival
Location: Sandford Park
Dates: TBC. Annual event
Craft Festival Cheltenham
Location: Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square, Cheltenham, Gl50 1QA
New date: 14 - 16 August 2020
September 2020
Cheltenham Heritage Open Days
Locations: Various buildings throughout Cheltenham
Dates: 11 - 20 September. Annual nationwide event
Cheltenham Wellbeing Festival
Location: Various venues across town
Dates: TBC. Annual event (2nd year)
Cheltenham Paint Festival
Location: Various walls & venues throughout Cheltenham
Dates: TBC. Annual event
Jason Donovan Concert
Location: The Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse
Date: 16 September. One off event
October 2020
Cheltenham Literature Festival
Location: Montpellier Gardens and various venues around town
Dates: 2 – 11 October 2020. Annual event (71st year!)
November 2020
The Cheltenham Real Ale Festival
Location: Cheltenham Ladies College
Dates: 1 - 2 Nov. Annual event
The Gin to My Tonic Festival
Location: Cheltenham Town Hall
Date: 2 November. Annual event (2nd year)
Christmas Lights Switch On
Location: Cheltenham Town Centre
Date: 21 November. Annual event
Related
Cheltenham Literature Festival, 10-19 October, promises a feast for the mind. As the world’s longest-running literature festival, the annual event leads the way in celebrating the written and spoken word, presenting the best new voices in fiction and poetry alongside literary greats and high-profile speakers.
This popular annual festival brings together the UK’s most respected scientists, favourite science communicators, writers, and artists to talk about today’s hottest topics.
Cheltenham Racecourse presents the pinnacle event on the jump racing calendar - The Cheltenham Festival 11 - 14 March 2025.
Cheltenham Music Festival brings eight days of performances and events by leading international artists, new talent and innovators.
Cheltenham, The Festival Town, is home to one of the country’s best-loved jazz festivals, attracting over 20,000 music fans annually. The popular annual event will next take place 30 April - 5 May 2025.
The Cheltenham Balloon Fiesta is a family-friendly event that will be returning to the famous Cheltenham Racecourse for the third time this summer!
Wychwood is an annual summer family festival which takes place at Cheltenham Racecourse. Nominated Best Family Festival at the UK Festival Awards, there is so much for all ages to enjoy and take part in. Wychwood Festival 2025 will take place 30 May - 1 June.
Cheltenham's oldest festival, set up in 1926! The annual Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts is packed with performances in music, dance and drama by children from local schools, theatre groups, dance schools and music clubs...
The multi-award-winning 2000trees festival is a three day extravaganza set in the stunning Cotswold Hills. You’ll get three nights camping, a friendly, intimate atmosphere plus amazing food and locally produced ciders, ales & lagers.
The Cheltenham Cricket Festival is one of the most loved events in the social and sporting calendar. The idyllic setting of Cheltenham College provides the perfect backdrop for cricket at the height of summer.
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