Cheltenham Festivals Calendar
Dates for every Cheltenham festival through the year, from Literature in October and the races in March to Jazz, Science, Music and Cricket.
- Cheltenham Literature Festival on now, until 2026-10-18
Cheltenham’s Festivals
Cheltenham hosts a festival for much of the year: literature, horse racing, jazz, science, music and cricket each draw visitors from across the country. The calendar below lists each one with its dates, starting from the next to come.
The busiest week by far is the Cheltenham Festival of racing in March, when rooms book up months ahead. For the rest, our visiting Cheltenham guide covers getting here, eating out and what else to see, and places to stay lists hotels and guest houses across town.
Festival Calendar
| Festival | Starts | Ends | Organiser |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheltenham Literature Festival | 2026-10-09 | 2026-10-18 (on now) | Cheltenham Festivals |
| The Cheltenham Festival (Racing) | 2027-03-16 | 2027-03-19 | The Jockey Club |
| Cheltenham Jazz Festival | 2027-04-28 | 2027-05-03 | Cheltenham Festivals |
| Cheltenham Science Festival | 2027-06-08 | 2027-06-13 | Cheltenham Festivals |
| Cheltenham Music Festival | July 2027, dates to be confirmed | Cheltenham Festivals | |
| Cheltenham Cricket Festival | Summer 2027, dates to be confirmed | Gloucestershire County Cricket Club | |
Cheltenham Literature Festival
Ten days of talks, debates and workshops with writers, thinkers and broadcasters every October.
- 2026: 2026-10-09 to 2026-10-18.
- Cheltenham Literature Festival official site →
The Cheltenham Festival (Racing)
Four days of championship jump racing at Cheltenham Racecourse, ending with the Gold Cup on the Friday.
- 2027: 2027-03-16 to 2027-03-19.
- The Cheltenham Festival (Racing) official site →
- Where to stay for the Cheltenham Festival →
Cheltenham Jazz Festival
Ticketed jazz, soul and blues concerts, plus free music around town.
- 2027: 2027-04-28 to 2027-05-03.
- Cheltenham Jazz Festival official site →
Cheltenham Science Festival
Talks, shows and hands-on science for all ages.
- 2027: 2027-06-08 to 2027-06-13.
- Cheltenham Science Festival official site →
Cheltenham Music Festival
Classical and new music concerts, held every summer since 1945.
- Next held in July 2027; dates to be confirmed.
- Cheltenham Music Festival official site →
Cheltenham Cricket Festival
Gloucestershire bring county matches to the Cheltenham College ground for a few weeks each summer.
- Next held in summer 2027; dates to be confirmed.
- Cheltenham Cricket Festival official site →
- Gloucestershire cricket and the Cheltenham ground →
Frequently Asked Questions
When Is the Next Festival in Cheltenham?
- The Cheltenham Literature Festival is on now, until 2026-10-18.
- The festival calendar above lists every festival in date order.
When Is the Cheltenham Festival 2027?
- The 2027 Cheltenham Festival of jump racing runs from 2027-03-16 to 2027-03-19 at Cheltenham Racecourse, Prestbury Park.
- Rooms near the racecourse book up months ahead; our festival accommodation guide shows live availability.
Where Can I Stay During a Festival?
- See places to stay in Cheltenham for hotels and guest houses across town, and book early for the busiest weeks.
- Our visiting Cheltenham guide covers getting here, eating out and what else to see.
About This Data
Data © Cheltenham Open Data. Last updated 11 October 2026, checked monthly. Send us additions or corrections. Dates can change, so check the festival's own site before booking.