What's On In 2010

January

New Year's Day Racing at Cheltenham Racecourse, 1st January:
Start the New Year in style at this prestigious event.

Cheltenham Festival Trials Day, 30th January:
A must for all horse racing fans.

February

Cheltenham Folk Festival:
An array of the best national and local artistes.

March

Bath Shakespeare Festival:
A festival of theatre, dance, comedy and music from around the world.

Cheltenham Gold Cup Race Week 16th-19th March:
Each of the four days hosts a number of Championship races, with the climax of the Jump racing season coming on Friday in the form of the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

April

Shakespeare birthday celebrations, Stratford-upon-Avon:
A weekend Festival of events including strolling Players & Musicians, Shakespeare Morris Dancing, English Folk Dancing, Shakespeare Birthday Concert & RSC Birthday Performance & Charity Ball.

Highnam Court Spring Fair, Highnam, Gloucestershire:
Raising money for the Pied Piper Appeal and Gloucester Cathedral.

Wild Over Waterways, Gloucester, 5th-18th April:
National Waterways Museum

Jazz Festival, Cheltenham, 28th April-3rd May:
Featuring the most up-and-coming, controversial and entertaining international performers, the festivals have justly earned their place at the centre of the UK’s cultural scene.

May

Annual Woolsack Races and Traditional Street Fair, Tetbury:
An age old custom where teams compete to carry a 60lb woolsack up and down Gumstool Hill in the fastest time.

Cheese Rolling, Cooper's Hill, Gloucester, 31st May:
The ancient and famous tradition of chasing a 'cheese' down the hill, a custom which originally ensured the villagers' right to graze sheep on the hill.

Cheltenham International Jazz Festival:
Presenting the best in contemporary jazz from around the world.

Badminton Horse Trials 30th April - 3rd May:
International 3 day horse riding event including cross country, dressage and show jumping.

Bampton Day of Dance:
A day of dancing through the village - Morris dancing typically involves six dancers, in a performance formation of two lines of three, plus various ancillary characters such as fool and cake/sword bearer.

Dragon Boat Regatta:
Gloucester Docks.

May to June

Bath International Music Festival/Bath Fringe Festival:
The world famous Bath Music and Fringe Festivals offer a diverse range of British and International performers in a variety of mediums in some of the best venues Bath has to offer.

June

Blenheim Flower Show:
A must for all keen gardeners

Gloucester Motorshow 2010, 12th-13th:
Raising money for the Pied Piper Appeal and Cruse.

Wood Weekend at Cogges Manor Farm Museum:
Try your hand at Saxon weaving and hear about the traditional life of a shepherd, watch the rural craft of spinning as well as sheep shearing through the ages.

Wychwood Music Festival, Cheltenham Racecourse, 4-6th June

The Times Cheltenham Science Festival, 9th-13th June:
Featuring the most up-and-coming, controversial and entertaining international performers, the festivals have justly earned their place at the centre of the UK’s cultural scene.

July

Shakespeare In Painswick, 6th-10th July:
Annual outdoor production in Rococco Garden. For 2010 'As You Like It' will be performed in the famous gardens. Picnic in the grounds.

Joust, Berkeley Castle, near Stroud:
A weekend of medieval mayhem including jousting, a medieval village, knights on horseback, maidens and troubadours, music and much more.

Cheltenham Cricket Festival, 11th-23rd July:
A fortnight of 1st class country cricket

The Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford, 17th July:
The world's biggest military air show with dramatic air displays.

Cheltenham Music Festival, 2nd-17th July:
Featuring the most up-and-coming, controversial and entertaining international performers, the festivals have justly earned their place at the centre of the UK’s cultural scene.

Gloucester Festival, various locations, 17th July-1st August:
Fun fairs, carnivals and fireworks, as well as plenty of family activities

Gloucester Blues and Heritage Festival:
Bringing blues and blues rock to pubs, clubs and other venues in and around the city

July to August

The Roman Baths by Torchlight, Bath:
During July and August view the world famous Roman Baths by torchlight as they remain open until 22.00 (last admission 21.00).

Living Heritage Oxfordshire Craft Fair at Blenheim Palace:
A collection of over 100 stalls and stands offering a wide range of traditional and more unusual crafts, with arena activities and children's amusements throughout the day.

August

Rococco Garden Party, 20th-22nd August:
Georgian themed food and drink festival in Painswick's famed Rococco Gardens.

Gatcombe Horse Trials, Gatcombe Park, near Tetbury:
A 3 day equestrian event held at the home of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.

Three Choirs Festival:
Various venues in Gloucestershire

September

Painswick Ancient Clypping Ceremony, St Mary's Church, Painswick:
Annual traditional folk event to celebrate the church where local people join hands round the church and sing the 'Clypping Hymn' as part of an open air service.

Jane Austen Festival, Bath:
A programme packed with a huge diversity of events in tribute to Bath's most famous resident, set against the backdrop of this elegant World Heritage City.

October

Rococco Garden Harvest Festival, 18th-31st October

The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, 9-18th October:
One of Britain's foremost literary events with 10 days of readings, performances and other live happenings.

November

Bath Christmas Market:
Bath Abbey serves as a wonderful backdrop for this traditional Christmas market with stalls, carol singers and mulled wine

November to December

A Christmas Festival, Warwick Castle, Warwick:
Enjoy the festive atmosphere of the castle prepared for Christmas.

The Enchanted Wood, Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury:
A magical illuminated trail through the trees in the beautiful setting of the national arboretum.

December

Christmas Concert, Bath Abbey:
Family concert with the Bath Abbey Choir including carols for Choir and Audience in the magnificent setting of Bath Abbey.

Carols by Candlelight, The Pump Room, Bath:
Held in the beautiful Georgian Pump Room. Performed by a choir, but including carols that the audience are invited to participate in.

Regular events held throughout the year in the Cotswolds also include:
Guided walks in towns and the countryside
Farmers Markets
Craft Markets
Concerts and Recitals
Special Exhibitions