At the heart of the Cotswolds, Cheltenham is the cultural centre, where festivals and events alike are a huge part of the town. Parklife has composed a selection of some of the best to come in 2018 – and there’s something for everyone.
Cheltenham Festival and Gold Cup
Held annually in spring, this event sees people (and horses!) travel to Cheltenham for one of the headline events of the racing calendar. Between 13th-16th March, just over 260,000 people will pass through the gates for this elite four day event. It’s not just the racecourse that will be busy this week – the whole of Cheltenham will become a hive of activity, with bars, hotels and restaurants offering racing breakfasts, live music and entertainment, and – of course – Guinness!
Cheltenham Wine Festival
7th April will see the return of the Cheltenham Wine Festival, held at the beautiful Pitville Pump Room. The regency building will play host to over 300 wines from across the globe, giving you the chance to sample, buy and learn about each one. Located a handy fifteen minute walk away from town, it’s a perfect excuse to try as many as possible!
Cheltenham Poetry Festival
April is set to be a busy month, as the annual Poetry Festival is held between 19th-30th. Events for both children and adults are to be held all over town, meaning there truly will be something for everyone. With the theme this year as ‘Power’, it’s sure to be the biggest and best yet.
Wychwood Music Festival
June plays host to a music festival where you can expect to be entertained by over 100 music acts and performers, as well as the opportunity to take part in workshops on anything from poetry to woodcarving. Held from 1st-3rd June at Cheltenham Racecourse and hailed by the BBC as “one life affirming, fun packed festival,” this is an event not to miss.
Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival
Advertised as a ‘gastronomic delight’, this festival features over 150 exhibitors, with anything from homemade chutneys to infused gins on offer. Located in Montpellier Gardens, the foodie stalls and live demonstrations are easily accessible, family-friendly and largely free of charge.
Royal Three Counties Show
Held at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, this event showcases the finest livestock, agriculture and equine. Jam-packed with activities, the three day festival hosted between 15th-17th June offers a petting farm, medieval village and arena entertainment. With free Under 5’s entry, the event is a perfect summer event for families.
Cheltenham Music Festival
A festival for both music artists and lovers alike, this week-long event celebrates the sheer range of music in the town. Running from the 4th-15th July, it’s a must for children, with items such as puppetry shows and toddler concerts on offer. On 6th July, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales accompany the 2016 BBC Young Musician of the Year winner Sheku Kanneh-Mason in Elgar’s Cello Concerto – one not to miss!
Cheltenham Literature Festival
October will see a ten day festival that is every literature-lover’s dream. Over 600 of the world’s finest writers, actors, politicians and poets gather in Montpellier Gardens for talks, readings and performances – as the festival organisers themselves put it “Where else could you see the Gruffalo rub shoulders with an award-winning novelist, or a Hollywood legend exchange views with political leaders?” Last year’s line-up featured Hillary Clinton, Bill Nighy and Miranda Hart, we’re expecting big things from 2018.
