Cheltenham's identity as a festival town rests on a calendar of cultural and sporting events that has grown steadily since the 1940s. What began with a single music festival in the wake of the Second World War has expanded into a year-round programme that draws audiences to historic venues across the town.
The Music Festival, 1945
The Cheltenham Music Festival was founded in 1945, making it the oldest of the town's major cultural events. Concerts are held at Cheltenham Town Hall and the Pittville Pump Room, tying the festival to some of the town's most prominent Regency buildings. The programme ranges from free workshops to full concerts and maintains a focus on contemporary composers.
A Literary Landmark, 1949
The Cheltenham Literature Festival was established in 1949. It is claimed to be the longest-running literature festival in the world. The event occupies Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square and Montpellier Gardens for ten days each autumn. Past guests have included Booker Prize finalists and writers such as Terry Pratchett, Toni Morrison, J.K. Rowling and Salman Rushdie.
Jazz and Science Expand the Calendar
The Cheltenham Jazz Festival was formed in 1996 and has developed a close relationship with BBC Radio 2. It brings international jazz artists and emerging musicians to the town; past performers have included Jamie Cullum, Hugh Laurie and Van Morrison. Cullum has described the festival as "one of the best Jazz Festivals in the world," noting that it brings together many genres under the umbrella of jazz.
The Cheltenham Science Festival arrived in 2002. It is held in Cheltenham Town Hall and the adjacent gardens, with a tented science village in Imperial Square. The festival hosts FameLab, an international science communication competition, and past presenters have included Robert Winston, Richard Dawkins and Brian Cox. Many activities are free, and the festival runs an accompanying education programme.
Independence and Education
The four festivals became collectively known as Cheltenham Festivals in 2006, the year they began operating independently from Cheltenham Borough Council as a registered charity. The organisation now runs outreach programmes that reach tens of thousands of students annually. In 2017, Cheltenham Festivals reported that 25,000 students from 246 schools had taken part in its education activities. Initiatives include "Reading Teachers = Reading Pupils," "FameLab Academy" and "Musicate."
The Racecourse Tradition
Alongside the arts festivals, Cheltenham Racecourse has hosted the Cheltenham Gold Cup since 1924. The Grade 1 steeplechase is the centrepiece of the National Hunt Festival. For 2025, the race carried a purse of £646,880, with the winner receiving £363,999. The racecourse sits on the edge of the town and has long formed part of Cheltenham's identity as a destination for large-scale events.