Events, Festivals and Things to do in the Cotswolds

May 5
4 min read

Planning a visit to one of England's most beloved regions? The Cotswolds come alive throughout the year with an incredible calendar of festivals, races, fairs and traditions that make every season worth experiencing. Whether you're after rolling countryside escapes, cultural immersion, or family-friendly fun, there's always something happening across the picturesque villages and market towns of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Wiltshire and Somerset.

To help you plan your vacation or weekend in the Cotswolds, we've pulled together a month-by-month guide to the best annual events.

Spring Highlights

Spring is one of the most magical times to visit, as the countryside bursts into bloom and the events calendar kicks off. Things to do in Cotswolds during Spring are:

March

The Cheltenham Festival – Cheltenham Racecourse hosts the jewel in the UK's jump-racing crown, with four thrilling days of competition culminating in the iconic Gold Cup.

April

Cheltenham Jazz Festival – Bringing world-class musicians to Montpellier Gardens and venues across the town.
Fresh: Art Fair – One of the UK’s leading regional art fairs, showcasing a mix of established names and emerging talent.

May

Badminton Horse Trials – Elite equestrian competition drawing riders and spectators from across the globe.
Cotswold Festival of Steam – Nostalgic rail journeys through the Gloucestershire Warwickshire countryside.
Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling – Competitors hurl themselves down a near-vertical slope chasing a wheel of Double Gloucester.
Tetbury Woolsack Races – Participants carry a 60lb sack up a punishing 1-in-4 hill.
Blenheim Palace Food Festival – Three days of culinary exploration in Blenheim's sprawling estate.
Wychwood Festival – Family-friendly mix of music, comedy and literature at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Giffords Circus – The beloved touring circus begins its May-to-September run across the region.
Winchcombe Walking Festival – A brilliant way to explore the countryside on foot.

Summer Highlights

Summer sees the region in full swing, with festivals, shows, and foodie gatherings dominating the calendar. Here are the best things to do in the Cotswolds this summer.

June

Cheltenham Science Festival – The town transforms into a playground of curiosity, attracting world-renowned scientists and thinkers.
Cheltenham Food & Drink Festival – Cookery demonstrations, tastings and foodie talks.
Charlbury Beer Festival – A must for real ale enthusiasts.
Three Counties Show – A highlight for lovers of agricultural spectacle.

July

Barn on the Farm – Acoustic and indie acts at Over Farm, Gloucester.
2000 Trees Festival – Indie and rock fans descend on Upcote Farm, Withington.
Nibley Festival – A much-loved local favourite near Wotton-under-Edge.
Cotswold Show and Food Festival – Falconry, dog agility and cookery demos in Cirencester Park.
Royal International Air Tattoo – The world's largest military air show at RAF Fairford.
Tewkesbury Medieval Festival – Over 2,000 re-enactors bring the battlefield to life in one of Europe's largest events of its kind.
Cheltenham Music Festival – Running since 1945, one of the most prestigious music festivals in the world.

August

Wilderness Festival – Music, wellness and feasting at Cornbury Park.
The Big Feastival – The "foodie Glastonbury," hosted on Alex James's farm near Kingham.
Bourton-on-the-Water Football in the River – A quirky tradition played out in the village's famous shallow river.
Winchcombe Country Show – Traditional countryside entertainment for all ages.
Evesham Angling Festival – A highlight for fishing enthusiasts.

Autumn Highlights

As the leaves turn, the Cotswolds offers some of its most atmospheric events and natural spectacles. Things to do in Cotswolds towns this Autumn are.

September

Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials – Top event riders and horses descend on Blenheim.
Moreton-in-Marsh Show – Traditional countryside entertainment for the whole family.

October

Cheltenham Literature Festival – The world's first festival of its kind, held across ten days in Montpellier Gardens.
Westonbirt Arboretum Autumn Colour Spectacular – An unforgettable tapestry of reds, oranges and golds.
Batsford Arboretum Autumn Colour Spectacular – Another glorious seasonal display of foliage.
Cheltenham Wine Festival – Sample over 300 wines and meet the producers behind them.

November

The November Meeting – A key date in the Cheltenham Racecourse calendar.
The Christmas Cotswold Fair – Over 200 artisan stalls at Evenlode Grounds near Daylesford, officially launching the festive season.

Winter Highlights

Winter might be quieter in pace, but the Cotswolds still has plenty to offer those craving cosy cultural experiences and enchanting light displays. Here is what to do in the Cotswolds during winter.

December

Sudeley Castle Spectacle of Light – Lantern-lit trails wind through the 15th-century grounds in Winchcombe.
Cheltenham and Cirencester Christmas Markets – Festive shopping and seasonal treats.
Late Night Christmas Shopping in Broadway – A magical way to tick off your Christmas list.
Westonbirt Arboretum Enchanted Christmas – A seasonal light trail not to be missed.
Bibury Duck Race – A Boxing Day charity tradition with thousands of yellow ducks floating down the River Coln.

January

Cheltenham Racecourse New Year's Day Races – A hugely popular way to kick off the year.
Stroud Wassail – An ancient tradition revived with costumed processions, singing and dancing through the town.

February

Colesbourne and Newark Park Gardens – Spectacular snowdrop displays to enjoy.

Turn an Iconic Cotswold Event Into an Unforgettable Luxury Weekend

Consider the calendar above your starting point, but only the beginning of what a weekend with Harrod & Bloom can become.

We have spent more than a decade building the relationships, the knowledge, and the little black book that make the busiest weekends of the Cotswold calendar feel effortless. We know which private house sits closest to the racecourse, the top chef who will prepare a champagne breakfast before Badminton and the driver who will take you wherever you want to go.

Every event weekend is built around you. A private house chosen for its setting, and staffed as though it were a five-star hotel. A dedicated host to greet you and run the weekend around your tickets, your timings and your table reservations. A private chef who shops locally and cooks to your group's preferences. Daily housekeeping, and a concierge to curate the luxury weekend in Cotswolds around the event and around you.

To start planning your luxury weekend in the Cotswolds around one of the year's great occasions, contact the Harrad & Bloom concierge team. We'll send our full experience brochure and build an itinerary around you.