Festivals in Bath, Somerset

The city of Bath, one of the UK’s most popular short-break destinations, has been luring travellers since Roman Times. 

Bath was founded as a thermal spa settlement in the first century AD by the Romans and named for the resplendent baths built here. 

Bath Bach Festival 

Into the Middle Ages and Bath had become an important centre for the wool industry and with its majestic abbey under construction. 

The city’s hey-day was in the 18th century, however, when King George and his Queen Anne visited to ‘take the rich spa waters’. 

The nobility and nouveau riche followed in the Royal wake and Bath’s preeminent social standing was established. 

Grand theatres, public buildings and town houses were built or restored and, during the social season from October and early June, the city would stage an overflowing programme of social gatherings, theatre productions, concerts and grand balls. 

With much of Georgian Bath still intact, along with extensive remains of the Roman baths, the city richly deserves its two UNESCO World Heritage Site designations. 

Annual events in Bath include-

Bath Bach Festival 15 to 17 February 2024 

A three-day festival celebrating the works of Bach and his contemporaries held in Bath’s period Georgian venues.

www.bathbachfest.co.uk 

The Bath Festival 17 to 26 May 2024 

The Bath Festival

The Bath Festival celebrates music and books with events, talks and workshops during the week-long festival opening up conversations, new ideas and experiences and featuring established and up and coming authors and musicians. 

www.bathfestivals.org.uk/the-bath-festival/ 

Bath Fashion Festival 7 to 9 June 2024 

A new immersive fashion festival for Bath at the Holburne Museum Bath Fringe Festival May 24 to June 9 2024 A festival of the arts from street theatre, dance and comedy to circus arts, jazz music, rock, pop and black music. www.bathfringe.co.uk 

Iford Jazz Festival 20 to 23 June 2024 

Iford Jazz Festival

Jazz concerts in Iford Manor’s Grade 1 listed gardens. www.ifordmanor.co.uk/events/2023/7/1-ifordjazz-festival-garden-jazz Jane Austen Festival 13 to 22 September 2024 The celebration of all things Austen returns including the Northanger Abbey Gothic Ball. www.janeausten.co.uk/pages/festival-homepage

* www.visitbath.co.uk 

* Emma Frayling at emma.frayling@visitwest.co.uk