Summer is just around the corner, and if you are spending your holidays in Cotswolds, you are in for a fun-filled treat as you get to take your pick from any of these 21 fabulous festivals in Cotswolds.
Lechlade Festival
27 – 29 May 2022. Riverside Park, Lechlade.
Over 100 bands, performers and DJs, and food trucks and drink stations that will blow your taste buds right out of your mouth! Lechlade kicks off the festival season with its award-winning family-friendly music festival. Try a belly dancing workshop, fly a paper airplane, or relax with Pilates or yoga! This festival is a complete family affair!
Asparafest
Dates TBA. Ashdown Farm, Badsey.
It’s all about the Asparagus at the Best Festival in Worcestershire, as voted by the What’s On Readers Awards. Asparafest boasts two music stages with a variety of performers, a cookery stage with tutorials, falconry days, dancing, and enough craft and food stalls to make your mouth water! And then there is the awesome Asparagus: recipe competitions, the crowning of Asparagus King and Queen, and even an asparagus eating contest!
Cheltenham Food & Drink Festival
24 – 26 June 2022. Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham.
It’s all about fresh ingredients and tasty beverages at the Cheltenham Food & Drink Festival. There is a Chef’s Kitchen where you can see celebrity and local chefs live on stage, or you can listen to a series of food talks from Nutrition to cheese to gluten free, take an international wine class, and finally, kick back with live music and street theatre.
Royal Three Counties Show
17 – 19 June 2022. Three Counties Showground, Malvern.
This festival is one not to miss it’s the Heart of England’s premiere celebration of the countryside and rural life. A family-friendly festival and a great summers day out. There are many activitites to be enjoyed by including sports, friendly animals in the Fur, Feather and Farm area, or step back in time in the Medieval Village. Finally, don’t miss the Grande Parade of Livestock!
Also Festival
8 – 10 July 2022. Park Farm, Compton Verney.
Restart your mind with this small festival with big ideas! Also Festival is a place for people to listen to inspiring talks, take in the pleasure of food and drink, dance to the live music, discover workshops from dream reading and creating perfume, and to be one with nature. If you want an experience, check out the Safari Hotel – bell tent accommodations – steps from the gate entrance.
Stratford River Festival
2 – 3 July 2022. Stratford-upon-Avon.
Watch the riverside come alive with an abundance of free events and activities, whilst sticking to traditions of old favourites. There is word class music on two stages, a family fun packed area, boat rides, an artisan craft market, a tantalizing selection of global food stalls, and some of the best local ales, Pimms and Prosecco around. Don’t miss Saturday night’s awe-inspiring fireworks display!
The Cotswold Show
2 – 3 July 2022. Cirencester Park, Cirencester.
Get ready for this jam-packed festival of thrills, chills, and family fun! The Cotswold Show showcases food and drink stalls, music, its own food festival, friendly animals, shopping, and the Bathurst Arena features falconry demonstrations, the World of Dogs, Polo matches, and the spectacular Horsemen of the Knight where families cheer on the riders and horses.
The Cornbury Music Festival
8 – 10 July 2022. Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire.
Sure, there may be magic, culinary delights, arts and crafts, and even a place for comedic relief, but this festival is ALL about the music. If you want a music festival, this is it. With big names from all over the world, home-grown favourites, and local indie sensations, these musical artists will sure have you singing along and dancing up a storm.
Tewkesbury Medieval Festival
2022 Dates to be confirmed. Tewkesbury.
Established in 1984, this is Europe’s biggest and best FREE medieval festival. Thousands of reenactors, entertainers and traders from all over Europe will take you back in time to a different era. Too much to say here, but definitely a festival to immerse you and your family into. There is a Grande Parade where local communities, entertainers, and participants from surrounding villages line the streets in excitement!
The Royal International Air Tattoo
15 – 17 July 2022. RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire.
Look up into the sky for the great airshow you will ever see! Its an interactive experience where people can mingle with the crew, get up close to fast jets, giant transporters and historic aircraft, and enjoy a feast of first class entertainment including concerts and refreshments.
Stow Cotswold Festival
15 July 2023. Stow-on-the-Wold.
It’s all about the sheep! That’s right, the Stow Cotswold Festival goes back to its traditional roots of the sheep trade in which the little town was founded upon. People can pet the sheep and then follow the on their journey from fleece to garments to arts and crafts made from their wool. In the square, make sure to check out all the demonstrations from dry stone walling to blacksmithing.
The Battle Proms at Blenheim Palace
2 July 2022. Blenheim Palace, Woodstock.
A history lesson for the entire family, not to mention and afternoon and evening full of fun! Located at Winston Churchill’s birthplace, this festival brings forth the story behind the Battle of Proms with a Napoleonic Cavalry display, a full-length musical programme, food and drink, and a firework show that is sure to get those coveted ooohs and aaahs.
Cotswold Beer Festival
2022 Dates to be confirmed. Postlip Hall, Winchombe.
The Cotswold Beer Festival is where the real stuff is served – no messing around at this festival. Try local ales and ciders to accompany the fresh, local food that you will be indulging in as you try flight and flight of beers.
Wilderness
4 – 7 August 2022. Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire.
It’s a non-stop party at Wilderness! Whether are dancing underneath the stars until the early morning hours, or taking in a motivational talk, or relishing in the mouth-watering food and drinks stalls, this festival will have you using all your senses in ways you never would dream of. There are campsites for close accommodations, workshops, well-being classes, and there is even family activities during the day.
Soul Circus
19 – 21 August 2022. Elmore, Gloucester
This festival will feed your soul and mind, practising yoga and learning about physical and mental wellness is the essence of this event. You will start your day with sunrise yoga, challenge yourself through different techniques and balances, eat health and revitalizing food throughout the day, and at night you will listen to the soothing sounds of a variety of musical artists at the theatre.
The Pet Show
2022 Dates to be confirmed. Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
If you have or love your furry friends, this is the place to be. A family-fun weekend for pet owners and pet enthusiasts to cultivate and celebrate pets! You will see hundreds of products for pets, countless activities, creative workshops, and educational and live demonstrations. Visit with animals big (horse and cows) to small (hamsters and hedgehogs) to everything in between (cats and dogs).
The Big Feastival
26 – 28 August 2022. Alex James’ Farm, Kingham.
A feel-good festival of food and music for the entire family! Food: enjoy learning from chefs at the cookery school, check out the food and drink market, sample street food creation, and sit down for table sessions of some of the best local ingredients. Music: you will hear a variety of genres from reggae to house to soul and more by a multitude of talented artists. Of course, what is a festival without an amusement park, workshops, crafts, and life under the Big Top.
Check out our guide to The Big Feastival here and start planning your visit.
Didmarton Bluegrass Festival
2022 Dates to be confirmed. Kembie Airfield, Gloucestershire.
Enjoy one of the UK’s premiere Bluegrass, Americana, and Old-Time music festivals. It’s three days of musical entertainment, serving up some of the best real ales and ciders are affordable prices, and a market that is a hotspot for shopping clothing stalls and arts and crafts from local artisans. There are dance displays and workshops, and even a kid-friendly area with fun tutorials.
The Moreton Show
3 September 2022. Moreton-in-Marsh.
Experience the countryside in just one day! Farming, food, fashion and fun make this festival one not to miss. Check out farming machinery in the main arena, sheep, falconry and more in the rural attractions area, and catch the action in the horse jumping arena. Like most festivals, this one includes a Grand Parade where you can cheer on the victors from the livestock competitions.
Blenheim Horse Trials
16-19 September 2021. Blenheim Palace, Woodstock.
This four-day event will test not only the strength of the horses competing, but of the riders as well. From disciplines of eventing, dressage and show jumping, the horse trials are an action-packed weekend of family fun. There are workshops and demonstrations that will teach you what all this “horse talk” is all about. At the Blenheim Horse Trials, you will see horses fly through the air and dance across the ground.