Calendar of Events in Cotswolds
By Sarah Wood | Tuesday, 19 December 2023
Its time to get planning for 2024! So whats on in The Cotswolds to look forward to and plan your holidays around during 2024. We have a round up of events to help you pick your holiday dates.
The Cotswolds events to look out for 2024
January & February 2024:
In the style of Michael Buble’ 22nd February – 23rd February 2024
Ingleside House are hosting Jamie Flanagan to pay tribute to one of the world’s most prolific artists. Jamie will take you on a hourney through ‘Felling Good’ to ‘Havent met you yet@ and much more as he sings some of Buble’s most beautiful songs.
Victorian Art, Fashion and Design at Ashmolean Museum 1st January – 18th February 24
A fashion and art show dedicated to the rediscovery of Victorian society as a vibrant colour-filled era. During Queen Victorias reign, Britain’s industrial revolution gained pace and with it the Victorians became increasingly interested in vibrant colours and their development. The exhibition includes one of Queen Victorias monotone mourning dresses to vivid clothing and accessories plus works by Ruskin, Rossetti and Whistler.
Winter family trail at Hidden Westonbirt 1st January-29th February 24
You and your family can discover more about plants and animals that make the arboretum their home during the winter by exploring Westonbirt Aboreturms playful family treasure hunt trail. Make your way through the trail with clues along the way to solve.
Fairwater at Oxford University 1st January–1st September 24
This is all things water – why is only 3% of our planets water fresh? And one quarter of us have no access to clean drinking water? Fair Water looks in detail at water and reveals some of the global barriers to water equality and how researchers, communities and policymakers are working together to shape a fair water future.
March & April 2024
Foraging course 8th March 2024; 7th April; 27th April 24
Wild Food UK are running foraging classes through March and April on the Bathurst Estate near Cirencester. During your 2.5 hour walk around the estate, they will teach you how to identify the different edible and poisonous Spring shoots, plants and flowers. You will stop for soup and refreshments on the way. A wonderful day out for all.
Festival of Racing at Cheltenham 12th – 15th March 2024
As the opening meet of the jump season, Cheltenham Festival of Racing is celebrated across 4 days as the best horses, trainers and jockeys go head to head. There are many highlights but Gold Cup Day is the jewel of Jump racing, the most prestigious trophy in horse racing and a spectacle not to be missed.
Witney Farmers Market 4th Friday of month
Witney Farmers Market is held in the Market Place the 4th Friday of the month year around. It provides a wide range of products including seasonal organic fruits and vegetables, fresh-cut flowers, jams and pickles, pork, lamb, eggs, bread, cakes, pastries and other baked goods.
Easter Eggstravaganza at Blenheim Palace 29th March – 1st April 2024
Blenheim Palace is hosting a weekend of family fun in its walled garden with circus skills, balloon modelling, bubble performances, bungee trampolines not to mention appearances from the Easter Bunny. Easter egg hunt in the grounds and wood fired pizzas to enjoy.
May & June 2024
Giffords Circus at Sudeley Castle and Gardens 10 May – 20th May 2024
Giffords Circus returns every year to Sudeley Castle and Gardens and is described as a national treasure. As determined as ever to delight, this year’s extravaganza is called ‘Avalon’ and conjures up a colourful medieval pageant and Arthurian legend with a cast of acrobats, magicians, musicians and clowns from all over the world.
Cheese Rolling at Coopers Hill 27th May 2024
Every year, in the last Monday of May, a very extraordinary event takes place. The event that is held in the nature reserve Coopers Hill near Birdlip, attracts thousands of people. The competition preserved an ancient tradition that goes back to Pre Roman time. Hundreds of youngsters gather on the top hill for a chase after a cheese rolling down the hill at 70 miles (112 km) per hour. According to the contest’s rules, the wheel shaped cheese is rolled down the hill and the winner is the one who succeeds in catching it.
Tetbury Woolsack Races 27th May 2024
The races are all about teams and individuals demonstrating their strength and fitness whilst
carrying fully laden sacks up and down the hills of Tetbury. Thousands come to watch and to
enjoy the accompanying Tetbury street fair with street entertainers, local stalls
and amusement rides.
Blenheim Palace Food Festival 25th – 27th May 2024
Packed with an amazing array of stalls and tasty treats to try, live music and a relaxed festival atmosphere this is a great family day out in the grounds of the beautiful Blenheim Palace.
The Annual Cheltenham Science Festival 4th June – 9th June 2024
Asking the most important questions about the world today, the Cheltenham Science Festival hosts some of the most respected scientists writers and artists talking about today’s hottest topics. Bringing together the UK’s most respected scientists, favourite science communicators, writers, and artists to talk about today’s hottest topics and lots of hands on experiments to try making it a perfect day out for all.
July & August 2024:
The Royal International Air Tattoo 19th July – 21st July 2024
With over 250 aircraft participating this is the world’s leading military airshow. As you would expect there is something for everyone from the tech zone with its interactive installations bringing the world of science to life to all things RAF from meeting todays pilots to trying a simulator, a great day out for all.
The Game Fair 26th – 29th July 2024
Blenheim palace is hosting The Game Fair with a celebration of all things outdoor and country. Showcasing world class shooting and fishing demonstrations, falconry displays, dog trials, great food and drink and much more.
September & October 2024
Heritage Days 6th – 15th September
A magical week of being able to visit behind the scenes at some of the Cotswolds most historic buildings. A range of churches, priories, country houses, mills, schools, factories and gardens are open for this annual event. This celebration of local heritage lets you visit places you wouldn’t normally be able to and all for free.
Cheltenham Literary Festival 6th-15th October 2024
The literary festival consists of more than 500 events encompassing art and design, literature, poetry and the spoken word, food and drink and much more with many household names speaking in the various spaces around Cheltenham.
Blenheim Palace Horse Trials 19th – 22nd September 2024
An unforgettable and exciting equestrian event and a great family day our with world class competitiors, great shopping and delicious food and drink to enjoy when you arent watching the top-class equestrian sport.
November & December
With magical light trails, Christmas carols and pantomimes there is something for everyone in the period leading up to Christmas. Christmas markets and food halls to explore in Tewkesbury, Oxford, Witney, Burford and many more there is much to see and do. Don’t miss the Cheltenham Folk Festival and the carpets of snowdrops at Painswick Rococo Gardens.
