Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2026

The Cheltenham Jazz Festival is one of the UK’s leading jazz events and typically attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year to Cheltenham. The festival runs for six days and features performances across multiple venues, from large headline concerts in the Big Top at Montpellier Gardens to smaller shows in theatres, bars and music venues across the town.

The programme usually includes more than 100 performances, combining internationally known artists, established jazz musicians and emerging talent. Alongside ticketed concerts, the festival also hosts a large number of free performances and outdoor events, helping to create a lively music atmosphere throughout Cheltenham during the May Bank Holiday period.

The Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2026 takes place from 29 April to 4 May 2026, running over the May Bank Holiday weekend in Cheltenham.

The main festival site is located in Montpellier Gardens, where the Festival Village hosts the main concert stages. Additional performances take place in venues across the town, including Cheltenham Town Hall and the Parabola Arts Centre.

Many of the headline concerts require tickets, which can be purchased in advance. However, the festival also includes a number of free performances and outdoor events in the Festival Village and across the town.

The festival features a mix of internationally known artists, leading jazz musicians and emerging talent. Previous performers have included artists such as Van Morrison, Joss Stone and Gregory Porter.

Yes. The festival includes family-focused events such as “Jazz Kids!”, interactive workshops and performances designed to introduce younger audiences to jazz music.

Cheltenham is around 35–40 minutes by car from the Cotswold lakes, including the area around Cotswold Water Park. This makes it an easy day trip for visitors staying in the region.

Yes. The Festival Village in Montpellier Gardens includes a variety of street food vendors, bars and café-style seating areas, making it easy to spend several hours enjoying the atmosphere between concerts.

Yes. While some concerts require tickets, visitors can still enjoy the festival atmosphere, outdoor performances and activities across Cheltenham without attending a headline show.

Yes. Accessible viewing areas and facilities are available across the festival venues. Visitors with specific requirements can contact the organisers in advance for assistance.