About This Experience
The Cheltenham Music Festival presents an unparalleled programme spanning centuries of musical tradition, with performances across classical, jazz, folk, and contemporary genres, while the 2026 programme helps create a distinctive festival experience through internationally celebrated soloists and emerging new voices. Festival brochures will be available from 10 February 2026. It is a festival designed for the true aficionado, combining high-calibre musicianship with the relaxed, sophisticated charm of the Cotswolds.
Celebrated since 1945, the festival has evolved into a global destination for classical music lovers, and in 2026 it marks its 81st year with world premieres at Cheltenham Town Hall and new music from UK composers. The 2026 edition also aims to expand younger audiences and offer more activities for local communities, encouraging curiosity alongside performance in a spirit of discovery and shared joy. It is renowned for its diverse programming, spanning across iconic venues in Cheltenham, and helping bring together the world's most prestigious soloists, chamber groups, and conductors. Emerging talent will also perform at the Pittville Pump Room. The festival’s programming ensures that every performance meets the highest standards of artistic quality and acoustic excellence, and the event forms part of the Cheltenham Festivals charity. Cheltenham Festivals presents four world class festivals celebrating Jazz, science, Music, and Literature. It attracts over 225,000 visitors annually, runs extensive education programmes for the community, and supports year round engagement through its wider cultural work at the heart of Cheltenham’s culture.
This experience is ideal for those seeking to pair world-class classical music with a wider luxury itinerary, allowing guests to discover Cheltenham’s historic Regency architecture alongside its surrounding cultural landmarks.
Why This Experience
"We have selected this festival because it masterfully combines exceptional, world-class performances with the charming, sophisticated ambience of Cheltenham, offering a uniquely immersive cultural experience for discerning music lovers." - The Sybarite
