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Literature for Schools 2026 Tickets Now on Sale
Join us from 9–18 October for inspiring events with Michael Rosen, Katherine Rundell, Nadia Shireen, Nathanael Lessore and many more.
This year's programme offers something for every age group, with events designed to spark imaginations, nurture creativity and inspire a lifelong love of reading and writing.
Book Your PlaceWe believe in a world where everyone can explore and create culture
Our charity brings joy, sparks curiosity, connects communities and inspires change year-round through four world-class Festivals in Jazz, Science, Music and Literature and projects for education, community and talent development
What's On What's on

Aurora Orchestra and Benjamin Grosvenor
“I’ve never seen an orchestra take so much ownership over a performance” was Bachtrack’s response to Aurora Orchestra’s 2016 Proms performance of Mozart’s ‘Jupiter’ from memory. There’s an infectious freedom and energy to Aurora’s…

Composer Academy Showcase
A window into the future of contemporary classical music, featuring four new pieces written by a carefully-selected group of leading young composers performed live by the Carice Singers, led by George Parris.Held in DEYA’s intimate and…

Vision String Quartet
Returning to Cheltenham after a spectacular recital in 2025 which demonstrated their precocious artistry, Vision String Quartet play pieces from every corner of the quartet repertoire with one signature difference: there are no music…

Idrîsî Ensemble
Idrîsî Ensemble return to Cheltenham Music Festival for a second instalment of their extraordinary exploration of the sounds of the medieval Mediterranean. The ensemble are pioneering a fresh approach to historical performance with a…

Angela Hewitt
An unforgettable evening with one of the most mesmerising musicians of our time. Angela Hewitt brings her signature freshness and technical finesse to a programme that blends playfulness with emotional depth. Widely regarded as one of the…

Pre-concert Talk: Mahler
Following his wonderfully informative and engaging talks in 2025, Professor of Composition at the University of Bristol John Pickard, returns to delve deeper into the world of Mahler. In this illustrated introduction to Das klagende Lied,…

It's time for the Next Chapter
Since 1945, thanks to your support, we've been changing lives through culture. And now it's time for the Next Chapter. Read all about our Five Year Strategy today.
Keep up to date with Festival news See all news

The Big Read 2026
Tuesday 16 June 2026The Big Read 2026One book. One community. One Big Read.
The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival Announces Women's Prize for Fiction Winner 2026 ‘Big Read' Title
Tuesday 16 June 2026The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival has today announced Women’s Prize for Fiction winner Virginia Evans’ and The Correspondent as this year’s Big Read title, launching a celebration of reading ahead of the Festival…
Inspiring the Next Generation of Curious Minds
Friday 12 June 2026Last week our Festival Village sparked the curiosity of thousands of Festival-goers with over 100 vibrant talks, explosive demos and creative workshops during Cheltenham Science Festival 2026.


