With an area spanning just over 800 square miles, you won’t be stuck wondering what to do in the Cotswolds. Here’s a taster of what’s on in the Cotswolds this Spring / Summer season.

April/June

Cheltenham plays host to a number of events over the spring and summer, starting with its Jazz Festival in Montpellier Gardens taking place between the 30th April to the 5th May 2025 features a top class line-up of performers including David Gray, Corrine Bailey-Rae and Jools Holland.

If you fancy a taste of Medieval history and a fun family day out, what could be better than the annual Jousting Tournament in the grounds of the fabulously baroque Blenheim Palace? Visitors can also enjoy the ancient arts of falconry and archery. Saturday 3rd to Monday 4th May 2025.

Image of Cheltenham Jazz festival and jousting at Blenheim palace

Roll up! Roll up! The circus is in town! Giffords’ national tour takes in Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe May 9th to the 19th, then Blenheim Palace from the 22 May to the 2 June 2025. 

Gastronomes will delight in the Blenheim Palace Food Festival with its vast array of artisanal and international food and drink on offer over the May Bank Holiday weekend – 24th to the 26th May 2025. 

Two images from Giffords Circus

On Monday, May 26th, if you’re a fan of the unusual, you could head to Coopers Hill in Brockworth and watch the annual Cheese Rolling competition. Or perhaps you’d prefer to see the herculean efforts of competitors heaving heavy woolsacks up a steep hill in the Tetbury Woolsack Races. 

Or, odder still, take a ringside seat at the Cotswold Olympick Games in Chipping Campden on Friday 30th May 2025, where you can witness a variety of old-fashioned sporting shenanigans such as the world shin kicking competition… ouch!

June/July

The Cheltenham Science Festival combines fun and learning for all the family. The children can meet some of the world’s greatest scientists, futurologists and through leaders as part of the Science for Schools programme. It next takes place in Imperial Gardens June 3rd – 8th 2025.

Blenheim Palace sees the return of its Nocturne Live series of outdoor concerts. The 2025 season kicks off with Richard Ashcroft on the 19th June and Gary Barlow on the 20th, with more acts still to be announced.

Two ladies sat on the grass drinking at Cheltenham Music Festival and one image of Blenheim palace

Also featuring at Blenheim Palace is its annual Flower show from 27th to the 29th June 2025, with talks, demonstrations, live music, food, drink and more. 

The annual Cheltenham Music Festival runs from July 4th to 12th in 2025, across a number of venues in the regency town and celebrates all that is great about classical music.

July/August

The Bank Holiday weekend of August 26th – 28th will see you spoilt for choice. The Big Feastival at Alex James’ farm is The Cotswolds’ equivalent of Glastonbury. Come for a day, camp all weekend or check out our collection of Big Feastival accommodation.

The Phoenix Festival in the grounds of Cirencester Abbey is a family-friendly volunteer-run free music and arts event for all the family.

And Gloucester Goes Retro is a street festival celebrating vintage cars, clothes and music.

Finally, looking forward, Cheltenham’s world-famous Literature Festival returns from October 10th to the 19th 2025, celebrating everything from the classics to new and emerging writers over a packed 10-day programme.

One image of Alex James sat in front of The Big Feastival sign and one image of dancers at Gloucester Goes Retro

With so much on offer to keep you and your family entertained, what’s not to love about all these fantastic ideas about what to do in The Cotswolds? If you’re planning a visit, browse our collection of Cotswold holiday cottages and find the perfect place to stay!

Don’t forget to check out our other seasonal “what’s on in the Cotswolds” advice, including what to do at Christmas in the Cotswolds!