Bath Festival is back! The organisers of the hugely popular arts and culture festival have now revealed a star-studded lineup for May 2021.  

The Bath Festival sadly had to be cancelled in 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic. This was one of the first times in the festival’s 70+ year history that the event couldn’t go ahead. 

But in exciting news for residents and visitors to the city, the Festival is back for 2021 with a serious bang. A jam-packed lineup has been announced for the week-long event, which includes everything from live concerts, comedy and gigs to theatre, poetry readings and talks. 

Where and when is the Bath Festival 2021?

There are a few key dates you need to know about. The live Bath Festival will be taking place from 17th May, running all week until 24th May 2021. 

But there’s also Bath Festival at Home, a second part of the festival designed for those not able (or not yet fully ready) to gather in person. This will launch after the live festival has finished, on 28th May 2021. 

And of course, there’s also the fabulous Bath Festival Finale Weekend, which takes place in summer from 7-8th August. This family-friendly music festival will feature headline performances by McFly, UB40, Billy Ocean and Scouting for Girls.  

The festival will take place across some of Bath’s most historic and extraordinary venues, all of whom are working hard to put COVID-safe measures in place. It’s reassuring to know that Bath Festivals has been given a ‘Good to Go’ status by Visit England. 

Now, who’s on the lineup for the Bath Festival 2021?

The organisers of this year’s cultural extravaganza have put together a stunningly diverse lineup of events. They’ve really gone to town on star names and exciting acts aimed at a global audience, which is only fitting for such a long-anticipated event coming straight after lockdown. 

Key venues include the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, the Assembly Rooms, Green Park Station and the Forum. 

Here are a few highlights to look forward to:

• Much-loved TV presenter and comedian Mel Giedroyc in conversation, talking about her debut novel The Best Things.

• The Bath Festival Orchestra performing at Green Park Station and Bath Abbey – the first live performance there for two years due to refurbishment works.

• Mesmerising live poetry readings from Hollie McNish, a Ted Hughes Award Winner.

• Guided walks throughout Bath – one exploring the influences of the city on author Mary Shelley as she wrote Frankenstein, and another following in the footsteps of Netflix smash Bridgerton, filmed in Bath. 

• Stand-up comedian Ted Ilyas at the Assembly Rooms, discussing his hilarious and searingly honest book, The Secret Diary of a British Muslim Aged 13 ¾.

• The Gesualdo Six, the internationally acclaimed vocal group, in concert at the atmospheric Roman Baths.

• Comedian and podcaster Adam Buxton at Bath Forum, discussing his memoir Ramble Book: Musings on Childhood, Friendship, Family and 80s Pop. 

Tickets for the Bath Festival 2021 are available now, but they’re expected to be popular so make sure you snap yours up early!

And it’s also a good idea to book your accommodation as soon as possible, as we’re expecting this to be a hugely busy week in Bath. Check out our fabulous choice of luxury city centre apartments and houses here.