Bath is the unofficial festival capital of the UK, with a packed schedule of culture, food and music events year-round. Here’s what’s coming up in September 2021…

Jane Austen Festival

10th to 19th September 2021

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Jane Austen Festival 2021 is ten days of fabulous events in honour of the city’s most famous former resident.

It all starts with a magnificent parade on the first Saturday of the festival, the Grand Regency Costumed Promenade. Over 500 people in full Regency costume will set off from the Holburne Museum along the length of Great Pulteney Street. You can watch for free, or buy a ticket and get a costume to join in the fun!

The schedule for the Jane Austen Festival is packed, with full listings available here. Here are just a few of the highlights:

• Austen Undone! – a theatrical comedy walk on the streets of Bath
• Pride & Prejudice at The Fayre – a funny adaptation by Aardvark Theatre Company
• To Meryton and Highbury – a driver guided tour of Austen’s Bath (including a bit of Poldark thrown in for good measure)
• Ghost Walk of Bath – a thrilling and fun night-time stroll with Laugh at Bath tours
• Jane Austen and the Art of Social Distancing – a musical concert at Holburne museum exploring social distancing, Regency-style
• Regency costumed Masked Ball – held at the Pump Room, with a magical drinks reception at the Roman Baths.

The Great Bath Feast

24th to 26th September 2021

Back in the city centre for the first time since 2012, the Great Bath Feast 2021 celebrates all that is delicious in Bath. The foodie extravaganza is free to attend, and will take place primarily on Milsom Street – with our chic Milsom Retreat apartment right in the heart of the action. 

The packed programme of events includes chef demos and masterclasses, supper clubs and a vibrant market boasting the best artisan produce and locally sourced street food Bath has to offer. 

The line-up includes:

• Chris Cleghorn, head chef of the Olive Tree in Bath
• Ping Coombes, MasterChef winner 2014
• Richard Bertinet, owner of the The Bertinet Kitchen cookery school (the main festival sponsor)
• Gary and Dan Rosser from The Scallop Shell in Bath
• Nathan Outlaw, renowned seafood chef and Great British Menu contestant.

And don’t worry if you miss the festival itself, as there will be fringe events running until the end of October. 

Bath Children’s Literature Festival

24th September to 3rd October 2021

The largest dedicated children’s literature festival in Europe makes a triumphant return to the city this September, with a star-studded line-up of events across multiple venues. 

Famous names bringing their new books or hosting live events include actor Stephen Mangan and his illustrator sister Anita Mangan, the nation’s P.E. teacher Joe Wicks and Look Up! writer Dapo Adeola. 

Also on the bill are comedian David O’Docherty and How to Train Your Dragon author Cressida Cowell. Bath Rugby Club are even joining in, with a fun-filled story time session called Rugby Rhyme Time. 

New for 2021, the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institute in Queen Square will be opening its doors for family drop-in sessions, and The Forum Coffee House will have a special book corner. 

There’s even a mini festival happening within the Bath Children’s Literature Festival 2021 – the virtual Reading is Magic Festival, taking place from 27th September to 1st October. 

Heading to Bath for a September full of festivals? Check out our beautiful self-catering Bath accommodation in the heart of the city centre.