Cheltenham Music Festival 2025: Celebrating 80 Years of Musical Brilliance

Tickets for the Cheltenham Music Festival 2025 are now on sale! The festival runs from July 4 to July 12, 2025, and music lovers can explore the full programme and purchase tickets via the official Cheltenham Festivals website.

Since its inception in 1945, the Cheltenham Music Festival has been a cornerstone of the UK’s classical music scene, renowned for premiering contemporary compositions and hosting esteemed musicians. Over the decades, it has introduced audiences to over 250 new works, cementing its reputation as a hub for musical innovation.

Highlights of the 2025 Programme

The 2025 festival opens on July 4 with a performance by the Britten Sinfonia at the historic Pittville Pump Room, featuring works by Mozart and Mendelssohn, alongside a new composition by Deborah Pritchard commissioned to commemorate the festival’s anniversary.

Throughout the festival, attendees can look forward to a diverse array of performances:

Dame Imogen Cooper DBE @ Pittville Pump Room – Wednesday 9th July 7-8:45 pm

Described by Sir Simon Rattle as ‘one of the greatest musicians England has ever produced Dame Imogen Cooper brings Beethoven’s final three piano sonatas to Cheltenham, pushing the boundaries of what the piano is capable of with great sensitivity and subtlety.

The BBC National Orchestra of Wales @ Town Hall – Saturday 12th July 7:30-9:30 pm

Presenting a programme that includes works by Edward Elgar, Benjamin Britten, Malcolm Arnold, and a new commission by Anna Semple, reflecting the festival’s rich history and commitment to contemporary music.

Idrîsî Ensemble @ Cheltenham College Chapel – 10th July 6:30pm

This concert promises a captivating journey through the sounds of ancient Occitania, Corsica, Rome, and Greece. The ensemble, known for its elite group of specialist instrumentalists and singers, brings to life rare and endangered musical traditions, offering audiences a unique and immersive experience.

Nurturing Emerging Talent

A key feature of the festival is its support for emerging artists. The Composer Academy, held July 7–11, offers early-career composers a chance to develop their craft, collaborate with professionals, and have their work performed in a professional setting through a week-long course.

Inspiring the Next Generation: Family & Youth Events

The 2025 festival places a strong emphasis on making classical music accessible and engaging for young people and families. Several initiatives are designed specifically with younger audiences in mind:

Events for Children:

Concert for Schools @ Cheltenham Town Hall – Thursday 10 July, 10.30-11.30am, £2/pupil

This year, the concert celebrates the beauty of the natural world and uses musical storytelling to spark the imagination. Please note a free ‘relaxed’ concert will be available on Wednesday 9th July from 11:15am-12pm, for children who may find a structured concert setting stressful or overwhelming. This concert will be suitable for children with SEND to ensure an accessible and inclusive experience.

Hands-on Music Explorer sessions @ Cheltenham Town Hall, Thursday 10th July 11.50am and 12.50pm

This post-concert session allows children to experiment with the instruments they’ve seen, learning how to bow a violin, make sound from brass instruments and create music as an ensemble.

Venues and Atmosphere

Performances take place in some of Cheltenham’s most iconic venues, such as the Cheltenham Town Hall and Pittville Pump Room. These historic locations, paired with the town’s Georgian charm, offer audiences an unforgettable festival experience.

Around Town

This ‘around town’ programme offers free gigs at cafes, bars and pubs across Cheltenham throughout the festival. In collaboration with Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and BID, this year’s line-up promises quality sets at venues such as ‘Hotel du Vin‘, ‘Society Cafe‘, ‘The Tavern‘ and more!

Secure your tickets now and be part of the Cheltenham Music Festival 2025—a spectacular celebration of 80 years of musical heritage and innovation.