It’s currently the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, but it made me think where has the year gone since we last went? It also made me look up all the dates for the other Cheltenham Festivals that we suddenly realise are upon us.
We’re planning to go to the Jazz Festival again this year, on Bank Holiday Monday, however I had hoped to get there last week too, but didn’t make it. We love visiting the festivals as they’re always so child friendly, there are always child events, and the site, Montpellier Gardens, has a swing park too so you can even tire little ones out first and then have a nice wander around with them asleep or resting in their pushchair.
So here’s a quick stop guide to all the festivals that will be going on in Cheltenham this year…
Jazz Festival
26th – 1st May 2017
We love this festival and always enjoy hearing the free stage which has local schools performing. They’re always amazing and it’s really inspiring. Of course the big names are there too from Jamie Cullum to Jack Savoretti to Will Young, Ben Folds and Booker T. Jones.
There are also loads of kids events on, especially during the Bank Holiday weekend : Jazz Festival family events. I’m hoping we make it to Jazz Babies!
The full line up is located on the Cheltenham Jazz Festival website.
Do check out my review of last year’s 2016 Jazz festival.
Science Festival
6th – 11 th June 2017
Now, this festival is brilliant for adults and kids! I wrote last year about which events were on our 2016 Science Festival wish list, and, from the variety you can see how this festival really does appeal to everyone.
From kids events and experiments to stargazing and talks by the TV presenters we all know and see weekly.
The full line up for the Science Festival and to book tickets can be found on the Cheltenham Science Festival website.
Music Festival
1st-16th July 2017
This festival has recently been shortlisted in the Royal Philharmonic Society Awards 2017.
The full line up can be found here on the Cheltenham Music Festival website.
Literature Festival
6th – 15th October 2017
We haven’t taken Toddler H to the Literature Festival yet as we’ve always been unsure she’d sit long enough. This year will be different, she’ll be over 2.5 and really does love books and gets so into stories.
It’s not just about children’s authors, there are obviously adult authors too!
The full line up and booking for 2017 will appear on the Cheltenham Literature Festival website once it’s released.
Top tips for families visiting the Cheltenham Festivals:
- Check out the free tents
- Take a pushchair
- Take a picnic blanket – you’ll see why! It makes the experience!
- Check out what’s on first so you can fit in free family events too
- Also visit the play park in Montpellier Gardens and even get a coffee or ice-cream from the cafe there
Have you been to the Cheltenham Festivals? Do you think you might try them this year? It’s such a lovely atmosphere, I really recommend it if you’re in travelling distance.
Lynne x
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