Bringing history to life with some of the world's most inspiring historians, authors and broadcasters, Gloucester History Festival is back this autumn.
Kicking off on Gloucester Day on Saturday 5 September 2026 with a parade through the city centre, the festival promises two weeks of inspiring and engaging events, including the ever-popular Heritage Open Days.
And despite being closed to the public earlier this year, this year's festival takes place at Blackfriars Priory once again, with the important medieval landmark providing an atmospheric backdrop.
Who is on the lineup at Gloucester History Festival 2026?
Whether you know him as Baldrick from Blackadder, or as the face of Time Team, one of the biggest names at this year's festival is Tony Robinson, who is sharing his passion for Anglo-Saxon England, and specifically medieval Wessex.
Other famous names include Men Behaving Badly star Caroline Quentin, historian and Celebrity Traitors faithful David Olusoga, classicist, author and podcast host Natalie Haynes, former leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt, BBC Coast regular Nicholas Crane, and TV historians Nandini Das, Dan Jones, Ben Robinson, and Michael Wood – plus an extra special appearance from Radiohead drummer Philip Selway and Portishead guitarist Adrian Utley, followed by an 'unmissable' live set.
With The Bayeux Tapestry coming back to the UK for the first time in nearly 1,000 years, the festival also features three tapestry-themed events which are sure to sell-out fast, including a debate from the team responsible for its top-secret return journey.
And promising to tickle the tastebuds, the History of Chocolate and History of Gin evenings in the Scriptorium both include tastings, alongside the talks.
There are over 100 events taking place at Blackfriars during the festival – check out the full lineup in the brochure at gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk.
When is Gloucester History Festival 2026?
Gloucester History Festival takes place from Saturday 5 to Sunday 20 September 2026.
How much are tickets to Gloucester History Festival 2026?
Festival Passes providing in-person access to all 52 events at Blackfriars Priory and the same reserved seat throughout the festival cost £400 each, while Day Passes providing access to all events on one selected day cost £50. Individual event tickets cost from £10 to £15.
For anyone unable to attend in person, Gloucester History Festival is also offering Digital Festival Passes for £70 each, providing livestreams of the full Blackfriars programme available to watch live, or until Sunday 25 October 2026.
There are also over 100 free events in the Blackfriars Scriptorium – Britain's oldest library, built in 1329 – including a visit from the Ermine St Guard, the Blackfriars medieval monks, have-a-go morris dancing and more.
How to book tickets to Gloucester History Festival 2026
Tickets are on general sale from Friday 24 July 2026.
To book tickets and passes, visit gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk or pop into the Festival Box Office at the Museum of Gloucester.
