With everything from delicious food to top entertainment and immersive activities, there's a whole host of annual events for the whole family to enjoy in Gloucestershire, from weekend music festivals to country shows.
SoGlos rounds up 15 of the best taking place across the county in 2026 — from world-renowned attractions to the locally loved traditions offering something for everyone.
The Royal International Air Tattoo in the Cotswolds
Combining thrills in the air with static displays of hundreds of aircraft on the ground, The Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford is the world's biggest military airshow, with attractions and areas for people of all ages to enjoy.
Taking place over three days from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 July 2026, aside from the aircraft, there's science and tech areas, shopping, food and drink and much more to explore, along with a family hospitality enclosure offering things like pilot meet-and-greets and additional comfort – plus under 18s go free with a ticket holding adult!
Wychwood Festival in Cheltenham
Bringing recognisable names in music and comedy together with a wide range of performances and activities for kids, Wychwood Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse prides itself on its family appeal.
Headliners for this year's festival, taking place from Thursday 28 to Sunday 31 May 2026, include noughties indie rockers Kaiser Chiefs, folk punks Levellers and genre-blurring dance group Dutty Moonshine Band, while for the younger ones there's everything from music, dance and fitness workshops, to arts and crafts, circus skills, stories and more.
Giffords Circus in Stroud and the Cotswolds
With dates throughout 2026 at multiple locations in Gloucestershire, Giffords Circus brings a 'dazzling' show combining music, poetry and performing arts that's a must-see for families.
This year, Giffords is touring its 'most ambitious show yet' – Waterfield, which takes inspiration from the English countryside and the creatures that inhabit it, featuring breathtaking circus acts, spectacular sets and costumes. It's also bringing its travelling restaurant Circus Sauce, serving up a 'rustic extravagant inspired' feast for afterwards, with casual food options available, too.
The Royal Three Counties Show in Malvern
A celebration of farming, food and the countryside in Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire, The Royal Three Counties Show just over the border in Malvern is a great day out for the whole family.
With thrilling entertainment including motocross, freefall parachuting and timbersports; delicious food and drink from local producers and plenty of family activities including the chance to pet friendly farm animals, this year's show takes place from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 June 2026 — with a separate just-for-kids event, CountryTastic, on Thursday 2 April too.
Cheltenham Science Festival in Cheltenham
From famous physicists and astronauts to TikTok stars, Cheltenham Science Festival features a range of talks, experiments and activities, sure to spark the interest of adults and children alike.
With this year's lineup of guests set to be announced on Tuesday 31 March 2026, the festival, taking place from Tuesday 2 to Sunday 7 June, also has four free interactive zones to explore – The Arcade, MakerShack, The Discover Zone and Jetstream, giving the next generation of scientists a chance to get hands on with crafty activities and more.
Big Feastival in the Cotswolds
Hosted by Blur's Alex James on his Cotswolds farm, families can expect an impressive line-up of music, alfresco feasting, top chefs, cooking demonstrations and even a vintage fairground at Big Feastival over August bank holiday weekend.
With the likes of Basement Jaxx, The Streets and Bastille appearing on the main stage this year, there's plenty for little festival-goers to enjoy, too, from wild play, games and stories, to performances from their favourite TV stars and the chance to interact with animals from Adam Henson's Cotswold Farm Park.
Tewkesbury Medieval Festival in Tewkesbury
Step back in time with re-enactments, living history displays, a medieval market and activities for kids at Tewkesbury Medieval Festival on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July 2026.
Hear the clanging of swords in a full re-enactment of the Battle of Tewkesbury, before giving little history buffs a taste of life in ye olde England with period arts and crafts sessions in the children's activity area.
Forest Showcase Food Festival in the Forest of Dean
Bringing together some of the area's best food producers surrounded by beautiful woodland at The Speech House, Forest Showcase Food Festival has grown into one of the Forest of Dean's most anticipated annual events.
There's something for everyone at the festival – which takes place in the spring and autumn on Sunday 24 May and Sunday 4 October 2026 – with markets, hot food stalls, a cookery theatre, an entertainment arena featuring everything from live music to gardening; while for the little ones, there's a vibrant circus show, cookery classes, arts workshops and fun-filled gardening activities.
Cheltenham Jazz Festival in Cheltenham
Along with a star studded lineup of world-renowned jazz and jazz-influenced artists, Cheltenham Jazz Festival brings entertainment for the whole family to town, with interactive events for kids, too.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, the biggest names at this year's festival – running from Wednesday 29 April to Monday 4 May – include the likes of Jessie J, Jack Savoretti, Joss Stone and Van Morrison, with children's events in the family tent including games, toe-tapping tunes, dancing and more.
Frampton Country Fair in Frampton on Severn
Traditional countryside demonstrations, trade stands selling locally produced food and drink and entertainment for all ages meet at 'one of the UK's last traditional country fairs' at Frampton Court Estate.
Taking place on Sunday 13 September 2026, there's an array of fun to be found in the main ring; country attractions like shooting and demonstrations of seldom seen crafts skills; and entertainers for all ages dotted around the estate, from Punch and Judy to live music — with a host of dog events for your four-legged family members, too!
Cirencester History Festival in Cirencester
Hosting fascinating talks from big name historians and entertainers across town, Cirencester History Festival is returning in 2026 with its full programme of history and Halloween-themed events for kids.
With last year's headliners including This Country stars Charlie and Daisy May Cooper and Johnny English actor Ben Miller, along with leading historians and world affairs specialists, grown-ups can expect another round of thought-provoking events at this year's festival, running from Friday 23 October to Sunday 1 November 2026 — while for children there'll be a range of seasonal activities including crafts and performing arts at venues such as New Brewery Arts and the Barn Theatre.
Cotswold Show and Food Festival in Cirencester
Set in the heart of Cirencester Park, Cotswold Show and Food Festival attracts thousands of visitors each year with a wide of variety of attractions and entertainment for the whole family.
Along with its impressive array of locally produced food and drink, there's shopping, attractions including monster trucks, racing camels and a dog and duck show in its main arena, farm animals and activities for kids, from clay pigeon shooting to go karting, tree climbing and inflatables, with this year's event taking place on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July 2026.
Gloucestershire Vintage & Country Extravaganza in South Cerney
Gloucestershire Vintage & Country Extravaganza is 'one of the UK’s leading' heritage vehicle festivals, drawing thousands of visitors to its home at South Cerney Airfield near Cirencester.
Taking place from Friday 31 July to Sunday 2 August 2026, there are thousands of attractions to enjoy, with vintage motors, live music, retro fashion shows, dance lessons and interactive entertainment, along with a popular animal and countryside arena — with vintage fairground attractions, steam tractor trailer rides and a whole lot more for younger visitors, too.
Cheltenham Literature Festival in Cheltenham
With talks from a range of world-renowned authors from award winners to celebrities, there's an event for everyone at Cheltenham Literature Festival, with a programme catering for readers of all ages.
While the lineup for the 2026 festival, taking place from Friday 9 to Saturday 18 October, is yet to be announced, adults and young people can expect plenty of variety at the festival village and around town — and for the little ones, there's storytelling with authors of their favourite books along with interactive events and arts and crafts workshops, too.
Stroud Festival of Food and Drink in Stroud
Jam packed with the best independent food trucks and bars around, live music, children's entertainment and artisan produce, Stroud Festival of Food and Drink is fast becoming one of the town's best annual events for families.
Taking place on the streets and in venues across town from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 May 2026, events include tastings and workshops from Stroud finest home-grown chefs, restaurants and food producers; while there's also a dedicated children's area in Bank Gardens, with arts and crafts, interactive games, henna and more to keep the younger ones entertained.
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