The first headliners for this year's Cirencester History Festival are revealed this August 2026, with bestselling authors, renowned broadcasters, and a world-famous period orchestra on the lineup.
Returning for its third edition, the annual festival brings together some of the world's leading voices for a series of around-town talks spanning centuries of global history, along with a family events programme of guided walks, music, crafts and cookery, across October half term.
The organisers say this year's lineup showcases some of 'the most influential voices in history today', offering audiences thought‑provoking discussion and deep dives into 'extraordinary' stories.
Headliners include bestselling author of World War II and espionage non-fiction including Operation Mincemeat, Ben Macintyre; author, broadcaster and 'social media sensation' Alice Loxton; and award-winning author, broadcaster and Russian history expert, Simon Sebag Montefiore.
Other big names include renowned historical fiction author Robert Harris; historian and broadcaster Kate Williams; historical investigator Philippa Langley; and pre-history expert Ronald Hutton.
And one of the world’s leading period-instrument ensembles, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, which has residencies at South Bank London and Glyndebourne Opera House, will open the festival on Friday 23 October 2026 with a candlelit performance in the town's 12th‑century wool church, in a concert exploring the Bach family and the transition from the baroque to classical eras.
Another exciting project at this year's festival will see the town 'transformed into a living time capsule', with the community‑led Bayeux‑inspired Cirencester Tapestry project, where the public can go along and sew their own stitch in the festival's pop-up shop, at the Old Department Store.
Festival president Dame Fiona Reynolds said: 'This year’s festival will bring history to life in a way that is both imaginative and deeply rooted in the community.
'Cirencester will once again show how history can inspire, connect and delight.'
Building on the success of last year, the festival is expanding again in 2026, with 7,500 tickets expected to be sold – up from 6,000 in 2025 and 3,500 in 2024.
Billy Cobbett, festival chair, said: 'The growth of the festival reflects the enthusiasm of our audiences and the dedication of our partners across Cirencester. This year’s line‑up is exceptional, and we’re proud to continue building a festival that celebrates history in all its richness.'
Further headliner announcements will be made in the coming weeks, with the full programme being revealed on Friday 4 September 2026, when tickets go on sale via the festival website.
For more information, or to sign up for its mailing list for all the latest festival updates, visit cirencesterhistoryfestival.org.
