The summer holidays are a great time to head to Cheltenham. The town is blooming with flowers and buzzing with people sat outside bars/restaurants enjoying good food and drink. 

As always there are lots of events taking place across the town over the next few weeks.  Here is our pick of some of the unmissable events in Cheltenham in August including things to do with kids this summer, music and theatre performances and local markets…

(Click here to check out FREE and budget friendly ideas for entertaining your kids in Cheltenham over the summer holidays). 

BEST FOR KIDS (& THE YOUNG AT HEART!)...

A round up of the best things to do with kids in Cheltenham this summer.

Outdoor Paddling & Swimming - Sandford Lido Pool

Open daily throughout the summer

We are so lucky to have the lido pool to cool off in on a hot summers day!  A popular spot with locals and visitors since opening in 1935.  There is a great cafe shop onsite although picnics are also allowed.

Hidden Cheltenham Summer Trail

Around town.  Pick up trail maps from Wilson Art Gallery

17 July - 2 September

This popular FREE event is returning this summer with a new route and exciting new clues to find. The trail will take families on a mission to uncover hidden stories and follow clues whilst exploring some of most vibrant and pretty spots in town including Montpellier Gardens and The Brewery Quarter. Click here for full details.

Court Farm Shop Summer Fun 

7 - 8th August & 20 - 22nd August

Fun for kids (and those young at heart!)  Various activities taking place incuding a trailer tour of the farm, egg collecting, pig petting and other animal encounters.  Click here for more details. 

The Beach Club at Regent Arcade

Every Saturday, 27th July – 17th August

11am – 4pm

Our inland location won't stop you having fun at the beach this summer.  The Regent Arcade are bringing the Great British seaside to Cheltenham, with an indoor beach and a calendar of exciting activities for kids every Saturday from the end of July through to mid-August.  There will be games and giggles for all ages at this FREE kids club as they learn the secrets of the circus, come face to face with a 'shy coconut', and have a go at the hoola.

Sunflower Sundays

Every Sunday throughout the summer holidays

Brighten up your Sunday mornings this summer  – for FREE! Every Sunday from 9.30am – 10.30am, the sunflower meadow will be open to the public. Take some Instaworthy family snaps and maybe even treat yourslef to breakfast at the Ox Shed café. 

Family Fun Friday - Wardens Wood Bushcraft

9th August

Chance to explore Warden's Wood, an often forgotten about part of Cleeve Common.

Enjoy an afternoon of bushcraft and nature exploration. See if you can survive in the wilds with your family by identifying trees from their leaves, building a den and toasting marshmallows on a campfire. All equipment will be provided. £2.50 per person.  More details here.
 

Summer at the Holst Museum

Discover what life was like as a child growing up in the Victorian times? Glimpse young 19^th century lives through objects from the time, including those Gustav Holst’s own childhood.  The museum is open Tuesday – Saturday with the following children’s craft drop-in days taking place…

6 August – Victorian Games, 13 August – Scrapbooks, 20 August – Write like a Victorian.

Summer Fun at John Lewis

Lots going on in the John Lewis Discovery Room over the summer including stroytelling with the dragon whisperer, craft sessions and summer sketch book sessions.  Various dates and prices, please check out the links for more details.

Discover The Story of the Solar System

Bacon Theatre

17 August

A live stage show with astronomer Will Gater.  Few stories are more exciting, more extraordinary, than that of our Solar System and the planets, moons, asteroids and comets that orbit the star we call the Sun. In this thrilling live show, astronomer Will Gater brings this remarkable tale to the stage.

Knight School

Sudeley Castle

27th July - 1st September

Children can spend their summer learning what it takes to be a real Knight! Dress up to look the part, then practise jousting, sword fighting and archery skills on the assault course.  Check out the video on Facebook, it looks great fun!

Flying Trapeze Classes

Pittville Park, Tommy Taylors Lane

Ongoing on weekends until 20 October

Flying Trapeze classes are for any level including absolute beginners. Learn to fly on a full size flying trapeze rig over a nice soft net. 

---

Summer Reading Challenge - Space Chase

Ongoing until 7 September

Ok so it's not an event as such BUT it's a great free way to entertain your kids this summer in Cheltenham.  The Summer Reading Challenge invites four to 11-year-olds to borrow and read any six library books over the summer. The theme for the 2019 Summer Reading Challenge is Space Chase, inspired by the 50^th anniversary of the first moon landing.  

Kids will love taking part in the space mission especially as they receive special stickers to add into collectable mission folders. . All children need to do is sign up at their nearest library, where they will be given a collector folder to keep a record of their Summer Reading Challenge journey. For more details click here.

---

FOR THEATRE & MUSIC LOVERS...

There is a great line up of live performances this summer including some utterly brilliant tribute acts…

Rule the World (Take That tribute band) 16 August – Taking place at the Bacon Theatre.

Black Magic – the Little Mix Show 23 August, The Eagles tribute band 24 August & The Tina Turner Show 30 August – Taking place at the Town Hall.

Open Air Cinema: Grease (sing-along version!)

Cowley Manor

24 August

Prepare to sing, dance, clap and cheer along to the original high school musical, Grease!

John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John will light up the big screen with the ultimate feel-good, audience participation movie, and sing along (with words on the screen for anyone who doesn't know them all already!) to Greased Lightnin', Hopelessly Devoted To You, Summer Nights and You're the One That.

Open Air Cinema: A Star is Born

Cowley Manor

25 August (this is an extra date added due to demand).

Fans of Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper take note!  Due to high demand an extra night has been added giving you the opportunity to experience what is sure to be an emotional night of cinema under the stars!

Summer Music Sessions at the No. 131

Friday 9th, Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th of August - Celebrate Mykonos with incredible cocktails, chilled beats and stunning mezze mixes.

Friday 16th, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th of August - Rum and reggae are on the agenda for a taste of the Caribbean.  There will be an incredible line up of food, live music and even some rum soaked pineapple from the tiki bar.

Friday 23rd, Saturday 24th , Sunday 25th and Monday 26th of August - Think crisp whites, Cote D’Azur chic, seafood and rose wine to celebrate the very cool and sophisticated St Tropez.  Acoustic music and guest DJ’s are sure to entertain you.

Friday 30th, Saturday 31st of August and Monday 1st September -  A weekend of Aussie style BBQ’s!   Surf your way through their ultimate cocktail list while catching the last summer rays.

Brian Jones 50th Anniversary Walking Tour

Leaves from the Wilson Art Gallery

24 August

2019 marks 50 years since the tragic early death aged just 27, of Rolling Stones founder member and original leader, Brian Jones.   He was born in Cheltenham, England on 28 February1942, in the midst of the Second World War, when Cheltenham was awash with young Americans.  To learn more about this fascinating idol sign up to the walking tour.

---

And last but certainly not least, unmissable events that are…

BEST FOR SHOPPERS

Arts & Crafts Market

On the Prom, outside Cavendish House / House of Fraser.

17 August

Located along Cheltenham Promenade, the monthly Arts & Crafts market (runs on the third Sunday of every month) brings together local producers, craftspeople and artisans to create a market full of unique gifts, homeware and handmade goods. A great opportunity to enjoy a mooch around stalls whilst soaking up a lovely atmosphere.

The Suffolk’s Sunday Market

Suffolk Road

25 Aug

This popular monthly event attracts people from far and wide who enjoy the buskers, street food and over 80 stalls with goods featuring Arts & Crafts, Designers & Makers, Vintage, Food & Drink and Street Food.  There is a strong emphasis on local, and everyone is an Independent Trader.  Check out more details here.

---

Looking for more events inspiration? Check out our FREE and budget friendly ideas for entertaining your kids in Cheltenham over the summer holidays.  For the latest food and drink news, special offers and foodie events check out our Summer Food and Drink Focus.

Events are constantly being added to our What's On Guide so please do keep popping back and sign up to our fortnightly E-newsletter to be kept informed about all the best events taking place in Cheltenham.