Cheltenham Music Festival reports “wonderful” uptick in sales for 80th year

Cheltenham Music Festival has announced its healthiest ticket sales since COVID-19, ahead of its eightieth anniversary season later this summer (4-12 July 2025).

The celebration of classical music, which began life in the weeks following the Second World War, has seen a thirty per cent increase in concert-goers. Organisers say the number of seats already filled across the programme makes it the best-selling season at Cheltenham since COVID-19 caused huge disruption to live music.

Cheltenham’s success comes amid a persistent set of challenges for classical music more widely. With a reduction in music education in schools, static audience numbers, and widely reported questions around public funding, Cheltenham’s success will be noted nationally as a strong source of optimism.

“It’s so wonderful to report such rude health in our eightieth year,” says Jack Bazalgette, the Festival’s Artistic Director. “We’re especially grateful to our audiences, returning and brand new alike, for responding so positively to our anniversary programme.”

Eightieth Anniversary Celebration

The 2025 Cheltenham Music Festival will mark eighty years since Isobel Holst and others first founded a celebration of classical music in the Gloucestershire town. World-class performances, newly commissioned pieces and public advocacy for classical music have been its central features ever since.

This year’s season will play host to classical music stars such as Dame Sarah Connolly, Imogen Cooper and wunderkinds Braimah and Isata Kanneh-Mason, alongside fresh new voices including Aaron Akugbo and Alexandra Williams. Senegalese kora master Seckou Keita and Mediterranean specialists the Idrîsî Ensemble will also feature.

Furthermore, to mark its 80th milestone, parent charity Cheltenham Festivals will campaign year-round to provide 80,000 children with access to the arts to mark the milestone.

Ali Mawle, co-CEO of Cheltenham Festivals, said: "Cheltenham Music Festival is extraordinary and stands proud as one of the first festivals in the UK, taking a true leading role in that wider post-war movement. To see it still offering hope and joy in 2025 is so special and heartening.

 “We work tirelessly to give young people access to arts and culture, and this year we wanted to reach out especially. We have an excellent relationship with schools across Gloucestershire and beyond – our work is not just about enabling young people to come to the Festival site, but also take part in music and arts all year round.”

A Positive Future for Classical Music

With fifty per cent more tickets sold than at the same time in 2024, Cheltenham’s success has been heralded by some of its star performers this year.

“It’s a pleasure to see Cheltenham doing so well in advance of its eightieth year,” said the pianist Imogen Cooper. “Festivals are so important to the health of classical music more generally, and seeing this one thriving again is hugely welcome.”

2025 is Bazalgette’s first season as Cheltenham’s Artistic Director. “This eightieth year is about celebrating our glorious past and also looking to an amazing future. It’s definitely going to be a season to remember – and we can’t wait to welcome audiences for some seriously special music!”

Tickets for Cheltenham Music Festival 2025 are on sale now.