Events in Cheltenham Podcast Update + May Preview
Cheltenham is packed with brilliant things to do, but unless you’ve got a clear view of what’s coming up, the best events can slip by. I’m Reg, and this quick update lays out what the new Events in Cheltenham podcast is for: a curated monthly roundup of what’s on in Cheltenham, released on the last Friday of each month, so you can plan ahead without trawling endless listings. If you like festivals, live music, family days out and the occasional something-different, this is built to be your shortcut.
For a May preview, I spotlight the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, running 29 April to 4 May across the bank holiday weekend and celebrating its 30th anniversary. We talk about the mix of world-class acts, rising talent and collaborations, plus the way the festival spreads across venues like Montpellier Gardens and Cheltenham Town Hall. It’s not limited to traditional jazz either, with soul, funk and contemporary genre-blending in the mix, and plenty to enjoy beyond the ticketed shows with free outdoor performances, food and drink and the Festival Village atmosphere.
If you want a quieter counterpoint to the festival buzz, I also flag the 16 Gallery’s Small Works exhibition (24 April to 5 May), where every piece is small and priced under £500, making it a welcoming entry point if you’re curious about buying original art. I also point to the Friends of Pittville plant sale on 2 May, Pride in Cheltenham on 16 May, and the regular local staples like pub quizzes and the Promenade markets. Subscribe, share this with a Cheltenham friend, and leave a quick review so more people can find the podcast.
Hello, I'm Reg, and this is a quick update on the new Events in Cheltenham podcast. Now, this is going to be a monthly podcast released on the last Friday of each month. So the first official one will be the last Friday in May. So that's where I'll be sharing a created roundup of events happening across Cheltenham, helping you plan ahead and find things to do over the coming weeks. Now the focus is simple, highlighting a selection of events from festivals, live music to family days out, and something occasionally a little different. So you're always going to have ideas on what's happening in Cheltenham. Alongside the podcast, I've also launched Events in Cheltenham online, where you'll find a full events calendar as well as a newsletter over on Substack. So if you're looking for a more detailed and regular update list of events, that's the place to go. But while you're here, just while you're here and listening, I very much appreciate that, I thought I'd give you a quick preview of what's coming up in May. Now, for one of the biggest events coming up in Cheltenham, and it's a real highlight in the calendar year, is of course the Cheltenham Jazz Festival is back running from Wednesday the 29th of April through to Monday the 4th of May, right across the bank holiday weekend. This year is a special one too, as it is festival's 30th anniversary, and as always, it brings a mix of world-class artists, emerging talent, and a real exciting collaborations to venues all across Cheltenham. You've got performances happening in places like Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham Town Hall, and other spots around the town. So wherever you are, you're never too far away from the action and the music. And if that's not just traditional jazz either, the festival's known for mixing things up with everything from soul and funk to contemporary and gender genre blending acts. So there really is something for everyone. Big names are expected again this year alongside rising stars, making it one of UK's most popular jazz festivals and the one that really puts Chum on the map. There's also plenty happening beyond the main ticketed shows, including free outdoor performances, food and drink stalls, and a great festival atmosphere, especially around the Festival Village in the Montpellier Gardens. So whether you're a jazz fan or just fancy soaking up the atmosphere, it's definitely worth checking out. For full details, line up and tickets, head over to the Channel and Festival website, and as always, I'll pop a link in the show notes. Now, if you're looking for something a little different during the Faz Jazz Festival period, this one works well for you as well. It's the 16 gallery is hosting an exhibition called Small Works, running from the 24th of April through to the 5th of May. This exhibition brings together artists from the galleries collective, showcasing a wide range of styles, mediums, and techniques, but with one thing in common. Every piece is small in size, and that's really the whole idea behind it. Their smaller artworks are designed to feel more personal and intimate. The kind of pieces that invite you to take a closer look and connect with them in a different way. It is also a great entry point if you ever thought about buying original art, because every piece in this exhibition is priced under£500, making it much more accessible whether you're starting a collection or just looking for something unique for your home. The exhibition features a mix of emerging and established artists, all part of the 16 gallery collective. So you're getting a real variety of work all in one place. And timing-wise, it lines up nicely with both the Cheltenham Jazz Festival and other events happening in town. So it's an easy one to pop into while you're out and about. Now the galleries open daily from 10 till 5 and it's right in Montpellier. So nice and central. So whether you're into well, curious to explore curious to explore something new or just fancy a quiet break from the festival buzz, Smallworks is definitely worth a visit. Also, on Saturday the 2nd of May, the Friends of Pittville are holding their plant sale. Ideal if you're looking to pick up something new for your garden while supporting a great local group, and it's at the Scout Hut in Pitville Park. And I think if my missile it runs from 10 till 12. Looking further ahead, the Pride in Cheltenham takes place on the 16th of May, and that's a fantastic celebration of community, inclusivity, and of course live entertainment. And if you are for something more regular, well, of course, there's pub quizzes happening throughout the week across Cheltenham, plus the popular markets on the promenade, including the farmers market, the craft market, the antique and vintage market, all of them well worth a visit. So that is just a small taste of what's on, and there are plenty more to discover. The full list of episodes, the full list, start again of the events in Cheltenham. Um I'm gonna start that sentence again, shall I? Because they're completely fluffed it up. So I apologize about that. The full episode of Events in Cheltenham podcast, as I say, will be released on the last Friday of the month. So keep an eye out for that one, or your ears in this case. For full details of all these events and plenty more, head over to Events in Cheltenham calendar, check out my Instagram page, and don't forget the weekly newsletter for everything coming up. You'll find links to all these in the description. Thank you so much for listening, even though I fluffed the last bit, and I will speak to you very soon with the first official events in Cheltenham and podcast on the last Friday, 6th of May. So until then, enjoy all the events in Cheltenham.