From open-air theatre, pool days, exhibitions and musical experiences. Plus new alfresco terraces and sizzling outdoor dining, here are Visit Bath’s hot picks for summer.
Events, Exhibitions and Festivals From Visit Bath
Bath Carnival (image above)
Saturday 11 July
Bath Carnival 2026 promises an unforgettable day of colour, creativity, and community spirit as it returns to Sydney Gardens on Saturday 11 July. This free family festival will bring together an eclectic mix of entertainment for all ages. Featuring two stages of live music, independent food and drink, and a vibrant array of walkabout acts. See Visit Bath for info.
30 years of Prior Park with the National Trust
Saturday 18 July
To celebrate 30 years of being open to the public under the National Trust’s care, Prior Park’s lower garden will open after hours for an evening of celebration including food and music. Tickets are free for National Trust members.
Garden Theatre Festival at The Holburne Museum
2 – 26 July
Immerse yourself in the worlds of Oscar Wilde, Jane Austen, with three outstanding productions. Including, The Importance of Being Earnest, Sense & Sensibility, and The Big Bad Wolf. The garden of The Holburne will be transformed into a charming outdoor theatre with covered seating and deck chairs.
SISTALAND Festival Chew Valley Lake
10-12 July 2026
SISTALAND Festival is expected to welcome over 500 attendees from across the UK. All working in film, TV, music, photography, theatre, media, design and the wider creative industries. The programme of panels, workshops, screenings, immersive installations and wellbeing-led spaces is designed to challenge traditional industry culture.
More From Visit Bath
Beckford’s Tower: Paddock Circus Festival
19 July
Step right up for a magical day of family-friendly entertainment at Beckford’s Tower with circus, theatre and outdoor fun. Enjoy spectacular performances inside a “Little Big Top” tent, along with outdoor shows, and hands-on circus skills workshops. Plus, delicious food, an all-day bar, and space for picnics.
The Bath Summer Fayre
17–19 July
The Bath Summer Fayre returns to the city centre offering a free, open-air celebration of independent traders, food and entertainment. Visitors can browse artisan stalls before exploring the surrounding streets for lunch and shopping.
Rode Comedy Festival
26 – 30 August 2026
Sir Lenny Henry leads a stellar cast of comedy royalty for Somerset’s beloved festival, spanning five nights of live comedy. Joining him are Romesh Ranganathan, Katherine Ryan, Tom Davis, Jen Brister and Iain Stirling. A line-up that punches well above the weight of a boutique Somerset festival. All confirming Rode’s remarkable reputation for attracting world-class talent.
Through the Crescent – Summer Garden Exhibition at The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa
Studio Ellie Maya is delighted to present Through the Crescent, an outdoor sculpture exhibition set in the gardens of The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa. The exhibition will bring together nine talented UK-based artists and sculptors working across a range of materials.
Visit Bath – Experiences
Walled Garden Tours at Iford Manor and afternoon teas
Book a place on a small-group tour of the estate’s private walled garden – new for this summer. The private garden is the heart of the estate. You’ll find an array of fruit, vegetables, flowers, glasshouses, stunning unusual topiary displays and the Shell House. Enjoy a freshly made afternoon tea after a garden tour.
Fragrance workshops with Parterre Fragrances
Available on selected dates throughout the summer. Join a small group where Julia from local fragrance company Parterre Fragrances will take guests through the process of blending your own perfume. Learn about how perfumes are composed and the origins of the botanicals used within the scents.
Bath City Sightseeing open top bus experience for children
Try the brilliant new experience for children aged 8-15, created especially for Bath City Sightseeing by TripMonsters. A fantastic addition to the customer experience which adults will enjoy as much as the kids.
Summer Lates at the Roman Baths (image above)
20 July–31 August
Experience The Roman Baths after hours as Summer Lates returns. Bringing music, atmosphere and a relaxed evening buzz to one of the UK’s most iconic historic sites.
Magique – Magic and Illusions Show at Wookey Hole Caves
Various dates throughout July and August
Magique Presents: Fire and Water – A Spellbinding Family Magic & Illusion Show at Wookey Hole. Witness the ultimate showdown of fire and water – and prepare to be spellbound!
Alfresco Dining, Food & Drink with Visit Bath
Gordon Ramsay Restaurants Global’s iconic Bread Street Kitchen & Bar
Set to open in Bath this summer at the DoubleTree by Hilton. Bringing the brand’s vibrant dining experience to one of the UK’s most historic and culturally rich cities.
Corsham House
Opening 16 July 2026
Corsham House is a new wine-led townhouse, offering an all-day buzz and bustle between Bath and the Cotswolds. Sociable dining with a terrace, a Beckford Bottle Shop and 14 beautiful bedrooms upstairs.
Bird Grill at The Bird Hotel
Bird Grill is a boldly designed restaurant where open-flame cooking takes centre stage. Fire-led, seasonal, and built around big flavours, this is cooking with conviction. The kind of food that’s made to be shared and talked about long after the plates are cleared.
Renewed Bowood Afternoon Tea (image above)
Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort introduces a refreshed afternoon tea at the Shelburne Restaurant. The experience has been developed in partnership with Cornish tea producer Tregothnan. It brings together a seasonal menu of sandwiches, scones, and pastries, shaped by ingredients grown in Bowood Estate’s Walled Garden.
The Terrace at Root, Shires Yard
With views over Bath’s rooftops and fields beyond and a dedicated Spritz & Snacks menu. Root’s new rooftop terrace is a pretty oasis set to be the city’s new favourite sun-trap. Root is a vegetable-led restaurant championing local produce in vibrant and inventive ways.
More Food & Drink
Cross Guns at Avoncliffe
The Cross Guns at Avoncliff – a historic riverside pub with wonderful views of the River Avon. Now open again after being taken on by the Iford Manor Estate. A much-loved stop for walkers, river-goers and locals, the pub now has a new, riverside menu of light bites for summer.
Green Park Brasserie and Bath Pizza Co.
Loved by locals and visitors alike, Green Park Brasserie is a buzzing live music bar and restaurant. Located in a historic former railway station. Perfect for watching the world go by on the terraces in the summer sunshine.
Giggling Squid
Enjoy some of the best Thai food in Bath at Giggling Squid. This vibrant restaurant serves plentiful dishes, exciting Thai ingredients, and bold flavours. The spacious outdoor dining area is the perfect spot to savour Thai dishes while watching the lively streets of Bath.
Outdoor Dining at THE PIG near Bath
Soak up every last drop of alfresco afternoons and evenings on the terrace at THE PIG-near Bath. With, summer dishes from the outdoor Garden Oven and Smoked & Uncut live music sessions on Friday nights.
Spa & Outdoor Pool Days
Bishopstrow Hotel
The hotel is expanding its spa this August into a premier wellness hub, including an outdoor pool, sauna, cold plunge pool and an hydrotherapy pool.
The Francis Hotel recently opened its luxurious new spa featuring a unique Espuro Foam Steam Bath and an outdoor courtyard with relaxation pods.
Enjoy a pool day in the walled garden of Beechfield House with lunch or afternoon tea on the terrace. Alternatively, breathe in the fresh warm air with a summer spa day at The Bath Priory. You can begin with a treatment, followed by time in the tranquil spa, pool, rock sauna, and steam room. Complete the experience with a two-course lunch in The Pantry.
In August, the Thermae Bath Spa will kick off a year-long programme of 20th birthday celebrations.
Accommodation News From Visit Bath
Parade Hotel
It will open in Bath this September. Combining Georgian elegance with modern comfort, this new boutique hotel will be situated on North Parade. Just steps from the city’s vibrant centre and cultural landmarks. The hotel will feature 49 beautifully designed rooms and suites, as well as a bar for drinks and light bites and a relaxing courtyard spa. Furthermore, with plans for an additional destination restaurant in phase two of the development.
For further information and inspiration on Summer in Bath go to Visit Bath – Summer in Bath.
Words by Visit Bath & Rachel McAlley @LadyRach
All images supplied by Visit Bath
