Cirencester History Festival 2026 First Reveal of Headliners Taking Place During October Half-Term

Between 23 October and 1 November 2026, October half term, Cirencester History Festival returns with its most ambitious programme yet – an exceptional line‑up of historians, writers, musicians, performers and family events. The town will also be transformed into a living time capsule, with the community‑led Bayeux‑inspired Cirencester Tapestry project.

Headline Speakers & Performances

The 2026 line‑up showcases some of the most influential voices in history today, offering audiences thought‑provoking discussion and deep dives into extraordinary stories. Headliners include master storyteller & bestselling author Ben Macintyre; bestselling historian & social media sensation Alice Loxton; award-winning author & broadcasterSimon Sebag Montefiore; master of historical fiction Robert Harris; bestselling historian and broadcaster Kate Williams; historical investigator Philippa Langley; pre-history expert Ronald Hutton; and to open the Festival, one of the world’s leading period-instrument ensembles with residencies at the Southbank and Glyndebourne – theOrchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.

Opening with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment on
Friday 23 October 2026

World leading period‑instrument ensemble, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
opens this year’s festival with a candlelit performance in
Cirencester’s 12th‑century wool church, exploring the extraordinary
Bach family and the transition from the Baroque to Classical eras.

“Once again, we have a brilliant opening evening of stunning music & candlelight in our Parish Church. A particular highlight this year is the Bayeux-inspired Cirencester Tapestry Project – come and sew your own stitch in our festival pop-up shop in the Old Department Store! 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.” Dame Fiona Reynolds, Festival President.

“It’s a real privilege to be back as Ambassador for my hometown’s History Festival, and I couldn’t be more excited about this year’s line-up!” Charlie Cooper, Festival Ambassador, actor, writer & star of the BBC’s This Country, Myth Country & Nightwatch.

Cirencester’s local businesses, sponsors, community groups, venues and volunteers continue to play a huge role in making the festival possible. Their enthusiasm and commitment underpin every part of the programme, making it possible to run at scale with an operations team of only eight. The collaboration of all this creativity and support demonstrates a powerful shared vision for Cirencester, delivering a rich, engaging week of events for audiences of all ages, including, for the third-year running, the subsidised youth tickets scheme.

“From world‑class historians to hands‑on workshops and family events, we want everyone to feel part of the story — whether they’re listening to a headliner, adding a stitch to the Cirencester Tapestry or exploring the town’s historic venues.” — Jess Yarrow, Festival Director

Building on last year’s success, the 2026 festival expands once again, with 7,500 tickets expected to be sold — up from 6,000 in 2025 and 3,500 in 2024 — marking its continued growth as one of the UK’s most engaging and accessible celebrations of history. The programme spans talks, family events, walks, music, craft and cookery, all designed to make heritage meaningful for audiences of every age.

“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.” — Billy Cobbett, Festival Chair

Further headliner announcements will be available over the coming weeks. The full programme is on general release on 4 September 2025, when tickets go on sale via the festival website.

To keep up to date or to become a friend, please join the mailing list: www.cirencesterhistoryfestival.org

Tickets on sale 4 September 2026, Welcome to Cirencester History Festival

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