History Festival, Westport Sound and half term

Here's what's happening around the Cotswolds this weekend. Cirencester History Festival gets going on Friday, Westport Sound brings three days of experimental music to Malmesbury, and Saturday sees the start of the half-term activities. If you'd rather not buy another ticket, there are a couple of genuinely free options below too. With the schools off next week, I've also added some ideas to keep everyone busy through half term.

I'm hoping to get to some of the Cirencester History Festival myself, although a lot of it had already sold out by the time I looked. If you spot something you're interested in that still has tickets, get it booked. I've focused on the events you can still get into below.

I've also been working through the rest of this year's events calendar. At the last count, there were 344 listings for the rest of 2026, and a few more announcements will no doubt find their way in, so there's plenty to browse if you're planning further ahead. We've had a real surge of new subscribers this week, so a big welcome if you're one of them, and thank you for signing up. Thanks too to everyone who's been passing the newsletter on.

Christmas dates for your diary

I know it's still October, but Christmas events are coming thick and fast, so we've put together a guide to Christmas markets and light switch-ons in the Cotswolds. It's deliberately picky: the markets I think are worth the trip, plus switch-ons and late-night shopping evenings, with the dates and times you need to plan. I'll update it every week as more is announced, so it's worth bookmarking.

This weekend: 23 to 25 October

Running across the weekend

Cirencester History Festival

Talks, walks, exhibitions and activities run around town from Friday until 1 November. Several sessions have sold out, including Bach by Candlelight and Ben Macintyre's talk, but there's still plenty on. Below you'll find a Saturday talk with tickets left and two free activities.

Westport Sound, Malmesbury

Three days of experimental music, with Stick in the Wheel, Voka Gentle and Alexander Hawkins among the line-up. Friday, Saturday and Sunday tickets were available, plus full-weekend options. It's a good chance to try something beyond your usual listening without committing to all three days.

Spooky Cellars, Woodchester Mansion

The mansion's Halloween activities run from Friday until 1 November, with the Golden Pumpkin Trail included in admission. It's open 10:30am to 4:30pm, with last entry at 3:30pm. Adults £13, children aged 5 to 16 £7 and under-fives free. Allow for the three-quarter-mile walk from the car park, which feels longer with small legs in tow. Parking costs £4 in cash unless you're a National Trust member.

Friday 23 October

Sounds of the 80s with The Zoots, The Theatre, Chipping Norton

A Friday-night trip through the music of the eighties, starting at 7:30pm. Tickets are £23, with seats available. If your idea of a good night out involves recognising most of the songs, this is a safe bet.

Hans Theessink Solo Blues Show, Witney Corn Exchange

A solo evening of blues from the Dutch guitarist and singer, starting at 7:30pm, with doors at 7pm. This one is close to full, with just eight tickets left when checked, so don't leave it until you get to the door.

Saturday 24 October

Cirencester Tapestry, The Old Department Store, Market Place

Add a few stitches to a community tapestry inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry. It's a free drop-in from 10am to 4pm, and you don't need any experience. It continues until 31 October, but is closed on Sundays, so Saturday is your option this weekend.

Lord Peter Ricketts and Luke Harding: A New World Order, Cirencester Parish Church

The former diplomat and Guardian foreign correspondent discuss whether the post-war international order can survive, chaired by HistoryExtra's Dave Musgrove. Saturday, 2pm to 3pm. Tickets are £12.50, or £5 for under-22s.

Saturday and Sunday

The Big Bat Trail, Painswick Rococo Garden

The half-term trail starts on Saturday and runs until 1 November, included with normal garden admission. The garden is open from 10am to 5pm, with last admission at 4pm. You don't have to pre-book, which helps if your plans depend on the weather or how the morning is going.

Roman Ghost Investigator, Chedworth Roman Villa

The half-term challenge I mentioned last week starts on Saturday and runs daily until 1 November, from 10am to 4pm. It's free with normal admission and doesn't need booking. National Trust members get in free.

Sunday 25 October

Folklore of the Barrows, Tithe Barn, Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester

Olly Lavery tells traditional stories about Britain's ancient tombs and the legends that grew around them. It's a free drop-in from 3:40pm to 4:30pm. Use the Stroud Road entrance; parking is available on site.

Around About Dusk, Tetbury Goods Shed

Folk, jazz and roots music to finish the weekend, starting at 6:30pm. Advance tickets are £16, with seats available. A different Sunday option if you've had your fill of pumpkins by then.

These are a selection rather than everything that's on. Browse the full events calendar for more Friday, Saturday and Sunday options, and dates further ahead.

Half-term ideas

Gloucestershire schools are off from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October. The Big Bat Trail, Chedworth's Roman Ghost Investigator and Woodchester's Spooky Cellars all carry on through the week, and here are a few more ideas to fill the days.

Ghosts, Pumpkins and Tudor Tales, Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe

A pumpkin trail runs through the gardens and the castle rooms from Monday 26 October to Sunday 1 November. Children who count all the hidden ghost statues get a sweet treat at the end. There are ghostly talks in the chapel twice a day, except Saturday 31 October. From Monday to Friday you can add an indoor owl experience in the Coach House for £15 a person.

Winnie-the-Pooh in Pictures, Cirencester Library, Monday 26 October

A free hour of stories, artwork and drawing inspired by Winnie-the-Pooh, from 11am to noon. For children aged four and over, accompanied by an adult. No booking needed, so this is one you can keep up your sleeve.

Garden Stories, Museum in the Park, Stroud, 27 to 29 October

Drop into the Walled Garden Pavilion for drawing, writing and making with artist duo Periscope, celebrating ten years of the garden. Activities run from 10:30am to 3:30pm each day. Free, with donations welcome, and you can stay for as long or as little as you like.

Half-term workshops, Corinium Museum, Cirencester, 28 to 30 October

Morning craft sessions from 10:30am to noon, including Creepy Corinium Cupcakes on Wednesday and gargoyle making on Thursday. Museum workshops usually need booking ahead, so check the website before you go.

Half Term Woolly Day, Museum in the Park, Stroud, Thursday 29 October

Spinning and weaving with Stroudwater Textile Trust for children aged three to eleven and their grown-ups. It's free, but weaving needs booking: the 10am session has sold out, while 11:30am and 1pm were still selectable when checked. There are also drop-in puppet shows at 11am, 12:30pm and 2pm, with no booking needed.

Pumpkin Patch and Scarecrow Trail, Cirencester Park

A free option at The Old Kennels on Tetbury Road, running until 31 October.

Still to come this month

Seann Walsh: This Is Torture, Sundial Theatre, Cirencester, Wednesday 28 October

The stand-up show starts at 8pm. Tickets are £18 plus a booking fee, and only eleven were left when checked. If this was on your list, now is the time to decide.

The Hound of the Baskervilles, Witney Corn Exchange, 29 to 31 October

Witney Dramatic Society takes the Sherlock Holmes mystery in a comic direction, with a spoof by Steven Canny and John Nicholson. Performances start at 7:30pm each evening. Tickets are advertised at £15, with all three dates available, although Friday has fewer seats left.

South Cerney Fireworks Spooktacular, Saturday 31 October

The organiser lists gates opening at 3pm and the main display at 7:40pm at South Cerney Airfield. Advance booking is strongly recommended, with parking booked separately. There won't be tickets on the gate if the event sells out online.

Competition updates

South Cerney Fireworks redraw

We redrew our South Cerney Fireworks competition last Friday and emailed the new winner, so please check your inbox and spam folder for an email from us, and reply if it's you. The display is on Saturday 31 October, so time is running short.

Win Christmas at Westonbirt

Our Christmas at Westonbirt competition closes at 11:59pm on Saturday 31 October, so there's just over a week left to enter.

The winner can choose whichever suits them: a family ticket for two adults and two children aged 3 to 16, or two adult tickets if you fancy a date night. A pre-booked parking space is included either way.

Already subscribed? Then you're in the draw. If you know someone who would enjoy an evening at the light trail, send them the competition page so they can sign up too.

The trail runs on selected evenings from 27 November to 31 December. The prize covers an available standard or off-peak date and timed entry slot. We'll announce the winner on Thursday 5 November.

Enter or share the competition, and read the full terms.

The giveaway is funded by Cotswold Digest and isn't sponsored or endorsed by Forestry England or Westonbirt.

Have a lovely weekend,

Alex and the Cotswold Digest Team

Details listed for information only. Dates and times may change, and ticketed events may sell out. Please check directly with the organiser or venue before travelling.