After its sell-out launch last autumn, the Cirencester History Festival, a nine-day celebration of global, national and local history, is set to return for its second year this October half term, from 25 October to 2 November 2025. The Festival is an all-town collaboration set in seventeen historic venues. It ranges from headline talks with internationally renowned speakers to local interest, music, film, crafting, cookery and immersive family activities for half term and Halloween.
Charlie Cooper as Festival Ambassador: ‘Can’t wait to see you in October!’
The Festival Team is delighted to announce that Charlie Cooper, actor, writer and star of the BBC's This Country, is joining as official Festival Ambassador. Charlie says, “I love history, always have, and to be joining the Cirencester History Festival team is a total joy. For me, history isn’t about kings and wars, it’s about ordinary people and the thrill of discovering the traces of their obscure rites and rituals. That’s what I’ll be bringing to the line-up.” Charlie joined last autumn’s festival to talk about his BBC series Myth Country, selling out the Parish Church in just a few hours. This year he will be back with more of his trademark charm and an eye for the weird and wonderful!
Dame Fiona Reynolds on history’s rise in popularity.
Festival President, Dame Fiona Reynolds, adds that “The success of last year’s sell-out festival reflects a wider surge in interest in history, which is clear from the way people are flocking to engage with it”. According to Bloomberg, people in the UK and Ireland are now spending more on history books than at any point since Nielsen BookData’s records began in 1998; meanwhile history podcasts routinely top the charts, with The Rest is History downloaded 12.5 million times per month. “There is a real appetite for history, perhaps as people try to make sense of the pace of change in the world and the way familiar norms seem to be upended daily. And perhaps people feel we could do better if we learn from the past. Either way, this year’s festival will have plenty for those looking to better comprehend the roots of our current predicaments, as well as exploring the best of our traditional skills, crafts and pastimes”.
Let’s make history together!
As with last year, Cirencester History Festival 2025 will involve a huge collaboration of local organisations to highlight the best of what the Capital of the Cotswolds has to offer. “This festival is a true all-town collaboration and a labour of love,” says Festival Producer, Jess Yarrow. “We’ve crafted something that combines education, community spirit, commercial opportunity, charity outreach and a lot of fun – and we’re really proud to show off our town to its best advantage.”
This year also sees the launch of a Friends’ Scheme and various sponsorship opportunities to help make the Festival more sustainable in the longer term. Jess explains, “Anyone interested in supporting us should visit our website for more information, and EVERYONE should sign up to the mailing list on our website to make sure they’re in the loop as we start releasing details of the 2025 programme”.
Programme and ticket Information.
Tickets for the Cirencester History Festival will go on general release on 5 September 2025. Please join our mailing list at www.
Event Highlights
- Talks from internationally recognised speakers as well as local voices.
- Walks, tours, films and exhibitions.
- Family-friendly activities throughout half term and covering Halloween.
- Interactive experiences for attendees of all ages, including crafting, cookery & more.
