In May, Bath will welcome a significant event: the Bath Festival. This year's Festival will consist of two events: the Bath Literature Festival and the Bath Music Festival.
They will be held simultaneously from Saturday, May 17, to Sunday 25, May 25, 2025. The 2025 Bath Festival highlights include writer talks, new book launches, poetry readings, writing workshops, literary dialogue forums, concerts, improvisations, music workshops, etc.
This blog explains the Bath Literature and Bath Music Festivals, including ticket purchase methods, transportation methods, tips, and more. We also highly recommend Jackery Portable Power Station, a portable power supply for powering electronics and devices during festivals.
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Key Takeaways: |
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- Bath Festival is a multi-art festival with a long history in Bath, England. Highlights may include Party in the City, book signings by world-renowned symphony orchestras, and best-selling authors. - The Bath Festival in 2025 will include writer lectures, new book launches, poetry readings, writing workshops, literary dialogue forums, and more. - The Bath Festival in 2025 includes a series of concerts, improvisations, music workshops, etc. - You can buy tickets on the official website of Bath Festival (www.bathfestivals.org.uk) or at offline ticket offices. You can go to the Bath Festival by train, bus, coach or self-driving (park and ride). - It is easy to plan your trip to the Bath Festival by buying tickets and booking accommodation in advance, preparing the necessary items, etc. - We recommend putting Jackery Explorer 240 v2 in your bag to ensure a consistent and stable power supply during the event. |
What Is Bath Festival?
Bath Festival is a multi-arts festival with a long history in Bath, England. It evolved from traditional and literary music festivals and can be traced back to 1948. It is usually held in mid-May every year. Some activities are open to the public free of charge, and the core sessions require ticket reservations.
The festival focuses on literature and creativity. Every spring, it is held in Bath, a city with a world cultural heritage. It integrates various forms such as music, literature, drama, and visual arts, and it has become an international cultural event with educational and entertaining functions. The venues of the Bath Festival include the Bath Roman Baths Museum, Bath Art Center, Public Square, etc., strengthening the concept of "city as a stage". In recent years, the organisers of the Bath Festival have also paid more attention to inclusiveness and openness, setting up barrier-free art experience areas, special sessions for immigrant writers, etc.
The 2025 Bath Festival is divided into two independent but equally important festivals: the Bath Music Festival and the Bath Literature Festival. This year, the Bath Music Festival and the Bath Literature Festival will be held simultaneously for nine days, from Saturday, May 17, 2025, to Sunday, May 25.
Highlights of the May 2525 Bath Festival
With over 100 events at Bath Festival, you'll be spoilt for choice. Whether you're into arts, food or the great outdoors, Bath Festival will have something to suit your tastes. Here are the highlights and things to expect at Bath Festival:
Party in the City
The opening night of the Bath Music Festival is the city's biggest and most popular free party. A night of live music, energetic performances and an exciting atmosphere, Party in the City returns on Friday, May 16 2025. Over 2,000 performances will occur on May 16 in Bath Abbey, Parade Gardens and over 40 other venues across the city. From 5 pm until late, you can enjoy all types of music, from choral to punk, folk to funk, in bars, churches, museums and open-air venues in the city centre.
Diverse Music Performances
Classical music has always been at the heart of the Bath Festival. So you can expect to see world-renowned orchestras, soloists (such as pianists or violinists), jazz, world music or electronic music at Bath Festival in 2025. You can enjoy works by world-class string quartets such as Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, etc. For example, Guy Johnston plays all six cello suites by Bach.
Unique Venue Experiences
Bath is famous for its ancient Roman baths and Georgian architecture. Bath Festival may continue to hold immersive performances in Bath Abbey, the Roman Baths, or iconic auditoriums such as The Forum. Imagine being immersed in the newly restored interior of Bath Abbey and listening to pure music.
Literary Events
As a tradition, the Bath Festival usually includes a literary section, inviting best-selling authors, poets or thinkers to participate in lectures and book signings. Here, you can listen to your favourite authors talk about their bestsellers. In addition, you can learn about your favourite books through book club activities or draw inspiration from them to make your reading list. For example, the short, sharp and engaging lunchtime lecture series at 1 pm each day is a must-see for anyone who loves literature.
Introduction to the Bath Literature Festival in 2025
The Bath Festival is a celebration of words, ideas and creativity. Whether you love reading, are eager to write, or are simply looking for thought-provoking entertainment, you can find the perfect event to suit your interests at Bath Festival.
Development of Bath Literature Festival
Founded in 1995, the Bath Literature Festival has become one of the most important literary events in the UK. Since the end of the 20th century, it has developed parallel with the music festival, focusing on contemporary innovations in literary genres such as novels, poetry, and scripts. It has recently added a "cross-media narrative" unit to explore integrating literature with film, television, and digital art.
Content of Bath Festival in 2025
This year's Bath Festival has a rich and colourful schedule. Its highlights include writer lectures, new book launches, poetry readings, writing workshops, and literary dialogue forums, covering novels, non-fiction, politics, history and other fields. For example, the 2023 literary festival is themed "Openness" and invites international writers to explore creative freedom from a multicultural perspective.
The 2025 Bath Literature Festival Lineup
The 2025 Bath Literature Festival will invite more researchers and writers to discuss and share literary knowledge with the audience. This year's special lineup includes Ruth Jones, Carol Klein, Jeremy Vine, David Baddiel, Saida Warsi, Martin Clunis, Robert MacFarlane, Jojo Moyes, Emma Barnett, Ivo Graham, Alan Johnson, Kit de Waal, Mike Tindall and Rita Chakrabarti.
Introduction to the Bath Music Festival in 2025
Today, the Bath Music Festival covers a variety of styles, including classical, jazz, folk, and electronic music. It is often held from May to June, attracting international musicians and local artists to participate. In 2025, the Bath Music Festival will feature many internationally renowned artists.
Development of Bath Music Festival
Bath Music Festival began in 1948, featuring classical and contemporary experimental music fusion. In the 1960s, the famous musician Ian Hunter re-planned it, making it a more experimental and diversified music festival, inviting legendary bands such as the Beatles and Pink Floyd. The Bath Music Festival has expanded into a comprehensive music celebration covering jazz, electronic music, world music, and other styles in recent years.
Content of Bath Festival in 2025
This May, Bath Music Festival will carefully plan a series of concerts, improvisations, music workshops, etc., in some of Bath's most beautiful buildings. It will cover classic masterpieces such as Beethoven, JS Bach, Mozart, Haydn, Brahms, and Renaissance by Bird and Palestrina. There will also be wonderful cocktail nights. In addition, Bath Music Festival's performance venues include historic buildings such as Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths, combining music with the city's cultural heritage.
2025 Bath Music Festival Lineup
This year's Bath Music Festival has invited a series of internationally renowned artists to perform. Therefore, you have the opportunity to see The Marian Consort, Marmen Quartet, cellist Guy Johnston, guitarist Sean Shibe, tenor Ben Johnson, pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, Ensemble Moliere, violinist Elena Urioste, clarinettist Yann Ghiro and pianist Tom Poster, etc.
How to Buy Tickets for the 2025 Bath Festival?
Tickets for the 2025 Bath Festival are usually purchased on the official website or an officially authorised ticketing platform. Here are the general steps and suggestions for buying tickets:
How to Buy Tickets for the Bath Festival?
There are two ways to buy ordinary tickets for the 2025 Bath Festival:
Buy Tickets Online
The official Bath Festival website (bathfestivals.org.uk) and the ticket office website (bathboxoffice.org.uk) have the latest event information, performance schedules, and ticket purchase links. To access these, you must register or log in, browse the 2025 program schedule, select the concert or event you are interested in, and click "Book Now" or a similar button to select seats and ticket quantities.
Buy Tickets on Site
You can also buy tickets at the 2025 Bath Festival box office. Its address is Bath Box Office, Forum Buildings, St James Parade, Bath, BA1 1UG. The box office is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and bank holidays, and its opening hours are 10 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday.
If you cannot go to the ticket office, try to book by phone (01225 463362).
Whether you buy tickets online or on-site, you will receive one free ticket for every ten tickets you buy for the same event. This discount will automatically apply when you add the tickets to your shopping cart when booking online. If you need to purchase accessible tickets and personal companion tickets, you can click here for more detailed information.
Additional Information about Bath Festival Tickets
In addition to the ticket purchase method, you need to know the following information about the tickets for Bath Festival 2025.
Additional Fees: All orders are subject to an additional transaction fee £1.50. At the same time, all tickets are subject to a 10% commission. Tickets purchased through partner venues or ticket agents may incur additional booking fees.
Tickets by Post: After booking online, you will receive your e-ticket via email shortly. You can choose to save the e-ticket or print it out. You can also collect your tickets at the venue one hour before the event. Please note that tickets for individual events are unavailable for all ticket collection methods.
How to Get to Bath Festival?
Bath is located in the southwest of England and has convenient transportation. You can choose the most convenient transportation to get to Bath Festival. Here are the transportation options you can choose to get to Bath Festival:
Train
Bath Spa Railway Station is located in the city centre. As a central train station, it has frequent trains from London (90 minutes) and the southwest. For example, it takes about 1.5 hours to take a train from London Paddington Station to Bath Spa Station. In addition, there are direct trains to Bath from Bristol, Cardiff and other places. After arriving in Bath, many venues in the city centre are only a 5-10 minute walk from the train station.
Bus and Coaches
National Express is the largest scheduled coach operator in the UK, providing high-quality services to Bath from all over the UK. For example, you can go directly from cities such as London Victoria Station to Bath Bus Station (such as Bath Bus Station), and then transfer to local buses or walk. In addition, you can buy tickets in advance through First Bus, which provides regular bus services in the local area and nearby towns and villages.
Driving
Bath is also well-placed to drive, just off the M4 motorway connecting London to the South West. There are several car parks in Bath. Click here for a map of local car parks, opening times, and prices. However, car parks in Bath city centre are limited during the Bath Festival, and booking is recommended.
Park and Ride
Bath has three park-and-ride sites: Lansdowne Park & Ride (route 31), Newbridge Park & Ride (route 21), and Odd Down Park & Ride (routes 41 and 4). All three are in the city centre, a short walk from the Bath Festival venue. Parking is free here, and you only have to pay for the bus fare.
We recommend using the park-and-ride service if you drive, as parking is limited during the Bath Festival.
Please note that the Bath Festival events are usually held at multiple venues, such as Bath Abbey, various parks or theatres. Therefore, please check the official website (https://www.bathfestivals.org.uk) to confirm the venue. For example, BFM1 William Byrd - Singing in Secret on May 17 2025, will be held on May 17bey, while BFM2 Marmen String Quartet will be held at St Swithin's Church on May 18. However, please use the May 18 transport whenever possible to help reduce air pollution in cities.
Tips for Attending Bath Festival 2025
Here are some valuable tips for the 2025 Bath Festival to help you plan your trip and enjoy the feast of culture and art:
Tip 1: Buy Tickets in Advance
The Bath Festival usually starts selling tickets 3-6 months in advance, and popular events may sell out quickly. Therefore, please pay attention to the official website or ticket-purchasing platform of the 2025 Bath Festival in advance. If you plan to participate in multiple events, please check whether you can buy a package ticket.
Tip 2: What to Bring
During the Bath Festival, the city centre of Bath is crowded, and you may need to walk, so please wear comfortable shoes. In addition, there are many showers in the UK in spring, so bringing a light jacket and rain gear is recommended. When going to the Bath Festival, please bring basic items such as a light backpack, a portable charging station and a portable water bottle. Do not bring large luggage, glass containers, alcohol, or other items.
You can also take a portable power source, like Jackery Portable Power Station, to ensure a consistent power supply, especially outdoors or when going somewhere without a grid. You can keep your essential devices charged throughout the day, such as smartphones for communication and photos, cameras for capturing memories, and tablets for accessing festival schedules or entertainment.
Tip 3: Accommodation Reservation
If you are coming to Bath from a long distance to enjoy the Bath Festival, please book accommodation as early as possible. Accommodation in Bath (especially the city centre) is popular during the Bath Festival, so prioritise hotels or AirB&Bs within walking distance. Alternatively, you can choose Bristol or nearby towns, which are more cost-effective.
Tip 4: Recommended Places to Visit
In addition to the Bath Festival, you can explore the classic attractions around Bath, such as the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge, etc. You can visit the Jane Austen Center and the Victoria Art Gallery if you love art. Alexandra Park, which overlooks the city, is a great place to enjoy the natural scenery of Bath.
Jackery Portable Power Stations for Bath Festival
Taking a portable power station, such as Jackery Portable Power Station, to the Bath Festival 2025, which runs from May 17 to May 25, 2025, for several reasons.
If you plan to bring small personal appliances, such as portable fans for warmer days, small speakers to enjoy music with friends (if permitted and used respectfully), or even medical devices that require power, a portable power station ensures they remain functional.
A portable power station can power small LED lights or lanterns for evenings, especially in areas that are not well-lit or if you want to create a cosy ambience in a designated picnic area.
However, check the Bath Festival's official website or guidelines for portable power stations. Some events or venues have restrictions on size or usage. If it allows, consider bringing a Jackery Explorer 240 v2.
Jackery Explorer 240 v2
The Jackery Explorer 240 v2 could be a suitable portable power station to take to the Bath Festival 2025. Its primary benefit lies in keeping essential personal devices charged throughout the event. With its 256Wh capacity and versatile output ports (including AC, USB-A, and USB-C), it can readily recharge smartphones multiple times, ensuring you stay connected with friends and can capture those festival moments.
- Smaller Power Solution: The Explorer 240 v2 Portable Power Station is small but has a strong 256Wh capacity. At about 7.94 lbs and with a tiny foldable handle, it is more lightweight and portable than conventional models, allowing for effortless storage in your bag. It has one wall outlet, USB-A port, and USB-C port to charge up to five devices simultaneously.
- Adequate Capacity for Electronics: Its 256Wh capacity should be sufficient to charge smartphones multiple times, power cameras, tablets, and even small portable speakers or lights for a day or two at the festival.
- Recharging Made Easy: The Explorer 240 v2 supports 1-hour fast charging via the app and can be fully recharged from an AC wall outlet in about 2 hours. If you can access power, you can easily top it up before heading to the festival or overnight. It also supports solar charging (though you'd need to bring a compatible solar panel).
- Emergency Charging within One Hour: The Explorer 240 v2 Portable Power Station can be fully charged from 0% to 100% in one hour through an app. It is possible with the Emergency Charging Mode. Your portable power pack will ensure you never run out of power while on the go.
- Safety & Longevity: Compared to other battery types, a LiFePO4 battery offers a longer lifespan (around 3,000 charge cycles, potentially lasting up to 10 years) and enhanced safety features. Although likely not a primary concern for a festival, it has a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) mode, offering a seamless switchover in case of power interruption, indicating reliable power delivery.
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*Review from Our User |
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The Explorer 240 V2 has been on my wish list for a while. I love how small it is and how many devices it can run. As someone who loves weekend camping, this is the perfect way to keep my phone charged and run a small fan. Also, the price seems fair for how much space it gives you. |
What Can a Jackery Explorer 240 v2 Run in Bath Festival?
The Jackery Explorer 240 v2, with its 256Wh capacity and 300W rated AC output (600W peak), can run various small electronic devices and appliances that you might find helpful at the Bath Festival. Here's a breakdown of what it can typically power:
Charging Devices
Smartphones: Multiple charges are possible for several smartphones (e.g., a 10W phone can be charged 16-20 times).
Tablets: There are several charges for tablets (depending on battery size, a 30W tablet could be charged 5-8 times).
Cameras: Multiple charges for DSLR or mirrorless camera batteries.
Laptops: Can provide a significant boost or a full charge for many laptops, especially smaller or more power-efficient models (e.g., an 80W laptop could get around 2-3 hours of runtime or one full charge).
Portable Gaming Consoles: Multiple charges for devices like Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck.
Small Appliances & Accessories (within the 300W limit)
Small Portable Speakers: Power for several hours (e.g., a 10W speaker can run for about 16 hours).
LED Lights/Lamps: These can power small LED lights for many hours, helpful for evening picnics or in dimly lit areas.
Portable Fans: Can run small USB-powered or low-wattage portable fans for several hours (e.g., a 15W fan for around 16 hours).
Mini Coolers/Portable Refrigerators (low wattage): Small, energy-efficient portable coolers that draw under 300W might be powered for a few hours. However, this highly depends on the specific cooler's power consumption, and it's crucial to check the wattage.
(*The working hours are only for reference; the actual working hours depend on your usage.)
FAQs about Bath Festival
The following are the frequently asked questions about the Bath Festival:
1. When is the Bath Festival in 2025?
According to bathfestivals.org.uk, the 2025 Bath Festival will last nine days, from Saturday, May 17, 2025, to Sunday, May 25.
2. What is the Party on May 25ity?
Party in the City is Bath's biggest free live music night before the Bath Music Festival. The 2025 Party in the City will kick off on Friday, May 16, with around 2,000 sinMay 16th musicians performing at 39 venues. At 5 pm on May 16, thousands of music loMay 16ill gather in the centre of Bath to enjoy the Party in the City. You can travel between venues to enjoy different music genres and live performances.
3. Why is the Bath Literature Festival so popular?
The Bath Literature Festival covers poetry, politics, cooking and crime fiction. You will also see famous authors and literary figures such as Jojo Moyes, David Baddiel, Ruth Jones, Reeta Chakrabarti and more. In addition, debut authors will share some fresh ideas about literature, which is inspiring and enjoyable.
4. What else can you experience during the Bath Festival?
In addition to the Bath Festival, you can also experience the following activities in Bath:
Walk through the Royal Victoria Park Botanical Gardens
Soak in the rooftop pool of Bath Spa
Kayaking adventure on the Avon River
Visit the Roman Baths
Enjoy the sunset view of Alexandra Park
Final Thoughts
As an essential part of Bath's cultural identity, Bath Festival continues the essence of traditional arts. It constantly absorbs global creative trends to present the most exciting performances to the audience. At the Bath Literature Festival, you can enjoy excellent discussions, inspiring speeches and wonderful activities with beloved writers. At the Bath Music Festival, you can immerse yourself in an extraordinary live music celebration and enjoy highly acclaimed performances and unforgettable experiences.
