Tewkesbury’s Big Weekend 2026
Looking for something to do on the Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th May 2026?
Well look no further than your own Town Centre and Riverside area, as Tewkesbury’s Big Weekend returns and looks to be a fantastic family weekend out starting with the Roses Theatre Street Party on Friday 15th May from 6pm.
Tewkesbury’s Big Weekend was originally started in 2014 by a small group of Tewkesbury residents that wanted to show the locals and residents of neighbouring towns and villages that Tewkesbury is open for business and to show off what great community spirit we have! It’s the reason we spread activities out around the town, so people can go to places they may not often visit.
We are under way with making 2026 another wonderful year for Tewkesbury Big Weekend. We’ll keep you updated with news and welcome any ideas from you, that said, if you’d like to take part and get involved you’d be made to feel very welcome at our next meeting.
We want Tewkesbury Big Weekend to engage with everyone who cares about the town and has a stake in it’s future – businesses, school, clubs, associations, charities, sports groups, crafters – YOU!
After the success of last year, The Roses Theatre street party is returning on Friday 15th May from 6pm. Come and enjoy entertainment, live music and food! More information to follow, don’t forget to bring a chair!
Saturday the annual Cheltenham Animal Shelter dog show will take place, for more information visit www.gawa.org.uk
The Parade leaves Sun Street at 3:30pm on Saturday, marching down to the Vineyards where the cups will be awarded to the winning groups.
Stalls will be in and the Town Hall & Gardens (Saturday Only).
Saturday & Sunday at the Riverside (Near Healings Mill/Quay Street) will be the popular stage with a host of ”entertainment” to be confirmed, a bar and refreshments on site, alongside a selection of stalls and fairground attractions.
Sunday will see Victoria Gardens, off Gloucester Road, open up for the Picnic in the Park from midday with a selection of entertainment, the popular tea tent and ice creams, and of course the grand plant sale!
The Boat parade on Sunday will take place along the Mill Avon (Healings Mill) to the Abbey Mill.
If your group would like to join the parade or your charity would like a stall in the town hall gardens for free, or if you have a team to enter into the boat races, please see the downloads page and complete the application form.
Our downloads page holds everything you need to be involved with during the weekend. Here you will find carnival parade application, boat race applications, trader form, posters.
The main attractions are:
- A Walking Parade leaving Sun Street on Saturday at 3.30pm This year’s theme is ‘100 Years of David Attenborough; Land, Sea & Sky!’, follow the route from Sun Street, down the High Street, into Church Street and then along Gander Lane to the Vineyards.
- other activities to be confirmed very soon.