Jane Austen Festival in Bath: September tickets guide
The Jane Austen Festival returns to Bath from Friday 11 September to Sunday 20 September, bringing a 10-day programme of Regency-themed events to venues across the UNESCO World Heritage city.
The festival is based at various locations around Bath, Somerset, with individual venues confirmed through the programme and ticket details. Tickets for 2026 events go on general sale from 14 May. Wristbands for taking part in the Grand Regency Costumed Promenade cost £15, while under-16s can take part free; watching the promenade is free.
The audience is broad, with families welcome at most events. Some evening balls have age restrictions, and the source states that children are not admitted to evening Balls unless they meet the minimum age of 14 and are accompanied as required.
The dates, places and costs to check first
| Detail | Confirmed information |
|---|---|
| Event | The Jane Austen Festival |
| Location | Various Locations, Bath, Somerset |
| Dates | Friday 11 September to Sunday 20 September |
| General festival time | No single start time listed for the full festival |
| Promenade time | From 11am on Saturday 12 September |
| Promenade route | Starts at the Royal Crescent, then proceeds through the city centre via George Street and on to Great Pulteney Street |
| Cost | £15 promenade wristband; under-16s free for the promenade; individual event tickets vary |
| Booking | 2026 event tickets go on general sale from 14 May |
There is no single pass covering the full Jane Austen Festival. Each event is ticketed separately because of venue safety limits across Bath, so visitors should check the location, age rules and ticket status for each item they plan to attend.
Bath streets open the festival in Regency dress
The most visible moment comes on Saturday 12 September, when the Grand Regency Costumed Promenade is expected to fill Bath’s streets with more than 500 people in Regency dress. A wristband is needed to take part, but spectators can watch for free.
Regency costume is not required for every festival event. The source states that costume is obligatory only for a small number of events, including participation in the Grand Regency Costumed Promenade and the costumed Balls. Those taking part need to provide their own costume and arrive already dressed, as changing facilities are not available at event venues.
The promenade wristband also gives discounts on entry to attractions around the city, including the Jane Austen Centre, Regency Tea Room and No.1 Royal Crescent.
A 10-day programme of walks, balls and performances
The 2026 programme includes guided walks, costumed balls, theatrical performances, talks, workshops and themed food events inspired by Jane Austen’s works and Bath’s Georgian setting.
Friday 11 September opens with Jane Austen’s Bath minibus tour, Discussing Aunts in Austen! book club and Museum Lates at No.1 Royal Crescent. Saturday 12 September brings the Grand Regency Costumed Promenade, Saturday Festival Fayre, Emma at Bath Abbey and the Dancers Harvest Regency Ball.
The following days spread the programme across walking tours, music, food and performance. Highlights include Jane Austen & Bath walking tour, Regency Choral Evensong, Regency Feast at Prior Park, Canal Cruise Afternoon Tea, a Regency dance workshop at Bath Forum and Pride & Prejudice – A Murder Mystery at The Bird.
Later in the festival, visitors can find Around Bath with Anne Elliot walking tour, a Pride & Prejudice singing workshop, a Ghost Walk, Breakfast with Beau Nash, Austen’s Arcadia at Theatre Royal, a fencing workshop, Taking Tea at No.1 Royal Crescent and Jane Austen: Incurable Romantic walking tour. The final day lists Bookmark Embroidery workshop, Mini Prom and a Croquet Game.
Booking and access details for visitors
The Jane Austen Festival uses e-tickets rather than posted physical tickets. The source says all tickets are now issued as downloadable QR codes in the confirmation email, for both UK and international visitors.
Events take place across multiple venues in Bath, so the location should be checked when booking. The festival programme includes a venue map on the back, and ticket confirmations include a Google Maps link and a what3words pinpoint location.
Most venues used by The Jane Austen Festival are described as accessible. Visitors who need specific arrangements are asked to add a note at the time of booking. Walking tours marked as step-free in the programme are the ones the festival says can be guaranteed as suitable for buggies and wheelchairs. For uncertainty over access, the listed contact is [email protected].
Source: Visit Bath Events
Context & actions About this article
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This preview is based on the published Visit Bath event listing and the confirmed festival details provided for 2026.
- Confirmed the festival dates as Friday 11 September to Sunday 20 September.
- Confirmed the Grand Regency Costumed Promenade time as 11am on Saturday 12 September.
- Checked that events are listed across various locations in Bath rather than one single ven...
- Checked booking status, including general sale from 14 May and the £15 promenade wristband...
- Source
- Visit Bath Events
- Scope
- Bath
- Updated
- 2026-06-10 12:39
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