Over 100 events across 30 different venues. That is what is on offer as Bath Fringe Festival returns – bolder than ever. Today’s the day it proudly launches its full programme for 2025.
Running from Friday 23 May to Sunday 8 June, the festival will once again light up the city with an exhilarating blend of live music, cutting-edge theatre, laugh-out-loud comedy, thought-provoking film, and more. With over 100 events and a stellar line-up of artists, this year’s Fringe promises to be one of the most exciting yet.
From the grassroots to the grand, the weird to the wonderful, Bath Fringe remains a true celebration of the independent, the inventive, and the unexpected.
With over 100 events, the festival will unfold across the city in venues including Komedia, The Bell Inn, The Rondo Theatre, The Mission Theatre, Burdall’s Yard, Widcombe Social Club, The Grapes, and many more.
“The strongest Fringe for some time…”
Festival Director Steve Henwood comments:
“We’re emerging from some tough years for live arts, but this year’s programme shows the power of community, creativity and sheer persistence. There’s more happening, more to talk about, and more events you’ll still be thinking about long after the curtains close. It’s a Fringe for everyone – and it’s packed.”
2025 Programme Highlights
(Full listings now available at www.bathfringe.co.uk)
Music to Your Ears
The 2025 music line-up is a bold and brilliant mix of cult icons, fringe legends, and genre-pushing newcomers:
- Subhumans – Punk pioneers from Warminster and Melksham, led by the indefatigable Dick Lucas, return to home turf with their biggest Bath gig to date at Komedia (Wed 4 June).
- Daisy Rickman – West Country psych-folk experimentalist and visual artist whose sound reaches cosmic heights (Rondo Theatre, Mon 26 May).
- Celebrated songwriters Scott Matthews (Rondo Theatre, Fri 6 June), John Bramwell (I Am Kloot), (Rondo Theatre, Sat 31 May) and Rory McLeod (The Bell, Sat 24 May) also make welcome returns.
- Don’t miss Tashkezar (The Bell, Weds 28 May), Robb Johnson (The Bell, Sun 8 June), Zephyrian Clarinets, and a feast of local favourites at The Bell, Komedia, The Grapes, and The Ram.
- Komedia also plays host to Reverend and the Makers (hosted by Bath Festivals, Mon 26 May) and the indomitable Peggy Seeger, marking her 90th birthday and final tour (Sun 8 June).
- And for a bit of swing? Get your dancing shoes ready for The Big R Band at Widcombe Social Club (Fri 30 May).
- Theatre, Comedy & The Fringe Spirit
- Bath Fringe is synonymous with boundary-pushing theatre and laugh-out-loud live comedy – and this year is no exception:
- Tracey Collins brings her award-winning alter-ego Audrey Heartburn to Bingo at Tiffany’s in Wood’s Restaurant – cabaret, comedy and chaos! (Weds 4 June)
- Improv Wolves (Rondo Theatre, Sat 7 June), The Foraging Fan Club (Mission Theatre, Sat 31 May), and We Have to Think of a Really Good Show Name! (Nowhere, Weds 28 May), return with new comic energy.
- Delve into the darker side of Fringe with shows like The Archive of Dread Returns (Rondo Theatre, Fri 30 May), The Death of Dr Black (Burdall’s Yard, Sat 7 June), and Bound For Whitby (Mission Theatre, Fri 6 June).
- From Italy, Underluminal’s The Last King of Porn offers a thrilling mix of theatre and taboo (Burdall’s Yard, Fri 6 June).
- Fancy something truly Fringe? Try Verbal Diary, a musical co-written by John Otway, Paul Bradley and originally produced by Rik Mayall – absurd, anarchic, and unmissable. (Mission Theatre, Weds 4 June).
- Moving Stories – Film & Multimedia
- Bath’s very own mini film festival springs to life in 2025 with a range of cinematic treats:
- Tennis-themed classics and curiosities at The Museum of Bath at Work.
Local filmmakers take centre stage with the return of United Visionaries of Bath 2 at The Old Post Office. - Plus immersive multimedia events at The Bell, including Poetry Plus and the return of live soundtrack magicians ARCC.
- Off-the-wall screenings from Chris Baker’s Off the Wall Films at Widcombe Social Club, including Don’t Look Back and The Hunting of the Snark.
- Talks, Walks & Storytelling
- For the first time in years, Bath Fringe also presents a dedicated Talks & Walks strand, featuring creative writing in green spaces, story walks with Clare Reddaway, and thought-provoking talks on local history and hidden voices. A perfect way to experience the city in new ways.
- Street Arts Return – The Bedlam BusQ
- We’re thrilled to announce the return of street performance with The Bedlam BusQ on Sunday 8 June. This new, grassroots revival of our beloved Bedlam Fair brings buskers and performers back to their spiritual home between Sawclose and Kingsmead Square. Expect the unexpected — and don’t forget to bring change for the hat (or tap your phone!).
- COME FRINGE WITH US
- Bath Fringe 2025 runs from Friday 23 May to Sunday 8 June. Printed programmes are now appearing around the city and the full schedule is live at www.bathfringe.co.uk
- Follow Bath Fringe Festival on social media for the latest updates:
- Facebook: Bath Fringe Festival
- Instagram: @bathfringe2025
- BlueSky: @bathfringe.co.uk
- Further information about Bath Fringe Festival: The story of Bath Fringe traces its roots to the vibrant sideshows that flourished during Temple festivals in the time of Roman rule and the bustling street fairs that animated the surroundings of the Abbey during the coronation of King Edgar in 959.
- While exact records might be lost to history’s mists, the essence of Bath as a haven for the arts, culture, and performance predates even the famed Georgian era celebrated in today’s heritage narratives.
- Yet, it’s the spirited legacy of the Bath Festivals of Blues & Progressive Music in ’69 and ’70 that offers a more tangible link to the Fringe’s beginnings.
- However, it’s the Walcot Festivals of the ’70s and early ’80s, masterminded by the dynamic Bath Arts Workshop, that truly set the stage for what was to come. These festivals weren’t just events; they were sparks of inspiration, igniting the creative fervour of a community that sought to redefine the boundaries of expression.
- As the curtain fell on the Walcot Festivals, a realisation dawned: there was a thirst for experiences beyond the classical confines of the Bath Festival. Thus, in 1981, the Bath Fringe emerged, a beacon of artistic diversity and independence. Supported initially by the city council, the Fringe soon evolved into a grassroots movement, driven by passionate promoters, artists, and volunteers who refused to let their vision fade.
- Despite financial challenges and shifting political landscapes, the Fringe persevered, fuelled by the unwavering commitment of its community. In 1991, Bath Fringe Ltd. was born, a cooperative venture that embodied the spirit of collaboration and inclusivity. Over the years, it has become a melting pot of artistic experimentation, showcasing everything from spoken word and stand-up comedy to circus arts and world music.
- The roster of past performers reads like a who’s who of the cultural vanguard, with names like Arthur Smith, Julian Clary, and Beth Rowley gracing its stages. But beyond the star-studded lineup lies a deeper ethos—an ethos of discovery, innovation, and pushing boundaries.
- As the Fringe continues to evolve and adapt, it remains a testament to the power of community and the enduring allure of the avant-garde. In a world where conformity often reigns supreme, Bath Fringe stands as a beacon of creativity, reminding us all that the true magic of art lies in its ability to challenge, inspire, and unite.
