What’s reckoned to be the biggest FREE multi-venue musical party celebration in the whole of the South West is coming our way next month!
Get ready for Party in the City, in Bath, on Friday 15 May.
Thousands of music lovers will be heading to Bath city centre from 5pm where the sound of live music will spill out of pubs, clubs, churches, museums and galleries, and into the streets.
Hundreds of singers and musicians will play at the most venues ever, with 50 taking part, and it’s all completely free to attend.
Party in the City is the flagship opener for Bath Festivals’ four weeks of live events.
There is something for every taste. Enjoy everything from acoustic/pop, blues, folk, funk/soul, jazz and blues, and indie/rock through to choral and classical. And this year, for the first time, venues are specialising in one genre, so you won’t have to move if your heart is set on just one type of music.
Look out for brochures across the city now. These will also be handed out on the night.
Download the app visit partyinthecity.org.uk or look for Party in the City 2026 in the app store.
Search by artist, venue, genre of music, or use the city map. Last year there were more than 4,000 downloads as partygoers used the app to plan where they were heading to hear their favourite acts.
Highlights from Party in the City 2026:
- Bath Abbey is the impressive setting for choral performances of all genres, featuring schools and community choirs.
- The Guildhall’s elegant interior will host an eclectic programming with classical, jazz and folk offerings by orchestras and ensembles .
- Green Park Station is party central for all ages with music, bars and food extending into the weekend – featuring a big party stage and an emerging band stage on Friday and a choirs festival on Saturday.
- Komedia on Westgate Street is a hub for high-energy cutting-edge contemporary acts and after-hours clubbing.
- The huge stage at The Forum is perfect for Youth Stage, showcasing inspiring musical projects of all kinds from state schools from all over the region, thanks to support from WEMA (West of England Music and Arts).
- Other venues include pubs, bars, cafes, churches, museums and galleries, each curating their own flavour of live music and performance The joy is in the movement: stay rooted in one venue or roam freely. From the Abbey Hotel through to Widcombe Social Club, the city will be alive with music.
And the music goes on. Keep your eyes open for free and ticketed opportunities to party on after 11pm at selected venues.
The Festival of Choirs at Green Park Station, on Saturday 16 May from 3pm to 10p, will see more than 750 singers in 15 choirs celebrating the glory of singing.
And there is a full day of choir workshops on Sunday 17 May at the Roper Theatre. Find out more at: BathFestivalofChoirs.co.uk.
New this year
The Kids Are Alright is a new battle of the bands competition, showcasing young and emerging talent. It’s open to music students and the newly graduated from colleges across the south west, judged by music professionals and offering a first prize of a mentored session at the Distillery II recording studios.
The live final will be battled out in front of a Party in the City audience at Roseberry Road Studios in Bath.
If you love a festival wristband and want to feel that familiar woven band on your wrist this summer, why not donate £10 online and get a Party in the City limited edition festival VIP wristband sent to you in advance.
It will help you skip queues, bag some front row seats at selected venues and give you a warm glow that you’re supporting Bath’s brilliant live music scene.
For wristbands and for more information visit: partyinthecity.org.
Party in the City festival director Chris Rogers says, “Party in the City isn’t just something that happens in Bath – it’s something Bath does together. And, yes this is the biggest event yet, but that’s because more people have got involved.
We have created a culture where everyone is welcome and this underpins our commitment to grow smarter while keeping it human and spontaneous.”
Thank you to our headline sponsors Bath BID, and to sponsors Mayden, Coles-Medlock, Bath Recreation, Bath Pizza Co, Wylde jewellers and media partners Nearfield.
Also a big thank you to all the ambassadors and volunteers who help make Party in the City run smoothly every year, and to all the musicians and singers who give up their time for free.
How to get involved
Sign up to the PiTC mailing list to hear all the latest news: https://partyinthecity.org.uk/#mailing-list
We want to hear and see YOUR musical stories from Party in the City. Whether you’re running a venue, playing or singing, or simply coming along to enjoy the party vibes, we’d love to hear from you. Use Instagram and Tik Tok @bathpartyinthecity, Facebook @partyinthecity and use the tag #PartyInTheCity.
Please donate: Bath Festivals want to continue to run Party in the City for FREE for future generations, but we need your support to do this. Look out for our volunteers who will have charity buckets for your cash, and card readers for your cashless donations.
Party in the City is brought to you by Bath Festivals, the arts charity behind Bath Literature Festival and Bath Music Festival,
Book tickets online or call Bath Box Office, tel: 01225 463362 in office hours.
