The Jane Austen Festival

Friday 18th to Sunday 27th September 2009

Festival Director Jackie Herring on the right

The Bath Jane Austen Festival was the idea of David Baldock Director of the Jane Austen Centre and the first Festival took place in 2001. “My aim was to draw attention to this very popular author whose works were so influenced by the city by holding an annual celebration where Austen fans from all over the world could come and indulge themselves in everything Regency.”

Each year the Festival, which is held at the end of September, grows and grows with more people dressing in Regency costume celebrating the life and works of Jane Austen. Throughout the city events are organised by the Festival team under the guidance of Jackie Herring the Festival Director. Entrance to the events is by ticket and those go on sale at the Bath Festivals Box Office a few months before the start.

The most spectacular day each year is the first Saturday, when the festival officially ‘opens’ with the Regency Costumed Promenade through the streets of Bath. Promenaders from all over the world dress in 18th Century attire led by our Town Crier and accompanied by soldiers and sailors adding extra colour to the proceedings.

In 2008 we organised for the first time a traditional Country Fair in Queen Square where not only promenaders but also the general public could partake of the sideshows and stalls as well as try the stocks for size!

Small soirees, theatre, concerts, walking tours, food, talks and of course dancing plus the opportunity to dress throughout the week, if you wish, in 18th century costume. These are some of the attractions of the Jane Austen Festival.

For further details of the current festival click the side button or sign up to our enewsletter. The website is being updated all the time as and when details become available and events are finalised.