The Frome Festival

About

Frome Festival is back from 4 to 13 July 2025 with its most ambitious and wide-ranging programme to date. This much-loved annual celebration of arts, culture, and community continues to grow in scope and imagination, bringing together world-class performers, local talent, and a wealth of unique experiences across the town.

Musical highlights this year include performances from the Ronnie Scott’s All Stars, acclaimed songwriter and producer Guy Chambers (most well-known for his work with Robbie Williams), the Miki Berenyi Trio (formerly of Lush), Tom Moth (harpist with Florence + The Machine), Gary Stringer (Reef), Rokia Koné (from Les Amazones d'Afrique), and the dynamic Hackney Colliery Band.

The comedy line-up features some of the UK’s most distinctive voices, with headline sets from Lou Sanders, Andy Zaltzman, and the return of firm favourites Jarred Christmas’ Pop-Up Comedy and Amy Webber.

This year’s Bob Morris Lecture will be presented by historian, author and broadcaster Professor Kate Williams, offering fresh insight into a thousand years of Britain’s palaces, monarchs - and all the royal secrets. Other talks include Robin Ince and Guardian journalist John Harris, speaking about their respective new books, both dealing with the subject of neurodiversity. Poet and BBC Radio 4 regular Kate Fox also uncovers new ways to think about labels like Autism and ADHD in a humorous presentation and a separate writing workshop.

The family-friendly programme includes free events for children funded by Frome Town Council, with enchanting performances of The Elves and the Shoemaker and Bin Rat. The Council has also supported Teabreak – a lively show in the town centre designed for the whole family to enjoy together.

The 2025 Festival welcomes a host of new venues and organisers, including Five Yard presents Alan Power and the Take Twos, a series of food, wine and music events at Rye Bakery and Saddle Goose Winery on Station Approach, and the hilariously original ‘Karenoke’ - comedy karaoke with a Karen - at The Tunnels. A very special performance by the prestigious Brodsky Quartet will take place in Chantry Church just outside Frome.
Festival-goers can also enjoy the return of cherished community events such as the Hidden Gardens, the Frome Open Art Trail, and the Food Feast, featuring live music from Nothing Rhymes With Orange, Buffalo Gals, and Kaleida Wild.

This year’s theme, Frome’s historic textile industry, is woven through the festival’s branding, artwork, and a variety of textile-inspired events that pay tribute to the town’s rich industrial heritage. These range from the traditional, for example weaving and woad dyeing workshops, to the contemporary, such as a themed AR (Augmented Reality) history quest and a silent disco comedy walk.

The competition ‘Make Frome Knit Again!’ ties in with this year’s theme and seeks to decorate the public spaces of Frome for the duration of the Festival from 4 to 13 July. Referred to as ‘yarn bombing’ or ‘guerrilla knitting,' and often seen on post boxes, this activity is designed to put a smile on people’s faces and bring the community together. Members of the public are asked to knit, crochet, stitch or tastefully and safely drape landmarks or any other objects to brighten up the town. Festival organisers would love to see people think outside of the (post)box and suggest displaying a creation, small or large, inside street facing home or shop windows also.

With close to 200 events at Frome Festival, there's something to suit everyone! These include theatre, film and exhibitions alongside children’s events, free events, music, comedy, workshops, talks, walks, literary, quizzes, dance, science, garden tours, food and drink, a fashion show and quirky events such as a ghost tour.

A free printed festival brochure is now available from the Cheese & Grain and other local outlets. The full programme and ticket information can also be found online at www.fromefestival.co.uk.