Discover Frome

Alchemy – Peter Hayes, Johnny Vegas & Emma Rodgers
2026-07-12 10:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | The Pedestal Gallery, 3 Stony Street, Frome, Somerset, BA11 1BU, United Kingdom
A collaborative exhibition of ceramic and sculptural work coming to Frome Festival via the Venice Biennale. Drawn to clay from a young age, Johnny Vegas gained a BA in Art & Ceramics before his career in comedy took over. Vegas has returned to ceramics later in life, allowing him to reconnect with a long-held passion.
This event is part of Frome Festival.

Ian Marlow Sculpture Exhibition
2026-07-12 10:00 - 17:00 | The Sculpture Garden, Ebenezer Chapel, Buckland Dinham, Somerset, BA11 2QT, United Kingdom
Set behind the houses and nestled beneath a canopy of trees, Ian’s Garden has become an enclosed space bathed in a dappled light, a haven from the chaos of the world. Amid the ferns and architectural planting, he displays his sculptures in bold stainless steel, vibrant glass and patinated bronze bringing renewed energy to this tranquil setting.
www.marlowsculpture.co.uk
This event is part of Frome Festival.

Frome Open Art Trail
2026-07-12 10:00 - 17:00
Emerging and established artists & makers open studios, homes or venues to show and sell their work. Support Frome’s creative community and discover paintings, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, glass, jewellery and so much more.
Discover the full trail by picking up a free brochure at the Cheese & Grain, Black Swan Arts, Library, Town Hall, or at many local shops. Brochures can be downloaded through the Frome Open Art Trail and Frome Festival websites.
Home – Frome Open Art Trail
This event is part of Frome Festival.

Frome and the Monmouth Rebellion
2026-07-12 10:30 - 12:00
During the uprising of 1685, the Duke of Monmouth and his rebel army came to Frome. This walk follows in their footsteps within the town, taking in key locations of what became one of the most significant episodes of the entire rebellion. Led by David Lassman of Frome Heritage CIC.
This walk starts from the Cheese & Grain.
This event is part of Frome Festival.

Hidden Gardens of Frome
2026-07-12 10:30 - 16:30
Frome residents open their doors wide and invite you to discover the Hidden Gardens of Frome. Explore the byways of Frome, enjoy gardens lovingly prepared by volunteers, treat yourself to a piece of cake and a cup of tea, or just wander around and have a chat. Join thousands of visitors discovering beautiful places across the town and talk with knowledgeable gardeners and wildlife enthusiasts.
There will be a large range of gardens open, including several new additions and recent makeovers. Please be aware that some gardens are only open one or two days across the weekend, as gardeners love to get out and see other gardens. This year, you can enjoy exploring some gardens on the evening of Friday 10th – discover beautiful spaces when the air is cooler before Frome Festival’s evening events.
When you purchase your tickets either in person or online, you will receive a programme with a map which will act as your ticket for the gardens. Programmes can be bought on the Frome Festival website or in person at Cheese & Grain, Hunting Raven, Ellenbray, Victoria Park Café, Discover Frome in Frome Library and the Town Hall. All funds raised support Frome Festival.
Many gardeners will be selling refreshments or craftwork at their Hidden Garden in support of their own favourite good causes.
The Physical or Virtual Programmes act as a ticket for entry and are valid for all three days
This event is part of Frome Festival.

Short Story Competitions – Prize-Giving Event
2026-07-12 11:00 - 13:00 | Merlin Theatre, Bath Road, Frome, BA11 2HG
Join Frome Writers Collective for a wonderful celebration of local, regional and international writing talent. The winners of the Young Writer Competition and the Frome Writers in Residence contest will be announced, and acclaimed author Claire Fuller will reveal the winners of the Frome Short Story Competition and award the prizes.
This event is part of Frome Festival.

Pranafreqs | Freq for All
2026-07-12 11:00 - 13:00 | Victoria Park, Weymouth Road, Frome, BA11 1HJ
Please note this event is taking place from 11am – 1pm, not 10am – 12pm as per the brochure. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
PRANAFREQS presents a free family event built on the motto Sound Movement Presence. The session features interactive practices to CONNECT ages 8 to 88 and BYOND.
​Supporting community, a 1:1 adult-to-child ratio is encouraged. Wireless headsets support THE SPACE nurturing an environment without chat, shoes, or tech. Guests are invited to explore something BYOND DIFFERENT.
​Note: The event is free; however, a £10 refundable cash deposit is required for headsets.
THE LINEUP
LINEUP TO BE ANNOUNCED
This event is part of Frome Festival.

Chapel Barton Looms
2026-07-12 11:00 - 15:00 | The Old Sunday School, 4 Chapel Barton, Frome, Somerset, BA11 1BZ, United Kingdom
Marie-Louise MacLeay has dedicated over 15 years to preserving Frome’s rich weaving heritage, sharing her passion with others. This remarkable collection of working floor, table, and upright looms is located through the Zion archway on Catherine Hill, with local glass artist Katrina Beattie also showcasing her stunning murrini bowls, coasters, and jewellery.
This event is part of Frome Festival.

Argentous
2026-07-12 11:00 - 17:00 | The Silk Mill, Merchants Barton, Frome, BA11 1PT, United Kingdom
A collaborative art installation including ceramics, textiles, painting, jewellery, photography, glass and mixed media. Silk Mill artists and associates explore the brief Argentous (of silver), culminating in an informal showing of works in the Silk Mill’s shared spaces. Select individual studios will be open alongside.
https://www.instagram.com/silkmillcollective
This event is part of Frome Festival.

Fashionable Faith – Displays
2026-07-12 11:30 - 14:30 | St John’s Church, Church St, Frome, BA11 1PL
Glamour and glory! Back by popular demand, Fashionable Faith will give you an expert guide through the history and meaning of Christian dress. Admire the detail of our embroidery, be dazzled by the array of colour, understand the rich symbolism and meaning of Church-wear in today’s world.
This event is part of Frome Festival.

Vocal Improv Workshop
2026-07-12 13:00 - 17:00 | St Mary’s Church Hall, Innox Hill, Frome, BA11 2LN
An afternoon of improvising joy for confident singers. Explore forms and structures to co-create spontaneous music, plus some free Vocal Improv. Facilitated by Joanna Harvey who has 7 years experience of learning, loving and leading CVI and runs regular sessions in Frome.
For more info contact joannamaryharvey@gmail.com
This event is part of Frome Festival.

The Wildlife Parade
2026-07-12 14:00 - 15:00 | Market Place, Market Place, Frome, BA11 1AY, United Kingdom
The Wildlife Parade will bring children, families and the wider community together to celebrate the last day of the Frome Festival in a fun and creative way. Local children will make wildlife masks in school in the weeks leading up to the event using recycled materials and learn about nature, climate change and the importance of reusing everyday items.
The children will parade through the town centre helping to raise awareness of our connection to nature and showcasing their creations.
This event is part of Frome Festival.

Danceworks
2026-07-12 14:00 - 16:00 | Frome Memorial Theatre, Christchurch Street West, Frome, BA11 1EB
Act One is an adapted version of The Nutcracker Suite, danced by our beautiful Danceworks ballet students from the age of 3.
Act Two will bring “A Night At The Musicals” and a tribute to the “Jackson’s”.
Act Two will be performances from our Tap, Modern, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Musical Theatre and Cheer students.
Click Here For Danceworks 2026 Information

Frome Heritage Tree Walk
2026-07-12 14:30 - 16:00
Join local author and heritage tree specialist Julian Hight on this ever-popular walk to see some of Frome’s most majestic trees, and hear about their history, legacy and lore. This easy walk will include Millennium Green, Rodden Meadow and Willow Vale.
This walk starts from the Cheese & Grain.
This event is part of Frome Festival.

Jackdaws Songbirds
2026-07-12 14:30 - 16:00 | Christ Church, Christchurch Street West, Frome, BA11 1EH
The wayfaring singers of Jackdaws Songbirds have flown around the globe, gathering songs from the Arctic to the Equator, time-travelling across centuries to bring home a battered, bulging suitcase of fabulous ditties, wrapped up in joyous a cappella harmony. Bring spare cash for glorious half-time treats and teas, and for the retiring collection for Jackdaws Educational Trust.
This event is part of Frome Festival.

Fashionable Faith – Walk and Talk
2026-07-12 15:00 - 16:00 | St John’s Church, Church St, Frome, BA11 1PL

Wine Vs Beer Cheese Pairing Showdown
2026-07-12 15:00 - 17:00 | Saddle Goose Winery & Cellar Door, Unit D Station Approach, Frome Somerset, Frome, Somerset, BA11 1RE, United Kingdom
Saddle Goose Winery are hosting a wine vs beer cheese pairing match up with local brewery Somer Valley. Five cheeses meet their perfectly paired wine and beer in a flavour showdown to see who comes out victorious! Get ready to sip, chat, vote and laugh!

Events

This event is part of Frome Festival.

Jazz, Made in Frome – Frome Festival’s Big Jazz Celebration 2026
2026-07-12 15:00 - 19:00 | The Tunnels, 23 Bath Street, Frome, Somerset, BA11 1DJ, United Kingdom
Curated by acclaimed Frome-based jazz pianist John Law, enjoy a sparkling programme of top class jazz musicians living in and around Frome. The programme features delicate chamber groups – Keith Harrison Broninski / Elliot Galvin, Nick Sorensen Trio, Emma Harris with the Daan Temmink trio & John Martin / Dave Newton quartet. Supported by All Instruments, Westbury. Donations gratefully received.
This event is part of Frome Festival.

Professor Keith Barnham – an All-Renewable Electricity Supply for Frome
2026-07-12 16:00 - 17:30 | Frome Town Hall, Christopher Street West, Frome, BA111EB, United Kingdom
Emeritus Professor of Physics at Imperial College London, Prof. Keith Barnham considers how Frome could become the first UK town with an all-renewable electricity supply from wind and solar power. The software GIFTS (Get It From The Sun) compares solar and wind supply with grid demand and calculates the anaerobic digestion required to deliver secure electricity every hour of the year.
This event is part of Frome Festival.

The Power of Writing and Reading Memoir
2026-07-12 16:30 - 18:00 | Archangel, 1 King Street, Frome, BA11 1BH
Lily Dunn talks to Harriet Derioz about the importance of memoir in our fragmented times, as a transformative experience for both writer and reader. A discussion about life – writing as a shifting and changing form, and why a personal narrative is so much more than finding the story and sharing it with the world.
This event is part of Frome Festival.

A-Z of Frome
2026-07-12 17:00 - 18:30
Loosely based on the book of the same name, this walk will chronicle alphabetically the history of the town, from Aldhelm, the founder of Frome, to the Zion Congregational Church, where old and new come together in a perfect mix. Led by David Lassman of Frome Heritage CIC and co-author of A-Z of Frome.
This walk starts from the Cheese & Grain.
This event is part of Frome Festival.

Pregnancy Mindfulness
2026-07-12 18:00 - 19:30 | Rise Frome, Whittox Lane, Frome, Somerset, BA11 3BY, United Kingdom
Pregnant and looking for some time and space to connect with yourself, your baby and others going through pregnancy?
These monthly sessions give you time to pause, tune into yourself and relax. No experience necessary – the simple meditations will be guided, you can sit in a chair, bring along a cushion or a yoga mat (and a blanket!) if you’d prefer to lie down and fully rest.
There’s the option for a little gentle movement after the relaxation, so you can land back in the room before we come back to circle and there’s the chance to chat and share your experience and reflect on your pregnancy.
Advance booking recommended, and it’s a pay-what-you-feel workshop.

Mells Summer Opera
2026-07-12 18:00 - 20:30 | St Andrew’s Church, St Andrew's Church, Mells
From the birth of opera to the full bloom of the Baroque, this programme traces love, loss, and transcendence across a century of musical theatre. Featuring masterworks from Monteverdi, Purcell, Rameau and Handel. Intimate laments, radiant choruses, and vivid instrumental interludes combine to create an evening of drama, beauty, and emotional truth.
From the birth of opera to the full bloom of the Baroque, this programme traces love, loss, and transcendence across a century of musical theatre. Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo opens the journey with pastoral joy and devastating grief, while Purcell and Rameau dazzle with dance, colour, and sensual imagination. At its heart lie Handel’s most tender and profound scenes—from the sunlit bliss of Acis & Galatea to the spiritual intensity of Theodora. Intimate laments, radiant choruses, and vivid instrumental interludes combine to create an evening of drama, beauty, and emotional truth, where myth and morality meet in music of timeless power.
Enjoy a vegetarian picnic & ticket combo for £35, which includes:

Vegetarian Quiche
Tomato and cucumber salad
Humous with carrot sticks
Bread roll
Cheese selection
Crisps
Strawberries and cream
Small bar of chocolate
Utensils and napkins

Allergens – egg, gluten, dairy (nut free)

This event is part of Frome Festival.

The Legendary Frome Jazz Jam – Frome Festival’s Big Jazz Celebration 2026
2026-07-12 19:30 - 21:30 | The Tunnels, 23 Bath Street, Frome, Somerset, BA11 1DJ, United Kingdom
Celebrate the end of Frome Festival’s 25th anniversary by playing or enjoying Simon Williams’ long running Frome Jazz Jam. This is the culmination of Frome Festival’s celebration of top class jazz musicians living in and around Frome, curated by acclaimed Frome-based jazz pianist John Law. Supported by All Instruments, Westbury. Donations gratefully received.
This event is part of Frome Festival.

Frome Symphony Orchestra
2026-07-12 19:30 - 21:30 | Holy Trinity Church, Trinity Street, Frome, BA11 3DE
Experience an evening of unforgettable melodies and expressive storytelling. Butterworth’s A Shropshire Lad captures the gentle melancholy of England’s countryside, Schumann’s Piano Concerto sparkles with passion and lyric charm, and Vaughan Williams’ London Symphony brings the sights and sounds of the capital vividly to life. A perfect blend of intimacy and symphonic splendour.
The evening features a remarkable rising talent: 16-year-old pianist Ezra Herring, a scholarship student at Wells Cathedral School’s renowned specialist music school.
Frome Symphony Orchestra

This event is part of Frome Festival.

Phil Ellis – Bath Mat
2026-07-12 19:30 - 21:30 | Merlin Theatre, Bath Road, Frome, BA11 2HG
Multi-award winning ‘comic genius’ (The Scotsman) and the new star of Taskmaster (Ch4), Phil Ellis is going on his first full national stand-up tour. Following his three big award wins at the 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Phil presents his brand-new show ‘Bath Mat’, jam packed with laugh-out-loud profound silliness, superbly crafted gags and constant surprises.
★★★★★ The Mirror
‘Every moment he is on stage something funny, and then funnier, is happening.’
★★★★★ TheScotsman
‘The density of gags is impressive…Ellis in his prime’
★★★★½ Chortle
This event is part of Frome Festival.

Boubacar Samake & Aloka
2026-07-12 19:30 - 21:45 | Rook Lane Chapel, Rook Lane, Bath Street, Frome, BA11 1DN
Boubacar Samake, son of the late Malian music legend Sibiri Samake, carries forward the deep spiritual tradition of Mali’s donso (hunter) music — a lineage of ritual melodies and rhythms played for courage, healing, and connection to the natural world. A virtuoso of the ngoni, the plucked lute at the heart of donso music, Boubacar is also one half of electro-afro innovators Siraba. He performs in this new line-up with Louis Campbell (electric guitar, from alt-folk duo Spafford Campbell), Ben Nicholls (bass) and master percussionist Seydou Kienou from Burkina Faso, whose djembe, calabash and karagnan bring a visceral, ancient pulse. Together they reframe this ancestral sound in a hypnotic, blues-tinged dialogue that bridges West African tradition and modern experimentation.
Aloka is a young singer-songwriter from London but now living in Bristol. Growing up surrounded by music, Aloka has been inspired from a young age to take up singing. She has carved out a unique sound, drawing inspiration from neo-soul, dub, hip-hop and jazz. Her soaring vocals and heartfelt lyrics resonate with audiences and capture the hearts of listeners.
This event is part of Frome Festival.

Eliza Carthy & Special Guests – the Songs of Martin Carthy + Martha Tilston
2026-07-12 19:30 - 22:30 | Cheese and Grain, Market Yard, Frome, BA11 1BE
Eliza Carthy will be performing a very special live show with special guest opening artist, Martha Tilston on the final night of Frome Festival 2026!
In the wake of Martin Carthy’s unexpected recent retirement, Eliza has drawn together a community of varied and talented musicians, all of whom have played a role in Martin’s outstanding career. These artists will share the stage with Eliza, honouring and celebrating Martin’s immense legacy and musical back catalogue.
This evening will present a rolling cast of admirers, colleagues and surprise guests, performing an entirely new set featuring some of Martin’s best loved work from all eras of his career, spanning from his debut to final albums, via Waterson:Carthy and beyond.
Martin Carthy is a legendary ballad singer and guitarist who has influenced generations of artists, including Bob Dylan and Paul Simon, while Eliza has been twice-nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and a multiple-award winner at the BBC Radio Two Folk awards.
In recognition of his illustrious career Martin was recently shortlisted for the 2025 Mercury Prize for his wonderful new solo record Transform Me Then Into A Fish. This album both marked his 84th birthday in May 2025, and offered a full circle moment in his music journey as he revisited material from his very first (eponymous) solo record released in 1965.
Support will be provided by Martha Tilston, featuring a beautiful original set. With a pure silken voice and lyrics that inspire and captivate, she has developed a successful musical career with a large and loyal following worldwide.
Martha has played on some of the world’s most prestigious stages and festivals, recorded and released several critically acclaimed albums, gained a nomination for BBC best newcomer, appeared as a guest vocalist for Zero 7, toured internationally and worked with the some of the world’s most inspiring musicians.
The past few years have seen Martha venture in to the world of film making, gaining nominations for best arts film for The Clifftop Sessions and recently releasing her first feature film (with an accompanying Soundtrack Album) – The Tape – which is garnering much praise and excitement.
“Redolent of early Kate Bush, soulful vocals that soar around, an understated masterpiece’” Acoustic Magazine
This event is part of Frome Festival.

Fofoulah
2026-07-12 20:00 - 23:00 | Bistro Lotte, 23 Catherine Street, Frome, BA11 1DB
Fofoulah blend the propulsive rhythms of Senegalese sabar drums with dub basslines, sci-fi synths and raw guitars. This London-based quintet fuses Wolof vocals, trance-like grooves and glitchy electronics into something both earthy and futurist. Veterans of WOMAD, Cambridge Folk Festival and Celtic Connections, Fofoulah deliver intense, hypnotic performances that blur borders and ignite dancefloors.

This event is part of Frome Festival.

Sherlock & Pages Book Club
2026-07-13 19:00 - 21:30 | Little Walcot, Stony Street, Frome, Somerset, BA11 1BU, United Kingdom
Join us for an evening of community and reading!
Bring your own book (fiction or non-fiction, whatever you prefer) and we’ll gather to read together in silence.
Doors will open at 7pm for a 7:30pm start. Drinks will be available at the bar.
No ticket required: free & open to all.
This is a new fortnightly event taking place on the 2nd & 4th Monday of each month.
Upstairs at Little Walcot, 8 Stoney Street, Frome.
